Do you struggle with doing daily devotions?

[Glorianna]

Do you struggle with doing daily devotions?

 

[Mother Vashti]

Well, I don't know about daily devotions, but I don't like the fact that questions and personal issues compose 2/3 of my prayers. "Issues" aren't 2/3 of any relationship, at least not a healthy one.

 

[Laurel Crowned]

I go through periods where I'm really into my daily devotions. Sometimes I'll just work through a book in the bible (Life Application Bible). Other times I read whatever book my church is currently using for a book study. They usually give us a daily reading list to keep us on track with the reading and link the reading to scripture. Then I have my own old standby My Utmost for His Highest. . I access it online. With all those resources you'd think I NEVER had any reason to struggle with morning devotions.

I'm trying to get my devotion to be more about praising God and interceding for other people. I also spend WAY too much time whining about my own issues to God.

What about you? How are you devotions going? My prayer for you is that you would find this prayer time to be a vital time of growth and renewal. That God would gently still your mind and open your spirit to his joy and peace. IJN

 

[Endure2]

absolutely i do....
but the more i walk with God the more i learn i just cant live without it, i fall to pieces if i dont. its hard, but i just cant live without it anymore. and if i just make myself get before the Lord in prayer even when my body is telling me no, man God blesses me and gives me so many good things and gives me peace...

i think its kinda like this,
people run away from it becuase of its inconvienences, like people running to get out of the rain and falling into the river.

 

[BlessedVegan]

Does anyone have any good advice on a book or website that has a good outline of daily study? I'm new at this and don't know where to begin.

 

[johan777]

Does anyone have any good advice on a book or website that has a good outline of daily study? I'm new at this and don't know where to begin.

Here is a link for some good studies


http://members.aol.com/clinksgold/omnbible.htm#studies

 

[Bartimaeus]

Do you struggle with doing daily devotions?

Yes, all the time. I send a bunch to a group I own at Yahoo Groups, but often just send them and don't read them. I know it's not ideal, but it's tough to get motivated.

 

[madison1101]

I am very undisciplined with my devotions. I use excuses like too busy, not enough time in the day. I am just very undisciplined and make excuses all the time.

The sad thing is, I love my adult children very much. I seek to talk to the two that live out of state a couple of times a week. If they don't call me back, I feel hurt. That must be how God feels when I don't take the time to have devotions.

 

[Glorianna]

That's a very good point madison1101. I am so incredibly ashamed. I mean, I go to Bible Study one and a half times a week (one of my Bible studies is every second week), church every week, and even have a couple of ministries like Sunday school and creative communications that I'm involved in. Why do I not have time for devotions?

At least things are looking up. One of the many wonderful members here at CF is sending me devotionals... I'm hoping that he will keep me accountable as well.

Anyone have any suggestions about this?

 

[Bartimaeus]

That's a very good point madison1101. I am so incredibly ashamed. I mean, I go to Bible Study one and a half times a week (one of my Bible studies is every second week), church every week, and even have a couple of ministries like Sunday school and creative communications that I'm involved in. Why do I not have time for devotions?

At least things are looking up. One of the many wonderful members here at CF is sending me devotionals... I'm hoping that he will keep me accountable as well.

Anyone have any suggestions about this?

Well, I sent you some devotionals...enough to choose from, so don't be surprised if you get an e-mail saying "did you read...?"

No, I'm just teasing, and yes, if you want I will keep you accountable. I didn't reveal myself to say "look what wonderful things I am doing", but that so people know I will be glad to share and help keep someone accountable.

 

[Glorianna]

I totally understand my dear friend. Yes, I will need you to keep me accountable. It's insane... you sent me FOUR devotionals to read in one day! I was definitely surprised... you went all out.

 

[DanMan]

HAHAHA well that wasn't good. My Ad-Aware search closed internet explorer when I was in the middle of my post. O well. I won't let that get me down. Here I go, again.

Yes, the Bible can be hard to be consistent about. But why? If God is so awesome, why would we ever have trouble getting into Him? This is just one sentence, but there's a lot in it, so don't over-look it. When you do devotions, are you getting into the Bible, or are you getting into God?

Seriously, I've caught myself on many occasions forgetting about God in devotions and life. Are we getting into a book, or the Word of God? There's a difference, and it's easy to miss sometimes.

Hard times will come, but that is just because we've got an enemy (Satan). But God's got something awesome planned for each one of us.

However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"

1 Corinthians 2:9

I just love that verse. Because I find myself soooo speachless.

I'm going to address two things here. Devotions are hard, and Christianity seems boring when we lose our focus upon God. It's easy to stray when reading the Bible. NEVER fail to recognize that you're talking with God. No, you're not just reading a book. If you just want to read a good book for life, then there are many other religions that offer one. But, if you want to know God personally, then Christianity has got the answer. Devotions should be a personal thing. Something between you and GOD, not something between you and a BOOK. See what I'm getting at?

Don't forget 1 Corinthians 2:9. Because there will always be something even better God has in store for us. And I'm talking even to my elders and people more in love than I. Because even with them, as much farther along their walk with God they are, God still has something awesome to share with them.

Secondly, don't forget God's got an enemy. Satan doesn't like it much when you've got some quiet time with God. And so he will always be trying to put something between your devotions. But God has set us free from our sins and Satan's hold upon our lives. So make a choice. Decide for yourself whether you're going to spend those next five minutes for God, or something else. But I'll garantee you 110% that you'll NEVER be disappointed when you choose God over something else (supposing that you're getting into God, not a book).

 

[fiveinjuly]

I can never find any ones that I like.

 

[Bartimaeus]

I can never find any ones that I like.

What do you loofk for, or expect from a devotional. What qualities would make you like it?

 

[Glorianna]

Good question. Since there are so many different devotionals, I'm sure there's one out there that suits everyone!

 

[HisKnight]

Right now I am using The Treasury of David by C.H.Spurgeon as a kind of devotional.
Though when I do actual bible study I tend to take a book of the Bible and do a verse by verse commentary of my own writing my own thoughts down about what the verse says.
This actually started when I was in college one of my classes was on Romans and Galatians. I started writing my own Commentary of Romans though I have never finished it and I doubt I could find it now to work on so if I go back to it I will have to start over.
I also like reading theology books as devotionals in that they make me think about what I am reading to see if it lines up with all of God's Word.

 

[Glorianna]

Though when I do actual bible study I tend to take a book of the Bible and do a verse by verse commentary of my own writing my own thoughts down about what the verse says.

I think this is an awesome idea!

I also like reading theology books as devotionals in that they make me think about what I am reading to see if it lines up with all of God's Word.

Yeah; I love reading theology books. And commentaries, and historical books that were written about Bible times... and, and, and!

 

[LynnMcG]

I do. It's funny though, sometimes it's like we're too busy. How can we be too busy?! We make time for the silliest things and not time with God?! That's what I do anyway. But I find if I get up, get my coffee, come back to my bedroom and read. It's done and I feel SO much better. Sometimes I'll get sidetracked, like if my son gets up too early and I simply forget. On those days I find things don't alway go very well. Then I'll try to sit down and start all over again, in the Word.

I read a daily devotional I get from my church and the chapter of Psalms and Proverbs for that day of the month.

 

[Evie]

Do you struggle with doing daily devotions?

I haven't been all that good about until recent. I have one that let's you read through the 4 seasons. It written by Charles Swindoll. It helps me in my daily issues,they are eye openings.

 

[Glorianna]

Yeah, I think I'm going to be better in January when things aren't so hectic for me. Right now I have so much to worry about- final exams, Christmas, fiance visa, etc. But in January, I'll be working so I will be able to leave my work at work instead of bringing it home like I have to with homework. But I always say this. It is just so discouraging. I am a lot better with doing my devotions since I made this thread but I'm still not spending as much time with God as I would like to. How long do you guys tend to spend with God each day?