I Need to Read My Bible More

I am in a very busy season. There’s been a bunch of stuff going on at work and I’m busy planning my wedding that is happening in a couple of weeks too. There’s been so much going on that I have forgone something very important. Reading my Bible.

I was challenged this week to share what I have been learning Professionally, Personally, and Spiritually. Professionally was easy. Pretty much everything I have been sharing with you on The Growth Log because it’s all been very much focused on business development and leadership. Personally, the answer was also easy because, as mentioned earlier, I am learning how to be a husband. However, when I was asked what I’m learning spiritually, I didn’t have an answer. I’ve been so busy studying business/leadership, working, and planning that I haven’t focused on my personal quiet time.

I was convicted of not being able to answer that question because that answer is just as important, if not more important. Now, sure, being a husband has spiritual lessons in it but without intentional time in God’s Word, I will never be the man I need to be; for my future wife and for every area of life for that matter.

So this week, I’ve just picked up where my church is reading and I’ve been reading Philippians - listening to it, pondering it, gaining an understanding of what Paul is saying and why he writes the letter. I’d like to incorporate a segment in the Growth Log for what I’m reading in scripture. Just like the rest of this newsletter, it will serve as accountability for me to keep up with my reading. Though, another thought is to not make all these endeavors a chore by having to report on it all. I’ll keep thinking on it, but let me know if that’s something that interests you and if you’d like that to be included in the Growth Log.

Watch History

The Christian Avengers

I’ve had this episode on the back-burner for a bit. My conviction that I mentioned earlier pushed me to listen to this episode. I’ve talked about George Janko and his walk with the Lord before on the Log. Here, he assembles some of the greatest guests he’s had on his show as a 100th episode special. It’s a long episode but I enjoyed sitting through their discussion. They cover a variety of things too.

What stuck out to me too is how, as such young believers, they have this fervor in their pursuit of God’s Word that should challenge long-time believers. They approach everything with such humility - knowing that they don’t know a lot - but then they share their thoughts and they are actually fairly well-versed in a lot of theology. It’s also great to have the Knechtle’s on there as well as Ruslan who have been following Christ for a while and have delved deep into understanding theology.

As I mentioned above, I need to be reading my Bible more. As convicted as I felt, there is grace over me as well. Cliff Knechtle mentioned that he’s been following God for 50 years and he still struggles with many things that he vowed to forgo when he began his walk with the Lord. There is grace because the journey in pursuit of God is not about getting it perfect all the time but it is in making the effort. We constantly fail but the decision to get back up and keep going is what delights His heart. I say this not to be used as a cop out but as a reminder of God’s grace. Just because you fail does not mean God forsakes you. On the topic of pursuing the right habits, Craig Groeschel once said “You missed one day? Don’t miss two.” The heart being that if you miss a day, don’t condemn yourself so badly that you never come back for the second day.

Another Big Moment or Many Little Moments?

This thought came back up in my mind this week. When I was in High School, I had some pretty novel encounters with God making some big impacts in my life. Over the years, sometimes it seems to be that we get less big impacts. A while back I pondered this. “Do I need another big impact from God to get me going?” and in the stillness of the moment, I heard the Holy Spirit say “Why do you need some grand display of my presence when I am right here with you?”

I believe that in the seasons where we feel like God hasn’t spoken to us, it is not because He isn’t there, it’s because we are not opening His Word, praying, and Pursuing Him. It’s not that God is unfaithful to speak. You just stopped listening. You stopped talking to Him.

I don’t need one big impact for God to “show up” for me. What an arrogant thing to request. I just need to make the daily efforts for many little moments with Him. It is there that we see His faithfulness is true.

Add to Watch Later:

• If You Struggle with Focus, Try My Productivity System

• The King Of Kings | Official Trailer

Psst. I made a Playlist on YouTube for the videos I’ve mentioned here so that you can always refer back to it!

Reading List

Crucial Conversations by Grenny, Patterson, McMillan, Switzler, and Gregory

I just started the chapter on Mastering Your Story. I’m really excited about this book, I just haven’t had a lot of time to read recently.

The Growth Log Library

I’ve compiled a list of the books that I mention in case you want to pick any of it up. Full disclosure, these are affiliate links. Doesn’t cost anything extra on your end, I just get a kickback if you use my link to make a purchase.