Moving habitually closer!

My last blog ended the Compassionate Life section now we are moving into the heartland of the evangelical tradition the Word Centered Life. the double edged sword of the centrality of scripture and the importance of evangelism.

Our first author is E. Stanley Jones is known for his missionary work in India and the Ashram Structured Retreats of the mid twentieth century in the United States. He had a keen understanding of spiritual life and the means of spiritual renewal. These excerpts comes from his work "Conversion".
He comes from the perspective that we are constantly being converted it is not a one time occasion. Some may see this as sanctification but as long as we understand the term it really doesn't matter.

Stanley bases his structure on 3 simple examples that Jesus modelled in his walk on earth. He calls Jesus the best man who ever lived, who did these three things by habit.

1. He stood up to read as was his custom - He read the word of God by habit.
2. He went to the mountain to pray as was his custom - He prayed by habit.
3. He taught them again as was his custom - He passed on to others by habit what he had and what he had found.

The habit of reading especially in the morning allows the cleansing power of the revelation of person of Jesus to wash over us. It is not knowing about Jesus but the knowing of Jesus through the inspired word of God that brings the cleansing. He cleanses your mind, your motives and emotions.
Stanley states "Take the prescription of the Word of God daily. No Christian is sound who is not Scriptural"


The habit of private prayer is key. It is so easy in our modern busy age to go to the occasional or weekly corporate prayer meeting and feel that we have ticked that box. We need to think again! In prayer we have a conversation with our Father. A conversation where both speak to each. it can take practice. If it is not working persevere! Interestingly the famous United States President Abraham Lincoln said these words "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go; my own conviction and that of those around me seemed insufficient for the day." Lincoln's habit was to spend between 4.00-5.00am in prayer and reading the word of God.

Sharing and passing on what we have learnt brings life to others but it interestingly brings life to you. I can personally testify to this in the simple act of writing and sharing this blog has brought new revelation and depth to my spiritual formation. As I think and ponder what to share with the prompting of the Holy Spirit I gain clarity and depth. Try it! It works if you work at it. It is after all the essence of coaching. Jesus practiced it with the disciples every day for 3 years, look at the difference it made to them! This simple act makes you evangelistic depending on what sort of revelation you are sharing. Evangelistic people are growing people. You are not necessarily trying to convert them you are just sharing your revelation of what works for you in your life and why it works? Not necessarily how it works because you may not know! But you do know it works!

I have loved this weeks reading it is so encouraging while still be so challenging. Practice your habits or start you new habits have a great week