chew on this: 31 biblical devotions into the heart of christ by dave ambrose

8/2/2019 Chew on This: 31 Biblical Devotions into the Heart of Christ by Dave Ambrose

1/19


2/19

Cmdw bg Zmis> 3; @i`hickh Jdvbtibgs igtb tmd Mdkrt bo Cmrist

Cbpyriamt 0


3/19

...fy wbgjdrouh wiod, Fdhbjy, kgj fy twb `bys, Nbsm

kgj Zy. Zmkges obr khwkys dgcburkaiga fd tb pursud

fy jrdkfs! Zmdyvd khh cbfd trud `y `diga k pkrt bo

ybur hivds.

...Zic Hbga obr `dhidviga ig fd dgbuam tb igvitd fd tb

`d k pkrt bo dvdrytmiga Abj cbgtiguds tb jb tmrbuam

Ybutm Spdcikhtids. Zmkges khsb tb \ktty FcCkuhky,

Kgaid Kjkfs, kgj @rdgt @ihh obr khh bo ybur mdhprdvidwiga tmis `bbe. Fky Ndsus Cmrist `d hiotdj up

kgj mbgbrdj ks k rdsuht bo bur hk`br.

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4/19

Pdkj Zmis OirstZMD \TP\BSD BO ZMIS @BBE

(KGJ MBQ ZB TSD IZ)..................................... 9

Pdkj Zmis Gdxt\PKCZICD FKEDS \DPODCZ

(ZMD IF\BPZKGCD BO S\IPIZTKH \PKCZICDS)...... ;4

Bgd Fbrd Zifd!K QBPJ K@BTZ OBHHBQIGA

BTP ATIJDZMD MBHY S\IPIZ......................... 03

Cmkptdr ;Zmd Cdhd`rktibg* .................. 04

Cmkptdr 0Zmd @ia Jky ........................ 09

Cmkptdr 3K Hbgdhy Qkhe* ..................... 33

Cmkptdr :Cmristfks Fbrgiga ............... 31

Cmkptdr 4Qmkt k \hkcd!* ..................... :;

Cmkptdr ?Skyiga Abbj`yd* ................. :4

Cmkptdr 1Mdhp Fd!.............................. :9

Cmkptdr =Pdpdkt Kotdr Fd .................. 43

Cmkptdr 9Khbgd ig tmd Jkre ................. 41

Cmkptdr ;


5/19

Cmkptdr ;:Zmkgesaiviga Jky ............... 11

Cmkptdr ;4Zkeiga Igvdgtbry* ............... =;

Cmkptdr ;?Zmd Struaahd* .................... =4

Cmkptdr ;1Ig tmd Stihh bo tmd Giamt* ...... =9

Cmkptdr ;=Mijd kgj Sdde ................... 93

Cmkptdr ;9Stddr Chdkr ........................ 91

Cmkptdr 0


6/19

9

@ btm bo fy `bys mkvd igcrdji`hd ifkaigktibgs.Fy ybugadr sbg Zyhdr hieds tb usd mis ifkaigktibg wmdg mdsphkyiga witm mis kctibg aurds. I hbvd histdgiga tb tmd jioodrdgt vbicds md

usds `dobrd md okhhs kshddp kt giamt. Zmd `dst bgds krd wmdg tmd ru``dr

sgkeds krd dktiga khh bo tmd vihhkad pdbphd wmb ckgt sddf tb dsckpd gb

fkttdr mbw okst tmdy try tb rug kwky. Ig tmd fbrgiga, mis dj is cbvdrdj

witm khh sbrts bo fked-`dhidvd itdfs tmkt wdrd k pkrt bo mis ifkaigkry

dpic `ktthd tmd giamt `dobrd.

Fy bhjdr sbg Nbsm, bg tmd btmdr mkgj, usds mis ifkaigktibg wmdg md

jrdkfs. I hbvd histdgiga tb mis stbrids wmdg md wkeds up. I gdvdr egbw

io md kctukhhy mkj k jrdkf br io mds fkeiga it up ks md abds. Ditmdr wky,

its vdry dgtdrtkigiga! Hkst wdde md tbhj fd k`but k jrdkf wmdrd md wks

ig k `bxiga riga amtiga boo pdppdrbgis kgj cmddsdùradrs tmkt wdrd

kttkceiga mif kgj tryiga tb tked mif kwky tb tmdir cksthd. Md fkgkadj

tb jdodkt tmdf, ùt gbt `dobrd k aikgt chbwg ckfd jbwg kgj stkrtdj

hiceiga mis okcd.

@dhidvd it br gbt, wmdg it cbfds tb bur spiritukh hivds, bur ifkaigktibgs

krd vdry usdouh. Zmkts gbt sbfdtmiga ybu fky `d usdj tb mdkriga, ùtbur ifkaigktibgs krd vdry vkhuk`hd tbbhs ig mdhpiga us `dcbfd `dttdr

obhhbwdrs bo Ndsus. Qmdg wd usd bur ifkaigktibgs, bur wbrhj tkeds bg k

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7/19

mdw bg ZmisCmdw bg Zmis

; Zb cmdw upbg Abjs trutm bvdr kgj bvdr kakig

ugtih wd adt dvdry hkst bugcd bo gburismfdgt orbf it. (Mdgcd tmd tithdbo tmis `bbe!)

Zmd @i`hd is fdkgt tb aivd us strdgatm kgj tb mdhp us `dcbfd

fbrd kgj fbrd hied Ndsus mifsdho. Zmd @i`hd wksgt writtdg tb fked

us sfkrtdr. It wksgt writtdg sb tmkt wd cbuhj ifprdss bur oridgjs witm

mbw fkgy vdrsds wdvd fdfbrizdj br mbw fucm wd egbw k`but Abj.

Zmd Qbrj bo Abj is fdkgt tb `d cbgsufdj kgj jiadstdj. Its fdkgt tb

mdhp us arbw kgj trkgsobrf igtb tmd eigj bo pdbphd wd wdrd crdktdj tb

`d orbf tmd vdry `daiggigapdbphd wmb hivd hied Ndsus kgj cbgjuct

tmdfsdhvds `ksdj bg tmd trutm tmkt mds mdrd tbjky, hiviga ig bur sbuhs.

Zmkts tmd abkh, isgt it2 Zb ifitktd mif ig dvdry wky2 Bghy wmdg wd

hdkrg tb hivd hied tmkt wihh wd dvdr truhy `d ouhhhdj.

Gbw, tmd auijdj fdjitktibgs ig tmis `bbe krd jioodrdgt orbf @i`hd

fdjitktibgs> Qmdg ybu fdjitktd bg Scripturd, ybu obcus bg kgj dgtdr

igtb tmd gkrrktivd bo tmd `i`hickh tdxt5 tmd su`ndct fkttdr bo tmd auijdj

fdjiktibgs ig tmis `bbe krd fucm `rbkjdrybuhh ifkaigd ybursdho

ig vkribus scdgds kgj circufstkgcds, sdgsiga kgj rdspbgjiga tb tmd

ifkads ybu sdd ig ybur figjs dyd kgj tmd dfbtibgs tmdy `riga. Zmdg


8/19

;;

Pdkj Zmis Oirst

kotdr ybuvd cbfphdtdj ybur Auijdj Fdjiktibg, ybu mkvd tmd cmkgcd tb

writd k`but wmkt ybu dxpdridgcdj kgj cbggdct it witm Scripturd.

Zmd rdksbg wdrd usiga Auijdj Fdjitktibgs ig tmis `bbe is dckusd

Ivd obugj tmdf tb `d dxcitiga tbbhs obr dgakaiga tmd ifkaigktibg

tmdy `riga tmd Qbrj bo Abj tb hiod ig wkys tmkt ybuvd prb`k`hy gdvdr

dxpdridgcdj! Its fy jdsird tmkt ybu sdd Ndsus ig `rkgj-gdw wkys ks

ybu ugcbvdr ifpbrtkgt kspdcts k`but ybur spiritukh hiod.

Sb tmkges obr cbfiga khbga obr tmd rijd. (Kgj `y tmd wky, wmdrds

ybur sdkt`dht2 Yburd abiga tb gddj it. Tsiga ybur ifkaigktibg wihh `d

quitd kg kjvdgturd!)

Mbw tb Tsd Zmis @bbe ks kg Igjivijukh>

Hbbe tmrbuam tmis `bbe obr k Auijdj Fdjitktibg tmkt sbugjs;.igtdrdstiga. Ybu jbgt mkvd tb stkrt kt tmd `daiggiga.

Oigj k cbfobrtk`hd phkcd wmdrd ybu oddh rdhkxdj. Zked k jddp rdktm,0.

kgj tmdg dxmkhd shbwhy, khhbwiga tmd ckrds bo ybur jky tb jiskppdkr

obr k wmihd. \rky kgj igvitd Abj tb nbig ybu ig tmis kjvdgturd.

Shbwhy rdkj tmrbuam tmd Auijdj Fdjitktibg br histdg ckrdouhhy3.

ks its rdkj bg tmd kccbfpkgyiga kujib CJ. Ks ybu jb, usd ybur

ifkaigktibg kgj dgtdr igtb tmd stbry.Gdxt, tked k odw figutds tb nburgkh k`but wmkt ybu dxpdridgcdj:.

orbf tmd fdjitktibg. (Gbtd> Sdd tmd sijd`kr bg wmkt nburgkhiga is,

kgj mbw its jbgd.)

Zked sbfd tifd tb rdkj tmd kccbfpkgyiga Scripturd rdodrdgcd(s) br4.

histdg ckrdouhhy ks Scripturd is rdkj bg tmd kccbfpkgyiga kujib CJ.

Zmdg tked sbfd tifd tb kgswdr tmd [udstibgs obr Pdffdctibg. (Oddh?.

ordd tb writd ybur kgswdrs kgj kgy btmdr igsiamts ugjdrgdktm dkcm

[udstibg obr Pdffdctibgkgj dvdg ig tmd fkraigs ks wdhh ks ig ybur

bwg nburgkh. Fked tmis k `bbe yburd gbt korkij tb fkre up witm

ybur tmbuamts!)

Smkrd ybur dxpdridgcd witm sbfd abbj oridgjs. Mkvd tmdf aivd it1.

k try!

Mbw tb Tsd Zmis @bbe witm k Arbup>

Hbbe tmrbuam tmis `bbe kgj gj k Auijdj Fdjitktibg tmkt ybu;.

tmige wihh kppdkh tb ybur pkrticuhkr arbup. \rbvijd pdgs kgj pkpdr

(br arbup fdf`drs ckg usd tmdir bwg nburgkhs io tmdy mkvd tmdf).


9/19


;0

Kse tmbsd ig ybur arbup tb adt igtb cbfobrtk`hd, rdhkxdj pbsitibgs.0.

Dgcburkad tmdf tb tked jddp `rdktms kgj shbwhy dxmkhd. Igvitd

tmdf tb chbsd tmdir dyds io tmis mdhps tmdf cbgcdgtrktd `dttdr.

Gbw igvitd tmdf tb histdg tb tmd Auijdj Fdjitktibg ks ybu rdkj it3.

but hbuj br phky it obr tmdf orbf tmd kujib CJ. Cmkhhdgad tmdf tb

usd tmdir ifkaigktibgs kgj dgtdr igtb tmd stbry.

Kotdr tmd rdkjiga, kse arbup fdf`drs tb tked sbfd tifd tb nburgkh:.

k`but wmkt tmdy dxpdridgcdj. (Gbtd> Sdd tmd sdctibg `dhbw bg

wmkt nburgkhiga is, kgj mbw its jbgd.)

Nburgkhiga Jdoigdj(kjkptdj orbf Edg Airds `bbe,

Zmd Pdohdctivd Hiod)>Eddpiga k rdauhkr writtdg rdcbrj bo bccurrdgcds, dxpdridgcds,

kgj rdffdctibgs bo ybur hiod obr tmd purpbsd bo spiritukh

dgricmfdgt.

Zmd qudstibg is gbt wmkt ybu hbbe kt, `ut wmkt ybu sdd.

Mdgry Jkvij Zmbrdku

@DGDOIZS BO EDD\IGA K NBTPGKH

Nburgkhiga>

Bpdgs k jikhbaud witm Abj k`but hiod.

Mdhps ybu dttdr ugjdrstkgj wmb ybu krd, wmdrd ybuvd ddg,

wmdrd yburd abiga, kgj wmkts jriviga ybu tmdrd.

Mdhps ybu jdvdhbp ks k mufkg `diga igstdkj bo ks k mufkg

jbiga.

Aivds ybu kg bppbrtugity tb shbw jbwg orbf tmd murridj pkcd

bo hiod.

Is kg kctivity wmdrd Abj ckg smbw up ig ug`dhidvk`hd wkys!

MBQ ZB SZKPZ NBTPGKHIGA...

Ybu ckg igvdst ig k gicd hdktmdr-`bugj nburgkh orbf k hbckh`bbestbrd br sifphy `daig ybur nburgkhiga dxpdridgcd witm k

cmdkp spirkh-`bugj gbtd`bbe. I suaadst ybu igvdst ig k gicdr


10/19

;3

Pdkj Zmis Oirst

nburgkh dckusd tmis is abiga tb d sbfdtmiga ybuhh wkgt tb rdvidw

ydkrs orbf gbw. Fkgy fdg kgj wbfdg bo okitm usd tmd spiritukh

dxdrcisd bo nburgkhiga tb mdhp tmdf jddpdg tmdir rdhktibgsmips

witm Abj. Sb dvdg io ybuvd gdvdr tridj it `dobrd, wmy gbt aivd

it k smbt2

Zked ybur nburgkh, k pdg br pdgcih, kgj ybur @i`hd tb k quidt

phkcd wmdrd ybu ckg spdgj sbfd ugigtdrruptdj tifd khbgd witm

Abj.

@daig witm k sifphd prkydr. Sbfdtmiga hied tmis> Abj, Ivd

cbfd mdrd tb spdgj sbfd tifd witm ybu. \hdksd fddt fd mdrd

kgj mdhp fd ks I try tb dxprdss ig writiga wmkts bg fy figj kgj

ig fy sbuh.

Io it mdhps tb adt ybur tmbuamts ffbwiga, bpdg ybur @i`hd kgj

rdkj k pksskad bo Scripturd, br ybu ckg sifphy bpdg ybur nburgkh

kgj nufp ig.

Zmd obhhbwiga krd sbfd suaadstdj nburgkh-dgtry ijdks. Jbgt oddh

tmd gddj tb hh tmd pkad witm writiga. Qritd ks fucm br ks hitthd

ks ybu oddh Abj hdkjiga ybu tb writd. Zmdg spdgj k odw figutdsrdkjiga tmrbuam ybur dgtry wmdg yburd jbgd.

Qritd ybur bwg prkydr tb Abj.

Qritd k hdttdr tb Abj dxprdssiga mbw ybu oddh k`but mif, tdhhiga

Abj sbfdtmiga yburd tmkgeouh obr br kseiga qudstibgs.

Qritd k hdttdr orbf Abj tb ybu. Qmkt wbuhj Abj sky tb ybu

k`but tmd wky yburd hiviga ybur hiod tbjky2

Sifphy writd but mbw yburd oddhiga ig rdhktibgsmip tb Abj kgj

tmd spiritukh hiod.

Fked up sbfd bo ybur bwg pbdtry tb dxprdss ybursdho.

Ab `dybgj wbrjs `y jrkwiga br jbbjhiga ybur tmbuamts tb Abj.

Gdxt, rdkj tmd Scripturd rdodrdgcd(s) igchujdj witm tmd Auijdj4.Fdjitktibg (br histdg ckrdouhhy ks Scripturd is rdkj bg tmd

kccbfpkgyiga kujib CJ) kgj adt tmd arbups rdkctibg tb k odw bo


11/19


;:

tmd [udstibgs obr Pdffdctibg. Zmis wihh `d k ardkt phkcd tb stkrt k

spiritukh jiscussibg witm ybur arbup.

Qmdg ybu `dhidvd tmd cbgvdrsktibg mks rug its cbursd, `d surd tb?.

kse obr vbhugtddrs tb rdkj tmdir nburgkh dgtrids khbuj tb tmd arbup.

Spdgj k odw figutds ig prkydr ks k arbup tmkgeiga Abj obr aiviga1.

ybu ifkaigktibgs kgj obr fddtiga ybu ig tmis dxdrcisd.

Dgcburkad stujdgts tb try k odw Auijdj Fdjitktibg dxdrcisds bg=.

tmdir bwg.

Mbw tb Adt tmd Fbst orbf tmd Kujib CJ

Its botdg mdhpouh tb histdg tb kgbtmdr pdrsbg rdkj fdjitktibgs br Scripturds

sb ybu ckg chbsd ybur dyds kgj fbrd dksihy hdt ybur ifkaigktibg ckrry

ybu igtb tmd gkrrktivd. Sb tmis `bbe cbfds witm kg kujib CJ cbgtkigigak sdhdctibg bo ;4 gkrrktdj fdjitktibgs orbf tmis `bbe tmkt ybu ckg usd

wmdg ybu wkgt tb hdt sbfdbgd dhsd tdhh ybu tmd stbry.

Qitmig dkcm fdjitktibg trkce krd twb su`-trkces> ;) K rdkjiga bo

tmd fdjitktibg bvdr fusic (tmd fusic okjds tb sihdgcd witm dgbuam tifd

`dtwddg su`-trkces tb pkusd phky`kce obr nburgkhiga)5 0) K rdkjiga bo

kccbfpkgyiga @i`hd pksskads bvdr fusic (tmd fusic okjds tb sihdgcd

witm dgbuam tifd `dobrd dgj bo trkce tb pkusd `dobrd tmd stkrt bo tmdgdxt fdjitktibg trkce).

CJ ZPKCE HISZ>

;. Zmd Cdhd`rktibg

0. K Hbgdhy Qkhe

3. Qmkt k \hkcd!

:. Skyiga Abbj`yd

4. @dmigj tmd Fkse

?. Zmd Fbst \kigouh \hkcd

1. Zkeiga Igvdgtbry

=. Zmd Struaahd

9. Ig tmd Stihh bo tmd Giamt

;


12/19

;4

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icds)

Ihbvd `ksd`khh. I prkctickhhy ardw up phkyiga tmd akfd witm fy jkjkgj `rbtmdr. I dvdg phkydj ig miam scmbbh kgj cbhhdad. @ut tmdrds bgdkspdct bo tmd akfd Ivd khwkys mktdj> \rkcticd!

Ybuvd mdkrj tmd skyiga, \rkcticd fkeds pdrodct. Fy jkj usdj

tb tdhh fd tmkt khfbst dvdry jky. I abt sice bo mdkriga it. I wks rdkhhy sice

bo tmkt skyiga bg tmbsd cbhj Jdcdf`dr fbrgigas wmdg fy miam scmbbh

cbkcm tbbe tmd pitcmdrs kgj cktcmdrs but ruggiga tb mdhp us jdvdhbp bur

hda strdgatm. Cbkcm tbhj us tmkt bur strdgatm juriga tmd sdksbg wbuhj

bghy `d ks strbga ks bur hdas, kgj sb wd gddjdj tb pusm bursdhvds

`dybgj bur hifits io wd wkgtdj tb `d tmd `dst. Fkg, I mktdj tmkt!

Fky`d I mktdj it dckusd bo tmd wky it fkjd fy bjy oddh kotdr tmd

rst odw prkcticd sdssibgs> I kcmdj khh bvdr. It sddfdj hied khh wd dvdr

jij wks rug krbugj tmd ayf kgj tmdg up kgj jbwg tmd stkirwkys. Zmdg

wd jij sbfd wdiamt hiotiga, k tbg bo igdhj jrihhs, kgjybu audssdj it

fbrd ruggiga tmrbwg ig `dobrd prkcticd wks bvdr. I khwkys tmbuamt it

wks k muad wkstd bo tifd. I wkgtdj tb adt but bg tmd dhj. I wkgtdj tb

phky tmd akfd. I wkgtdj tb `d bg tmd fbugj ig tmd gkh iggiga witm

ruggdrs bg `ksd kgj fy `kce up kakigst tmd wkhh. I hbvdj phkyiga tmdakfds, `ut I mktdj prkcticd.

Zmkt is, ugtih kg dvdgtouh cbgorbgtktibg witm fy cbkcm tmkt wdgt

sbfdtmiga hied tmis>


13/19


;?

Cbkcm> Ybu mkvd tmd pbtdgtikh tb `d bgd bo tmd `dttdr pitcmdrs bg

tmis tdkf, ut ybu rdousd tb pusm ybursdho. Ybu jbgt prkcticd ks mkrj ks

tmd btmdr auys. Yburd hkzy.

Md mkj fy kttdgtibg.

Cbkcm> Ybu tmige wd pusm ybu auys hied tmis ig prkcticd obr gb

rdksbg2 Jb ybu tmige I adt up dkrhy kgj ab ruggiga witm ybu dvdry

fbrgiga obr fy bwg mdkhtm2

Fd> Qdhh, ydkm!

Cbkcm> Qd pusm ybu `dckusd wd wkgt ybu tb `d tmd `dst ybu ckg

pbssi`hy `d. Qd pusm ybu `dckusd wd sdd sbfdtmiga ig ybu tmkt ybu

fky gbt dvdg sdd. Sb, jb ybu wkgt it br gbt2

I wks stuggdj. I gdvdr tmbuamt k`but prkcticd tmkt wky `dobrd. I jij

wkgt tb `d tmd `dst I cbuhj `d! Sb I jdjicktdj fysdho tb trkigiga mkrj.I stkrtdj smbwiga up dkrhy obr wdiamthiotiga. I rkg tmd dxtrk hkp kt tmd

dgj bo prkcticd. I pusmdj fysdho up kgj jbwg tmbsd stkirs ugtih fy hdas

cbuhjgt tked it kgyfbrd. Kgj audss wmkt mkppdgdj2 Fy pdrobrfkgcd

ifprbvdj. It rdkhhy jij. I wbuhjvd gdvdr `dhidvdj it `dobrd I jdcijdj tb

ab obr it, ut I stkrtdj tb sdd k jioodrdgcd ig fy akfd. Kgj tmkt fkjd fd

wkgt tb prkcticd dvdg mkrjdr!

Qmkt wbuhj ybu tmige io I tbhj ybu tmkt bur spiritukh hiod wbres tmd

skfd wky2 It jbds. @ut wmy jbgt fkgy Cmristikgs tmige bo it tmkt wky2

Obr sbfd rdksbg, k hbt bo wdhh-igtdgtibgdj Cmristikgs sddf tb `dhidvd

tmkt tmd ifpbrtkgt wbre is bvdr bgcd tmdyvd fkjd k cbffitfdgt tb

obhhbw Ndsus. @ut obhhbwiga sbfdbgd is gbt k pkssivd kct. Obhhbwiga

Ndsus fdkgs hdkrgiga orbf mif kgj khhbwiga mif tb tdkcm ybu mbw tb

hivd ybur hiod. Obhhbwiga Ndsus fdkgs jdvdhbpiga spiritukh dxdrcisds

ig ybur spiritukh hiod tmkthh aivd ybur sbuh k wbrebut kgj mdhp ybu

`dcbfd k `dttdr obhhbwdr.

Qmdg fy `ksd`khh cbkcm pusmdj fd ig prkcticd, md usdj spdcic

jrihhs kgj dxdrcisds. Zmdy wdrd tmd skfd jrihhs kgj dxdrcisds tmkt cbkcmds

mkvd usdj obr jdckjds tb jdvdhbp ybuga, iffkturd ksd`khh phkydrs igtb

sbhij, sdksbgdj ktmhdtds. Kakig, tmd spiritukh hiod is gb jioodrdgt. Zmdrd

krd spdcic spiritukh dxdrcisds pdbphd mkvd usdj tmrbuam tmd ydkrs tb

jdvdhbp ybuga, iffkturd obhhbwdrs bo Cmrist igtb tmd eigj bo pdbphd

Abj crdktdj tmdf tb d orbf tmd daiggiga. Sb wmy jbgt wd usd tmdsd

skfd spiritukh prkcticds tbjky2 Mkvd wd obrabttdg k`but tmdf2 Mkvd

tmdy hbst tmdir doodctivdgdss2 Br mkvd wd nust abttdg hkzy2


14/19

;1

Pdkj Zmis Gdxt

Ig mis fkagicdgt bbe, ZmdJivigd Cbgspirkcy> Pdjiscbvdriga Bur

Mijjdg Hiod ig Abj, kutmbr Jkhhks Qihhkrj tkhes k`but tmd ifpbrtkgcd

bo tmdsd spiritukh prkcticds (md ckhhs tmdf spiritukh jisciphigds) kgj

tmd rbhd tmdy smbuhj phky ig bur hivds io wd wkgt tb `dcbfd fbrd hied

Ndsus. Qihhkrj jdgds spiritukh jisciphigds ks kgy kctivity witmig bur

pbwdr tmkt wd dgakad ig tb dgk`hd us tb jb wmkt wd ckggbt jb `y

jirdct doobrt (343). Kccbrjiga tb tmis jdgitibg, nust k`but kgytmiga ckg

`d k spiritukh jisciphigd!

Hbbe kt it hied tmis> Qmdg I wks hdkrgiga mbw tb mit k `ksd`khh,

fy jkj wdgt tb tmd stbrd kgj `buamt fd k `kttiga tdd. Md jijgt stkrt

pitcmiga tb fd riamt kwky. Md usdj tmd tdd tb mdhp fd jdvdhbp k hdvdh

swiga. Qmdg I prkcticdj fy swiga ks k miam scmbbh phkydr, I botdg puhhdj

but k kttiga tdd kgj tbbe 4< swigas boo tmd tdd tb d surd fy swiga wkshdvdh. \rkcticiga witm tmd `kttiga tdd `dckfd k jisciphigd obr fd.

Ig tmd spiritukh hiod, tmdrd krd sdvdrkh tifd-tdstdj jisciphigds tmkt wd

ckg usd tb dcbfd fbrd hied Ndsus mifsdho. Bgd bo tmdffdjitktibg

wd hdkrgdj k`but ig tmd prdvibus sdctibg kgj is k muad pkrt bo tmis

`bbe. Gbw hdts tked k chbsdr hbbe kt sbfd btmdrs.

Spiritukh \rkcticds obr @dcbfiga Fbrd HiedNdsus

Sbhitujd kgj Sihdgcd>;. Zmdsd twb spiritukh prkcticds krd higedj

tbadtmdr ig Scripturd `dckusd bo tmd pbwdrouh doodct bo tmdir

cbf`igktibg.

Sbhitujdfdkgs tb d khbgd obr hbga pdribjs bo tifd, tb d but bo

cbgtkct witm btmdr mufkg digas. Ndsus fbjdhdj tmd ifpbrtkgcd bo

tmis pkrticuhkr spiritukh prkcticd tmrbuambut tmd Gdw Zdstkfdgt `y

rdauhkrhy puhhiga kwky `y mifsdho tb rdst, `d khbgd, kgj rdcmkrad

mis sbuh (Hued 4>;?). Zmd ardkt Cmristikg pmihbsbpmdr @hkisd \ksckh

bgcd skij, I mkvd jiscbvdrdj tmkt khh tmd ugmkppigdss bo fdg

krisds orbf bgd sigahd okct, tmkt tmdy krd ugk`hd tb stky quidthy ig

tmdir bwg rbbf (\ksckh Sdhdctibgs, 0;:).

Sihdgcdfdkgs sifphy tmd k`sdgcd bo sbugj. Zb d sihdgt fdkgs

tb `d quidt kgj histdg. Fkgy pdbphd krd sckrdj bo sihdgcd `dckusd

tmdyrd korkij bo wmkt tmdy fiamt mdkr Abj sky tb tmdf io tmdy

sdtthd jbwg kgj jb gbtmiga. @ut tmdrds gbtmiga tb `d korkij bo.

Khtmbuam it fky sddf kwewkrj kt rst, io wd hdkrg tb sdt ksijd


15/19


;=

rdauhkr tifds ig bur jky tb adt khbgd kgj `d quidt witm Abj, wdhh

mdkr mif wmispdr wbgjdrouh wbrjs bo dgcburkadfdgt ks wd trkvdh

ig bur spiritukh nburgdy. Aivd it k try! Stkrt witm ;< figutds kgj

wbre ybur wky up tb kg kfbugt bo tifd tmkt sddfs riamt tb ybu.

Zry tb sifphy `d khbgd kgj histdg tb Abj. Sbfdbgd bgcd skij tmkt

ugtih wd tdkcm bursdhvds tb `d khbgd witm Abj, wd wihh gdvdr truhy

`d k`hd tb `d witm btmdr pdbphd. Mbw jb ybu tmige sihdgcd kgj

sbhitujd ckg mdhp us jdvdhbp tmis ifpbrtkgt kspdct bo bur spiritukh

hivds2

Okstiga>0. Zmd `i`hickh prkcticd bo okstiga igvbhvds k`stkigiga orbf

dktiga obr k smbrt pdribj bo tifd. It cbuhj khsb fdkg rdorkigiga orbf

jbiga sbfdtmiga ybu dgnby br cbgsijdr ifpbrtkgt. Zmd mugadr ybu

dxpdridgcd juriga k obbj okst, obr igstkgcd, rdfigjs ybu bo wmktyburd striviga obr spiritukhhykgj ckg mdhp ybu adt tmdrd. Ybu

khsb usd tmd tifd ybu wbuhj gbrfkhhy spdgj dktiga, phkyiga vijdb

akfds, wktcmiga Z_br wmktdvdr dhsd yburd okstiga orbftb

spdgj tifd witm Abj. @ut its `dttdr tb gbt ab but bo ybur wky tb

smbw wmkt yburd jbigaig Fkttmdw ?>;?-;=, Ndsus fkeds it chdkr

tmkt ybu smbuhjgt okst orbf obbj br kgytmiga dhsd sifphy tb ifprdss

pdbphd witm mbw sdho-jisciphigdj kgj mbhy ybu krd. Okstigais kg

kct bo wbrsmip tb Abj kgj Abj bghy!

Qkrgiga> Fked surd tb cmdce witm ybur pkrdgts, ybutm pkstbr,

kgj ybur okfihy jbctbr `dobrd prkcticiga kgy okst igvbhviga obbj!

Pdfdf`dr> Okstiga is k spiritukh jisciphigd, fdkgt tb d tdfpbrkry,

kgj is fbst jdgitdhy gbt k wdiamt-hbss fdtmbj.

@i`hd Pdkjiga kgj Fdfbrizktibg>3. Dvdg io yburd gbt vdry abbj kt

fdfbriziga cdrtkig tmigas, its k ardkt spiritukh prkcticd tb writd

jbwg sdctibgs bo Scripturd bg gbtd ckrjs kgj ckrry tmdf witm

ybu tmrbuambut tmd jky. Adttiga Abjs Qbrj igtb bur figjs kgj

bur sbuhs mdhps cmkgad tmd wky wd hivd. I bgcd mdkrj sbfdbgd I

miamhy rdspdct sky, Io I wdrd obrcdj tb prkcticd bghy bgd spiritukh

jisciphigd, it wbuhj `d @i`hd fdfbrizktibg `dckusd bo tmd spiritukh

pbwdr it mks ughdksmdj ig fy bwg hiod.

Its ifpbrtkgt tb rdfdf`dr tmkt tmd @i`hd is kctukhhy k hiviga

jbcufdgt tmkt mks tmd pbwdr tb trkgsobrf bur hivds (Md`rdws

:>;0). Abjs Qbrj is pbwdrouh kgj doodctivd (0 Zifbtmy 3>;?). It


16/19

;9

Pdkj Zmis Gdxt

mks tmd k`ihity tb spdke tb us wmdg wd kpprbkcm it witm tmd riamt

fbtivktibg. Cmdce but Jdutdrbgbfy ;1>;=-;9 tb sdd mbw fucm

Abj wkgtdj Bhj Zdstkfdgt eigas tb ugjdrtked tmis prkcticd bo

cbpyiga Scripturd> Qmdg md tkeds tmd tmrbgd bo mis eigajbf, md

is tb writd obr mifsdho bg k scrbhh k cbpy bo tmis hkw, tkedg orbf tmkt

bo tmd pridsts, wmb krd Hdvitds. It is tb `d witm mif, kgj md is tb rdkj

it khh tmd jkys bo mis hiod sb tmkt md fky hdkrg tb rdvdrd tmd HBPJ

mis Abj kgj obhhbw ckrdouhhy khh tmd wbrjs bo tmis hkw kgj tmdsd

jdcrdds.

Spiritukh Nburgkhiga>:. Arbwiga up, I mdkrj sbfd airhs I egdw tkhe

k`but writiga ig tmdir jikrids kgj rdkjiga dkcm btmdrs jikrids. I

tmbuamt it wks khh prdtty wdirj. Sb sdvdrkh ydkrs kab wmdg k oridgj

bo figd suaadstdj I jb sbfd spiritukh nburgkhiga, I wks hdss tmkgdgtmusikstic. Nburgkhigas obr airhs! I tbhj fysdho. Qmy wbuhj kgy

auy ig mis riamt figj wkgt kgytmiga tb jb witm it2 @ut I audss fy

oridgj rdkj fy figj, `dckusd tmd gdxt tmiga md jij wks tdhh fd

k`but sbfd bo tmd ardkt fdg bo okitm jbwg tmrbuam tmd ydkrs kgj

mbw dvdry sigahd bgd bo tmdf prkcticdj spiritukh nburgkhiga. Gbtk`hd

Cmristikgs hied C.S. Hdwis kgj J.H. Fbbjy. (I khsb wbgjdrdj io

`diga abbj kt spiritukh nburgkhiga fdkgt `diga egbwg `y twb

igitikhs igstdkj bo k rdkh rst gkfd! Bgcd fy oridgj kssurdj fd tmkt

I jijgt, I stkrtdj dxpdrifdgtiga witm tmis spiritukh prkcticd.)

Kt rst it wks kwewkrj. Qmkt wks I suppbsdj tb writd k`but2

Kgj wmb wks I writiga tb, kgywky2 It wks khh vdry cbgousiga.

Sb I stbppdj kgj prkydj. I sifphy ksedj Abj tb fddt fd wmdrd

I wks kgj auijd fy tmbuamts ks I wrbtd. It wks prdtty tbuam kt

rst, `ut kotdr I stbppdj wbrryiga k`but gjiga tmd riamt wbrjs, I

stkrtdj writiga wmkt wks bg fy figj. I wks wbrridj k`but scmbbh

kgj sbfd bo tmd cmkhhdgads I wks okciga. I wrbtd tb Abj k`but it. I

wks struaahiga ig k rdhktibgsmip witm k oridgj. I wrbtd jbwg sbfd

tmbuamts tmkt wdrd vdry mdhpouh tb fd wmdg I wdgt `kce kgj hktdr

rdkj wmkt I mkj writtdg. Zmd fbrd I wrbtd, tmd fbrd cbfobrtk`hd I

odht k`but it.

Spiritukh nburgkhiga jioodrs orbf sifphy eddpiga k jikry ig tmkt

ybu igtdgtibgkhhy obcus ybur writiga bg mbw it rdhktds tb Abj kgj

ybur spiritukh hiod. Qritiga jbwg prkydrs br kseiga Abj obr jirdctibg

bg sbfdtmiga yburd okciga is k ardkt phkcd tb stkrt. Kgj jbgt `d


17/19


04. \rkydr is k sifphd cbgvdrsktibg witm Abjtmd bgd wmbcrdktdj ybu kgj hbvds ybu. K cbgvdrsktibg igvbhvds `btm tkheiga

kgj histdgiga. Zmis is ifpbrtkgt tb rdkhizd wmdg yburd prkyiga.

Abj isgt ifprdssdj witm hbts bo wbrjs br ffbwdry hkgaukad. Abj

nust wkgts tb spdgj tifd mkgaiga but witm ybu kgj histdgiga tb

wmkts bg ybur mdkrt.

Is it jiocuht obr ybu tb mkvd k cbgvdrsktibg witm ybur `dst

oridgj2 Jb ybu mkvd tb tmige ckrdouhhy k`but wmkt yburd abiga

tb sky wmdg yburd krbugj pdbphd ybu hbvd2 Jb ybur oridgjs kt

scmbbh dxpdct ybu tb spdke k cdrtkig wky wmdg yburd mkgaiga

but tbadtmdr kgj mkviga oug2 Bo cbursd gbt! Qmdg yburd krbugj

pdbphd wmb hbvd ybu, it smbuhj `d dksy tb `d ybursdho, riamt2

Zmdg wmy jb sb fkgy pdbphd mkvd sucm k jiocuht tifd mkviga k

cbgvdrsktibg witm Abj2

I jbgt egbw k`but ybu, `ut sbfdtifds its mkrj obr fd tb adt

stkrtdj wmdg If tryiga tb prky. I jbgt egbw wmdtmdr its `dckusd

If dksihy jistrkctdj, br `dckusd I ckgt kctukhhy sdd Abj, br

`dckusd If sb tirdj kt tifds wmdg If tryiga tb prky tmkt I okhh

kshddp. @ut kt tifds I gj it tbuam tb prky. Sb Ivd rdcdgthy stkrtdj

usiga sbfd prkydr mdhpdrs tb eddp fd obcusdj ks I prky. Sbfd bo

tmbsd mdhpdrs igchujd>

Qkheiga wmihd I prky

\rkyiga witm fy dyds bpdg

Pdcitiga Zmd Hbrjs \rkydr ks I adt stkrtdj

\rkyiga Zmd Ndsus \rkydr sdvdrkh tifds (Ndsus Cmrist, Sbg

bo Abj, mkvd fdrcy bg fd, k siggdr. Kfdg.)


18/19

0;

Pdkj Zmis Gdxt

\dbphd cbggdct witm Abj ig fkgy jioodrdgt wkys. \ice bgd bo

tmdsd prkydr mdhpdrs kgj aivd it k try. Zmis is k spiritukh dxdrcisd

wbrtm jdvdhbpiga ig ybur hiod. \rkydr mks pbwdr. \rkydr cmkgads

tmigas. Sb spdgj sbfd tifd tkheiga witm Abj kgj histdgiga obr mif

tb spdke tb ybu riamt gbw. Sifphy nufp ig kgj stkrt tkheiga!

Qbrsmip>?. Qd khh adt jioodrdgt ifkads ig bur figjs wmdg wd mdkr

tmis wbrj. Obr sbfd, wbrsmip is sbfdtmiga ybu jb bg k Sugjky

fbrgiga ig cmurcm. It usukhhy igvbhvds fusic kgj sigaiga `dobrd

sbfdbgd adts up kgj prdkcmds. Obr sbfd, tmis is k fdkgigaouh kgj

spiritukh dxpdridgcd. Btmdrs spdgj fbrd tifd cbugtiga tmd guf`dr

bo mbhds ig tmd cdihiga tihds tmkg kgytmiga dhsd. Zb tmdf, tmd wbrsmip

sdrvicd is k`but ks cbfpdhhiga ks k hdcturd bg tmd mistbry bo sbces.

@ut is wbrsmip sbfdtmiga tmkt bghy mkppdgs ig k cmurcm sdrvicd bgk Sugjky fbrgiga2 Br is it sbfdtmiga cbfphdtdhy jioodrdgt2

Qbrsmip ckg mkppdg bg k Sugjky fbrgiga ig cmurcmkgj

it ckg khsb mkppdg dvdry btmdr jky bo tmd wdde ks wd ab k`but

bur hivds. Ks wd dxprdss bur arktitujd tb Abj obr jbiga sb fucm

obr us kgjnust `diga Abj, wd hdkrg tb wbrsmip Abj ig dvdrytmiga

wd sky kgj jb. Qbrsmip is kg ifpbrtkgt spiritukh dxdrcisd wbrtm

jdvdhbpiga `dckusd it rdfigjs us tmkt tmdrd is k Abjkgj wd krd

gbt mif. It mdhps aivds us k prbpdr pdrspdctivd bo bur hivds.

Kccbrjiga tb fbst jictibgkrids, wbrsmipfdkgs wbrtm-smip.

Qbrsmip mkppdgs wmdg ybu dxprdss mbw vkhuk`hd sbfdtmiga br

sbfdbgd is tb ybu. Zrud wbrsmip is kg igvkhuk`hd spiritukh dxdrcisd

tmkt wd wbuhj khh jb wdhh tb jdvdhbp ig bur hivds.

Io Abj is ifpbrtkgt tb ybu (i.d., vkhuk`hd tb ybu), mbw jb

ybu dxprdss wbrsmip tb Abj2 Qmkt krd sbfd wkys tb hdt Abj egbw

tmkt2 Ybu cbuhj siga tb Abj. Ybu cbuhj prky kgj dxprdss ybursdho.

Kgj, fbst ifpbrtkgthy, kccbrjiga tb Scripturd, ybu cbuhj aktmdr

witm btmdr Cmrist-obhhbwdrskgj dxprdss ybur wbrsmip tb Abj. (Hdt

us gbt aivd up fddtiga tbadtmdr, ks sbfd krd ig tmd mk`it bo jbiga,

`ut hdt us dgcburkad bgd kgbtmdrkgj khh tmd fbrd ks ybu sdd tmd

Jky kpprbkcmiga. Md`rdws ;04)

Sbhitujd, sihdgcd, okstiga, @i`hd rdkjiga kgj fdfbrizktibg, spiritukh

nburgkhiga, prkydr, kgj wbrsmip. Zmdsdkhbga witm fdjitktibgkrd

sbfd bo tmd ifpbrtkgt spiritukh prkcticds tmkt khh Cmrist-obhhbwdrs smbuhj


19/19


cbgsijdr. Qmdg wd hdkrg mbw tb usd tmdf ig bur dvdryjky hivds, tmdy

mdhp us `dcbfd fbrd kgj fbrd hied Ndsus mifsdho.

Kakig, tmis `bbe is khh k`but mdhpiga ybu cmdw upbg spiritukh

tmigas ig ybur hiod. Its igtdgjdj tb adt ybu tmigeiga k`but ybur

rdhktibgsmip witm Abj kgj tb cmkhhdgad ybu tb `dcbfd fbrd kgj fbrd

hied mis Sbg, Ndsus Cmrist, y pkyiga kttdgtibg tb khh bo tmd vkribus sdgsds

Abj akvd ybukgj `y usiga ybur ifkaigktibg!

chew on this: 31 biblical devotions into the heart of christ by dave ambrose

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