A Simple Devotional Plan

A common trait in the lives of the God’s faithful is the ability to recognize the value in the practice of daily devotions. Daniel is revealed as a man who placed importance on daily prayer and meditation (Daniel 6:10), as did David (Psalm 77:12, 46:10, 4:4), Jesus (Mark 1:35, Matthew 6:6), and a myriad of other godly men and women (c.f. Hebrews 11). This is the reason why one of our goals in 2015 is a renewed commitment to daily prayer and study.

Some who are not in the practice of having daily devotional time may need some help in getting started. Here is a simple plan to help get you get off on the right track:

• Start with a Commitment - Commit to setting aside time in your day. Take it seriously or you will never follow through. Start by having a goal of at least 15 minutes, an easily achieved goal. 

• Utilize your Resources - We have provided all of our members with a plan to read through the Bible this year. This plan can be found in the binders we handed out, in our weekly bulletin, and in our weekly devotional newsletter. You can subscribe to this email online at www.mainstcoc.org. Utilize these resources! It has been said, “Those who do not have a plan, plan to fail.”

• Read your Bible - Remember that God speaks to us through the Word, so pay attention. We often scan emails, texts, letters, and articles, but with the Bible we must take our time and really concentrate. 

• Meditate - Consider what you have read. How does this apply to my relationship with God? Are there principles in the text that I can apply to my life? Also, don’t just confine your meditation to these few minutes, think on these things through out your day. [Note: Use the devotional seeds provided in our devotional newsletter. They are designed to get you to think about the text]. 

• Pray, Pray, Pray! - This cannot be stressed this enough. Pray throughout your day (1 Thess 5:17).  James said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). 

- Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)