From the Inside Out, Part I

Can you see the building? Can you see 1000's of people coming to faith? Can you see them walking up to the church? Can you envision God using us to save marriages? Break addictions? Give direction to directionless? Hope to the hopeless?

As you look at that picture, I hope you don't see just a huge piece of land being cleared but rather a life saving station! I hope you don't see just dirt but rather a beacon of faith, hope, and love in the heart of central NC!

While clearing the land, they found an old septic tank that they had to remove. The Superintendent emailed me the entire process of abandonment, step by detailed step. My first reaction was. "This is far too much information." :>) But my second reaction was, "This will preach." Look at what he said to me in an email:

Pastor Benji,

The existing septic tank is located 40 degrees East of North and 66 feet from the old well. The area has been marked with blue flags. The procedure for abandoning the septic tank will be:

1. Remove the existing soil covering the tank.
2. Remove the lid from the tank and dispose of the lid.
3. Pump out the tank.
4. Wash out the tank
5. Break the bottom of the tank
6. Place 100 pounds of lime in the tank
8, Crush in the side walls of the tank.
9. Cover the area with soil.

And I would add #10, plant some fresh new greenery for life and growth!

That is a lot of work and detail to clean out the junk that was beneath the surface. It requires ample amounts of detail and attention to the stuff on the inside of the earth, though everything looked great on the surface.

I find in this an analogy, if you will, and the way in which we must regularly examine our lives and allow God to penetrate beneath the surface and work there and remove the garbage and junk that has a tendency to gather. This is the hard, but absolutely necessary part of growing in the grace of Jesus Christ. This is what I talked about Sunday when I referred to New Year’s Resolutions – From the INSIDE OUT!

This is what a typical devotional time looks like for me:

1. It always begins with a comfortable place with which I am familiar. I have this favorite chair in my study at home. This is almost always in the morning hours for me. (See, Mark 1) I always have a cup of coffee. I will sometimes light a candle. I will sometimes has some peaceful music playing in the background. (I know, I am kind of mystic at times)

2. I tend to start in prayer. It is usually a simple prayer but one that fixes my heart and mind on Christ and asks Him to speak to me.

3. I usually turn to the Word after my first prayer. During devotional time, I love to slow down and just marinate in parts of Scripture. I liken it to a glass bottom boat, if you will. Sometimes I fly through Scripture like riding on a speed boat. But during devotional times, I slow down like exloring on a glass bottom boat. I move carefully and meticulously through the Word. When I read the Word for spiritual growth and development, I slow down and look for priceless jewels of truth that God has in store for me on that particular day!

4. After studying the Word in this slowed down state, I ask the question, “How can I apply this to my life today.” This is an important and often neglected step. It is the big “So what?” question.

5. Based on what God has done in my quiet time so far, (I.e. Prayer, Reading the Word, and Application) I then wrap up in prayer again. This prayer is more focused, usually longer, and is a time to simply share my heart and desires, need for forgiveness of sins, and asking for the empowerment to walk out what I just learned in the Word!

What kinds of practices have you found helpful?

Later this week, I will post again and talk about using devotional materials to help facilitate this devotional time and spiritual growth. And remember, if you want 2008 to be a banner year for your spiritual growth, spend as much time working on the inner you as you do on the outer you.

Peace –