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.
March 26, 2012
Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Explained: Shall not we pity and love those souls whom Christ loves and pities? Those who abound in any grace, need to abound more. Try things which differ; that we may approve the things which are excellent. The truths and laws of Christ are excellent; and they recommend themselves as such to any attentive mind. Sincerity is that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and it is the glory of all our graces. Christians should not be apt to take offence, and should be very careful not to offend God or the brethren. The things which most honour God will most benefit us. Let us not leave it doubtful whether any good fruit is found in us or not. A small measure of Christian love, knowledge, and fruitfulness should not satisfy any.
Posted by Lisa Rice.
March 26, 2012
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Explained:
God is slow to anger, so He is swift to show mercy. And how sweet the returns of mercy would be, when God should come and comfort them! He will have mercy on them. God's gathering his people takes rise from his mercy, not any merit of theirs; and it is with great mercies, with e... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
March 26, 2012
1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NIV)9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.Explained:Most of mankind do not consider the things of another world at all, because they are asleep; or they do not consider them aright, because they sleep and dream. Our moderation as to all earthly things should be known to all men. Shall Christians, who have the light of the blessed gospel shining in their faces, be careless about their souls, and unmindful of ano... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
March 26, 2012
Psalm 121:3 (NIV)3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;Explained:We must not rely upon men and means, instruments and second causes. Shall I depend upon the strength of the hills? upon princes and great men? No; my confidence is in God only. Or, we must lift up our eyes above the hills; we must look to God who makes all earthly things to us what they are. We must see all our help in God; from him we must expect it, in his own way and time. This psalm tea... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
March 22, 2012
Romans 10:13 (NIV)
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Explanation: For whosoever shall call ... - This sentiment is found substantially in Joel 2:32, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered." This is expressly applied to the times of the gospel, by Peter, in Acts 2:21; see the note on that place. To call on the name of the Lord is the same as to call on the Lord himself. The word "name" is often used in t... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
March 22, 2012
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.Explained: And ye shall seek me, and find me,.... When persons seek the Lord aright, they always find him; a God hearing prayer; a God in Christ; bestowing favours upon them; granting them his presence; indulging them in communion with him; and favouring them with fresh supplies of his grace, and everything needful for them; every mercy, temporal and spiritual; that is, when they seek him in Christ, who i... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
March 20, 2012
Hebrews 2:18 (NIV)
18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Explained: Because He has gone through temptation, He is able to help us when we are tempted.
Jesus did not come into this world to gain status or political power, but to suffer and die so that we could have eternal life. Through the Lord’s suffering God made Him fit to bring man unto salvation. Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
March 20, 2012
Psalm 121:8 (NIV)
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Explained: His protection will make them safe in every respect: "The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil, the evil of sin and the evil of trouble. He shall prevent the evil thou fearest, and shall sanctify, remove, or lighten, the evil thou feelest. He will keep thee from doing evil (2 Corinthians 13:7), and so far from suffering evil that whatever affliction happens to thee there shall be no evil in... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
March 20, 2012
1 John 2:10-11
10 "He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."
Explained: He will be no scandal, no stumbling-block, to his brother; he will conscientiously beware that he neither induce his brother to sin nor turn him out of the way of reli... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
March 19, 2012
Psalm 7:10 "My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart". David is confident that he shall find God his powerful Saviour. The destruction of sinners may be prevented by their conversion; for it is threatened, If he turn not from his evil way, let him expect it will be his ruin. But amidst the threatenings of wrath, we have a gracious offer of mercy. God gives sinners warning of their danger, and space to repent, and prevent it. He is slow to punish, and long-suffering to us-ward, ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lisa Rice.
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