The alarm goes off and a new day is upon you. What is the first thing you do after stretching and rubbing the gunk out of the corner of your eyes? Some will stumble to the bathroom, to the coffee maker, to their favorite chair/couch to catch up on the events from yesterday, or still some simply grab the nearest mobile device. Before you know it, it is time to shower, dress, and travel to work or school. Time seems to fly by most days, to the point where God and His Word in our own personal lives become an afterthought.
Truth is, you have given your life to serving the Lord, but somehow in the process you have become focused on the actions of serving and less upon the time spent in the presence of God. You think, “He isn’t talking about me because I was just in church this past weekend.” God desires for your whole life to revolve around Him in thought, word, and deed. How in the world can we possibly do this, so that we remain healthy in our service to God?
I heard a sermon preached on Psalm 1 and was left contemplating how we are to go about serving in a healthy manner in thought, word, and deed: “But his (Jesus’) delight is in the law (instruction) of the LORD, and on his law (instruction) he (Jesus) meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2, ESV). Throughout the Gospels, Jesus takes time to pray and study God’s Word. How can we accomplish this in our busy world? How can we as church workers keep ourselves centered on God’s Word?
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The answer is to follow Christ’s lead in keeping God in the forefront of everything we do through prayer and meditating on His Word. Taking time at the beginning of the day through a devotion and reflection on Scripture is strongly suggested. Concordia Publishing House offers the comprehensive resources found in the Treasury of Daily Prayer, either in hard copy or mobile device format.
Personally, I would suggest combining this with some sort of reading of Scripture throughout the day. YouVersion offers a mobile app that allows you to participate in a variety of reading plans, from devotions lasting three minute and forty-five seconds to chronological plans through the Bible. YouVersion offers the ability to set reminders for different reading plans at specific times of the day. My wife Linda, for example, likes to listen to Scripture while she’s driving or doing some mindless task. She often wears her earbuds around her neck; this way, when she has an opportunity, she can pop them in and get her fill of God’s Word.
In each of our Baptisms, God has placed a spirit within us that needs to be fed and refreshed not just weekly at church, but daily and hourly in God’s Word. St. Paul writes, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, ESV). Engaging God’s Word encourages us to be living and active in His work in thought, word, and deed.
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Through this encouragement from God’s Word, we are empowered to live heathy and faithful lives in Christ. St. Paul also writes, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:10-20, ESV).
Reading and meditating on God’s Word throughout the day prepares us for the assaults of the Evil One, including trials, tribulations, and temptations. It is through God’s Means of Grace that we are refreshed, renewed, protected, and equipped for work in His Kingdom and, in the process, we become healthier workers in the vineyard. For “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV).
Do you use any apps to help you stay grounded on God’s Word? If so, share them with us!
