One of the most common themes of Christian living is the committment of spending daily quiet time with God. I know several godly men and women whom I strongly admire, I've read literature written by spiritual leaders of the past and present who have highly influenced my ministry and life. And the one common denominator that stands out above all others is that they all consider daily time alone with God a must and priority in Christian living!
I wholeheartedly concur that there is no substitute for daily, consistent devotional time with God.
But what is devotional time with God? Is it reading the bible, praying and singing, meditating and other spiritual disciplines? I contend that it's these things and so much more. To "do" devotionals is very unproductive and futile. At least that's been my experience. I've had times where I've risen early, read the bible, prayed, meditated and even sang (can you imagine that? How funny...). But as soon as I walked out the door of my office and into the world, I had forgotten all about the things I did in "doing" my devotions.
I've discovered a better way...."living" my devotions. This for me is a more intentional way of seeking that day to keep before me, with the help of God, the things I learned in my devotion time. Usually the Lord provides a consistent theme that runs through my Bible reading, other reading, meditating, prayer time and hymn that I seek to committ to memory that day and seek to focus on throughout the day. For instance...my devotional theme for yesterday was "service to others" in the name of Christ. As I entered the day I prayed that God would help me take my eyes off of myself and seek to really find intrest in serving someone else that day in whatever way I could, be it small or great. And the Lord opened up the window all day long and on several occasions I was reminded of service to others and the Lord helped me live out that theme.
I don't think Devotional time is static or of cookie cutter fashion. You prayerfully do what works for you. My pattern is to rise early before I head off to work. Say a brief prayer, read the passages from my one year devotional bible, read from the book (s) that I am currently reading, sing from the hymn book, meditate on the theme and truths I've read, then close with prayer.
If you don't have any quiet time with God, I strongly urge you to prayerfully start to develop one. However you are lead start today! Yes, there will be days you may miss, yes, you'll still have days of defeat, trial and temptation. But in the midst of all of that God will bring to your heart, mind and presence, the things He gave you in your quiet time. Your devotional time can be a great tool that God uses to transform your life into a more mature Disciple and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't just "do" your devotions "live" them.
My Current Devotional Tools:
One Year Devotional Bible (ESV)
Baptist Hymnal
The Radical Disciple (John R. W. Stott)
The Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor
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