July 13, 2020

Today’s reading
Mark 2:21-22 KJV
No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Getting out of your spiritual rut principle number 3:

Try something new!

Is it time to try something new? Everyone needs a spiritual growth game in place, and that plan should be personal, what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Whatever your spiritual growth plan is I think that we can all agree it must be structured right? If there is no structure to it you probably won’t stick with it. By structure I mean a certain place, at a certain time each day. I also believe that plan should include some variety and spontaneity. If you’re in a rut, look at what you’re currently lacking. If you lack structure add some. If you lack variety do something different.
Here are a few different options to give you some ideas: (I haven’t tried all of these ideas I just simply googled, copied, and pasted….enjoy and let me know if you try any of these or if you’ve tried something you like that isn’t on this list)

>> REFLECTION – Staying focused for an extended time (meditation) is difficult for most of us, but the benefits make it worth it. What we think about determines who we are
(Romans 12:1-2) and how we act.
• Think about a single verse or phrase, mull it over to consider all that it means for your life.
• Memorize a scripture that is especially meaningful and personal.

>> PRAYER – Every relationship is improved by talking, and prayer is just talking and listening to God.
• Stretch your prayer life and set an attainable time goal that is a little longer than what is normal for you.
• Pray out loud: this may feel a little awkward (specially if you are in line at Starbucks) but saying the words can help create a deeper focus.
• Say nothing, just listen. This is tough, it’s hard to “keep our mouth shut.”
• Confess your guilt, forgiveness is ESSENTIAL to growing spiritually, and God wants us to ask him specifically for grace.
• Kneel while you pray, approaching God in physical humility can create spiritual humility.
• Sing a favorite praise song—God loves your voice!

>> READING – God’s Word is the best way to learn about him and who he’s made us to become.
• Read a large portion of Scripture (two chapters or more) to get general ideas and thought flow
• Read a small portion of scripture and carefully digest each verse
• Occasionally make the time to read an entire book of scripture
• Read a devotional book
• Do deeper study and read some Biblical study
reference materials
•It’s good to have some special places (like the beach or a park) where you can enjoy God’s creation.

I hope these helped to generate some creative juices for you. Answer a couple of questions before you finish your devotions today.

Do you feel like you need more structure or less?
What is one thing you could try differently in your devotion time for the next three weeks?

Frank Newsome