The Godly Gazette (What are Devotions?)

What are Devotions?

James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

If We are Devoted to Discipeship then we must be devoted to God. This should involve a regular prayer time, devotion and Bible reading before we begin our daily routine. However, when we get up off our knees from prayer and Bible reading, we must now put our devotions into PRACTICE and begin to SHOW our devotion to God.

It is important to listen to what God's Word says, but it is also VERY important that you obey, and do what it says. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible studies by the effect it has on our behavior and attitude.

James 1:23-24 - Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Are you putting into action the things you are studying and learning? Or are you like the man in the scripture above who immediately forgets. As you read the Bible and pray, God will show you areas of your life that you need to change. Are you making the adjustments as God is commanding?

James 1:25 - But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.

It seems hard to believe that a law can give us freedom. But, God's law gives us the opportunity to ask for forgiveness, showing us our true sinful condition. If you are not currently confessing and repenting of your sins during your devotions, then you need to add this to your daily routine.

As Christians, we are saved by God's grace. Repentence and salvation set us free from sins control. As believers, we are free to live as God created us to live, worshiping Him and in obedience to His Word.

Psalm 1:1-2 - Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night.

It can be very easy for us to be devoted to God in our morning devotional and prayer time. It is much harder for us to carry this devotion with us throughout our day. How will you act when someone lies to you, or cheats you? Will you portray a Godly response, or will you react through the sinful nature of your flesh?

We all endure many situations in our life that we need to handle God's way. If we are devoted to God, then we can be "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither" (Psalm 1:3).

Who do You Love?

Back to Table of Contents