“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
When seven Christian leaders were asked what they did in their personal devotions—a time each day when that person closeted himself with God for prayer and the study of the Bible–they surprisingly said pretty much the same thing. When they were asked what books were used in place of the Bible, they were unanimous in saying, “None!” Yes, most mentioned spiritual resources which encouraged and helped them, but nothing replaced the importance of hearing from God through His Word.
Question: Have you made it a practice to set aside a few minutes each day, preferably at the beginning of the day, to go one-on-one with God, not only talking with Him in prayer, but listening to Him as He quietly speaks to you through His Word? Of the Christian leaders interviewed, all of them said that when they failed to do this, their faith grew weaker and that this inward renewal was the key to their spiritual survival.
You eat every day, right? And when you pull a muscle and go to the doctor, he sends you for physical therapy, and that means doing the exercise routine every day, gradually strengthening flabby muscles and sinews. The same thing is true of your spiritual strength.
“The inward man is renewed day by day,” wrote Paul to the Corinthians.
“OK,” you say, “good idea! But where do I start, and what do I do?” First, get a modern edition of the Bible. Like what? Personally, I like the new English Standard Version, or the New International Version, or a similar text. There are some Bibles with marked sections for reading through the book in a year! Often, they are varied so you don’t particularly start with Genesis and go to the end. If you’ve never read the Bible through, take that challenge and you will see the whole panorama of God’s care for humankind as you’ve never seen it before.
Another approach is to work through a book at a time—perhaps alternating between Old and New Testament books. Study the Psalms or the Gospel of John, reading it through several times. So how long should you read? Enough to allow God to speak to your heart, but not so much that you feel suffocated. Better to read a chapter or two with understanding than so much that you’ve forgotten what you read within the hour.
I not only read but I study. That means, note what the margin references say, and the study helps at the beginning of a book. I use a ballpoint pen and underline specific passages or write a cross reference in the margin I want to remember.
Ask three questions each time you read. “What does it say? What does it mean? How does it apply to my life?” You may want to keep a notebook with your Bible and then jot down your thoughts—just a few words, a sentence or two. It’s a good discipline.
It’s also helpful to make a few notes of what you want to pray about. That also helps you remember how you had specific needs and how God met you as you prayed.
There’s one more part to this act of devotion and discipline which I recommend: it’s reflection—meditation, if you will–and memorization of Scripture. Then pray. So, what do you pray about? Everything that is of concern to you. Start with a few items of praise and thanksgiving. Then tell God exactly how you feel and what you want. He knows you better than you do yourself, but He says, “Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24). “Pray about everything,” was Paul’s answer to the Philippians.
It’s also the answer to the needs of our lives. Five to ten minutes invested in personal devotions will be the best few minutes of your day.
Resource reading: 2 Corinthians 4
