developing good habits

[calluna]

I think I am doing ok, but I know there needs to be an improvement and so I would like to be more organized and consistent with my bible reading and study habits. I read the bible almost daily, but often the inspiration comes because I may have heard or read something, and it fired me up to want to know more, I go to a really good bible study group weekly aswell. I believe I need to have more structure in this area of my life, I need structure in other things in my life too.

I don't know if a rigid time plan is the way to go as I don't want to become legalistic and be glued to a set of self-made rules, but on the other hand I also don't want to become complacent. So how do I balance this? I pray in the morning daily and then on and off throughout the day as led by the Lord and so I think my prayer life is good.

How do some of you implement these two important things into your daily life?

Calluna

 

[Dreamer]

You are on a good track! Because if you don't plan bible study and prayer, it just won't happen! It never happens on it's own without our efforts. I have had to learn this the hard way. I can remember (yes, I'm guilty), when I was working full-time, I would go for days at a time without looking in His Word. Just seemed like there was always something else to get done. So, gradually, feeling guilty, I stopped talking to my Savior for days at a time. Then one day He would just speak to me through a song on the radio while I was driving.

If we don't come to Him, He'll try to invite us, but the longer I make a choice to not draw close to Him, the harder my heart becomes and the more sin builds up between me and Him. Paul says, "I die to self daily." It's a daily process. When I clean the house, I say, "Oh, that's done, good!" And then I forget about it. But the next day, there is already some crumbs and dust laying around that I have to clean. It's just like that in our hearts, and only allowing God's intervention can take care of it. He is so good. He is so patient with me, because I make mistakes every day. Sometimes I just don't want to look at the truth, but He always shows me somehow. The truth about me is I'm not very pretty on the inside, a lot of the time. Sin hides deep inside and only God can point it out to me and clean me up.

You definitely sound like you are on the right track, calluna.

 

[calluna]

Thanks Dreamer, so maybe I need to set a certain time of day to do this. That is what I was asking really, do you say right its 9.am, time for bible reading now? And then read for a certain amount of time. I just am not good with schedules, I need self-discipline I think. I'm a bit hap-hazzard in my daily routine, my routine is that I don't have one!
I need some tips I think.

:star: Calluna

 

[Dreamer]

Yes! Do set up a specific time. But if you're not able to study and pray at that time because of family obligations or just plain life...then just set up a time for later in the day and stick to it.

P.S.....God won't knock you upside over the head with a big stick if you miss one day