Partakers Bible Thought 17 February 2022 - Devotional Life

A Devotional Life

What do we mean by a devotional life? A good place to start is the question: what do we mean by a “Devotional life”? For the Christian, it can be defined as the obedient submission in all facets of life to God. That is the historical meaning. That means the use of our time, money, energy along with prayer, worship, Bible Study, and other religious activities that are done in private rather than with other people.

As Christians, we are called to be God’s light into the world. A world, a community, where we Christians work, rest and play with other humans. In doing this, we need to have a devotional life where we spend time each day in simple prayer and Bible study. A time where God encourages and energizes us. This devotional life of Bible Study and prayer which goes on to affect every aspect of our life, as God the Holy Spirit who lives within us, helps, encourages and transforms us. Bible Study and prayer which are used by God to develop our lives, both as individuals and as a Church, into showing God to a society which is apart from God.

To be a Christian is to be in a relationship with God. It is a developing and maturing intimacy between God and the Christian. Could the same be said of you and me? We develop our intimacy with God through simple prayer – both speaking and in listening. The major way we can hear God speak, is through the Bible. That is why prayer and reading the Bible go hand in hand. How is your prayer life and your reading of the Bible?

A devotional life shows the Christian to be in a dynamic and living relationship with God and has a developing intimacy with God. Intimacy with God which is going on with the Christian life, developing that relationship and refining that unique bond between God and yourself. It is a reminder to me constantly that I am loved by God, regardless of how I am feeling and how other people treat me. Could the same be said of you? How is your devotional life with God going? Let's have a look at prayer and the Bible.

Part 1. Prayer

12 One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.”
14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”
17 The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
18 Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”
19 The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh,[a] before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. 20 But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” 21 The Lord continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock. 22 As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.” Exodus 33:12-23

Part 2 – The Bible.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.
17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:10-18)

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