Chris Hubbard

I was listening to the Messages from the Desiring God 2007 Regional Conference and towards the end of the 3rd Session which was Q & A, John Piper is describing how he is not a morning person and he struggles to be spiritual before 10 am but that is the time for him to do his devotionals.  Boy, I can really relate to that.  The only consistent time that I have to do personal devotions is in the morning.  If I try to do them other times, then there seems to be more scheduling conflicts and I am not consistent.  However I struggle to stay awake and focused.

Then he mentions that he uses the IOUS acronym to prepare his heart to meet God in His word.  I looked up this acronym on the DesiringGod.org website and found it referenced on a page for How to Pray for the Pastoral Staff.  Here is the acronym:

• God give me the Inclination to your Word and not to money or fame or power (Psalm 119:36)
• To Open my eyes to see wonderful things when I read your Word (Psalm 119:18)
• To have hearts United in the fear of God rather than fragmented over a dozens concerns (Psalm 86:11)
• To be Satisfied in God’s steadfast love (Psalm 90:14)