How to have a Devotional Time

By Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

GETTING STARTED: How to draw closer to the heart of God by building a deeper
relationship with God!
First Peter talks about humbleness, which is characterized by the willingness to grow in
Christ, receive learning, and experience growth. Two of the best ways to do this is
personal devotion time and being a part of a small group Bible study. Peter tells us we
ought to be humble toward one other so that we can know the grace of God, and not be
in opposition to God. Then secondly, he says, we had better be humble, not only toward
one another, but toward God. This is so straightforward. This is so essential--to be a
blessed Christian and church, to be a growing Christian and church, not in numbers, but
in what is most important--discipleship, which is leaning, learning, and growing in Christ,
leading to a lifestyle of worship!
How can I develop quality time with our Lord so I can become a deeper and more
mature Christian?
Here are nine thoughts to get you pointed in the right direction:
A. GOAL: See where you are SPIRITUALLY (Acts 22:8-10; Phil. 2:13) and determine
where you need to go. Then, make a goal, and understand your GOAL. Your goal is to
become complete, that is, fullness in Christ, (Col. 1: 28), or to say it another way, to
become a mature Christian, a person whose attitudes and actions are like Christ's (Eph.
4: 13). Where are you spiritually and where do you need to go? Not only where do you
want to go, but also where is God calling you to go?
B. PROCESS: Understand there is a PROCESS (Psalm 16:11; 73:28; Prov. 16:9;
Heb. 11:1-6) at work. It does not happen overnight, and you cannot get it in a bottle, off
a shelf, or by sitting in a pew. The process is one of the main growth builders. It is about
the journey as well as the destination. It is an essential step toward reaching your goal
to spend personal, daily time with God. Thus, the journey is as important, if not more,
than the destination, because in our walk we are learning and growing! If we just arrived
at the goal without the struggles of getting there, we would not have built any depth,
strength, or maturity! Make sure your goals are a match to God's! We must never allow
our presumptions and pride to cloud His way!
C. PLAN: Plan ahead (Is. 26:3; Mark 1:35). This does not automatically happen. You
need to plan out your devotions to make them more effective. You can get many
prepared devotional schedules at a Christian bookstore or sit down on Sunday and
decide exactly what paragraphs or chapters you will be studying during each of the next
seven days. Doing this will eliminate the problem of spending half of your devotion time
trying to decide what you will study that day. You can use a Bible reading chart, quality

devotional books, or a pre-written guide, but try not to just dive in. You will get much
more out of your experience by having a plan.
D. CONTENT: Put into your devotional time variety and consistency (Psalm 16:811) in what you study. One month, you might study an Epistle. Then, you might spend a
month or two in a narrative passage such as 1 Samuel. Then, you might go back to the
N.T. to study a doctrinal passage such as Romans. Then, switch again to a minor
prophet such as Joel. Try to go through the entire Bible in your devotional study within a
year, or two at most. Do not stay in just one section, such as the Epistles, and do not
skip the O.T., as you cannot understand the N.T. without the O.T.! Do not use the same
plan year after year. Break it up, and try new ones. Do the same with your devotional
books. Mix them up. If you have a good one such as My Utmost for His Highest, stick
with it for the entire year, go to another one, and then go back to Chambers in the
following year. When we are too consistent, it may turn into rhetoric, and then you will
have a habit, not time with Christ!
E. FOCUS: Set aside time each day by focusing on the purpose for your growth
and maturity (Psalm 119:130; Isa. 42:16; John 4: 23-24; 15), and then make it a priority.
In doing so, you will be able to "go for it" with passion and vigor. Let Christ transform
you through His Word. ATTITUDE is essential. You must start with the proper attitude!
You are going before a Holy GOD!!! Usually, it is good to spend most of your devotional
time closely examining a few verses, not rushing through multiple passages. This will
help you keep focused. Some find it best to take notes, write down questions, and ask a
mentor. In addition, you can set aside one day a week to switch from taking detailed
notes on a few verses, to reading a chapter or two from a different passage without
taking any notes. Whatever way you choose to go, stay focused and do not bite off
more than you can chew!
F. MATERIALS: Get the best stuff you can get, and buy a good Bible (Eph. 4:1-3) in
an easily understood translation such as the New Living Translation. Consider using a
Study Bible. I prefer The Reformation Study Bible. For serious study use the NIV or
NASB or NKJV. The best devotional books are "My Utmost for His Highest" by
Chambers, and "Evening by Evening" by Spurgeon. You can also get a notebook that
can be used exclusively for things to do with your relationship to God and to other
believers so you can write down what you learn and any questions you may have.
G. PLACE OR LOCATION: Select a quiet place (Luke 5:16) to study where you are
free from distractions. Remove all distractions. Close the drapes, shut the door, turn off
the TV and radio, clear all busy work from your desk, take the phone off the hook, and
lock the cat in the bathroom--whatever it takes. You will then be better able to
concentrate and have better quality time with Him. Be serious about meeting God!
H. TIME: Select a quality time (Eph. 2:18). Chose a time for your devotions when you
are at your best. Usually, early morning is best, because outside distractions are at a
minimum during this time. If you are not a morning person, do it when you are most
alert. Give God your best! Set aside "x" number of minutes to study, and "y" number of

minutes to pray. Be flexible to the Spirit's leading within this framework! If you have a
short attention span as I do, then break it up throughout the day. Perhaps read from the
OT in the morning, a passage from the NT at lunch, then read a devotion and practice
intercessory prayer before bedtime. Remember, this time is holy, which means it is to
be set apart to, and for God only. If you are just being devoted to your plan and time,
then there will be little room for Christ. The plan is the tool for growth, not the growth
itself.
I. SHARE: What you have leaned (Psalm 55:14; Matt. 18:20; Rom. 12; 2 Cor. 12:18).
We learn also by doing and sharing. What we have been given is usually not meant for
us solely, it is a gift that keeps on giving as we, in turn, help others! A willing heart, a
teachable spirit, the willingness and availability to share are essential for a disciple of
our Lord!
From these nine precepts, we realize that from the character of Christ will come the
conduct of Christ, if we choose to follow Him. Then, those values of our daily walk that
drive our behaviors, will, in turn, influence others and build our character. You cannot
lead where you have not been, or when you do not know the direction to go. This is why
discipleship is so essential to the aspect of being a Christian. We are called, not to just
visualize discipleship, but to do it, not to just talk about it, but to do it. One cannot just
think about dinner and satisfy hunger. The ingredients need to be gathered, the meal
has to be prepared. Then it is eaten! The Christian who wants to become deeper and
more mature, and the effective church will take Scripture and the call of our Lord
seriously, and then implement it into the function of applying it into their lives!
APPLICATIONS: Here are some thoughts to consider about turning and applying
your devotional time into action:
A. You will never be able to fully experience the complete value of a devotional time
until you discipline yourself to apply what you have learned. Study with the
determination that God will give you an application. Then, be willing and able to put it
into action without fear or trepidations. Allow your trust in Christ be real and exercised!
B. Make your applications measurable. Think through the who, what, where, when, how
and why, such as, "I will begin showing more love to my neighbor by asking if there is
anything I can pick up for them from the store next time I go shopping."
C. Sometimes you will see four or five specific ways the passage you have studied can
be applied. It is better to select one you want to apply from the Word that day and do it.
If you try to implement three or more ways, you will most likely get frustrated and fail. If
you cannot decide, stick to the first one that pops up, or the area where you need the
most help.
D. Make most of your applications short-range, such as things you will do within the
next day or so, or within the week. Periodically, God will give you an application that you
will need to work on for a longer time. When that happens, rejoice and praise God, for

this will build you up. At the same time, continue to work on fresh, short-range
applications. See them as baby steps that will eventually turn into a marathon. Let God
do a new work in you each day, and be thankful He wants to work in you.
Conclusion:
There are many ways we can do devotions and study the Bible effectively. There is no
"best" way, only that we do it! Many Christians feel all they have to do for their spiritual
growth is sit in a pew, turn on the television or radio, or naturally receive their
knowledge for being a Christian. However, this is not the way to transform our lives. You
can no better grow deeper in Christ without any effort as you can go to a grocery store
and stand in the produce section and become a cucumber. To be a mature and growing
Christian, we must read and get into the Word of God ourselves. We do it through
prayer, hard work, discipline, concentration, application, and even more prayer!
Take this to heart: Jesus never asked anyone to do anything without enabling them with
the power to do it. Let this be your encouraging motive (Matt. 28:20)!
Remember, Christ loves you, and wants the best for you. His way is the best way, and
we need to have Him and the perspective of eternity in mind, not our limited feelings
and desires!
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God,
for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself
is not subject to any man's judgment." (1 Cor. 2:14-15)
Some passages to consider on discipleship and mentoring which are not options,
but a command: Proverbs 18:24; Matthew 7:18-24; 10:1-42; 19:28-30; 28:16-20;
Mark1:1-5; 1:35 - 2:12; Luke 9:23-25; 48; Luke 14:26-27; John. 8:31; 12:20-26; John 14;
15; 1 John: 5:3; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 3:5-11; 12; Galatians 6:1-10; 2 Timothy 2:7;
1 Peter 3:15.

Improving your Christian Walk

By Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

Getting Started in your Devotional Venture

"Remember the Morning Watch," was the rallying cry on the Cambridge University
campus in 1882. Several students intended on growing deeper in their faith at a time
when the popularity of Godly devotion was being replaced by scientific and liberal
thinking. These students decided to take a stand against adversity and academic
backlash. Their lives would echo, as they do today on our public high school and
college campuses when young people have to fight their way all the way to the
Supreme Court to go to a flagpole to pray. These Cambridge students found the harsh
reality that Christianity was not just an academic pursuit, like filling their schedules with
lectures, sporting events, studies, and student gatherings and so forth, just like we do
today (but without TV!). The students found a fatal flaw in their busyness, even though
they made a commitment to honor Christ: They had little time for the One they were
honoring. As they described, "A crack in our spiritual armor, if not closed, will bring us
disaster!"
So, they sought an answer to their dilemma, a scheme to balance their hectic schedules
and still honor God. They came up with a plan called "The Morning Watch." The first few
minutes of the day would be dedicated to knowing the Lord. One of the young men, who
was not fond of mornings, devised a mechanical contraption with all kinds of levers and
pulleys to persuade him out of bed! This idea spread like a wild fire and was used by
God for a revival in England, which was depicted in the film "Chariots of Fire." The
modern missionary movement was born along with many Evangelical Ministries that are
still in existence today, such as YMCA and the Boy Scouts, who trace their roots to
these fine young men. Many famous pastors and missionaries have influenced many
generations-all stemming from giving God the first fruits of their day. So, will you meet
this challenge?
The Challenge is simple, the idea is pure and practical, and it only requires your
obedience and persistence. God desires our intimacy, our relationship, and our
communion with His holiness. Wow! What an honor and opportunity to go before the
Holy Creator of the universe!
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O
LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in
expectation." "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make
music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. Psalm 5:2-3;
57:7
So I challenge you to set aside time each day for devotions-the best time you have,
when you are the most alert and able to go before your Creator and Redeemer, whether

you are a new Christian desiring to know how to read the Bible, or if you have been
away from it for a while. If you have not ever been discipled or never really put in the
time and effort into your "Walk with Christ," then get ready to start. It is never too late,
unless you, wellyou die!
Getting Started with Devotions: 7-Up!
Here is a simple means to get your devotional life started or rebooted that I learned over
twenty years ago. The following "7-UP" guide is an excellent way to start your new life in
Christ, or renew yourself and get back on track! I believe I first learned of this from my
mentor Ray Stedman while attending "Navigators" (a Christian outreach Bible study
committed to discipleship on the college campus) meetings when I was in college.
Start it off simple, say seven minutes, and you can call it "7-UP!" Seven minutes a
day, seven days a week.
First, pray for guidance, and prepare your heart and mind; take half a minute. Tell God
how much you love Him. This is worship!
Second, read a passage from God's Word, spending at least four minutes. That can be
just a couple of chapters.
Don't know where to start? Start with the book of John. Or, use one of our Bible reading
plans or the "The One Year Bible" from Tyndale. It has a passage from the Old
Testament, one from the New Testament, and a Psalm and a Proverb that take you
through the whole Bible in a year. (This is reading at a rate of 15 minutes a day. To start
out, cut it in half, and you are on track for 7-up.) You can also read half when you wake
up and half when you go to bed to start off with. Or, create your own schedule; just keep
it up! If you are new to God's Word or have been away from it for a while, get the "New
Living Translation." It is easy to read and understand.
Third, pray again, spending the rest of the two and one-half minutes in specific prayer.
Pray for things such as your parents/family, school/work, people in your life, what you
are thankful for-and don't forget to confess your sins. You may add the problems of our
society, or spend the time in silence and reverent meditation over the passage you just
read; and that's it!
Then, as you progress, you will have the desire to spend even more time. Most
committed Christians will spend more than an hour in prayer each day plus time in
Scripture. You say you do not have the time? Well many Christian leaders do it and they
have schedules that would blow yours away!
There is always time; the question is will you take it? So, when the morning watch
comes. what will you do?
Where are your desires?

Our desires must be focused on Him-Christ our Lord. We must feel the anticipation and
the excitement to be with and in Him, so that we not only hear His Word, but we do His
Word-the Word of God. So if we become stuck in our anxious thoughts, confusion, or
the stressed-out urgency of life, we can stop and get our focus right! Pray that the Holy
Spirit intercedes in you and removes the disruptions. Allow yourself to receive His
comfort and grace. Remember, it is not anything we do or any effort on our part; we are
only to receive what Christ our Lord gives us. And to receive, we need to make sure that
the stuff that gets in the way gets out of the way.
Augustine, also a "Catholic Saint," was one of the foremost philosophers and
theologians of early Christianity. While serving as bishop for Hippo Regius, the leading
figure in the Church (396-430), he was perhaps one of the greatest Christian thinkers of
all time and the one person with the biggest influence in theology for Catholics and
Protestants, even more than the Reformers; Calvin and Luther were influenced by him.
He also was the main person who influenced the "western world view," our cultural
identity both in Europe and the U.S.! Augustine fought vigorously against his bad habits
and sin nature so he could grow deeper in our Lord, until he learned a lesson from a
small child, which he felt was the Word of God. Let Augustine's influence keep
influencing you! His point? Don't let your desires rule you; you rule them by focusing on
Christ.
The Benefits of doing your Devotions
Devotions are the trust step where the rubber of the tires of our faith meets the road of
life. All this is the main point of why we study the Bible-to do something with it. Of
course, we all do something with it. Either we ignore it or we are transformed by it. We
can master, even be transformed by the Word; but if nothing comes from it, it is
meaningless and nearly worthless. This is one of the main points of the book of James.
Our faith must have a response to it. Yes, we may be saved; but what good is that if we
do nothing with it?
Insights to help you on your Devotional Journey
Invite God into your study as your teacher. Ask Him to free your mind from distractions
and help you concentrate. You are entering a learning partnership with Christ!
This will give you greater personal conviction! (Philippians 3:10)
Your life will change! (John 1:1-3)
Your attitudes will change! (1 Cor. 5:10)
You will be pointed in the right direction! (Isaiah 40:31)
The glory of God will be pointed out to you! (Jeremiah 1:6f)

 The Bible will break through your self-will and deceptions, including sin, temptations,
and rationalizations, because the Bible is the voice of God! (2 Cor. 11:1f)
Jesus' temptation involved the satisfying of His physical hunger; but His focus
remained on the Father!
You will realize that there is no other final authority than the Word of God!
A good plan is essential to any undertaking, and learning about our Lord gives you His
plan.
Imagine yourself as a participant-as if it is your story, as if you are there.
How can I make sure my desires are toward church? Go over the "The Three Essentials
of Discipleship" that will endure, "faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love."
1 Cor. 13:13 (NLT)
Read 1 Cor. 13:12 and Col. 1:3-8. Then ASK:
Faith is our?
Hope is our?
Love is our?
Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you
will receive all that he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36 NLT)
Read Heb. 12:1-2
Committing to a Plan of Growth:
Ask what do we need to do with Faith, Hope, and Love?
1. What do we need to "FIND" ____________________________
"We all have some people around whose lives tell us what faith means; so seek them
out!"
2. What do we need to "REMOVE" ____________________________
"We must remove from our lives anything that would get in the way of our Lord,
including the sin that holds us back..."
3. What do we need to "FOCUS" ____________________________

"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus; as a racehorse has blinders on to keep it
from being distracted, so must we."
Bible, Prayer, and Accountability
4. What do we need to "DON'T" ____________________________
"So let us run the race with our focus on the Lord and blinders to everything else-and
never give up."
More insights to help you with your personal walk with Christ
With the knowledge we have learned, it becomes our responsibility! And then we are to
ask, "How then do I live?" What can I do now, today, or this week to implement the
instructions given to me concerning my relationship to Christ, to others, and to myself?
Keep in mind that true application comes only from the result of a life transformed. You
may do good works without Christ, but they are done out of a sense of obligation and
guilt, and not out of a response to your sin nature that has been covered by grace,
creating a willing and loving heart ready to model the character of our Lord!
The Fruits of the Spirit are the result of a life transformed by Christ!
How we are un-transformed: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual
immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy,
fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and
the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the
kingdom of God." (Gal. 5:19-21)
How we are transformed: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there
is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its
passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let
us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Gal 5:22-26)

God uses His Word to transform us; it is what He does, and then what we do. He sends
us His Spirit; we respond.

Satan would like nothing better than for you not to do the above!!! Do not procrastinate.
Press on!!! Do not assume that because you understand something, that you have
applied it!!! Do not get frustrated. You cannot expect instant results.

Studying the Word without putting any application to it is like buying a nice new car,
taking it home, and keeping it in your garage. Then all you do is sit in it and pretend you
are driving and listening to the radio, but never actually turning it on or going anywhere
with it.

When we read God's Word and do nothing with it, we become the biggest fools in the
universe!

This area of putting feet to God's Word is the most neglected aspect of our Christian life!
But it is at this part that our lives change and God uses us to change others.

Read Romans 12 or choose a short book like II or III John or Jude or) and go through
it together or in small groups as a devotional.
Jesus urged us to build our lives on His Word. (See Matthew 7:24-27)
What must I do to make God's Word real in me?
When will what I learned end up in my day planner?
What is my response?
The Word of God is to lead us to model the character of Christ, to be formed in the
image of God.
Mediate over the passage you are studying-that is reflect on it, ponder it, and think of it
so that you are seriously going over the passage again and again in your mind. Then
the memorization will become easier since the verses have taken root in you!
Digging Personally:
How are you encouraged and strengthened?
Where have you fallen short? How can you improve?
What do you now intend to do with the information given to you by the Holy Spirit
through God's Word?
Remember: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching" We must
never substitute personal beliefs for doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16)!
Doing our devotions is simply getting into God's Word, and it must affect our everyday
life including how we think and how we feel. From this come our values.
We are to be active in God's Word even when we are not reading it.
Our lives must be based on analysis, synthesis, valuing, organizing, and
comprehending our Lord Jesus Christ to our very "existential core," that is the very soul
and being of who we are in Christ!
We must have the confidence that the Bible is truth, and the truth is living within us.

Without such confidence, we can in no way transform ourselves, let alone infect others
with the Gospel message! This is Knowing It!
We must allow God's Word to bend and break our will and desires over to His!
More questions to ask yourself and God while doing your devotions:
What did God say to you today?
What/whom did God nourish with you today?
Are you appreciating it?
Are you not only receiving the great benefits, but offering them to others around you?
Are you a changed person as a result of receiving the Word?
Service is who we are in Christ, and not so much what we do for Christ!
Do not skip your meals in God's Word!
Spend the remaining time in prayer for your individual needs and for others and how
your learning can apply to both. You can also "Meditate" (read slowly several times
quietly with a sense of being surrendered to Christ, and not full of the noise of your
thoughts and plans).
A paraphrase of Hebrews 12:1-2:
"We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run
the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything
that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. We do this by
keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish."
More passages to mediate upon: Psalm 119:133; Proverbs 2:4; Phil. 1:9-11; 4:8-9;
Romans 1:18-32
So let us go out and live as our life belongs to our Lord, as it does, and be holy!

"PRIVATE DEVOTIONS"
INTRODUCTION
1. Great men of God were noted for engaging in private devotions...
a. Isaac meditated in the field at evening - Gen 24:63
b. David prayed three times daily, meditated on his bed at night
- Ps 55:17; 63:6
c. Daniel's custom was to pray three times daily - Dan 6:10
2. Private devotions is encouraged by the Son of God...
a. Jesus sought solitary places at early morn and late night - Mk
1:35; Lk 6:12
b. He counseled His disciples to pray in secret - Mt 6:6
[You may faithfully attend public worship with God's people, but do you
also take the time to engage in daily, private devotions...?]
I. WHY HAVE PRIVATE DEVOTIONS
A. TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD...
1. God is found by those who seek Him
a. As David advised his son Solomon - 1Ch 28:9
b. As Azariah told the king Asa - 2Ch 15:2
2. God draws near to those who draw near to Him - Jm 4:8
-- Do you want a closer walk with God?
B. TO RECEIVE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT...
1. We need spiritual nourishment in our lives - Mt 4:4
a. Man cannot thrive on physical food alone
b. We need spiritual food that nourishes the soul
2. Spiritual growth comes from the Word of God - 1Pe 1:23; 2:2
a. We are born again through the incorruptible seed
b. We continue to grow by the Word of God
3. God's Word provides spiritual strength - Ep 6:10-17; cf. Psa
119:7-11
a. We need God's help to fight our spiritual battles
b. The Word of God provides such help!
-- Do you want a stronger, spiritual life?
C. TO FIND PEACE AND STABILITY...
1. We live in a world filled with anxiety; prayer provides the
antidote - Php 4:6-7
2. We live in a world filled with pitfalls; God's Word keeps us
from falling - Ps 119:105,165
-- Do you want inner peace and outer stability?
[More than ever, we need to take the time to draw near to God, to
receive spiritual nourishment, to find peace and stability. The habit
of daily, private devotions can go a long way...]

II. HOW TO HAVE PERSONAL DEVOTIONS

A. FIND A TIME AND PLACE...
1. The time may vary for different individuals
a. For "night owls", the best time may be late at night, after
the children are in bed
b. For "morning larks", early morning before the children wake
up might be better
c. The key is to find a quiet time, free from worldly
distractions
2. The place may also vary for different people
a. Some may prefer a place outside, following the example of
Jesus - cf. Mk 1:35
b. Some may prefer a place inside, following the teaching of
Jesus - cf. Mt 6:6
c. The key is to find a solitary place, free from worldly
distractions
-- To develop a habit, the time and place should be the same each
day
B. ENGAGE IN PRAYER, MEDITATION, AND PRAISE...
1. Approach God in prayer
a. Thank Him for your blessings - cf. Col 4:2
b. Confess your sins - cf. 1Jn 1:9
c. Make supplication for your needs - cf. Php 4:6
d. Intercede on behalf of others - cf. 1Ti 2:1-2
2. Spend time in meditation - contemplate on such things as:
a. The Lord Himself (His character) - Ps 63:6
b. His wonderful Works (both creative and redemptive) - cf. Psa
77:12
c. His revealed Word - Ps 119:15,23,48,97-99,148
d. Things that are wholesome and praiseworthy - cf. Php 4:8
3. Praise God in song - perhaps aided by recorded hymns
a. A natural response to joy in the heart - cf. Jm 5:13
b. Making melody in your heart - cf. Ep 5:19
-- Talk with God through prayer, praise; listen to Him by
contemplating His Word

CONCLUSION
1. Living in world filled with sin, there is much that would...
a. Fill our lives with stress and anxiety
b. Pull us away from God and things that are good
2. Making room for private devotions in our lives, will help greatly
to...
a. Walk closer with our Father in heaven
b. Receive strength of heart and peace of mind in doing His will
If David, a man after God's own heart, and Jesus, the Son of God
Himself, found it needful to spend time alone with God, how much more do
we...!
"I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I
hope in Your word. My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word."
- Ps 119:147-148