Have you ever been devoted to something?
Not all things are worthy of our devotion. As youth, we find it easy to devote lots of time to video games, computers, TV, radio, friends, school, and work. Yet, if we call ourselves Christians and we fail to devote time to God except on Sunday, what part of our lives are we offering up to Him? If we want to grow in Him but only spend time in His Word and talk to Him one day of the week, how do we expect to learn of Him and share Him with those who don't know Him?
Daily devotions demand dedication, commitment and obligation to God and His Word. Devotions are the daily time we spend with God talking to Him and learning about Him. Devotions not only glorify and please God, but they benefit us as spiritually hungry Christians.
What is the point of taking time out of our day to spend time with God reading the Bible and praying?
-- So we can be fruitful in all things. In Titus 3:13-14 Paul says, "And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful." God wants us to be of profit to Him and His people. By reading the Bible, it helps us better understand how to be fruitful Christians.
-- So we can avoid temptation! In Matthew 26:41-42 Jesus says "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
-- So we can make our requests known to God! In Philippians 4:6 it says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." God wants to hear our requests and He wants us to be thankful to Him for all He does.
-- So we can establish God's Word in our hearts, and one day pass these truths on to our children. In Deuteronomy 6:7 it says, "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."
-- So we can experience God answering our prayers. We see in Acts 12:5-11 God answering the people's prayers by delivering Peter from prison. In Matthew 21:22 it says, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
What should our goal be when spending time with God? To prepare ourselves. Romans 12:12-13 says, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer" and Colossians 4:2-3 it says, "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving".
The difficulty we face as Christians is balancing our responsibilities and interests with our need to maintain a daily walk with God. Regardless of the difficulty, we must always remember the benefits of spending time with God are enormous. Time with God can both make a difference in our lives and those around us will be touched by the radiance we pour out from our souls! Spending time with God helps to bring real change into our lives.
Have you considered the importance of daily devotions? I've learned a good way to begin and end my day is to spend time reading God's Word and praying for guidance. It helps to build me up spiritually and prepare for all aspects of life-school, work or hanging with friends. Why not commit yourself to a short time in prayer and Bible reading daily-and don't be surprised when God causes you to seek Him out more and more!
