I use lots of different methods to keep my time in God's Word fresh.
More often than not, I will use a published Bible study for my daily study and prayer time. I don't necessarily try to follow the days or the time frame that the study sets. In other words, I don't always complete Monday on Monday. It may take me all week to do that day. I use the studies kind of like a trampoline to jump up and down on but often find myself somewhere that I have no idea how I got there.
Much like blogging! Don't you do that? Go to a link that someone recommends, then from that blog to another then before long, you forget the path you have taken and can not remember the original blog you started on.
A Bible study helps keep me on a path that I can follow and find my way back to. It gives me a trampoline to spring from.
Other times, God leads me to take a Book of the Bible and study from start to finish.
I am in one of those seasons. I just completed Beth Moore's "Stepping Up" WOW. That study nailed me over and over and seemed each day to be written just for me.
God's Word ALWAYS does that same thing. I love the LIVING Word of God and the way that scripture takes upon it, into it, the life that I am living RIGHT NOW.
I am studying the Book of Romans.
I am also writing a new Bible Study about Freedom from our past and God's assignments for our future.
I am amazed at Gods' precious heart connection from my personal study to the study that He has called me to write for other women.
The verse that I have been chewing on over and over is:
I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Romans 1: 16
The notes in one of my study Bibles explains that SALVATION has three facets:
Past Salvation---from the penalties of sin
Present Salvation---from the power of sin in daily life
Future Salvation---from the actual presence of sin in Heaven
Salvation goes behind us, is with us today and goes with us into forever.
This is one of those Bible truths that I feel like if there was nothing else in God's Word but this one verse it would be OK.
I have a past that is filled with sin.
My entire ministry life has been captured around some of my past.
But I also have the past of YESTERDAY'S sin. Like loosing my patience with a store clerk, then walking away, shaking my head and telling myself "that was good Pat, very Godly example you set there!"
I have sin that I am sure will come at me today. So far, I have walked from my bed to my prayer chair so I might be OK but just let me get up from here and see what happens.
It will most likely involve people. People that God loves, died for and people who are walking in the same grace for the day that I am standing in.
The final joy of SALVATION rests securely in eternity. Once you GET IT, No one can take it away. No matter how bad my yesterdays were. Regardless of my failures after I get up from this chair.
My eternal salvation is secure in my Saviour, My Jesus, My Redeemer.
My faith in Him has secured my Salvation for yesterday, today and tomorrow.
If you are not certain of your Salvation. Of what God offers YOUR yesterday, today and tomorrow, would you join me on the Roman Road?
If you have FAITH to believe, you will leave this indescribable trail a new person on a new journey that will never, never end and will start today...on Fresh Word Friday!!!
Romans 1:20
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:9-13
What a Mighty God we serve!!!
