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6 Key Questions About Daily Devotions

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Do you want a better life? Most people would say yes. You can start today to improve your life with these 6 key questions about daily devotions. By giving honest answers and then living out those answers, you’ll be creating a devotional habit that can change your life daily.

Perhaps you’re a skeptic, thinking ‘how can a daily quiet time improve my life?’ I challenge you to give it an honest try. Set aside at least 20 minutes every day to meet with Jesus. Do this for 90 days – no skipping – and then see how your life has changed. Be prepared to be amazed!

All the Details on Daily Devotions

Who Should Have Daily Devotions?

Short answer: All those who have been born again into a living faith in Christ.

Longer answer: If you have a living faith in the risen Christ, you should want to be in His Word and in prayer and worship. If you don’t have that desire, then you can assume you are spiritually sick or weak. Or you may do as Paul suggests and “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Holding onto a childhood confession of faith, without having the hunger for His presence and His Word or other fruit in your life, might mean you need to take a hard look at your faith – or lack – and recommit yourself to Him. Or even ask Him for His saving grace, despite grandma insisting you ‘prayed the prayer’ when you were four!

I’m not trying to be harsh. The most loving word is the one that leads to Jesus, and that’s all I’m trying to do – be a word leading to Jesus.

What Are Daily Devotions?

Short answer: Set aside a dedicated time daily to spend reading the Bible and praying and worshiping the Lord.

For more about devotions, check out this post.

quiet time on the lake

Longer answer: There are a thousand variations on this idea. The Bible should be central to your devotional life and as you get into it, you will likely overflow with prayer and praise. But don’t let your devotional routine cause your time with Jesus to become another boring item on your to-do list.

Vary your setting, your approach, your reading, your format, your process, and even your time of day, if that helps you to connect with the Lord in a more intimate manner. Read first, then pray. Or pray first, then read. On nice days sit outside; on snow days sit in front of the fire. Listen to the Bible if you learn best by listening. Listen to it and follow along in your own copy if that helps you focus.

The key is consistency. Be in the Word daily. When you miss a day, make it a learning experience and start over. If you’re laying in bed at night and realize you haven’t had devotions, nothing is stopping you from getting up and having them – even at midnight!

When is the Best Time for Devotions?

Short answer: Whenever it fits best into your schedule.

Longer answer: While there are no ‘extra points’ for having devotions in the morning, my day always goes better if I have my quiet time first (along with my hot tea). My husband bought me a cup warmer, so my tea is always hot, no matter how long I pray! I love it.

I get up early most days and have for years. At times those early days were because of a long commute. At times it was because having teenagers and working and attending graduate school meant less sleep and more to do. Then, there were the days I got up early because my babies insisted! During those baby & toddler years, I was not a morning devotions person. No matter how early I got up, at least one of them was up within 10 minutes!

But, no matter the season I was in, I always preferred having my quiet time in the morning. Many people refer to Psalm 5:3 to ‘prove’ that having morning devotions is best.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

But David also said, “As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.” (emphasis added, Psalm 55:16-17).

I prefer mornings. I’ve learned from many people over the years that morning devotions are favored by most believers. But if you really cannot fit it into your mornings, don’t let that stop you from having devotions in the evening, at noon, or just before bed. Anytime is better than no time!

open bible quiet time

Where Will You Have Your Daily Devotions?

Short answer: Anywhere and everywhere.

Longer answer: Somewhere you feel safe to pray aloud if you desire. A place where you can sing off-key praise songs. A place where you can cry tears of joy or sorrow and not have to explain to anyone.

Where you choose to have your devotions will impact how you have them. If you are in a space that is protected from the eyes and ears of others, you will have the freedom to be more spontaneous, more open, and more vulnerable. And these things are necessary for your faith to grow.

You do not have to have your devotions in the same place every time, but I find that having a routine spot, just like having a routine time and a routine process helps me to be faithful in keeping my appointments with the Lord.

Why Do You Need Devotions Every Day?

Short answer: Because we live in a sin-sick world and need all the help we can get to make it through to glory.

Keep yourself full of Christ and you'll be prepared for whatever the day brings your way. Click To Tweet

Longer answer: The truth is that I am not strong enough in myself for all the problems life will bring my way. I have dealt with loss, betrayal, moves, death, depression, anger, lost friendships, and more. So has anyone wearing human skin. Life is just simply hard.

I am so grateful to have a strength outside myself to draw upon whenever I need it. The Lord is always there when we need Him. Cry to Him in emergencies. But also meet with Him daily to fill yourself with strength, love, mercy, grace, and so much more for the day ahead.

Keep yourself full of Christ and you’ll be prepared for whatever the day brings. No, it might not be easy. But just imagine how much harder life would be if you didn’t have Jesus with you.

reading bible in quiet time

How Do You ‘Do’ Devotions?

Short answer: Do what works for you.

Longer answer: Reading a devotional book every day with one or two verses stuck onto the story will not feed your soul as adequately as reading a Psalm and a chapter of the gospels every day would. Your goal should be to spend more time reading the Word than reading about the Word. Life is in the Word itself, not in the opinions of other people about the Word, the stories that illustrate how others applied the Word, or even in anecdotes of people being saved by the Word. No, it is the Word itself that is and brings life.

First, get into the Word. Second, respond to the Word in prayer and praise to the Lord. Third, do it all again! Honestly, that’s all you need for a healthy devotional life. Other things – music, Christian books, devotional guides, podcasts – are all supplements to the basics. Like taking extra Vitamin C, while focusing on eating more oranges and grapefruit.

Spend more time reading the Word than reading about the Word. Life is in the Word of God, not in the opinions of other people about the Word. It is the Word itself that is and brings life. Click To Tweet

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

What are your answers to these questions about your devotional life? You are the ‘who.’ But how have you answered the other five?

  • What are daily devotions?
  • When is the best time for devotions?
  • Where will you have your daily devotions?
  • Why do you need devotions every day?
  • How do you ‘do’ devotions?

Do you have a plan in place to keep yourself regularly meeting with the Lord? If so, great! Keep it up and encourage others. If not, there’s no time like the present to start. It doesn’t have to be the beginning of the year, month, or week to start a new habit. You can start on a Thursday in the middle of the month! Just starting is what is important. Time with Jesus is never wasted.

It’s best to read the Bible during your devotions, but if you’re just getting started on this life-changing habit you may want to use a devotional guide. Check out some classic (and free) devotionals here.

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