Good Blessings to you from the GIG Control center of spiritual ministry.

We invite you to participate with us in a daily devotional time called

“Your Daily Bread.” These daily devotions will come to you via our

podcast network. It is through these daily podcasts that we hope you

use to allow God to minister to your daily need enabling you to walk

each and every day in the spirit of Christ.

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This ministry is being produced by Melodic Light Media (the company melodiclightmedia.com) through our production consultant Kym Coan. We greatly appreciate the ministry of both in allowing us to bring this ministry to you.

 

Daily devotions or quiet times are time spent each day dedicated to relating with God. When people speak of daily devotions, they are usually referring to a time of reading their Bible, doing a Bible study, or reading a devotional book, accompanied by a time of prayer. Some may simply pray. Some also include musical worship. No matter the format of a daily devotional time, it is important.

 

Most Christians firmly believe in the importance of spending daily regular time in God’s Word and in prayer. Yet, so many of us struggle to do this consistently. Perhaps that’s because we think this time with God has to be a monumental, mystical experience. In fact, you can begin developing this spiritual discipline in as little as 10-15 minutes a day.

 

Do not become devoted to the habit, but to the Savior. Do it not because other people are doing it—not as a spiritless duty every morning, not merely as an end in itself, but because God has granted the priceless privilege of fellowship with Himself. God desires relationship with us. He created us and has redeemed us for this very purpose. Jesus, prior to His crucifixion, prayed, "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24).

 

When we spend daily devotional time with God, we submit our will to His. It is in that time that we surrender our lives to God. We surrender not just the overall trajectory of our lives, but each day. God is in the details of our lives (Matthew 6:25-34). He cares about the details of each day with the love of a father or spouse and also with the interest of a master. We seek to further God's kingdom. Coming to Him each day is one way to know which direction to move.

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Let’s read together Matthew 6:25-34.

"25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?  28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. "

- Matthew 6:25-34

 

Daily devotionals also teach us truth. When we spend time in God's Word, we gain wisdom and understanding. It has been said that the best way to recognize a counterfeit is to study the real thing. Satan is the "father of lies" (John 8:44). If we are not steeped in God's truth, we are more easily duped. When we know the truth, we experience freedom (John 8:32).

 

Daily spending time with God is a way to worship Him. Time is a limited resource. What we spend our time on is an indication of what we value. When we spend time with God, we demonstrate that we value Him. We claim that He is worthy of attention and of praise.

 

God is our refuge (Psalm 46). Life is often chaotic and confusing. When it is, we run to God. If we desire to truly find rest and safety in God, it is helpful to know Him well. Such deep knowledge comes from daily time spent with Him. Sometimes the best way to use a refuge is to go there before things get messy.

 

Daily devotions is a spiritual discipline that helps us get to know God, that ensures we stay connected to Him (John 15:1-8), that teaches us truth, that provides a place for worship, and that functions as a daily shelter in the midst of the storms of life.

 

How to have daily devotions

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You need to select a place and a time that works for you.  Since consistency is the key, having a set place and time of day that is comfortable, practical, and maintainable is essential.  It may take you a week or more of 'trial and error' to figure out what works best for you.

 

You should consider selecting material to help you.  There are many devotional aids in the Christian bookstore.  Over time, you will likely need to experiment with different things to keep your experience 'fresh' and help you maintain motivation.

 

The ART of having a quiet time

 

    A = Ask God to speak to you

    R = Read God's Word and listen

    T = Talk with God in prayer

 

Ask God to speak to you: begin by praying and asking God to help you understand His Word, by the power of His Spirit, so that your mind and heart are open to His instruction.

 

 Read God's Word and Listen: Read the day's verses.  If something 'jumps out at you,' make note of it (underline it, highlight it, or write it down.)  Meditate on what you've read.  Sit quietly and think about the verses, especially things that 'jumped out' at you.  Ask yourself if there is a command to obey, a promise to claim, a sin to repent of, and so forth.  Commit to do what you've read.  Make a decision to obey the command, claim the promise, confess the sin, etc.

 

Talk with God in prayer (A.C.T.S.)

     Adoration: tell God what you appreciate about His character, creation, etc.

     Confession: Admit sins that come to mind.  Ask for forgiveness/cleansing.

     Thanksgiving: Thank God for His provision, love, blessings, presence, help, etc.

     Supplication: Ask for God's help with the needs of your life and in the lives of others.