Defining a Devotional What most people talk about when they talk about devotionals is a book that helps you grow in your relationship with God. It is usually broken down into daily chapters that you can read and pray about.The key to understanding the devotional is to actually break down the work. “Devotion” is a big clue to a devotional’s use. You show your devotion to God by reading the passage and praying on it every day. So the collection of readings is then known as a devotional.
Using a Devotional
So why would you want to use a devotional? What will it actually do? Well, Christians use their devotionals as a way to grow closer to God and learn more about the Christian life. Devotionals are meant to be read in one sitting, they are designed for you to read a bit every day and pray on the passages. By praying every day, Christians develop a stronger relationship with God.
April 14, 2012
2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Explained:
2:12-17 A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the gospel is a savour of death unto death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto others, the gospel is a savour of life unto life: as it quickened them at first when they were dead in trespasses and sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end in eternal life. Observe the awful impressions this matter made upon the apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our sufficiency is of God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity, as in the sight of God, is not of God, does not come from him, and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in this matter; and seek the testimony of our consciences, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that as of sincerity, so speak we in Christ and of Christ.
Posted by Lisa Rice.
April 14, 2012
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’Explained:33:1-13 Those who expect to receive comforts from God, must call upon him. Promises are given, not to do away, but to quicken and encourage prayer. These promises lead us to the gospel of Christ; and in that God has revealed truth to direct us, and peace to make us easy. All who by sanctifying grace are cleansed from the filth of sin, by pardoning mercy are freed fr... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
April 14, 2012
John 11:25 (NIV)25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;Explained:11:17-32 Here was a house where the fear of God was, and on which his blessing rested; yet it was made a house of mourning. Grace will keep sorrow from the heart, but not from the house. When God, by his grace and providence, is coming towards us in ways of mercy and comfort, we should, like Martha, go forth by faith, hope, and prayer, to meet him. ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
April 14, 2012
Psalm 91:15 (NIV)15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.Explained:91:9-16 Whatever happens, nothing shall hurt the believer; though trouble and affliction befall, it shall come, not for his hurt, but for good, though for the present it be not joyous but grievous. Those who rightly know God, will set their love upon him. They by prayer constantly call upon him. His promise is, that he will in due time deliver the believer o... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
April 14, 2012
1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NIV)16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.Explained:Here is comfort for the relations and friends of those who die in the Lord. Grief for the death of friends is lawful; we may weep for our own loss, though it may be their gain. Christianity does not forbid, and grace does not do away, our natural affections. Yet we must not be exces... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
April 14, 2012
Isaiah 43:19 (AMP)19 Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.Explained:The deliverance from Babylon is foretold, but there is reference to greater events. The redemption of sinners by Christ, the conversion of the Gentiles, and the recall of the Jews, are described. All that is to be done to rescue sinners, and to bring the believer to glory, is lit... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
April 14, 2012
Romans 8:16 (NIV)16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.Explained:8:10-17 If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart by faith. Grace in the soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy happiness which shall endure for ever. The righteousness of Christ imputed, secures the soul, the better part, from death. From hence we see how much it is our duty to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If any h... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
April 14, 2012
Psalm 37:5 (NIV)5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:Explained:37:1-6 When we look abroad we see the world full of evil-doers, that flourish and live in ease. So it was seen of old, therefore let us not marvel at the matter. We are tempted to fret at this, to think them the only happy people, and so we are prone to do like them: but this we are warned against. Outward prosperity is fading. When we look forward, with an eye of faith, we shall see no reason to envy th... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
April 14, 2012
Matthew 5:8 (NIV)8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.Explained:5:3-12 Our Saviour here gives eight characters of blessed people, which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian. 1. The poor in spirit are happy. These bring their minds to their condition, when it is a low condition. They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of glory is for them.
2. ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
April 14, 2012
Zechariah 2:11 (NASB)11 “Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.Explained:Here is a prediction of the coming of Christ in human nature. Many nations in that day would renounce idolatry, and God will own those for his people who join him with purpose of heart. Glorious times are foretold as a prophecy of our Lord's coming and kingdom. God is about to do s... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
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