1. Great men of God were noted for engaging in private devotions
a. Isaac meditated in the field at evening - Genesis 24:63
b. David prayed three times daily, meditated on his bed at night - Psalm 55:17; 63:6
c. Daniel's custom was to pray three times daily - Daniel 6:10
2. Private devotions are encouraged by the Son of God
a. Jesus sought solitary places at early morn and late night - Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12
b. He counseled His disciples to pray in secret - Matthew 6:6
3. You may faithfully attend public worship with God's people, but do you also take the time to engage in daily, private devotions?
A. TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD
1. God is found by those who seek Him
a. As David advised his son Solomon - 1 Chronicles 28:9
b. As Azariah told the king Asa - 2 Chronicles 15:2
2. God draws near to those who draw near to Him - James 4:8
3. Do you want a closer walk with God?
B. TO RECEIVE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT
1. We need spiritual nourishment in our lives - Matthew 4:4
a. Man cannot thrive on physical food alone
b. We need spiritual food that nourishes the soul
2. Spiritual growth comes from the Word of God - 1 Peter 1:23; 2:2
a. We are born again through the incorruptible seed
b. We continue to grow by the Word of God
3. God's Word provides spiritual strength - Ephesians 6:10-17; cf. Psalm 119:7-11
a. We need God's help to fight our spiritual battles
b. The Word of God provides such help!
4. Do you want a stronger, spiritual life?
C. TO FIND PEACE AND STABILITY
1. We live in a world filled with anxiety; prayer provides the antidote - Philippians 4:6-7
2. We live in a world filled with pitfalls; God's Word keeps us from falling - Psalm 119:105,165
3. Do you want inner peace and outer stability?
D. MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO TAKE TIME TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD
1. to receive spiritual nourishment
2. to find peace and stability
3. The habit of daily, private devotions can go a long way
A. FIND A TIME AND PLACE
1. The time may vary for different individuals
a. For "night owls", the best time may be late at night, after the family is in bed
b. For "morning larks", early morning before the family wakes up might be better
c. The key is to find a quiet time, free from worldly distractions
2. The place may also vary for different people
a. Some may prefer a place outside, following the example of Jesus - Mark 1:35
b. Some may prefer a place inside, following the teaching of Jesus - Matthew 6:6
c. The key is to find a solitary place, free from worldly distractions
3. To develop a habit, the time and place should be the same each day
B. ENGAGE IN PRAYER, MEDITATION, AND PRAISE
1. Approach God in prayer
a. Thank Him for your blessings - cf. Colossians 4:2
b. Confess your sins - cf. 1Jn 1:9
c. Make supplication for your needs - cf. Philippians 4:6
d. Intercede on behalf of others - cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
2. Spend time in meditation and reading - contemplate on such things as:
a. The Lord Himself (His character) - Psalm 63:6
b. His wonderful Works (both creative and redemptive) - cf. Psalm 77:12
c. His revealed Word - Psalm 119:15, 23, 97-99, 148
d. Things that are wholesome and praiseworthy - cf. Philippians 4:8
3. Praise God in song - perhaps aided by recorded hymns
a. A natural response to joy in the heart - cf. James 5:13
b. Making melody in your heart - cf. Ephesians 5:19
4. Talk with God through prayer, praise; listen to Him by contemplating His Word
1. Living in world filled with sin, there is much that would:
a. Fill our lives with stress and anxiety
b. Pull us away from God and things that are good
2. Making room for private devotions in our lives, will help greatly to:
a. Walk closer with our Father in heaven
b. Receive strength of heart and peace of mind in doing His will
3. If David, a man after God's own heart, and Jesus, the Son of God Himself, found it needful to spend time alone with God, how much more do we!
-- Don Treadway, December 2008 --
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