Have a Personal Christian Devotion

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Distinguish between religion, things you have-to-do, and spirituality, a choice based on relationship. Daily devotions are important, as they help us spend time with our Creator that helps us build that relationship. Here are just a few ideas on how to develop the relationship everyday.

Steps

  1. Realize that personal devotions have to be a choice. If we have a relationship based on a "have to" then it is more like a work relationship than a love relationship. Devotions have to be based on love.
  2. Do devotions as soon as you wake up. Here you are still relaxed and setting the tone for the day, spending time reflecting on God’s Word must be beneficial in this.
  3. Have a set place for devotion and certain ideas on how you will "do" devotion.
  4. Start by listening to God, read the Bible and spend time meditating on it. Devotion is not a good time to follow a reading plan, otherwise you will get sucked into a "have to" and not spend time listening to God. However a separate Bible reading plan is useful as we need to know what God is saying and know how to place Scripture in context but this is different from a time of devotion.
  5. Involve prayer in your meditation; you can pray verses or converse with God while reading the Bible; just make sure you are also listening to what God might be saying. A relationship is two way. Meditation should include quiet reflection and an open heart.
  6. Set out to read a passage of Scripture rather than a verse or two, context is important; but if you do find that one verse has a lot to say to you allow yourself the flexibility to meditate it. A relationship needs flexibility.
  7. Do not beat yourself up about missing a daily devotion; make sure you complete it later in the day if at all possible, God is not an angry dictator but loves you enough to understand.
  8. Keep a devotional journal. It can be a very useful tool for remembering how things touched you and reflecting further or at a later date. A dedicated notebook and pen or pencil are useful for this and should be kept with your devotion Bible.
  9. Go through a few questions before starting, such as: Do I need to forgive anyone? Do I have to ask anyone to forgive me? Is anything in my heart blocking me from getting the most from this personal act of devotion? Do I need to confess any sin?
  10. Enjoy the relationship. What a great way to start the day by conversing with God!

Tips

  • Time spent with God is powerful and life changing.
  • Personal devotional study aids may detract from the personal relationship; it is good to draw things from the Bible however if you are new to having a personal time of devotion a devotional aid could be useful. A book of spiritual quotes to stimulate the mind further can be useful but read them after reading the Bible and your time of prayer and mediation.
  • An artists sketch pad and B2 pencil are ideal for a devotional journal as the sketch pad is a blank slate and the B2 pencil is soft so ideal for writing drawing and doodling. Do allow yourself to doodle as long as you mind stays focused on the act of devotion. You can also use this for planning events or analyzing situations just remember that it is a devotional journal so invite God into help with your planning and analysis.

Things You'll Need

  • Bible
  • Pen or Pencil
  • Blank notebook or artist sketchpad
  • Comfortable chair

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