7/24 Challenge.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24
The Simple Challenge-- Seven days a week I will spend at least 24 minutes each day prayerfully listening and interacting with God’s Word.
This is not a new legalism; it is an invitation to Life! This is not a way to get Jesus to love you more, it is a way to spend time with the One who loved you and gave
Himself for you! It is your “face time” with the faithful Lover of your soul!
It is not about your circumstances, it is about your choices. If it feels like an
elephant-sized commitment, eat it one bite at a time. How about 12 minutes, twice each day? Symbolically it’s 1 minute out of each hour of your life!
Let me suggest a structure which I have modified from an ancient practice called Lectio Divina (Spiritual, Holy, or Divine Reading):
1. Listen slowly!
2. Think deeply!
3. Pray fervently!
4. Obey faithfully!
Never forget that your purpose is communion with your Father-listening for his voice, the thoughts the Spirit of God impresses on your mind and heart!
Where do you start? Let God’s Spirit guide you, but it would certainly be
proper to start with the Sermon on the Mount. Live in Matthew 5-7 for the
next week or several weeks. Read it repeatedly. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16)!
What if reading is not your primary means of learning? Consider using a CD
with scriptures or one of the web sites that stream scripture readings to your
computer. Pause it as often as needed to allow time to think and pray.
A final word: As you prepare to hear God’s voice, think about these four
questions:
1. Am I fully surrendered to Jesus as Savior and Lord?
2. Am I submissive to God’s will?
3. Am I depending on the Holy Spirit?
4. Am I willing to commit the time to hear God’s voice?
You can be a champion! You can be a Rocky! This is the year of God’s favor!