20 Minute Challenge

Regardless of how often we talk about spending time in the Word of God, whether studying, learning, or listening, I find very few Christians who actually spend more than an hour in God's Word everyday. 1 hour of Bible study, everyday, is really not that long; still, not many accomplish it. Do you fall into that category?

Last week our text was Colossians 3:16-17 where Paul exhorts the church to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." My heart was heavy as I wrote that sermon for 2 main reasons.

1. Because I knew I needed to spend more time in the Word - apart from sermon or counseling preparation, doing a book study, or topical search - time that was devoted to just being with the Lord and letting His Word fill me, dwell in me, and meditating on it to the point that it was at home in my heart, never to leave, and always guiding me.
2. Because I knew others were struggling with the same things and I wanted them to be challenged, like me, to change.

One way to get people active in the Word is to issue a challenge; a challenge that they can handle, but that would still stretch and help them with having a consistent pattern of time with the Lord in His Word each day. God gave us that very challenge.

As the Lord led, last week I presented our church body with a "20 Minute Challenge" that I would like to extend to you as well. Spend 20 minutes per day, for the next 20 days, reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God. Then, e-mail me at pastor@lightofdenton.com every day with what you've read, and a sentence or two (more if you'd like) of how God ministered, convicted, and encouraged you through His Word that day.

I cannot express what a blessing it's been thus far, not just for me, but for the church as well.
However, as the days go on, I will be sharing more specifically what God is doing through this "20 Minute Challenge"; I pray it will be as encouraging to you as it has been for me.

Whereas we all should be spending much more time devoted to studying the Word of God than 20 minutes a day, I would ask that those who would criticize such an effort, would instead pray for all those involved - and take the challenge themselves. You would be surprised how many days of the week you think you've spent more than 20 minutes meditating on the Word, but when you keep track of it, write it down, and take the time to share what God is doing through His Word and Holy Spirit, (for some) you realize, most of the time, you have just been reading instead of meditating on God's Word - and the difference shows in our fruit, our families, and our lives as a whole.

So, will you take the "20 Minute Challenge"? If you already spend that much, or more, time meditating on the Word of God each day, why not find a brother or sister in the Lord and take the "20 Minute Challenge" together, be each other's partner, and grow from what you're studying each day by sharing it together.

If you do take the "20 Minute Challenge", please send me an e-mail so I can be praying for you, and also let me know if you have a partner to do it with, if not, I would love to fill that role. Either way I know you will be blessed by not just "reading" the Word of God, but "meditating" on it, obeying it, and applying it to your daily life.

PT

Thoughts Concerning Father's Day

Each year as Father's Day approaches (only a week away) I am led to observe and evaluate my spiritual leadership as both a Dad and a husband. More than my "parenting skills", I am most concerned about how, and where, I have been leading my children and wife. Have I led my children to honor their mother by setting a Godly example they can follow? Have I treated Dana in a way that I would be pleased to see them treat their spouse later in life (a lot later I pray)? Have I raised, trained, and discipled my children in a way that not only honors and glorifies God, but shows them how to raise their own children in both the spiritual and natural sense?

I usually look to Eli to help me realize how important it is to not only be a Godly father, but to be actively training my children in the ways of the Lord. 1 Samuel Chapters 2-4 hold the entire story of Eli and his sons.

In meditating on this passage of Scripture I am drawn to 2:22-25 for the greatest challenge I've ever received on being a Godly father.

In vs. 23 Eli asks the "why?" question. "Why do you do such things?" I can't imagine how Eli must have felt. Being a very old man, hearing the talk about his sons, catching the "cutting eyes" of the old men of the town that knew what was going on and wondered why Eli didn't do anything about it, seeing the "simple" women at the door of the tent and wondering how many and how long they had been "involved" with his sons...so, "Why, why do you do these things my sons, they are not good! You are sinning against God, not man, when you steal and defame the Temple of the Most High...how will you be forgiven if you do not turn, and turn NOW?!" Who knows the painful, heart wrenching thoughts, feelings, and conversations Eli must have had with his sons, and even the town folks?

I don't want to feel the same way Eli must have felt; I want to ask "why?" now. Why are my children they way they are now, and how can I help them become more Christ-like in the future? Now is the time, not when we "have" to do something about it, although the reality is that now is the time to do something about it...therefore we "have" to train them in the Lord "now".

By the time Eli had confronted his boys, it was too late. They wouldn't "hear" a word of Eli's warning because God had purposed to kill them, (vs.25) just as He hardened the hearts of those countries that came against Israel in battle (Josh 11:20), so that God would be glorified and Israel would grow even greater.

I pray for my children, that God would help them remain tender hearted, submissive, and totally devoted to the Lord. I also pray for me and Dana as we lead and train them, as a team, to honor and glorify God in all they think, do, say, and feel.

I look at Eli and remember that my ultimate responsibility is to glorify God by being the head of my household and to lead and guide my wife and children in the ways of the Lord. This responsibility comes before any ministry, outreach, or "Christ-centered activity". This is the largest, and one of the most important, responsibilities of the Elder; if they cannot lead their family, how can they lead a church congregation?

Parents, fathers especially, how well do you know your children?

What do they do when they think you're not looking?

What do their teachers say about them in school?

What do their siblings say about them?

When was the last time you sat down with your spouse and evaluated the spiritual growth of each of your children - and each other?

When was the last time you prayed, specifically, for each of your children and their spiritual development?

When was the last time you came before God, compared yourself to what He says you should be doing as a Parent, repented of your sins and shortcomings, and started fresh as a Parent who is truly leading their children in the ways of the Lord, in thought, word, and deed?

Those are the thoughts I have as I contemplate Father's Day...but even more so, what God says we should do and not do as Fathers everyday.

PT

Why is PT Blogging?

I want to welcome you to my "somewhat" personal blog. I have prayed about blogging for quite some time now and am finally taking the plunge, but please be assured that I have no hidden agenda or intention of making this a personal platform for my own glory.

My "Blogging Goal" is simple: to glorify God in all I think, do, say, feel, and blog; and to help others do the same.

Until the Lord leads otherwise, I will be blogging my thoughts, what God has been convicting me about, my daily struggles, and how God is working, moving, and growing me through them.

I cherish your interaction and welcome your comments.

Whereas all comments may not be posted, we will be using some from time to time in an effort to add to and help encourage other readers. With that being said, please know that any correspondence posted directly to the blog, in any form, for any reason, and at any time, may be posted and used for further reference and reading on this Blog. We also reserve the right to publish any of said material without permission from the "poster" or "blogger". HOWEVER, if a post is given privately, as in a matter of confidence, great consideration and discretion will be used in mentioning the material and the identity of the source will not be public knowledge unless written permission is give by the "poster" or "Blogger".

With that being said, may God bless you, challenge you, refresh and encourage you as you read and Blog @ The Light!

2 Cor. 13:14,

PT and the TLC staff