7 AM.
I start this day with two devotional books.
I read the daily entry from Faith That Matters: 365 Devotionals from Classic Christian Leaders. In today's entry Brennan Manning tells me this: “Once you come to know the love of Jesus Christ, nothing else in the world will seem beautiful or desirable.”
These words slow me down. Yes. I read the same idea, recently, in Becket Cook's book.
Next, I open Hearing God Through the Year: A 365-Day Devotional. Dallas Willard quotes John 3:3.
“No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” (John 3:3 NRSV).
Willard adds, "Without this birth we cannot recognize God’s workings: we do not possess the appropriate faculties and equipment."
I have been "born from above." One result, immediately, was that I began to experience the ethics of Jesus. (See, e.g., here.) Today I am reminded of this, and give thanks.
I then open to Proverbs 31. For months I have been slow-cooking in Proverbs. Sometimes I can only handle one verse. Proverbs is epistemically thick.
I stop at 31:10-11.
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
I have found her.
My last stop, this morning, is Matthew chapters 5-7. Yesterday morning, at Redeemer, I issued a renewed call to discipleship. I asked people to respond by coming forward. I handed each person a paper, containing an assignment.
This week, slow-cook in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. If God speaks to you, email me what you are hearing. (johnpiippo@msn.com)
I'm joining this movement.
I open to Matthew 5.
Jesus' disciples came to him,
and he began to teach them.
I came to him fifty years ago. This morning, I find myself still sitting at his feet.
