Inspirational Moments

Prologue

Hello, brothers and sisters in Christ. My name is Lester Patrick, and I am the author of this book. As an author, I realize it is unusual to begin with a disclaimer on the first page of the book. But that is exactly what I am doing here. Accordingly, I do not claim to be a theologian. Although there is nothing wrong with those who are and have been called by God for that purpose. I do not have multiple degrees in religion from prestigious seminaries or any other religious institution. Again, thank God for those who do. So, if you are looking for a book written by an author with those credentials and that type of background, then this is not the book for you—because that is not who I am.

But, if you are looking for a book written by a servant of God who has studied the Bible for the last twenty plus years under the guidance of the Holy Spirit—and who has responded to God’s call to author a book reflecting some of his devotional experiences—then this is a book you should read. This book is about my devotional experiences over the last twenty plus years. I have chosen my most luminous devotional experiences to share in the book. God has placed these devotional sessions in my heart to share with others. These are the ones that have strongly stood out for me and have had a major impact on my life and my understanding of the Word.

I believe God has used me to author this book to assist some who are new Christians but have not developed the habit of routinely reading and studying the Bible. There are also those who might be long-time Christians but who, for whatever reason, have not been able to read and study the Bible consistently. My prayer is that this book will assist you in that respect and open the eye to your heart to better see the application of scripture to your life.

This book’s amazingly simple format makes it very convenient to engage in a daily six-week study of the Word. My realization of the activities in many people’s lives has led me to adopt a five-day week for the purpose of this study. This approach makes the study more accommodating to the lifestyles of many remarkably busy families. Especially those who work, commute, and are involved with community activities and sports with their children. Many people are really busy on Saturdays doing chores, other family-related activities, and on Sunday are at church. This five-day study week is designed to meet their needs. However, if you prefer to start on Day 1 and continue through Day 30 with no break, by all means you are at liberty to do so.

My prayer is that after this six-week daily study you will have developed the habit of routinely studying the Word. It encompasses specific scripture for the doctrine being focused on, a brief commentary, and a prayer. At the end of each day’s session is an application page containing three application questions designed to focus your attention on the materials for that day and to direct your efforts in identifying the applications for your life. Additionally, at the end of each day is a My Conversation with God page that provides the reader with a step-by-step development of a specific prayer for that day. Then, at the end of each week, there is a Reflections page with space for you to record and comment on those things that stood out for you. Finally, at the end of each week is a Pour It Out to God page. This is a full page made available for you to record a short but specific prayer about any of the subjects discussed during the week. This is designed to assist in developing a routine prayer schedule.

One of the greatest challenges for so many Christians and non-Christians alike is the lack of comprehension and retention of scriptural materials. How many times have you read scripture in the Bible or attended church or Sunday school and afterwards could not tell anybody anything about what you read or heard? I believe this to be one of the primary reasons so many people pick up their Bibles on Sunday morning on their way out the house destined for church, and then put them down again in its resting place once they have returned home from church, not to be disturbed again until it’s time to return to church again next Sunday.

It is obvious that the Holy Spirit is at the center of all personal Bible studying; but I question if the Holy Spirit has an opportunity to do what God has given Him to us for if we never develop a routine for studying the Word. Additionally, a frequent prayer routine also must be an integral part of the process in developing a routine Bible study. They go hand in hand. These three entities working together will evolve into a love for studying the Word.

When I first became serious about studying the Word about twenty-five years ago, I found myself reading the Bible as if I were reading a novel or some other reading material such as work-related documents. That alone is not the worst thing, but I was not making any special effort to study it. In this book, I share a technique that, if used, will not only increase your interest in and ability to understand what you are reading but will also improve your ability to recall scriptural material you have studied sufficiently to discuss it with others. So, not only will you be blessed, but you will be able to bless others using your study of the Word through discussion and in so many other ways.

To complete the average session takes between 45–50 minutes. Even though this book has been designed with one session per day in mind, it does not have to be used that way. As an example, due to varying complexities of subjects some sessions are longer than others. If you reach a session that you would feel more comfortable breaking up into more than one day, that can easily be accomplished. Simply cover the scripture and commentary in one day, the prayer the following day, and the application questions last. The individual sessions have been presented in the order shown in the book, but feel free to cover them in the order that best meets your needs. Due to many people’s time schedules, I am sure that will work best for some. You will still be blessed with developing the habit and a love for studying God’s Word daily.

For the last fifteen years, I have served as a group leader for an international Bible study. My role in the Bible study has been to facilitate the lessons once a week with the group of men I have been assigned. I am responsible for and do also serve as a shepherd to this group of men by contacting them weekly to offer prayer when necessary and other support. I also meet weekly with other group leaders under the instruction of a teaching leader to discuss the week’s lesson and for weekly training. This is one of the reasons I can speak from a personal perspective about how developing a daily Bible study routine can bless your life and allow you to bless the lives of others.

I have also been a member of the church I belong to for over twenty-five years. I currently serve as part of a weekly prayer ministry. I am providing this background to give another disclaimer. That disclaimer being that the content of this book is not being written on behalf of either of these ministries. Consequently, as you read and participate in this study, keep in mind that the studies reflect some highlights of my individual experiences with God during my morning devotions over the years, and not the views or experiences of either of the institutions mentioned above.

With that in mind, may God richly bless you as you explore the select highlights of my devotional experiences over the years. And may He use the Holy Spirit to develop in you an uncontrollable desire to study His Word—with this study serving as an integral part of that effort.

Lester Patrick

Author

Week One

Day 1: Good Morning, Lord

Scripture

Acts 3:19

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Commentary

The title of this session Good Morning, Lord was inspired by an experience I had one morning before preparing to engage in morning prayer. I woke up in the morning with the thought lingering in my mind of just saying good morning to God. At the time it seemed weird. Then later that morning, after I had gotten myself prepared for the day and ready for morning prayer, the thought flashed in my mind again. So, when I started to pray that morning, rather than beginning with the normal admirations I routinely say to show adoration to God, when I opened my mouth to speak, the words Good Morning, Lord came out. So, I continued to pray in a manner of a prayer like the one I have recorded below.

But God then placed in my heart to write the following commentary about an experience that Peter had with a lame man he met on his way to the temple to pray.

One day, while Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray, they were interrupted by a lame man who had been placed there to beg for money from those who entered the temple court. The man had been lame since birth and had used begging as the sole source to support himself. When he asked Peter and John for money, they responded by telling him they did not have money to give him but that they were willing to give him what they had. What they had was the power of Jesus Christ living in them. Then Peter said, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! The man instantly leaped to his feet walking, jumping, and praising God.

The people in the immediate area observed this and others who saw him knew that he was the same person who daily sat at the entrance to the gate called Beautiful and begged for money. They were amazed and looked to Peter and John as if they were responsible for his healing; but Peter quickly pointed out to them that this healing had not taken place through their power, but through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Peter then advised them to repent and turn to Jesus so their sins could be wiped out. We have the opportunity today as we communicate our sins to God the Father through His Son Jesus by asking Him for forgiveness of our sins. This does not have to be a long, detailed, and sophisticated prayer or petition, but just a simple and short conversation with Jesus. If you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, that He died for our sins and was bodily raised from the dead, will you confess your sins to Him now and receive the gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit?

Prayer

Good morning, Lord, this is your servant, Lester. How are you today? Since the last time we talked, have Your people lived in a way that is pleasing to You, or do You see us going our own way? Lord, have I been living in a way that is pleasing to You?

Lord, aren’t You just frustrated with the senseless killings of innocent children, all the fighting, immoral sexual behavior, injustice, and an almost total lack of compassion for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the homeless; and don’t forget the widows and the elderly?

Lord, has our intentional lack of acceptance of Your Word that we express so proudly caused You pain? Do our prideful ways, lack of respect for the truth; and how we regularly invent new ways of sinning sadden You? If so, I am so sorry, and I ask that You forgive us. Are You disappointed, Lord, that we have ignored Your command to love You with all our hearts, souls, and minds? And, to love our neighbors as ourselves; but have chosen to reject these two commands? Lord, what can I do to make my life pleasing in Your sight? If You are not satisfied with us, Lord, please forgive us of our anti-Christlike behavior.

How can we make it right with You? What can we do to make You know that we do sincerely care about what You think of us? OK, I hear You, Lord. Just do what You directed us to do in Acts 3:19; repent and turn to God, so that our sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from You.

And, once we have done that, Lord, then what? Yes, I do understand Lord, You have already told us what to do next in Micah 6:8. You have shown us, we humans, what is good; and what you require of us, and that is to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with You.

Lord, please continue to increase our acceptance of what is good. Strengthen us to fully embrace what You require. Guide us in walking justly and humbly with You. And teach us to love and administer mercy.

I thank You, Lord, for blessing me yet again with hope and encouragement through the instructions you have given us in Your Word. Thank you, Lord, for making yourself always available to me.

Good morning, Lord. I look forward to talking to You again tomorrow morning! If not before.

Your servant, Lester.

In the name of Your Son Jesus I pray.

Amen

Principle

God is our Father, our friend, and our redeemer; He knows all things in our hearts and minds, so we should talk to Him as if we know Him personally.

Application Questions

1. How will you begin to treat God like the friend you cannot wait to talk to first thing in the morning? If you already do, how does it make you feel?

2. What will you do to ensure that times of refreshing will come to you from the Lord?

3. How will you share with others what God requires, and what He sees as being good?

My Conversation with God

Use this space to write a short prayer relative to the scripture used for this session. Prayer is a communication between you and God that evolves over time as you spend more personal time with Him. For this session, take the time to write down your thoughts to God about this session or anything else you would like to say to Him. It could be one sentence or ten sentences; whatever your heart leads you to say, write it now to God.

Developing Your Prayer

1. First focus on three or four words or phrases. Then jot them down here.

2. Who is God to you? Is He your Savior, your Lord? Write it down here.

3. Now just let your mind focus on Jesus. Whatever your thoughts are now, record them here.

4. Are you thankful to God for anything? Do you need to ask God for anything? If you do, record it here.

5. Now, look at what you have written and take the last step of putting it all together below and say it back to God in the name of His Son, Jesus, Amen.

Day 2: My Space in the Body of Christ

Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:12–27

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts forms one body, so it is with Christ. 

¹³ For we were all baptized  by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 

¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 

¹⁶ And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 

¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 

¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, I don’t need you! And the head cannot say to the feet, I don’t need you! 

²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 

²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Ephesians 1:22–23

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Romans 12:4–8

⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Commentary

Paul addressed the Corinthians, Ephesians, and Romans when he wrote this scripture. His intent was to give them a clearer understanding of how valuable their relationships with Jesus Christ were. When we are called by God the Father to be saved, we are called into the Body of Christ. We become one part of many parts along with other Christians in the Body. Those of us called have space given to us by our Father in Heaven that is unique to us. It was given to us even before the creation of the world as scripture tells us. This happens completely without any desire or effort on our part. Paul talks about this in Romans 9:16; It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. So, God the Father calls us and gives us over to His Son Jesus; because nobody comes