1 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” ~Psalm 119:105 Many Christians struggle with making Bible reading and application a regular part of their life. Just like starting an exercise program or a new diet, Bible reading is a lifestyle change that requires determination and repetition in order for it to become habitual and a natural part of who we are as believers. So if you are looking for some coaching in this area of your life, let me provide you with a few tips: First of all, we have to come to the Bible with an attitude of reverence and awe. We don't come to the Bible to judge or decide what does and does not apply to our life. Instead, we need to go to it with the attitude that whatever the Spirit says to us today we are going to believe it and not only believe it, but also obey it if necessary. If we cannot come to the Bible with this submissiveness, we should spend time in prayer asking God to give us a spirit of brokenness and a spirit of total dependence that the words we are about to read are words of life that will strengthen us for the day, because it is though the Word that we abide in Christ. Notice Jesus' words: "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32 Now as far as opening the Word itself, it is best to establish a regular, systematic, reading plan that gets you through the Bible in a year. I like using the Life Journal. You can purchase one and learn how to use it if you follow this link: http://www.lifejournal.cc/Site/Hom e.html Thus, after I do my daily reading I take one passage that really spoke to my heart and write it down, meditate on it, and write an observation about what I think the text means, followed by an application of how to apply this teaching to my life, and finally a prayer that God will give me the grace to obey what He has spoken to me. The acronym to help remember this process is SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer). Done correctly it should take about 30-45 minutes to complete SOAP every morning. Doing this alone will transform your life and make the Bible come alive. Also, you can supplement your reading by going through the Conflict of the Ages series, including Christ's Object Lessons. You can then read and meditate on the Bible in the morning, and before bed you can read a chapter from Spirit of Prophesy. This formula may seem a bit much at first, but if you dedicate your time, the Bible will become more and more a part of your life. It is really just that simple. It is not rocket science, but it does require discipline, but then again abiding in Christ always does. Let’s allow Christ to come alive in each of us as we make time to abide in His Word every day! v Bible Alive! By Pastor Travis Walker March/April 2016 Daytona Beach SDA Church Newsletter
Thanks to Florida Hospital Print Shop for complimentary printing of this newsletter
2
1
Florida Hospital’s Center for Health andWellness at Memorial Medical Center, just ashort drive from our church, is now open tothepublic for fitnessexerciseatareasonableannualmembershiprate!Therecent6,500square-footexpansiontothefacilityaddedadvancedfitnessequipmentandwellnessservicesforcommunityresidentsandhospital employees. While the Centercontinues to provide rehabilitation servicesand diabetesmanagement to patients aswellasoutpatient therapies, itnowalso integratesfitness exercise for the public in the samestate-of-the-artfacility.“Thiswellnesscenterisaplaceresidentswhoarenotpatientsthemselvescangotoimprovetheir overall health and wellbeing,” saidDarlinda Copeland, Senior VP andCOO of thehospital. The health and wellnessenvironment offers the support and directionneeded to make positive lifestyle changes,reduce health care costs, and enhance yourqualityoflife:*exercisemachinesandequipment*group fitness classes such as cycling,strength/stretch,yoga,andmore*personaltraining*fallprevention*seniorfitnessclasses*equipmentworkshops*virtualclasses
Additional features are locker rooms withshowersandonsitechildcare.CominglaterinMarch isachildren’sactivityprogramtwiceaweekforages10-13.
