Last week I started a series called Community Thinking. The idea is to have a conversation about a topic with the goal being that we can help refine each other. The hope is that it will also help this blog become more of a two way conversation, not just me talking all the time.
With that said, here is this weeks thought.
We as humans invest time, energy and effort into those things which matter to us, bring us joy, encourage us, and are fun to do. So why is it that our time with Jesus through intentional study of the Word, prayer and other spiritual disciplines is so hard? Besides the real and present spiritual warfare piece, there is the problem that we just don’t do it. Your devotional life matters. So today I would like to hear from you about how, when, where and what your time with Jesus consists of.
Now I would put forth one caution; this could turn into a ‘look at me, and how spiritual I am’ post, and that is not the goal. I will delete post comments that seem to boast on you, or make you look more spiritual! So be cautious, remember even in your best effort to have a steady devotional life, you are still a sinner in need of a Savior.
So here is what I am thinking, here is my daily habit;
I have to start early, I have kids. So every morning I set my alarm and get out of bed (don’t think this getting out of bed as a small thing, most people set their alarms, it is the getting out of bed part that people struggle with). Next it is time to make coffee, let the dog out, and settle in for some time with Jesus. I start with writing out a morning prayer, not usually all that long, then I write down what I call Gods Grace, these are just names of people, or events that God has blessed me with. Then I read 2-4 chapters in the Bible, right now I am reading through the letters to the churches (Acts-Jude) and also working my way through 2 Kings. Then I journal some prayers, thoughts and get ready for my day. I also have a short nightly routine, that includes prayer with my wife, reading for 15 min- 1 hour (depending on the night) and then some prayer for the day ahead.
So help us out. What have you learned? What things do you have that are useful to stay focused? Where do you do this so you can be less distracted?
I make sure that I go to my email first thing to connect with my daily devotions with Dr. Charles Stanley. It is a great start to the morning. I then check the prayer chain and pray for those who have requested and for those who I know need prayer but have not requested.
God is the most important thing in the morning, noon and night…
John – Not arguing with you, but how distracting is ‘checking your email’? I know for me it can be very annoying? Just wondering!
Nothing too special for me.. Have made it a “non-negotiable” in my morning routine. Always pray first, ask The Spirit to speak to me through the word and reveal truth. Could definitely improve my devotion time and approach, but it is much better than it was a few years ago. I think it is a lifelong progression/learning-experience.
Nate, love the “non-negotiable” part. That is the way to do it and make sure that Jesus is focused on.
With little kids pulling at me in the morning, and trying to get everyone out the door for school/work, the only time I’ve had a chance at being consistent with is in the car, in the parking lot before work. By then I’m coherent, and nobody is with me. The biggest temptation is thinking about the work day, and how much stuff I need to do. God’s used that to help me be intentional about putting first things first. I go through periods of faithfullness and falling away at it, and I feel it when it stops becoming a priority.
Brady – Here are some pastoral thoughts.
Bible audio – Would there be a way to redeem the short ride between dropping kids off and work by listening to the Bible. Even if it was only a passage. Then once you arrive to the parking lot you could digest the Word a little, praying through it, your day etc… Also Tim Keller has a great little post on what he calls a mid-day check up. During lunch you would identify idols, and see where your hope is, where you have sinned, ask forgiveness and take on the rest of your work day.
Just some thoughts man. You know as well as I do, if your not intentional then nothing will happen. So I guess just thinking through how you can be more intentional with the time.
Usually music is playing in the car. God uses music alot to speak to me. The mid-day checkups are great, and I get them when I can. I need as much as I can get.
When I have my quiet time for prayer and meditation if I can’t stay focused I fine I can’t committ. So I wrote this poem to help me focus when my mind wanders. Believe me I have to read it a great deal.
I’M THIRSTY THIS MORNING, MY LORD FOR YOU
I’VE RECIEVED FROM YOUR HAND THE OFFERED CUP,
IT ISN’T THAT I DON’T KNOW YOUR WORDS ARE TRUE
THE MISTAKES OF MY LIFE KEEP ME FROM DRINKING UP.
I CATCH GLIMPLES OF WHAT CAN BE DONE IN YOUR NAME
AND EVEN SEE YOUR MIRACLE WORKING POWER,
YET I COME TO YOU WITH MY HEAD HUNG IN SHAME
NOT BEING ABLE TO COMMITT IN THIS MORNING HOUR.
GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TODAY TO TOTALLY COMMIT
LET ME TAKE THE CUP TO MY LIPS AND DRAIN IT DRY,
TO LET YOU USE ME WHEN, WHERE AND HOW YOU SEE FIT
TODAY KEEP ME FROM THE WELLS THAT DON’T SATISFY. Jeryl Jasmine
Jeryl,
Do you pray this, or read this every morning? Or just when you are sensing a lack of focus?
A few years back, I was challenged on this area of my life by godly man in my life. He pointed out to me that every morning I probably go through the same routine when I get ready for the day. We all have parts of our day that our routine, whether it’s when you get ready for the day, before bed, getting home from work, etc. I think looking at your day and finding a time to build it into your routine, along with making it a “non-negotiable”, helps to establish a value of devotions in your life. For me, it’s become early mornings. Right now our church is going through Proverbs, so I’m working through Proverbs as well. I’ll read a chapter and take some time to journal. I know “routine” can sound cold, but I can think of countless things I’ve done just because they’re routine, not necessarily because I wanted to, and come away very thankful and blessed.
Hi Jeph,
I heard somebody somewhere talk about routine and the coldness of it. He argued, though, that putting something on a calendar (time with God, time with Family, work time) needs to be an act of worship. If we are intentionally blocking out time for something, we are being good stewards of our time, and worshipping God with it. The trick is that, when we get to that point in our day, we need to take a moment to remember that this is not just another task, but a precious time with our Lord and Daddy. If we are doing it right, we look forward to that calendar entry with joy and anticipation.
Love this Brady, “The trick is that, when we get to that point in our day, we need to take a moment to remember that this is not just another task, but a precious time with our Lord and Daddy. ! Great stuff!
I think the whole, “routine being cold” is many times a coup out. I hear people say that their devotional life is not something they feel like they have to schedule it in their life, or that they want to. Unsurprisingly these are almost always the very people who do not have much of a devotional life. We do, however, schedule all those things that are important in our life, so why not devotions. I am 100% behind being cold if it means I get to connect with Jesus.
Right on Brady. I totally agree. But maybe Josh’s question is why is it that we don’t always look forward to that calendar entry with joy and anticipation? What happens in those times?
When those times come, I just have to do it anyway, and hope he changes my heart sometime between the beginning and the end of that time. Sometimes He’s gracious and does that, sometimes He doesn’t and I just have to trust Him.
I think that’s one of the bigger problems many people face. We want to see instant results, instant gratification and if we don’t “feel like it”, then it’s not worth doing. I think there is a lot of wisdom in what you said about trusting Him whether there is an instant evidence of grace or not.
If we wait until we feel like it, we’ll never do it.
Yeah, isn’t that so true in so many aspect in our lives! Thanks for the comments and interaction!