Terri's BlogChristian perspective on today's issues.

Chicken Nuggets or Sirloin Steak?

Which will it be?  Hopefully, you only choose nuggets when you’re pressed for time, having to eat on-the-run, right? Not very nutritious, but probably delicious. (Sorry about the rhyme, I just couldn’t help myself.) And they’re probably better than nothing – although some of you could argue that point (and win).
Sirloin? That usually means dinner in a nice restaurant; good atmosphere, a pleasant waitperson giving you attention, keeping your glass filled, a salad, baked potato, and maybe even dessert. This would be a relaxing time, and intended to be so.  However, while 99% of us can’t afford to eat out every night, it’s a very relaxing, fulfilling experience. Time well spent, agreed?
Where am I going with this, you ask?  Well, I’m comparing these two different meals to using a daily devotional versus a half hour or more of quiet time intentionally reading the Bible.  Before you go ballistic on me, I am NOT condemning reading daily devotionals, ok? I read them myself quite often, and there are many EXCELLENT writers of these books and/or emails who can teach us an entirely different perspective on a verse of scripture or a parable, in a way that we’ve never considered before. Writers like Dr. Billy Graham, John MacArthur, Max Lucado, and Sarah Young – who has written one of the best-selling devotionals of all time, “Jesus Calling”, have all given us meaningful daily devotionals. I’ve read some from all of these and every one of them can bless and enrich your day.  We all need to know the hope, the peace, & the joy God offers every day, and a daily devotional can provide us with this.
I have had a copy of Jesus Calling for a couple of years and enjoyed the way it’s written: as though it’s for me alone.  But strangely, I had never taken the time to read the Introduction, which is by Mrs. Young herself.  It alone is a testimony to what happens when we devote TIME to listen to God.  If you own this book and have never read the Intro, I beg you to do so.  In it she says that during the years she deliberately sat listening to God with pen in hand “I found themes of His Peace becoming more prominent in my writing”.  She goes on: “and when I get to know people, I find that most of them also desire the balm of Jesus’ Peace.  (See my last lesson about Peace)
A problem with daily devotionals is that they are written for the masses, and thus are not usually on the same “spiritual walk” as the reader.  So, some are left wondering what that day’s message meant for them, and there may be no connection.  I remember, back when I didn’t know better, reading my daily horoscope in the newspaper. (Sometimes it was better called a horror-scope, ‘cause it wasn’t gonna be a good day.)  If I read it in the morning, I tried to make the happenings of the day fit the prediction.  Likewise, if I read it in the evening.  So, let me encourage you to pray before reading your daily devotional, asking God to show you what He wants YOU to know from it. (Of course, we should do this every time we open the Bible, even when your pastor asks you to before he starts his sermon.  Remember that he, too, is preaching to the whole church.)  Sometimes God may not be speaking to YOU from the daily reading. Be aware, and don’t despair.  (There I go with a rhyme again. Sorry.)  On the other hand, He may be giving us something that we can use to help someone else.
However, almost all daily devotionals give additional scripture references which tie in to the message.  Do you read those other scriptures AT THE TIME YOU READ THAT DAY’S MESSAGE and study how they apply to that message?  If not, then you’re eating your chicken nuggets without any sauce. You’re not getting all you can from the “meal”, if you want to call nuggets a meal.  And this is the point of today’s lesson: too many of us are reading a daily devotional and getting a snack versus a MEAL, which is INTENTIONAL time in the Word.  Please don’t let me upset you with my comments, just hear me out.  Every author I mentioned above tells the reader that their devotional book is not meant to take the place of Bible study.  Charles Stanley says “to get the most out of this book, set aside time to read the scriptures referenced throughout.”  Sarah Young said “These messages are meant to be read slowly, preferably in a quiet place.”  What they are saying is rather than have a bite on the run, it’s much better to stop and have a burger with God.  Which will really taste like sirloin before you’re through.
I believe almost every Christian writer has been given a special gift to teach, inform, and/or interpret for their readers.  And every single one wants us to know God’s TRUTH, which comes from reading the Bible.  If we don’t know what the Bible says, we likely won’t understand the author.  Even Jesus had to take time away from His disciples and the pressing crowds to spend time with His Father.  Like tithing, “spending” time in His Word is time well spent.  We can get more money, but we can’t get more time. That’s trite, I know, but it needed to be said.
2nd Timothy 2:15 says “STUDY to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  In other words, study God’s word so you’ll know right from wrong, and to know a false teacher when confronted. Even Jesus was sweet-talked to by Satan when He was in the wilderness, but He quoted The Word to fend him off.   And 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us “All scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”.   Psalm 119:105, “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  This light will keep us on the right path, and not misdirected by the temptations of the world.  This light of His Word also keeps us obedient to Him, from not choosing another, easier (dark) way offered by Satan.
When I was a Sunday School teacher, I always advised the class to read several verses before, and after, the scriptures I referenced. That way they knew if I had taken something out of context.  (Let me ask you to always do the same.)  A side benefit of this is that they usually read more of the Word. (Sneaky, huh?)
In conclusion, know that I actually LOVE chicken nuggets!!!  And I LOVE reading my daily devotional and the accompanying scriptures.  But I do it while having my morning coffee or sitting in my car (a quiet place) before I go into a building.  And a benefit of a daily Bible reading is that it is to be done DAILY.  Just keep in mind that those short lessons are “nuggets”, not a real meal.   Don’t let a daily Bible reading take the place of real quiet time, intentional time, studying God’s Word. Which, I promise, is more filling.

Mike Jared

TCM Board Member