Devotions that Work

Devotions. Quiet Time. Bible Study. Many titles and many different approaches, but one purpose: to keep us in touch with God and His Word. Time alone with the Lord can be hampered by busy schedules, shortened by interruptions, or neglected by apathy. But personal devotions are essential for spiritual growth and effective service. Perhaps you feel that way, but you've been spending more time in working at devotions that you have in learning from them. If so, it may help to divide your time into several segments.

PRAYER. As you begin your quiet time, ask God for guidance and freedom from distraction. This will help to quiet your heart and prepare you for fellowship with Him.

BIBLE READING. Make God's Word the very heart of your devotions, for it is the source of all truth, and a guide for living. Bible study will be ineffective without a method of Scripture selection, so choose a basic approach--verse by verse, thematic, or possibly a character study (like King David). Keep the passage short, and read it slowly and thoughtfully.

DEVOTIONAL READING. With the Scripture passage firmly in mind, turn to a guide such as Our Daily Bread (available in any Christian Bookstores) or devotional commentary. From these you can get helpful insights and practical applications.

MEDITATION. Reread the Scripture and allow each truth you find to become a part of your thinking. This will help you get a grasp of God's Word. Also, as you notice key verses, memorize them for later reference (example: John 3:16).

PRAYER AND APPLICATION. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you implement what you've learned. Then as you get into your day, put into practice any words of advice or wisdom you discovered in your meditation. Especially helpful are short statements that capture the day's theme.

Make a habit of learning and growing in the Lord each day. (I DID!!) Then, instead of just working at devotions, you'll have devotions that work. (DB '84)