The Importance of Personal Devotions

While I think there are a number of things that are more important that personal devotions I have chosen devotions as one of the most important area in my Christian walk that I need to work on. I have placed it second to retiring and getting up early because if I don’t retire early and get up early there will be no time for quality devotions.

I am sure that obedience to Christ’s moral law and humility in how we see ourselves and others are both much more important and no doubt there are other more important things in the bigger picture. Without obedience to Christ you don’t have a Christian experience and if you have a proud view of yourself and your abilities God will resist you and all the devotions in the world will not help you if you don’t cast off your pride.

The reason I see devotions as being so important is quite simple — you receive faith by reading the word (So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Rom 10:17) and through praying in the Spirit (But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20).

This faith is what gives you victory over the world and your flesh (This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1Joh 5:4) and gives you power to overcome every temptation from the wicked one (Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Eph 6:16).

I suggest starting your day with a minimum of 15 minuets in prayer and 15 minuets in reading the New Testament. You should rise early enough so interruptions from other family members and phone calls don’t break up your time with the Lord.

From there you should slowly increase your time with the Lord each month until you are spending 1 hour in prayer and 1 hour in reading or studying the Bible. This time investment will pay unbelievable rewards in greater victory over the flesh and self, more grace, an increase in the fruit of the Spirit, and in a deeper and move fulfilling devotion to God.

If you fall asleep in prayer or reading then pray or read out loud. If that doesn’t work for you, pray and read standing up. Praying and reading out loud is also a good cure for a wandering mind. I strong suggest you read Power Through Pray and Purpose In Pray by E.M. Bounds. These books will give you a conviction on the importance of prayer.

I would also suggest you get an mp3 player and listen to the New Testament instead of the news, talk shows, and easy listening music while you are driving. My car radio is currently disabled.

If you need more power in your life, if you are struggling to gain victory in an area in your experience, if you are feeling a strong drawing from the world, if you are not moving forward and gaining new ground then you need more faith. It is faith that gives you the victory over the flesh and the world and it is faith that will quench all the darts of the evil one. You will get this faith by reading the Word and praying in the Spirit.