i used to read the Bible a chapter a night, and that was good. i would underline and put a verse or two in my journal or phone notes, maybe write one on my hand for the next day, and call it a night. At the same time i was praying for God to increase my desire to make Him the basis of my every action.
i don't know when it happened, it was a slow process and still is, but i began to hunger for more knowledge and understanding. My way of spending time with God at the time did not satisfy that longing so i started keeping my Bible with me throughout the day. It naturally became my priority and the part of my day i look forward to, and now being back in school i have figured out time each day to spend in the Word on campus. God answered my prayer by providing resources and opportunities to strengthen my understanding of the Bible, through sermons and talks, community, and even a bookmark-sized piece of paper provided by Young Life titled "How To Study The Bible." i'm continuing in Paul's writing with Colossians now, and i've spent the last three days reading the same chapter and writing on it.
At the top of my page is written "Dear Lord, please change my heart as a result of studying your Word" (straight from the bookmark).
i wrote out who Paul is and what he was communicating, then i looked up more about the town of Colosse to understand who he was writing to. This was a part of the "observation- the Six W's" part of the bookmark.
"WHY: God gave Paul a longing for these people amidst their struggles. He writes to show them love and to encourage them not to give up - take advantage of having the kingdom. He updates them on his life and reminds them of their alienation and reconciliation through Jesus.
WHEREFORE: The difference if i were to apply this truth would be loving boldly in God's name, praying for others to have understanding, being patient and enduring among distractions and trials, putting Jesus first, being a servant and laboring with the Lord's energy."
i interpreted chapter one using the questions provided:
"How i see God's glory at work here is through Paul because the love he had for the people of Colosse is so obviously of the Lord. Let me have that so people can say "obviously" about the love i show and let them give God the glory. This chapter tells me the gospel is relevant today; loving in His name doesn't change. Praise the Lord for that. The motive for this text is encouragement for struggling brothers- also relevant."
He is so constant.
What's crazy is how i've seen my desire of knowledge affecting my actions and interactions. And how perfect His timing is. This weekend both of my roommates were out of town so i had the room to myself. i stayed in that night which is rare for me but i could tell it would be good. i needed to rest! I saw God the next morning when i went to my first day of Sunday School for Austin Stone's south campus. He gave me energy to love on two-year-olds in the nursery and appreciate their innocent joy. The best part of my weekend was when i felt the Spirit so tangibly telling me to go to Waco. After church i got in my car and went with one purpose: to meet up with someone i barely knew. God gave me a supernatural compassion and love that was exploding inside me and what's insane is that the feeling was mutual with my new friend. He guided our conversations yesterday which allowed us to be genuine and vulnerable- creating an unlikely friendship based solely on Him! i left Waco overflowing with excitement, knowing it was the Spirit in me rejoicing that i heard God and acted on it.
If we continuously surrender to God, we are more willing to obey Him.
The more willing we are to obey, the more we will confidently hear God's voice.
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