1 Timothy 4:6–8 (ESV) — 6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
NOTE: "Train yourself for godliness" is why the spiritual disciplines are so important. We need to renew our mind, and that is done reading the word of God. The word of God is living and active. It can break things down. It can cut away to the root issue. It can burn away the dross. It can light the way. It can reveal sin. But you must accompany reading the word with application, otherwise you will only be a hearer, not a doer, and you will deceive yourselves.
The most life changing habit that a person can do is a DAILY quiet time. A quiet time is where you start the day with a short prayer, a short reading of a passage from scripture (not someone else's devotional), and then writing down your thoughts -- allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you through your pen (or keyboard if you type your thoughts like me), and then you pray based on what God has shown you from his word. At that point, if you want to read a related devotional, that's fine, but don't let someone else's spirituality substitute for God changing you spiritually.
PONDER:
- Do you have a regular, daily quiet time?
- Are you short changing your life by letting other things crowd out God?
PRAYER: Father, I don't know how to say it any stronger. We need time in your word to truly meet with you and know you. Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen what was far better, as Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to his word. Make us into Mary's and protect us from the things that keep us from meeting with you.
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