Do you struggle with doing daily devotions?

[Writing4Jesus]

I always have trouble with devotions. I would love a book. Do any of you guys know of a good one for teens?

 

[Glorianna]

Can you go to a Christian bookstore and ask? The people who work there would know a lot better than we would!

 

[SnowDove]

I always have trouble with devotions. I would love a book. Do any of you guys know of a good one for teens?

Actually, I went through one during my Freshman year of high school...and I really loved it! Mind you, my best friend didn't...but you may find it really helpful. It's called "Experiencing God Day to Day." You can also get the kind that has room for journaling every day, which I found extremely helpful. The one thing that I would suggest to anyone reading it is to crack open your Bible with it every time you read. They only give you one of the verses...so go find it in the Bible and read it in context...like the whole chapter...to help you see the whole picture better. I really enjoyed it...so, there's one to ask about when you go shopping!!!

If you feel that you are ready to take your devos a step up...a little bit deeper digging...I would suggest My Utmost for His Highest. I am currently going through it and it holds some seriously wonderful devotions. I would suggest getting the newer edition of it, because they make the language a little more up-to-date with our generation.

Hope this helps you next time you go looking!

 

[Glorianna]

Thanks for posting that helpful information SnowDove!

 

[SnowDove]

You are all too welcome, Glorianna!

 

[Glorianna]

 

[chanis]

I just went through a deovtional called "the scared romance" good book and it comes with a journal that you do which speaks on devleoping that intimacy with God, I reccomend it...
It is definitly hard keeping up the devotional and prayer life just because sometimes we tend to get busy and distracted in other things...especially if you're involved in ministry you can get into a dangerous position when your ministry prep (sermons, sunday school classes, etc...) becomes your devotional time...we need to be fed and aside from studying to give to other we need our alone time with God...

 

[Glorianna]

I just went through a deovtional called "the scared romance" good book and it comes with a journal that you do which speaks on devleoping that intimacy with God, I reccomend it...

Wow, I've heard of that. I've only heard good things about it.

It is definitly hard keeping up the devotional and prayer life just because sometimes we tend to get busy and distracted in other things...especially if you're involved in ministry you can get into a dangerous position when your ministry prep (sermons, sunday school classes, etc...) becomes your devotional time...we need to be fed and aside from studying to give to other we need our alone time with God...

Yeah, unfortunately this is a mistake that a lot of people make.

 

[chanis]

yeah that devotional is so cool...you really learn about your self and the reason why you tend to close yourself to God... and if anyone has a problem with just being open and making yourslef vulnerable to Him, this is something you might want to look at...

 

[Glorianna]

Yeah, it can sometimes be hard to be open and vulnerable with God, even though He already knows anything. Go figure, eh?

 

[chanis]

yeah...totally...I think it's because many times we become self-sufficent in thinking that we can handle whatever comes our way, or maybe we're just too ashamed or embarrassed to admit our weakness and areas of struggle, yet all God wants us to do is come to him and tell him "i need u..."

 

[Glorianna]

So very true. Life is going well so we get into thinking that we don't need God's help. Then everything seems to crash down around us and we turn to Him. Why is it only during those difficult times that some people turn to Him?

 

[Brother Charlie]

I admit its hard to just start praying...but once you start its not that bad

 

[HotRhymez]

I struggle with it all the time! Its soooo annoying!

 

[Glorianna]

Yeah, just like anything else... it's easy once you get started. But it's getting started that's the problem.

 

[chanis]

the initial steps taken to discipline one's self is what is soo hard to do...at least for me, I tell myself starting today this is what I'm going to do and I will do just fine for about a week or 2 and then it's starting all over...I have to get to myself to a point in which its part of who I am everyday...

 

[Glorianna]

Yeah, we have to find what's realistic for our lives too. Maybe an hour is too much time but what about 15 minutes?

 

[SnowDove]

I don't think it's so much that you have to find what's realistic for your lives, but that it's like working out physicially. You can't just start off going for an hour and expect to not be sore the next day! Lol...but you have to build your spiritual muscles up. Starting out at 15 minutes is a great idea...especially with prayer. I think, however, that if you can't allow yourself to build up from there...to continue to spend more time with Him...you are too busy and need to cut some things from your day or life. Just a thought...

 

[Glorianna]

Oh yes, the principle of progression! I have too much HKIN knowledge in my head right now... the final's this afternoon! But I would definitely agree. Work up slowly in length of time you spend with God.

 

[chanis]

that's the best way to go...just like working out, you slowly work you're way up if not it's over within the first week or so...It's also good to be accountable to someone who can be checking up in that area of your life that way both of you are keeping each other in check...