For years I have tried to have the JOY family to get into the Scriptures. While many have take extraordinary steps to consume the word of God (for example, Jacob Chung's group finishing the Bible in a year), I suspect that the vast majority are not even reading the Bible regularly.

During summer, I would like to provide you with some devotional help.

I. Each day you will receive a simple devotional guide. We will start easy: just one chapter of the Bible during July. Then, 2 chapters during Aug. By the end of Aug, you will finish all the letters of St. Paul! At the end, if you do not want it, you will not do it. But with a little help and encouragement, maybe you will get into the habit of this basic necessity of our spiritual life.

The following is the guideline. It has three steps:
1. 1-2 songs of worship (you can use your own worship music, or youtube. Plenty of great music.) You can use the ABC's of adoring God.
2. Bible reading: You will receive a few questions to reflect and pray about.
3. Prayer using the Lord's Prayer
a. "Our Father Who Art in Heaven" -- Acknowledge that God is your Father. You are His child. He loves you
b. "Hallowed be Thy Name" -- Worship God, acknowledge His characteristics: his power, love, etc.
c. "Thy Kingdom Come. Thy Will Be Done on earth as it is in heaven." -- Pray for God's Kingdom before your own needs, for example, for your friends who need God, for church, ministry, the poor, missions, etc.
d. "Give us today our daily bread." -- Pray for your needs: your job, finance, emotional needs, etc. Anything that weighs on your heart.
e. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us." -- Ask for forgiveness, and forgive those who sinned against you.
f. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." -- Pray for spiritual protection.
g. "For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glorfy forever." -- End with worship.

I encourage you to pray through the Lord's prayer everyday. It is the best prayer guide.

II. Besides personal devotion, I ask you to find "marvelous comrades." You may use your LTG partners, or get back to them if you have not met for a while. If you never had an accountability partner, search them out today. Find at least one or two others. Get together with them weekly and share what God is speaking to you and to pray for one another. During summer, without TLC, I encourage you to begin this. I hope you will continue even after summer.

So, let's begin today:
1. Songs: listen to some songs by Matt Redman on youtube, or any other music. Worship God as you listen.

2. Read Romans 1
Questions 1) Paul identifies himself as a servant of Christ. What is your self-identity?
2) Paul thanks God in v. 8 for Romans. What can you thank God for?
3) Paul writes the process of how a person's heart gets corrupted (vv. 18-32). How do you see that around you? Are you in danger of becoming corrupt?
4) Pray for things that God impressed upon your heart, whether thanksgiving, conviction, things to obey, repent, etc.

3. Pray (using the Lord's Prayer)

Summer Spiritual Helps

For years I have tried to have the JOY family to get into the Scriptures. While many have take extraordinary steps to consume the word of God (for example, Jacob Chung's group finishing the Bible in a year), I suspect that the vast majority are not even reading the Bible regularly.


During summer, I would like to provide you with some devotional help.

I. Each day you will receive a simple devotional guide. We will start easy: just one chapter of the Bible during July. Then, 2 chapters during Aug. By the end of Aug, you will finish all the letters of St. Paul! At the end, if you do not want it, you will not do it. But with a little help and encouragement, maybe you will get into the habit of this basic necessity of our spiritual life.



The following is the guideline. It has three steps:

1. 1-2 songs of worship (you can use your own worship music, or youtube. Plenty of great music.) You can use the ABC's of adoring God.

2. Bible reading: You will receive a few questions to reflect and pray about.

3. Prayer using the Lord's Prayer

a. "Our Father Who Art in Heaven" -- Acknowledge that God is your Father. You are His child. He loves you

b. "Hallowed be Thy Name" -- Worship God, acknowledge His characteristics: his power, love, etc.

c. "Thy Kingdom Come. Thy Will Be Done on earth as it is in heaven." -- Pray for God's Kingdom before your own needs, for example, for your friends who need God, for church, ministry, the poor, missions, etc.

d. "Give us today our daily bread." -- Pray for your needs: your job, finance, emotional needs, etc. Anything that weighs on your heart.

e. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us." -- Ask for forgiveness, and forgive those who sinned against you.

f. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." -- Pray for spiritual protection.

g. "For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glorfy forever." -- End with worship.



I encourage you to pray through the Lord's prayer everyday. It is the best prayer guide.



II. Besides personal devotion, I ask you to find "marvelous comrades." You may use your LTG partners, or get back to them if you have not met for a while. If you never had an accountability partner, search them out today. Find at least one or two others. Get together with them weekly and share what God is speaking to you and to pray for one another. During summer, without TLC, I encourage you to begin this. I hope you will continue even after summer.



So, let's begin today:

1. Songs: listen to some songs by Matt Redman on youtube, or any other music. Worship God as you listen.



2. Read Romans 1

Questions

1) Paul identifies himself as a servant of Christ. What is your self-identity?

2) Paul thanks God in v. 8 for Romans. What can you thank God for?

3) Paul writes the process of how a person's heart gets corrupted (vv. 18-32). How do you see that around you? Are you in danger of becoming corrupt?

4) Pray for things that God impressed upon your heart, whether thanksgiving, conviction, things to obey, repent, etc.


3. Pray (using the Lord's Prayer)