April 05, 2008

digest the Word

Taking the time to compose your own daily devotional

can be a great blessing to you and to others.

It is possible to reflect on something,

organize and compose it within your mind

and still not fully clarifythe meaning

of your thoughts.

Unless you have a very organized mind,

you may be surprised to find that your thoughts

have not been organized into any plausible conclusion at all.

We can easily deceive ourself into thinking

that we have arrived at a valid, truthful,

or even reasonable conclusion.

Ask yourself why do I believe as I do

on a particular subject? Try to figure it out in your mind,

then write down your thoughts.

Be your own critic... read carefully what you wrote.

Is something missing...

is there something you may not have considered

prior to writing it down?

Don't forget to share it with those whose opinion you value and trust.

Listen closely to their comments.

You can learn from each other.

As a teacher,

I learned the best way to learn something was to teach it.

Spend time reading His word and other authors of inspiration...

with a discerning mind and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Reflect on what you have read, pray about it,

and then write down what you have learned.

Keep a journal.

As you continue to grow, re-read
what you have written and modify as you feel led.

Growing in the spirit requires more than just reading the Word.

You have to digest it.