Right Place, Right Time, Discipline

Ok, here we go!  Hope this is helpful.  If so, chime in, respond, let us know.  I'm simply going to start by telling you what a "morning devotions" routine looks like for me. 

There's no right way or right time, but I think everyone has to find a time and a place that works for them. Everyone is different, so find a time & place & stick with it. 

For me, studying scripture is all about the setting & time.  Early morning, fireplace on, fresh pot of great coffee. Quiet. Journal. Study Bible. Pen (see pic below).  While I wait for the coffee to finish perking, I say a simple prayer asking God to clear my mind, open my mind, speak, yell, convict, etc...

I like to study books of the Bible, simply my preference.  I like finding themes, key words that the writers keeps using, and trying to put myself in the story: who is writing, what's their story, what are they passionate about, what's the message?   After I've read the passage, usually no more than 20 verses/day, I will read it again, and maybe again (depending on how hard it is) which takes usually about 5 minutes total.

Then I simply open my journal and try to find 3 or 4 words or phrases that stood out to me.  I write them down in the page and pray "God, why did these verses/words, stand out to me?"  By this time I have consumed a hefty cup of coffee, and need to fill up a second :).  

Now, there are mornings I'm too tired.  Nothing seems to come.  God seems to have laryngitis.  There are mornings I am tempted to write sermons instead and avoid letting God speak to MY heart. Not good.  So, it takes some discipline.  But then there are mornings when it seems like God is speaking to me from the very words on the page, and it couldn't be more rewarding.  There are other days I read a verse and its nice & good but has not resonance with me ... until the end of the day, and the Holy Spirit brings it back to me and in light of the day, the verse makes sense.  Goosebumps.  

So, my blog will simply be me sharing some of the 3 or 4 words/phrases and some of my personal thoughts.  Some days that I will have some actual God-directed thoughts & reflections that have stirred my heart.  Other days it will mean describing which of my children interrupt my study, or a description of the coffee because its just one of those mornings...either way, I hope it helps you develop your own time and space for the Lord to speak to you.

Rob