Nice or Necessary?
Theme of the Week: Where's Your Inner Drive?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: If your instructions hadn't sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery (Psalm 119:92). Bonus Reading: Psalm 119:143-148
Sometimes reading my Bible is a nice-to-do; at other times reading it is necessary for survival. The older I get, the more the latter is true. God's presence isn't an add-on. I know what happens when I don't call upon him in my daily life, and I don't want to be there again.
When I finally discover that the spiritual disciplines aren't just something good Christians do, but provide resources necessary for a vital life, I don't have to drag myself into them. Suddenly prayer is my lifeline. The Word of God is my anchor. Meditation is my calm in the middle of the storm.
I've also discovered that it's worship that makes the spiritual disciplines thrive. "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever," states the Westminster Catechism. It's the enjoying part that interests me. I didn't become a trumpet player because I didn't enjoy playing the trumpet enough to discipline myself to do it better. I became a guitar player because I enjoyed playing so much the discipline didn't seem grievous. The parallel is obvious. Are you enjoying God? This will determine whether the spiritual disciplines are discipline or pleasure. And if we're going to be enjoying him forever, we might as well start now.
—John Fischer in Indeed
My Response: Do I feel deprived if I've missed my appointment with God?
Thought to Apply: Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.—Euripides (Greek poet)
Adapted from Indeed (9-10/03) by permission; {4-7}.
Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
 share this page
Don't allow me to settle for just going through the motions, Lord. Help me discover how to come fully alive.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| 
RSS Feed
