Skyline SIB

SCRIPTURE - What is God saying?

Turn to your reading schedule for the day. Slow down. Set aside your pressing demands. Turn off all electronic distractions. Ask the Lord to bring home to your heart one verse or text as you read your schedule. The Holy Spirit will highlight one verse or thought that momentarily stops you in your track. He may whisper: “This promise is for you” or “This will get you back on track” or simply “Listen”. Write the verse/text down in your journal. Highlight the verse in your bible. Finish your schedule. By interacting this way you’ll hear God’s voice fresh each day..

OBSERVATION - What is it saying to me?

As the Spirit highlights the one verse or thought He’s given you, consider the following:

1. What was the context of the verse? If you want a fuller picture of the background, do some cross-reference checks in your bible or read the footnotes of a Study Bible. It may help you.
2. Who spoke the words? To whom was the passage originally addressed?
3. What is the tone?

Imagine the scene(s) and let your one verse soak through your heart in its context. Write out your observations in your journal.

APPLICATION - What do I need to do?

Now write out in your journal how you plan to put this verse/text into practice in your life. Application is crucial. Without it we will merely be knowledgeable and knowledge alone “puffs up. Remember it is the person who does God’s word who will be blessed. Jesus said: “If you know these things blessed are you if you do them.” Knowledge and application makes a true disciple. Knowledge alone makes a dabbler.

PRAYER - How shall I commit it to God?

The final stage of your journal is to record your prayer. Some people object to writing out their prayers but it’s a great way to cement everything that’s just happened in your mind and heart. Months or years later when you re-read your journal, it is the prayer portion that will convict, move and bless you, and also keep your heart supple towards God. So write down your prayers, however brief. It’s your legacy with the Lord.

FOOTNOTE

After your prayer entry, return to the top of your page and give it a title. For example if your verse was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, your title may be: “All Things Are Possible” or “Strength for all Things!” You have now captured a gem in the making - in your heart and on a page - for life! Now go back to the ‘Table of Contents’ page and fill in the date, page, title & your verse for easy future reference!

As you focus on just one short text or verse daily and you’ll have over 360 priceless gems packed in your heart by this time next year. If you focus on two or three verses a day, you’ll probably remember none of them! If you’ve also kept to your Bible schedule, you will complete the Bible in one or three years!