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Tag: Spiritual Disciplines

Resolved…

Published by Jeff Kennon on September 8, 2014

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Jonathan Edwards, during the years 1722 to 1723, while a young man, composed a set of resolutions for himself. For Edwards, these resolutions were a way for him to gauge his relationship to Christ as well as to provide a set of goals for his life.

Throughout his life, these resolutions were his constant companion as he resolved “to read over these resolutions once a week.” Stephen  Nichols thinks we might benefit from doing the same. He writes that the Resolutions are as relevant today as they were when [Edwards] first penned them so long ago. Reading though them on a regular basis may very well help us also to live with all of our might to the glory and praise of God.

While each of Edwards’ seventy resolutions are valid and worthy of reciting, there are a few that personally seemed to rise above the rest.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

7. Resolved, never to do anything that I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully an constantly what that one thing in me is that causes me in the least to doubt the love of God; and so direct all my forces against it.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of them.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and the torments of hell.

56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fifth with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life ling, that is, with the greatest openness I am capably of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my should to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and everything, and every circumstance.

70. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.

As you can see, though written almost 300 years ago, these resolutions continue to challenge and speak to the heart. Though Edwards did not write these resolutions to be published, we benefit greatly because they were.

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Looking For A Bible Reading Plan?

Published by Jeff Kennon on July 30, 2014

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A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon a Bible reading plan that I have found both challenging and rewarding. It is Professor Horner’s Bible-Reading System.

Here is how Professor Horner explains the system:

Each day you will read one chapter from each of ten lists. That’s right — ten chapters per day!!! Use ten bookmarks or sticky notes with the individual lists on them to keep track of your locations. Or use the set of bookmarks provided on the last page of this document.

On day one, you read Matthew 1, Genesis 1, Romans 1, and so forth. On day 2, read Matthew 2, Genesis 2, etc. On day 29, you will have just finished Matthew, so go to Mark 1 on the Gospel list; you’ll also be almost to the end of 2nd Corinthians and Proverbs, you’ll be reading Psalm 29 and Genesis 29, and so forth. When you reach the last chapter of the last book in a list – start over again. Rotate all the way through all the Scriptures constantly.

Since the lists vary in length, the readings begin interweaving in constantly changing ways. You will NEVER read the same set of ten chapters together again!

Every year you’ll read through…

-all the Gospels four times,
-the Pentateuch twice,
-Paul’s letters 4-5 times each,
-the OT wisdom literature six times,
-all the Psalms at least twice,
-all the Proverbs as well as Acts a dozen times,
-and all the way through the OT History and Prophetic books about 1 1⁄2 times.

Since the interweaving is constantly changing, you will experience the Bible commenting on itself in constantly changing ways — the Reformer’s principle of ‘scriptura interpretans scripturam’ — ‘scripture interpreting scripture’ IN ACTION!

After you’ve read any particular book once or twice, your speed in that book usually doubles or triples because you’re familiar with it and can move quickly and confidently — because you are no longer merely decoding the text but thinking it through in the context of all of the scripture!

Even an ‘average’ reader, if focusing on moving through the text, rather than trying to figure everything out, can usually do this in about an hour a day – 5-6 minutes per chapter. Many people report moving confidently through the ten chapters in 35-40 minutes. If it is taking you longer, then you are ‘reading wrong’ – stay relaxed, focus, and just keep it moving. Moderate but consistent speed is the key. 

After just a few days the reading gets much easier; in a month it will be a habit, and in six months you’ll wonder how you ever survived before on such a slim diet of the WORD. And then — you’ll tell others to start the system!

I began in 1983 as a new Christian and have now read (most of ) the Bible hundreds and hundreds of times. You also need to get ONE Bible, keep it, and do all your reading in it, so you learn where everything is. I’ve had the same Bible since 1983 and I know it intimately. If you keep switching Bibles, you ‘lose’ this intimacy with the text. Find a translation and format you like and stick with it. THIS IS CRUCIAL.

Your Bible is the only thing on Earth that, as you wear it out, will actually work better and better.

Click here for Facebook page or here for a pdf of the plan.

 

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Are You Governed By God’s Word?

Published by Jeff Kennon on July 14, 2014

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Do we have lives that are governed by God’s Word? Or are our lives being mastered by the culture around us? Are we being transformed by the renewing of our minds? Or are we being conformed into the ways of a confused world?

Something is molding and shaping us. And it is either the truth found in God’s Word or the sinful world around us. There is no middle way.

The Psalmist writes:

Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
(Psalm 119:36-37)

The Psalmist knew of his need of the Word of God. It was God’s Word that brought blessing (119:1), purity (119:9), delight (119:24), comfort (119:50), wisdom (119:98); direction (119:105), life (119:144), and deliverance (119:153).

And yet although he knew of his dependency on God’s Word, he also understood that his heart was at times prone to wander towards “worthless things.” Therefore, he prayed that God would “turn his eyes” and “incline his heart” to that which was true and eternal.

The Psalmist did not want the pursuit of empty pleasures to obscure the ultimate treasure found in the understanding and obedience to God’s Word. He wanted to remain under the influence of the Word of God.

With so many messages coming our way through media and advertising, it is vital that we place God’s Word in front of us each day. We need to develop a plan to hear, read, study, memorize, and meditate upon God’s Word.

Why? Jerry Bridges says it best in his book The Discipline of Grace:

One thing we can be sure of: If we do not actively seek to come under the influence of God’s Word, we will come under the influence of sinful society around us. The impact of our culture with its heavy emphasis on materialism, living for one’s self, and instant gratification is simply too strong and pervasive for us not to be influenced by it.

Once again, there is no such thing as a neutral stance on the continuum of influence. We are being drawn more and more under the transforming influence of Scripture, or we are being progressively drawn into the web of an ungodly society around us. 

Discipline yourself therefore, by God’s grace, to daily expose yourself to God’s Word. Read of His mercy! Read of His holiness! Read of His love for you found in your salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ!

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good (1Peter 2:2-3).

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