An Encouragement For A Daily Devotion
1 Samuel 16:7
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
Why we do what we do, is important to God. God told Samuel, It’s possible to do the right thing but with the wrong attitude. When we meet with God in our quiet time, God is looking at our heart.
Psalm 63:1
O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You.
Are you coming before God with anticipation of open intimacy with your Lord and Savior? Are you expecting to hear from Him as you open up the word? It’s so important in any relationship to spend a lot of time listening and not do all the talking. One of the questions I try and be consistent with during my devotional time is – What is the Holy Sprit saying to me right now through the scriptures?
Having a specific time and place will help with consistency. Remember, family doesn’t have to be formal. God desires intimacy not a show.
James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Obedience brings the blessing of freedom. So often we feel trapped by our feelings of fear and depression, but obedience relieves our burdens and gives us peace of mind. We won’t feel the weight of hypocrisy if we are living out the truth of Gods word in our lives.
Challenge: Make a commitment to spend ten minutes a day, for five days in a row, enjoying time with the Lord, in His word and prayer, and then evaluate your peace and joy at the end of the five days. If it was worth your time, continue.
