Getting Under My Skin

 

If you’re joining me here today from my devotion “Under My Skin” at Proverbs 31 Ministries, welcome!

Maybe the monotonous devotions and prayer life I spoke of resonated with you.  Yes, you’re reading your Bible everyday; praying too. But you’ve fallen into the same old pattern. Does it look something like this?

Head to your favorite chair. Pick up your devotional book; spend two minutes. Look up the verses at the bottom. Pray for each of your family members. Head to the shower.

Ok…maybe it’s not just like mine was, but similar? Consistency is good; boring is bad.

Break out! Try something new!

I fall into these patterns really easily; I’m a creature of schedules and systems. Here’s what I am doing right now to make time with my Love fresh and new.

Last year for my birthday, Greg got me a Hebrew-Greek study Bible (word on the street has it that it is the same one Beth Moore uses). Today is my son’s 21st birthday and I got him one too!

Real love is my new topic to dig in and study. Each day I am taking one segment of 1 Corinthians 13. Today’s was “love keeps no record of wrong”. In my Bible, two of the words have numbers next to them, telling me I can look in the back of my Bible and see the meanings of the words in Greek.

“Record of” in Greek is logizomai meaning “to put together with one’s mind; to reckon anything to a person is to put something to his account, either in his favor or what he must be answerable for”.

“Wrong” in Greek is “to kakon” – “evil as in the cause or source of evil; harm or injury done to anyone”.

I took these in depth meanings and personalized them for me: love doesn’t keep score. Love doesn’t recount; never builds a case or rehashes the past. When love forgives, it leaves the healing of the wound to God; if doesn’t pick at it.

From here, I looked up additional verses that speak of love and forgiveness listed in the cross reference column down the middle of my Bible. I really got a fresh perspective on “love keeps no record of wrong.”

Do you need to break out of your reading routine too? Try getting a new Bible or a new devotional. Move to a new location; maybe a sun porch or patio for the summer months.  Shake up your old pattern and begin to pursue Jesus today in a new way.

We’d love to hear how you keep your relationship with Jesus fresh? What new things are you trying in your time with Him this summer? Just click on comments below and share your idea.

P.S. I am so excited to help your teen girl break out of her reading routine! September 4th I’ll be releasing “Devotions for a Revolutionary Year; 365 Days of Jesus’ Radical Love for You”.  Make sure you order her a copy!

 

Lynn

13 Comments

  1. You are truly an instrument of the world this morning. God spike straight to my heart through you! Thank you!

    1. I meant Word…not world.

    2. Mollie…I’m so glad you were encouraged today!

  2. i only got to read ur devotional in the afternoon, till i got a step to my day and i must say its definitely a word in season for me, i ve felt such despair and grief, but i am encouraged by ur verses to know that God replaces. i lost a dear in law, friend, mentor and one who i look up to bcos of her christian virtues in a tragic plane crash that happened over a month. unsanwered questions but i am encouraged. thanks very much Lynne. i d love to hear from you.

    1. Chioma, I am so very sorry to hear about your loss! I am glad that today’s devotion encouraged your heart!

  3. Hi Lynn,
    I couldn’t believe my eyes when I started reading your devo on Proverbs 31. I had cut peppers just last night to make homemade salsa. A few minutes after stirring the finished product, the burn set in. My hands where on fire 🙂 The good salsa was worth the pain though, but it did last for a few hours. I loved your devo and the ideas you gave in praising and talking with God everyday. My family has been through a difficult year, and while I know God holds our future, I have felt a little distant in my daily devotionals. I haven’t felt like my heart was in it like it should be. I do love singing old hymns, and that always lifts my spirits. I plan to start my days by praising our Lord in song and starting out on the right foot…looking to Him. Thank you for your words of encouragement!

  4. Just received an email from you regarding She Speaks. I am in your group, so I went to this site to become a little more familiar with you. I can’t wait to meet you face to face. It seems to me that you might also adore Beth Moore. I want to be her VERY BEST FRIEND IN ALL THE WORLD! I praise the Lord for her life and Bible Studies. Without ever meeting her face to face, I consider her a mentor.
    I am curious though to find out what book it is that you received. I thirve on looking up words to find their true meaning.
    Looking forward to meeting you next week!

    1. Dana…I can’t wait to meet you! I am using the Bible I described in my post for looking up the original meanings. See you soon!

  5. This year I decided to study my Bible–just the Bible. I’m not doing any other devotions as such (there are sooooo many good ones out there!). I decided that I wanted to know exactly what the Bible says about …well, everything written in it. 🙂 I’m using a study Bible and Bible Dictionary and Halley’s Bible Handbook (recommended by my dad, a pastor). I’ve found it fascinating to just get “into” whatever book I’m reading; it’s been all New Testament so far.

    I don’t read a set amount of chapters or verses daily, just what feels “right.” I write a lot in my Bible, draw arrows, make lists, etc., etc., etc. I truly feel like I’m understanding what I read, and getting God’s message, better than I ever have before.

    Thank you, Lynn, for encouraging us to keep Bible study and devotions fresh!

  6. How easily our time with the Lord can slip into a routine. I know I have found myself just going through the motions before, too. These are great suggestions you share here and in your devotion. I know He desires for us to have a rich and vibrant relationship with Him.

    And I think I may have to put this Bible on my Christmas wish list! I love doing a good word study!

    See you next week at She Speaks!!!! 🙂

    Blessings,
    Kimberly

    1. Thanks Kimberly! See you soon!

  7. I received this devotion on Friday, and I just got around to reading it this afternoon. It totally resonates with me, exactly what I’ve said and felt for months. I even told my husband that maybe we need to change churches. It was like God putting a spotlight on my heart and speaking directly to me. Thank you so much for sharing this. It has sparked new life, and reaffirmed the things I know about praise and worship, but don’t always put into practice!

    Thanks again!

    Chandra

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