As Jesus walked alone, away from the throng at the riverside, he addressed two men who seemed to be following Him. Turning to them, He asked, “What do you seek?” This compelling question was followed by the gracious invitation to “Follow Me.” Today, seekers after Christ must answer the same life-changing question: “What do you seek?”
When Christ created our world, His plan was for us to grow daily in an eternal relationship with Him. Genesis records how God came to the garden each evening to meet with His children (Genesis 3:8). Tragically, sin destroyed this bond and created a gulf between humanity and God. Christ came to restore that relationship and give us an example of how to live as His children. As His Spirit invites each of us to return to the family of God, we have to make decisions about how we will prioritize our time with Him.
So what does this time look like? Is once a week good enough? That hour in church? Don’t misunderstand—worshiping together is an important part of the Christian life. But it is only the beginning. As with any other relationship, the amount of time we invest will determine the quality of the relationship. Is it an acquaintance? A friend? Or our Lord and Savior? It depends on what it is that we seek.
The principles for growing in our Christian experience are found throughout the Scriptures. Let’s look at what the Bible has to say about this critical subject.
Sign up here to receive daily Amazing Facts devotionals in your inbox!
Who should have daily devotional time?
Only someone who wants to have an exciting, life-transforming relationship with God as Lord, Savior, and Friend should set aside time for a daily devotional life! Do you want to see a change in your status quo? To become a better person? Most important, do you want to be ready to live with Christ forever? If your answer is “Yes!” you will want to make time in your schedule to learn more about His plans for your life and the expectations for the citizens of His kingdom. His promise to you is: “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me” (Proverbs 8:17).
When should I have daily devotional time?
The psalmist wrote, “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. … Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!” (Psalm 55:17, 68:19). God promises, “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors” (Proverbs 8:34).
Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). God’s Word invites us to come to Him each day to learn from Him, to receive His grace to live as His children and to accept the blessings He longs to pour out into our lives. Making this appointment with Christ a priority each day demonstrates our desire for God to have first place in our lives.
How do I have daily devotions?
In the Gospels, Jesus gave us an example. The Gospel of Mark records Jesus taking some quiet time alone in the morning to commune with His heavenly Father, “Having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35). After a busy day of ministering to others, He found refreshment with God: “When He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray” (Mark 6:46).
But daily devotions are more than just prayer time. We live in a world where there are so many ethical questions bombarding us, how are we to know what is right and wrong? God’s Word commended early believers who “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). We should ask first for God’s Spirit to guide us in our study (John 16:13).
When we read, it is important to ask questions; indeed, God invites us, “Come now, and let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18). This implies a conversation and reading passages more than once. Some experts recommend reading a passage several times, prayerfully asking questions, and searching for the answers. Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). He is reminding us that daily devotions are not a method, a mere checklist, but the process of building an eternal relationship with Him—seeking Him.
What should I expect when I have daily devotional time?
It would be nice to say you can expect a calm and perfect life when you make time for daily devotions. After all, you are making changes in your priorities and putting God first. But the reality is that Jesus never promised all our days would be filled with sunshine. In fact, He made this fascinating promise: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus promises us peace in the midst of the challenges we should expect to face as we follow Him each day.
Why is it important to have daily devotions?
Daily devotions should change our lives; they should challenge us to grow, to repent, to surrender, and to love deeper. Having daily devotions doesn’t mean we have all the answers. It doesn’t guarantee us anything, except a loving Savior who will walk beside us through the trials of life and give us grace moment by moment to live a life of surrender and victory. We can trust in God’s faithful promise: “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). His plan for each of us is an eternal future filled with peace, hope, and joy.
Would you like to jumpstart your morning worship time? Amazing Facts offers a free daily devotional that will inspire you and point you back to God’s Word. Each encouraging message will give you a great beginning to your day and a starting place to continue your personal Bible study!
Take a minute to sign up here and share the link with your family and friends.
—Written by Rosemary McKenzie