Over the last couple years, I have written several messages challenging you to read God’s Word every day and I shared the concept of choosing a time, place, and plan for Bible study.
Time. Choose a time during the day when you will spend time in God’s Word. One of the most important decisions you will make about having a devotional time is to choose a time and stick to that time.
Place. Choose a spot where the only thing you do is spend time alone with God there. It can be a chair at home, or it might be in your car before you go into your office in the morning. The point is to find a place and stick to that place.
Plan. When you sit with God’s Word in your lap, you need a plan to study. I suggest this simple tactic: read, write, and pray!
Over the past couple weeks, as I have implemented “time, place, plan” I have chosen to study some of the most powerful statements made by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. It has been transforming! I have listed the top five God has used to speak to me.
1) “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Christ gives you the strength to overcome any and every circumstance you face. He gives you the power to live successfully in spite of your circumstances. Your circumstances don’t have to control you!
2) “Christ in you the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27)
What’s your hope of glory? It’s not in another person, material goods, having nicer clothes, accomplishing more, or receiving accolades at work. Your hope of glory can only be found in Christ—and He is living in you!
3) “For we know our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:6)
The most astonishing claim of Romans is that believers have been set free from the power of sin. Through Christ’s death on the cross, we have been freed from sin’s ability to dominate us. We don’t have to sin. What great news!
4) “I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)
We can spend a lot of time trying to change ourselves, but remember you cannot transform yourself. God wants to change you internally so your actions will change. It’s not about external modification, it’s about internal transformation.
5) “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
In this statement, the apostle Paul is saying that he has oriented his entire life toward his relationship with Christ. His singular aim was to bring glory to Jesus. Is it yours?
Additional Resources
The Blueprint for Life eight week study is designed to help you discover God’s will for your life in five areas:
- Relational
- Spiritual
- Physical
- Financial
- Career
The curriculum contains a Bible study; an easy-to-use life planner; and ten audio messages featuring Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Tony Evans, John Maxwell and others. Click here to check it out!
