SOLO devotional Day 1
This morning I started a new journey in the Bible. I found an interesting devotional called “SOLO.” It is a little different 
than most reading plans. It takes portions of most chapters of the New Testament and encourages the reader to chew on them.. The reading isn’t just to get through the text but to consider and think a bit about what was just read. Here’s a couple things from this morning.
1) I love this quote by Eugene Petersen found in the introduction of SOLO, “[The Bible is a] book that reads us even as we read it.” The Bible isn’t some static text book. It is alive and active as Hebrews says. God has a purpose for its words when we read as Isaiah 55 tells us. The Spirit wants to illuminate the truth to us. That is exciting because some times do we come to scripture with a skeptical heart. Sometimes we think to ourselves, “Oh yeah I’ve read this before …blah, blah.” When I come to God’s Word that way I shut myself off from knowing truth. Thank God it isn’t just up to you and me. The Spirit is going to show us things about ourselves, God and the world. Some of this will be encouraging. Some of it will be challenging. We can trust that this Bible is going to read us too.
2) The text this morning was from Matthew 5:27-29, 33-37. The Message has some great phrases in the version.
- “Let’s not pretend it is easier than it really is.” v29
- “You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it.”
Image via Wikipedia
challenged this morning to read slowly. To think for a while. Then to read again. To pray for assistance in following the words and to start living it. Read, Think, Pray, Live are all part of the lectio divina. This lectio has been a part of our Christian heritage since the 6th century. I must slow down and listen. I must allow the Lord to teach me and let him guide the time.
Groups Guy 