Devotions
What does it mean to spend time with Jesus? To have a Quiet Time? To meet with Jesus? Or to have a Devotional Time? There are many phrases but the principles are the same.
What does the Bible say about a devotional life? -
- Jesus’ Example - Mark1v35-37 & Luke 5v15-16
- An intimate relationship - Psalm 23
- life with Jesus - John 15v1-8
- Daniel's Example - Daniel 6v6-12
- Pray as Jesus taught - Matthew 6v9-13
Jesus’ Example
Mark 1v35-37
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
Luke 5v15-16
the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What priority did Jesus make of time with his Father in heaven?
Thoughts to consider
The needs presented to Jesus must have been overwhelming. People without any real alternative medical opportunities were desperate to be healed. These people also needed to hear God’s message. Nevertheless, Jesus made prayer a higher priority.
An intimate relationship
Psalms 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk
through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What attitude do you see toward the Lord in this passage?
- How does the Lord intervene in the life of David, the writer?
- What relationship between David and the Lord can we see behind this psalm?
Thoughts to consider
Those who meet with the Lord are nourished, watched over and nurtured by God. It is one thing for the Lord to take us to green meadows, but we also need to embrace the opportunity that he gives.
Life with Jesus
John 15v1-8
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What is the value Jesus gives to our being close to him in a relationship of trust and development?
- What do you think Jesus might mean by producing fruit?
Thoughts to consider
God is looking for people whose lives are lived out of relationship with Jesus. Those who live like this learn to trust Jesus and show his love without being overcome by fear.
Daniel's Example
Daniel 6v6-12
Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel [the prime minister of an empire stretching from Turkey to Pakistan] was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.” So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” So King Darius signed the law.
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How did Daniel respond to this threat to his life?
- Why would Daniel value time with God over his life?
Thoughts to consider
In our busy, busy world, time spent with God can seem an unproductive extra. Daniel and others have discovered that it is the heart of our existence. If we live in union with the Lord, our life will become the fruitful blessing it is intended to be.
Pray as Jesus taught
Matthew 6v9-13
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How does Jesus say that we should pray in a way that focuses our attention on God?
- How does Jesus say that we should pray about our needs, physical and spiritual?
Thoughts to consider
Jesus’ prayer begins with a focus on God. We are not coming to him as a solution dispenser but a person whom we respect and love. Jesus ends this prayer with the understanding that we are in need and that the Father delights to help us.
This prayer can be used as a pattern with each phrase acting as a prompt to a style of prayer. For example, Our Father can be a prompt to worship. Maybe one could use Psalm 95 to expand that.
Overview questions for reflection or discussion
- What have you seen in these texts that would motivate you to spend time with Jesus regularly?
- What time of day and in what place could you meet with Jesus regularly?
Thoughts to consider
A time of meeting with Jesus can involve the prayer. This focuses our attention on the God who loves us and seeks to see life from his perspective, while not being afraid to go to him and ask him to fulfil our needs. It also involves reading the Bible – If you are starting out, then I would suggest reading the accounts of Jesus – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Read a short section say 5-15 verses, ponder them and tell Jesus what you think in prayer.
- Choose a time of day that you can make a consistent pattern. Personally I prefer the early morning because the later I leave things, the more I resent them taking away from all the ‘urgent things I have to do. The more tired I am and less able to focus.
- Choose a place which is conducive to quiet and reflection. If you choose a place with many distractions, you may well end up distracted. If you choose bed, it is quite likely you will fall asleep.
- If people ask to meet you at that time, explain that you are busy then. You don’t need to give an explanation.
- Have your Bible, a note book or journal and maybe any devotional book to stimulate your thoughts.
- Pray for God to protect this time and place. It seems that often something or some one comes along to interrupt. God is faithful and is well able to protect the time if we ask Him.
