Wow. A new year, and a fresh start. I put the daily discipler down for a while, but am very glad to pick it back up. I have found it to be one of the best tools for getting some "Solid Food" from the word.
Amos 7:7-8 (find it at www.biblegateway.com)
This study in the daily discipler invites us into a short series on our belief system. Are we living what we say we believe. Anderson takes us through a kind of appraisal of what we are currently thinking about ourselves and our lives, as a measure of what we believe. The next few readings will challenge us to align our priorities with what God says we should believe. I am going to write down my responses to the appraisal, to give me (and you) a starting place to measure against. These are my honest answers (and they most certainly, not all responses are good). Perhaps my honesty will encourage you to evaluate your faith in the same way:
Rate out of 1-5
(you can rate yourself against the same measures)
1. How successful am I ?
I rated (3) and said: I would be more successful if i spent more time with the Lord
2. How significant am I?
I rated (5) because I believe I am significant because God made me, however, I would be able to realise this more, if I focus on Gods dreams for me (rather than my own)
3. How fulfilled am I ?
(3) I would be more fulfilled if I was a more consistent father to my boys.
4. How satisfied am I?
(2) I would be more satisfied if i was able to co-operate more with God on his plans for my life, instead of doing stuff myself.
5. How encouraged am I ?
(4) I would be more encouraged if I was to model more , living in the word of God, to my family (consistent family devotions - difficult to maintain in this busy world)
6. How happy am I ?
(4) I would be more happy when "Gods Kingdom Comes" - wont it be something....
7. How much fun am I having ?
(4) I would be having more fun if I spent more play time with my kids...
8. How secure am I ?
(5) I feel very secure in Christ - "none can pluck me from the fathers hand..."
9. How peaceful am I ?
(3) I would be more at peace, if I argued less with my children.
Wow - that was an interesting process to think through. A common theme seems to emerge for me - at the moment, it seems that a lot of my significance and value is placed in the relationships that exist within my family. Whilst this is important, it is more important to place my success and my significance in my relationship with my heavenly father.
Over the next few days, I will reflect on:
Success
Significance
Fulfillment
Satisfaction
Encouragement
Happiness
Fun
Security &
Peace.
I wonder whether I would answer the questions the same, after reminding myself what I should be measuring these things against ? Amos 7:7-8 reminds us that God has a plumb line, and he is measuring us against it... will we be found believing the right stuff ?
Thought for the day: How does my life reflect what I believe ?
Feel free to comment or discuss.
BFN:
Pastor J.
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