GPS-Petunia

SEP 10  / Sunday – Read Romans 15:4

Overview: A goose teaches us how wisdom comes from reading, i.e., a bible on our bookshelf (or in our phone) doesn’t help unless we read it.

11 / Mon – Want to be wise?  |  Read Psalm 19:7-11

Children’s books often address a common condition, question or challenge that even adults face. Petunia by Roger Duvoisin is the story of a goose who finds a book and carries it around the farm. She had heard that books make you wise so, in her pride, she began dispensing (bad) advice until things literally blew up. When the book fell open and she saw words inside, she understood…“it’s not enough to carry wisdom under my wing. I must put it in my mind and in my heart. And to do that I must learn to read it.” How might this truth apply to your relationship with the Bible?

12 / Tue – God thoughts  |  Read Is 55:8-9 / 2 Tim 3:16-17 / Eph 1:17

Why did God choose to have the Bible written? These verses give some clues. What are the ways God’s word has helped you grow? Are there specific scriptures that have corrected wrong thinking or taught you new understanding of some truth? How have you learned to think more like God does about real-life issues? There is great power in God’s word as you read, think about and incorporate it into everyday life. Which scripture will you meditate on today?

13 / Wed – Don’t dismiss the Old Testament  |  Read Rom 15:4 / 1 Cor 10:11

Hope is in short supply when you look at what is going on around the world and in your own backyard. The news is usually bad and often predicts worse to come. If you let it, bad news can steal your joy and rob you of hope. The Old Testament was Paul’s Bible. How have the OT stories given you hope, encouragement, examples to follow or warnings to avoid? What have they shown you about God’s character, goodness, power and great love?  What stories from your own past and the testimonies of others encourage you to have hope for the future?

14 / Thu – Plant them in your mind  |  Read Matt 4:4 / Ps 119:11

Jewish sons started learning the Torah (first five books of the Bible) by age six and would have them memorized by age 10. Many went on to memorize Psalms, Proverbs and the prophets as well. In the New Testament gospels, Jesus quoted from 24 of the 39 books in the Old Testament. When he was confronted by the devil, Jesus answered every temptation with “It is written…” and quoted truth from the Old Testament. How does this encourage you to not only read scripture but also memorize it for instant access when you face difficulty?

15 / Fri – Eating an elephant  |  Read Psalm 119:16, 18

It’s true. Reading the Bible can seem intimidating. But it’s like the old saying: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Will you commit to read and think for 5 minutes each day when you wake up? Do it for the next 21 days. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you read, to enlighten your mind with understanding. Write down what you learn. Start with the Bible’s shortest chapter (Psalm 117) or maybe the shortest book (Jude). Then ask the Holy Spirit where to go next.

16 / Sat – Living it out  |  Read Matt 7:24-27 / James 1:22-25

Listening while you read is important. Take time to pause and think about the scriptures you have just read and what they mean. That is the first step. The next is to do something with it. Apply it to your situation. When you neglect the second part, it is like looking in the mirror, seeing what a mess your hair or face is and walking away without fixing them. Christians agree with Jesus’ teachings but too many unfortunately fail to put them into practice. What will you do to avoid that mistake?