​Planning Your Daily Devotional Time

Have you established a habit of having a time of daily devotions? If you haven't then now is the perfect time to start!

Prayer and devotions are a very important part of the day. Especially on those crazy and busy days. We fail to recognize that we need more of a spiritual boost than a burst of energy that comes from a blast of caffeine.

Below we will give you a few steps to begin planning your daily devotional time. It is better to get into the habit of it now when life is not so full of responsibility, crammed schedules, and such. You might want to get a pen and paper handy!

1. Establish a definite time.       
Determine which time frame works for you. If you tend to find extra time before bed where you spend an hour or two on your phone or reading a book then try to set aside that time to fit a devotion in.
I know some have a hard time getting up early and focusing on a time of reading or studying, but if that is the best time of day to seek spiritual refreshment and encouragement then try it out!

Personally, that's my best time of day. I give myself an hour or 2 before work to make myself a cup of coffee (a must have!), find a quiet place to read a devotional book or a plan on the YouVersion Bible App. I have a study Bible to also go along with any Scripture references than is given in the devotional to do a little bit of indepth study.

Always keep a notebook handy in case questions or thoughts come flowing from your reading or studying! The mornings are generally a good time as well because it's the first part of the day and the rest of the day can be spent meditating or remembering what you have learned/read about that morning. It can greatly affect your attitudes and emotions for the day! 

Psalm 119:97  O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

2. Choose a definite place.       
Find a place where you can get alone without any distractions. Make this a special time between you and God.
Do you have a certain place in your room, your house, or even outdoors where you like to just sit and enjoy quiet solitude? What about taking a walk on a beautiful day listening to an audio Bible or sermon? 

3. Goal and content of devotional time.       
Are there any battles you currently face? Have you gone to the Bible yet for a source of strength or encouragement?
Try looking up words or phrases that go along with your current struggles or feelings.

Do you struggle with loneliness? Or fear? What about worthlessness?

I've struggled with all of those and have found great sources of hope and encouragement in the Psalms and throughout the Bible by looking up words that went along with those feelings.

Here are a few examples: 
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Find a good concordance or use the search tool in your Bible app to find verses to help you with the battles you're facing.
Write it down.
Meditate on it.
Study it.
Memorize it.
Don't let your struggles bring you down.Pray the promises of God. Let God's Word fill you with peace. 

                                                                     Written by: Sonia E. Vargas

What suggestions would you give about planning a personal devotion? Do you need help on finding ways to make this a habit in your life? Feel free to contact us or comment with any questions, suggestions, or thoughts. 

How many singles wallow in self-pity because their relationship status does not say, "taken", "engaged", or "happily married"? Have you been there? Do you ever feel that slight twinge of jealousy when yet another of your friends announce their engagement?
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How many God-given opportunities have been shoved aside because one is too busy scanning the horizon for their 'significant other'?

We live in a world where society has written its own self-indulging rules of happiness and true love. The shattered pieces of countless hearts lay scattered in the dust of rejection, dissatisfaction, and emptiness. Many are left wondering about the true purpose of life.

Comments on comprehending Christ:
When we allow Christ to dwell in us we will be able to comprehend the magnitude of His Love for us.
You will finally understand the wonder of it all, know the "power that worketh in us", and realize the abundance of His blessings.
Pursue in knowing HIM, not just His story.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
                                                                                                            - Ephesians 3:17-21

Among those God created, loved, and redeemed are a number of people who rant against His Presence in public places. Whether in the form of a Book, a prayer, or a standard they want Him out! And in many ways they have succeeded.

Yet, once the dust of riot settles, or the chaos of explosions recede, or the blood from a shooting is cleared these same individuals point an accusing finger towards Heaven and rage against their Creator. They ask, "Why did He...? How could He...? Where is He...?"

The same place they accuse Him of abandoning is the exact location of which they demanded the banning of His presence.
With pain in His heart and love in His steps,  He walked out in answer to their insistent demands.

When God is not allowed in our schools, When He is not welcome in the home, and especially when He's not invited in our hearts; chaos occurs, sin reigns, and evil triumphs.

Do we do the same in our hearts? 

Does God receive the same treatment when we insist on doing our own thing, in our own way, on our own timing?



"It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:" 
                                                                                                        -  2 Timothy 2:11-12  

The challenge of a wise, seasoned preacher for the rising up of our generation still echoes in my ears. 
Rev. Dollas Messer informed us that the 2 generations prior to ours have been lost. He looked at all of us younger people and pleaded that it not be so with our generation. 
Will ours be lost as well?  
Will we fall under the wave of popularity, allow God's name to be trampled, and His place to be overtaken by selfish men? 
The fate of our generation lies in ourselves. What will we subject ourselves to? To God or to ourselves? Whether we allow God to rule over our lives or not, the bottom line is that we will be ruled. Whether by government, by our parents, or our passions. We have seen how the rule of passion has utterly destroyed the morality of our country, our churches, and our families. Will we continue to allow the value of purity crumble in the name of passion or will we have the courage to press against the crowd and let God's light beam through our generation? 
What part will you play to create hope for our generation? 
Are you willing to be a seed that God can plant into the fertile soil of this country, of this world, to produce revival?

 "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." - Hosea 10:12

 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." - Romans 12:1 

How will YOU answer the call?


Will you answer?