“My struggle is how can I read the word more often…I feel like the only time I read is when I am at service and I feel that I am failing overall.”
Anytime someone starts to get serious about reading the Word, God is incredibly excited. Someone wants to be better friends with Him!
Here’s some basic ideas for you.
Set a time. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. It’s a cliche, but pretty accurate sometimes. Making a new habit means you have to do some work to figure out when/where you’re going to spend time with God. The more regular/consistant it is, the better off you are. It doesn’t have to be a ton of time to start out – just set some time.
Set a plan. Have a plan on how you’re going to read the Bible. I suggest using a Bible reading plan – to read the New Testament or the whole Bible. You can find a couple lower on my blog.
Look to be in relationship. Often we read the Bible looking for facts. The Bible is written as a story. There are times to do theological study, but more importantly, it’s a relationship; a love letter; a message to your heart. Look to hear from God; look to listen to Him.
Get some friends. Get in some type of group of friends that share your relationship with God, where it’s normal to talk about your love relationship with Him. This will encourage and keep you consistant.
I got an email a little while ago from someone dealing with jealousy over relationships past. I won’t share all the details as it’s personal. But, the end with this
“I thought if I studied “jealous” in my life application study guide I could figure it out, but the examples I found (mainly Exodus 20:5) confused me even more. …”for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate….”
Please help me understand why our God is jealous over His relationship with us and why I feel so bad about being jealous.”
I’ve been married to my wife for over 6 years. She’s an awesome wife – and more than that I’ve given my heart and my life to her.And, yes, I am jealous of her. Not in the “I’m worried every second of my life you might be looking at another guy” high school way, but in the true love is exclusive – and I don’t want to share the intimacy we have with any other guy.
In the same way, God is crazy passionate about you – and He knows that you can only have one God – one ultimate purpose in life. He knows that He is the source of life and love and only in Him will you find perfect satisfaction – so He’s insanely jealous of your affection.
Let’s look at all of the second commandment, from which Exodus 20:5 is taken:
Exodus 20: 4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
I think it’s that second part, “punishing the children for the sin of the fathers…” that freaks us out. How can God punish people – especially children – for what someone else does?
First of all – this is the law of genetics and cause and effect! My grandfather was an alcoholic. I am more susceptible to alcoholism because of that. My father had an affair and had some relationship challenges – I carry that history into my life.
However, the second part of the promise is what we miss – “but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments!” The blessing is exponentially greater than the curse! A thousand generations of blessing rather than the 3rd or 4th generation. You may right now be receiving blessing based on the faithfulness of someone in your family tree from centuries ago!
But why is God jealous at all? Again, as I stated above, it goes down to radical passionate love – and this kind of love is exclusive! God isn’t a petty immature high-school freshman who’s jealous because he’s afraid of being alone, looking silly, or having his heart broken. He’s the lover who has given everything to his bride and wants what is best for her.
So, let me ask you, my blog friend, how does it make you feel to think about God being crazy jealous of YOU?
So, last week I was on “staycation!” One day we took the family to Roaring Springs. Fun for the family! Jossi, our 2 ½ year old loved the teeter-totters in the kiddie area (until they had to clear the kids’ pool…) and so off I went to ride rides with my bigger girls (aged 10 and 13).
A great summer challenge in my household is the purchase of swimsuits for my older girls. Finding something “appropriate” yet fashionable is an almost impossible task.
A Rude Awakening to a Modest Issue:
While at Boondocks, it became apparent to me that it is time for a new call to an honest discussion about what is appropriate and modest. We walk a fine line. I get tired of people who are finding something horrible behind every issue and simply seem alarmist. On the other hand, we should explore if there are some Biblical precedents for what we wear.
I don’t want to be in a position of judging and condemning – rather I want to explore what the Bible has to say about clothing at Boondocks!
Biblical Precedents for Clothing:
To talk about clothing we have to go back to the first mention of clothing in the Bible. That’s back in Genesis. Genesis 2:25 says, “The man and his wife [Adam & Eve] were both naked, and they felt no shame.”
So, in the beginning, clothing was not an issue! They didn’t wear any! Temperature was moderate enough, and people’s hearts were pure – and they lived in intimacy with each other, so there was no need for clothing.
Now, you may be saying, “See, if we were really with God, we wouldn’t wear any clothing! Nakedness is the sign of being pure!” Hold on – keep reading!
Adam and Eve sinned – you probably know the story of Genesis 3 – Eve being deceived by the serpent and Adam following suit. As soon as this happened the Bible says, (vs. 7) “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”
Then God shows up, and what does He do? Vs 21, “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” Check this out. CLOTHING WAS MADE BY GOD!
Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves. They masked up their nakedness; they tried to make it look like they weren’t naked. God comes and clothes them.
Get this down – CLOTHING IS FROM GOD!
Nakedness is the state of being sinful and vulnerable. God gives clothing. (A quick Bible study on robe or garments and you’ll find the spiritual significance of Christ’s robe of purity that He gives to us because of the death of Jesus Christ).
Purpose of Clothing:
So, what is the purpose of clothing? Well, obviously, to cloth nakedness, as we’ve already seen.
Therefore, our first Biblical principle of clothing is:
Clothing should not draw attention to that which should be covered.
Take a quick look through fashion magazines, swimsuit designs, or just take a walk down the street and do a quick poll – how many outfits draw attention to parts of the body that should be covered?
So, how do we determine what should be covered?
1 Peter 3 takes us even farther gives us a good indication:
3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
What shows the Spirit of God – the inner self? The face; the hands that do the works of Jesus… These are the things that draw people to God.
Do you want your clothing – or your body to be what people think of when they think of you, or that they’ve seen Jesus Christ in you?
Call to Action:
I challenge you, first of all, to take a hard look at what you wear – is it drawing attention to you and your clothing or to the Spirit of God working in you? I challenge you to deal radically with this question.
Secondly, I challenge you to teach your children. Use teachable moments (like Roaring Springs or things they are exposed to in the media) to ask questions and instruct them.
It is time for radical followers of Jesus Christ to take a radical stand on glorifying God through clothing.
Practical Observations:
It’s often said that men are visual creatures. I don’t think there is any way to convey to a woman how a man is wired – or what the effect of seeing hints of a woman’s body that should be covered. It’s not just “cute” – it’s a battle that a man must face with lust. How many women have no idea that their outfits are creating a battle for men?
Be very careful with your teens. I watched teen couples at Roaring Springs last week – and that state of undress that swimming outfits often express (seriously, is a bikini much different than wearing undergarments?) puts kids at a disadvantage in the fight for both mental and physical purity. This will takes some serious, deep, rational conversations to help them understand.
Challenge 2:
I would love to see some dialogue on this topic. Do you see this Biblically? What do you find in the Word about modesty?
“Also, I have many friends who are believers and we try to encourage each other. I feel very blessed to have these great friends. I know we’re supposed to share the Good News about Jesus with others. It’s hard to know how/when to share about our faith. I don’t know where many of my extended family is with Jesus. I feel extreme pressure because I claim to be a Christian to be a perfect example of Christ’s love. Obviously, I’m not perfect and I fail a lot. I want to feel at peace about that, but to also live my life so they see the love of Christ.
Sometimes I think we carry too much pressure to “win” people over to Jesus. We feel a little uncomfortable, like maybe we’re not much better than a pushy used car salesman. And when we realize our own imperfections, it seems all the stranger. As a pastor, though, one of the best things people have told me is that because of my imperfections – and my honesty about it – that they feel God can be real in their life too. People can handle our imperfections – they can’ t handle us acting like we don’t!
Instead, we need to enter into relationships with them and then be willing to ask deep questions – and instead of simply waiting to give our answers to them be willing to listen to them and actually dialogue rather than monologue.
I’ve read this quote many times, “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.;”
So, to put some of this in practical terms with your family… I would suggest you begin by building your relationship with God and asking Him to give you divine appointments – even them asking you about your life, your relationship with Christ, how you handle stuff in life, etc.
Secondly, spend time each day remembering why you serve God. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” Part of that means remember why you are in love with God; what He’s done for You. How it’s impacted your life day to day.
I highly recommend the books, “Out of the Saltshaker & Into the World” by Rebecca Manley Pippert and “Just Walk Across the Room” by Bill Hybels. Both are available at Amazon.com as well as through local Christian book stores and I know Hybels book is available at your local library (that’s where I got it!).