Personal Devotions

Devotion:
religious fervor; an act of prayer or private worship; the fact or state of being dedicated and loyal. important to choose to be devoted to Christ. One of the many who did so was Daniel. ~ Daniel 6 Being devoted is something we choose to do, usually towards something that is important. As a Christian, it is Daniel was a devoted man of God. He was a man of faith, spiritually strong. Daniel sought Gods guidance daily.

Though his life was on the line, he did not stop. How did he become strong in the Lord? By being devoted to Christ. Because he was, God blessed him, rewarded him, and rescued him.

Bible Reading
1. Set a ___________ _______ .
It must be an appointment you make with God. and be disorganized about it. It would be better to spend ten minutes regularly in Gods Word than to plan to spend an hour a day Many Christians prefer to read the Bible early in the day. The primary concern is to set a regular time and keep it.

2. Set a ___________ ________ . 3. Avoid _______________ .

There is a tendency to become sleepy when doing devotions in the morning. Five minutes of exercise before you spend time with the Lord will be good for you and will help keep you alert.

4. Never ever _______ your devotional time.

special that the Lord has planned for you.

If you read the Bible and feel like you are not learning anything from it, keep reading until you find something Satan will always try to convince you that you are wasting your time. Do not let him! mend whatever is troubling you.

The very act of reading the Bible and praying keeps you in a place where the Lord always has a chance to

5. Ask the Lord to help you _____________ His Word.

~ Psalm 119: 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things

out of thy law.

6. Read the Bible ____________ and ______________ .

Be selective about what passages you read. If you choose to read two or more, be sure that they complement each other to help you understand the lesson God has for you.

7. ________ _______ the things you learn from Gods Word.

Purchase a journal only for your devotions. Write down special thoughts and ideas, and lessons you learn from the passage you read. If nothing comes to mind, at least write a phrase or verse from your reading.

8. Post ________ _________ and ____________ of what you learned in various places, and meditate on 9. Set time for sincere ___________ .
about the character, etc.

them throughout the day.

Read through short books several times at a sitting and larger ones by sections. Learn major themes, plots,

10. ________ that something special you learned in your devotions.

Carry it with you throughout your day. Be a blessing to someone else!

can easily commit to. One of the simplest is to read four chapters each day. You might divide those four you no matter which reading plan you choose!

There are many reading plans you can follow when reading the Bible. Choose the one that you feel you

chapters between the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, or Proverbs. God has a wealth of advice for

Prayer
I. For what should I pray? A. ______________ of sin (I John 1:9) B. Daily ____________ (Luke 11: 2,3) C. The ________ of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13) E. Lost _______ F. Spiritual __________ Make a Ten Most Wanted list of those you long to see saved or to get right with God.
i.e. Pastors, deacons, missionaries, and others who minister spiritually.

D. _________ (Job 1:5 - Job continually interceded for his family.)

Paul said many times in II Thessalonians 3:1, Brethren, pray for us

G. Christian __________ (James 5:16) H. __________

2. Spiritual 1. Physical (James 5:13-16; Matthew 8:2,6; 15:22)

I. Your Countrys __________ (I Timothy 2:1-4) J. ___________ (Philippians 4:6)

want. If you are not certain of what you want being Gods will, keep on praying and ask God to fix your

II.

What can hinder my prayer? A. ______________ Sin (Isaiah 59:1,2; Psalm 66:18) C. An ______________ Spirit (Mark 11:25, 26) D. Wrong __________ (James 4:2,3) E. Not __________ in Christ and His Word (John 15:17; I John 3:22) F. Wrongs not made ________ (Matthew 5:23,24)
i.e. Debts unpaid, brothers offended, etc.

B. Wrong _________ (I Peter 3:1-7; Ephesians 6:1,2)

III.

When should I pray?

~ I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day,

A. Pray _____________ the day. B. Pray ______________ . C. Pray ______________ .

Do set aside special prayer time to go through your prayer list. Pray the minute you wake up. (Psalm 5:3) Pray before you go to sleep. (Psalm 4:8)

D. Pray to give _________ before eating. (Luke 24:30; I Timothy 4:4,5) E. Pray when someone tells you about a __________ . IV. How should I pray?
Try to pray immediately with or for that person then add the request to your prayer list.

A. Keep a prayer __________ .

Systematically keep a record of every prayer request and the date each request was added to your list. Note when each prayer was answered.

B. Try praying in different ____________ and _________ .

anywhere.

This helps prevent sleepiness. Pray on your knees; pray aloud; pray while walking, while driving, pray

C. Pray in the words of ____________ .

___________ and ____________ .

Find a good example of a prayer in the Bible that meets your need and echo that prayer. Note

D. ________ God for every answered prayer and ________ it with someone else. E. Pray to God as if you were speaking with a _______ _________ . F. It is often times helpful to ________ ______ your prayers. G. _________ on the Holy Spirit.
He is more concerned about your __________ ____________ than your use of fancy words. Lay them out before God as a symbol of claiming specific answers. Ask Him to help you pray according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26,27)

Like Daniel, never stop being devoted to Christ. Even when life presents trials, continue to pray and read Gods Word. It is during those times that we need Him most. No one can take away our communication with God. Time with

the Lord brings precious memories. Set a consistent time to have devotions and to pray. Make it a habit. Read the Bible with a yearning heart, not out of duty. God longs for our time with Him. Do more for Him by spending your time with Him. Dont just read Gods Word, but respond to what He is saying.

Personal Devotions
Devotion:
religious fervor; an act of prayer or private worship; the fact or state of being dedicated and loyal. important to choose to be devoted to Christ. One of the many who did so was Daniel. ~ Daniel 6 Being devoted is something we choose to do, usually towards something that is important. As a Christian, it is Daniel was a devoted man of God. He was a man of faith, spiritually strong. Daniel sought Gods guidance daily.

Though his life was on the line, he did not stop. How did he become strong in the Lord? By being devoted to Christ. Because he was, God blessed him, rewarded him, and rescued him.

Bible Reading
1. Set a definite time.
It must be an appointment you make with God. and be disorganized about it. It would be better to spend ten minutes regularly in Gods Word than to plan to spend an hour a day Many Christians prefer to read the Bible early in the day. The primary concern is to set a regular time and keep it.

2. Set a definite place. 3. Avoid distractions.

There is a tendency to become sleepy when doing devotions in the morning. Five minutes of exercise before you spend time with the Lord will be good for you and will help keep you alert.

4. Never ever skip your devotional time.

If you read the Bible and feel like you are not learning anything from it, keep reading until you find something Satan will always try to convince you that you are wasting your time. Do not let him! mend whatever is troubling you. special that the Lord has planned for you.

The very act of reading the Bible and praying keeps you in a place where the Lord always has a chance to

5. Ask the Lord to help you understand His Word. 6. Read the Bible carefully and continually.

~ Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous

things out of thy law.

Be selective about what passages you read. If you choose to read two or more, be sure that they complement each other to help you understand the lesson God has for you.

7. Write down the things you learn from Gods Word.

Purchase a journal only for your devotions. Write down special thoughts and ideas, and lessons you learn from the passage you read. If nothing comes to mind, at least write a phrase or verse from your reading.

8. Post Bible verses and reminders of what you learned in various places, and meditate on them 9. Set time for sincere studying.
about the character, etc.

throughout the day.

Read through short books several times at a sitting and larger ones by sections. Learn major themes, plots,

10. Share that something special you learned in your devotions.

Carry it with you throughout your day. Be a blessing to someone else!

can easily commit to. One of the simplest is to read four chapters each day. You might divide those four you no matter which reading plan you choose!

There are many reading plans you can follow when reading the Bible. Choose the one that you feel you

chapters between the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, or Proverbs. God has a wealth of advice for

Prayer
I. For what should I pray? A. Forgiveness of sin
~ I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from

all unrighteousness.

B. Daily provision

C. The power of the Holy Spirit D. Family

~ Matthew 6:11 Give us

this day our daily bread. to them ask him?

~ Luke 11:13 How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit ~ Job 1:5 - Job continually interceded for his family.

E. Lost Souls

Make a Ten Most Wanted list of those you long to see saved or to get right with God.
i.e. Pastors, deacons, missionaries, and others who minister spiritually.

F. Spiritual Leaders

Paul said many times in II Thessalonians 3:1, Brethren, pray for us

G. Christian Friends
~ James 5:16

man availeth much.

Pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous

H. Healing

3. Physical (James 5:13-16) 4. Spiritual

I. Your Countrys Leaders (I Timothy 2:1-4) J. Concerns (Philippians 4:6)

want. If you are not certain of what you want being Gods will, keep on praying and ask God to fix your

II.

What can hinder my prayer? A. Unconfessed Sin (Isaiah 59:1,2; Psalm 66:18) B. Wrong living (I Peter 3:1-7; Ephesians 6:1,2) C. An unforgiving Spirit (Mark 11:25, 26) D. Wrong motives (James 4:2,3) E. Not abiding in Christ and His Word (John 15:17; I John 3:22)

F. Wrongs not made right (Matthew 5:23,24)

i.e. Debts unpaid, brothers offended, etc.

III.

When should I pray?

A. Pray throughout the day.

~

~ I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day,

Do set aside special prayer time to go through your prayer list.

B. Pray immediately. C. Pray ultimately.

Pray the minute you wake up. (Psalm 5:3) Pray before you go to sleep. (Psalm 4:8)

D. Pray to give thanks before eating. (Luke 24:30; I Timothy 4:4,5) E. Pray when someone tells you about a problem. IV. How should I pray?
Try to pray immediately with or for that person then add the request to your prayer list.

A. Keep a prayer journal.

Systematically keep a record of every prayer request and the date each request was added to your list. Note when each prayer was answered.

B. Try praying in different positions and places.

anywhere.

This helps prevent sleepiness. Pray on your knees; pray aloud; pray while walking, while driving, pray

C. Pray in the words of Scripture.

commands and promises.

Find a good example of a prayer in the Bible that meets your need and echo that prayer. Note

D. Thank God for every answered prayer and share it with someone else. E. Pray to God as if you were speaking with a good friend. F. It is often times helpful to write out your prayers. G. Depend on the Holy Spirit.
He is more concerned about your hearts attitude than your use of fancy words. Lay them out before God as a symbol of claiming specific answers. Ask Him to help you pray according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26,27) Like Daniel, never stop being devoted to Christ. Even when life presents trials, continue to pray and read Gods Word. It is during those times that we need Him most. No one can take away our communication with God. Time

with the Lord brings precious memories. Set a consistent time to have devotions and to pray. Make it a habit. Read the Bible with a yearning heart, not out of duty. God longs for our time with Him. Do more for Him by spending your time with Him. Dont just read Gods Word, but respond to what He is saying.