Go Beyond Reading

As the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness… longsuffering. – Colossians 3:12


Pastor, where are the Our Daily Bread devotionals?” The words come harshly – almost in anger. The latest edition had not yet been placed in the rack outside the church auditorium. This led at least one reader to confront the pastor about their absence. Although it was not his responsibility to distribute the booklets, he felt terrible about the way this parishioner had reprimanded him for not making sure the devotional guides were there on time.

When I heard this, I was struck by the irony of this situation. Devotional booklets are meant to encourage Christian growth and godly grace. And as followers of Christ who read devotional materials, we hope we are moving toward spiritual maturity that leads to “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” – qualities Paul says we should “put on” (Col. 3:12).

Our spiritual disciplines – reading God’s Word along with accompanying study or devotional materials, prayer, and worshiping together – should not be ends in themselves. Instead, those actions are means to becoming more Christlike, more godly, more Spirited. Our spiritual practice should lead to having the “Word of Christ dwell in [us] richly” (3:16). That will show in everthing we do and say. – Dave Branon


I want my heart to be in true with God,
In every stage of life may it ring true;
I want my thoughts and words to honor Him,
Exalting Him in everything I do. – Hess

Bible study is not merely to inform us – it’s meant to transform us.

^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^

Colossians 3:12-17

Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in you heart to the Lord.

Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

It seems like it had become a responsible to read through the devotion material everyday... although we know that we no need to pass up a report to other but God, however, no many people is having beyond reading... means they might read it, but who knows they did pray and act it out or not?

Well, I seems like one of them... just read through... well, will think of what Christ gonna talk to me, what is the topic for today... something new for me to learn or just to remind me of something...

If someone had go through my blog, they might be realize that I used to post the daily bread devotion on my blog... dunno is this count illegal? :p ... however, I had used to stop for months... just don't have the willingness anymore to do it... of course, I didn't have devotion anymore since then... well, now is a return...