Colossians 3: 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Last year I began reading my Bible!
You might ask, “What, you have been a Christian for over 50 years, and you just began reading your Bible??? It’s about time.
With digital apps so convenient, I have been reading the Bible through an online app – Bible Gateway. It is so convenient, and my phone is not as heavy as my Bible.
I began using my phone app for church and going to Bible Study. At first, I read my hard cover Bible at home, then it was too easy to just read from the phone.
I was challenged recently by seeing an interview of Ruth Graham Lotz about her new book on prayer. She explained that she was committed to spending more quality time with God prior to prayer – by following a pattern of praising God, confessing her sins, thanking Him for things and then asking for needs. It reminded me of an acronym – ACTS – for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. I have used this pattern for years.
My quiet time includes two devotional books, online devotionals, and current Bible study book. Sometimes, I don’t spend as much time in prayer.
This caused me to revive a habit of reading from my huge, heavy Bible – five Psalms and the Proverb for the day (whatever day you are reading) prior to other devotional reading. I got out my hard cover Bible and determined to do the reading there instead of my phone. It felt so good to hold God’s word in my hands again.
This pattern of reading the Psalms helps with the adoration. The Psalms are filled with praise for creation, the goodness of God and so much more. Also, the Psalms encourage personal and corporate confession of our sins.
The Proverb for the day can be both reflective of all four – adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Mostly it seems to deal with behavior and seeking wisdom contrasting the fool and the wise.
I love verses like Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of splendor it is attained by a righteous life.” Wonder why? Well, I qualify on at least one count.
But others are disturbing – Proverbs 21:9 “Better to live on the corner of a roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Ouch!!! I resemble that at times too!
So, Proverbs can also encourage confession of sin and supply a path for supplication – asking for needs.
You might want to try this method of reading and preparing for prayer.
Let this be the year you soak in God’s word and seek Him.
Below are some suggestions for devotional books and Bible apps.
- Our Daily Bread – Our Daily Bread Ministries
- My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers
- Strength & Grace Devotions – for caregivers from Guideposts
- First 5 App – Proverbs 31 Ministries
- Biblegateway.com
- Online devotional – Susie Larson (just found thanks to gals in Bible Study group.
You may have some to share – please comment below and let us know your favorite devotional writers.
