Glean ideas in this five-part series.  
1. What is a Daily Quiet Time?
2. How to Create a Prayer Journal that Works
3. Do I Really Have to Get Up Early?: When to Have a Quiet Time
4. Does Where Really Matter?
5. Good Devotional to Guide Your Time

Some of you have experienced the devastation that a confusing or weak devotional guide can have on your desire to rise early in the morning.  It makes the time seem almost pointless and lacking excitement. 

Yet when you find a solid guide, your desire to learn is magnified.

In the final post in our Quiet Time series we’ll look at tips for choosing a devotional and some of my favorite studies.

Start small.

Don’t think it a requirement to read a doctorate thesis on the Trinity as your first study. Having a quality quiet time doesn’t mean that you have to spend three hours in the Word each morning reading hard-to-understand books.  Take into consideration your doctrinal understanding, learning style, and the amount of direction you need.

Think about your current situation.

What is God teaching you in your daily life?  Where are you struggling in your understanding of God?  Oftentimes the answers to these questions lead me to a topic of study.  For example…for a while I was struggling to understand the purpose of prayer.  So, I used a Kay Arthur study on prayer to find the answer I was searching for.  A devo will have a lot more meaning to you if the topic is personal and one you are interested in.

Is it Bible focused?

Remember the quote from A. W. Tozer?

How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by our teachers.

Be sure the study is Bible-based and helps you dig deeper into the Word.  I highly discourage a devotion that is simply a short reading of someone talking about Christian principles.  Make sure that you are reading the Bible for yourself, listening to the Holy Spirit, and covering it all in prayer.

Does it help me grow in my understanding of the Bible?

Similar to the question above, a study should be furthering your understanding of the Bible, not just filled with good thoughts and encouragement.

Choosing a Devotional

A Book of the Bible

Working through a book of the Bible may seem daunting if you haven’t studied the Bible before, but you will be amazed at what the Holy Spirit will teach you with just a few verses each day.

Psalms is a great place to begin.  To make it easier, I have created a Psalm reading plan and devotional.  The information will guide you through the chapters as you create a list of attributes of God.  If you are a subscriber to this blog, download from the ABCJesusLovesMe Resource Library a free copy of the Psalm “Blessed Be the Lord” Reading Plan.

Our Daily Bread

This devotional guide has been in homes for several generations. If this is the first time that you have done daily devotions, the Our Daily Bread devotions by RBC Ministry may be a good place to start. Daily devotions can be mailed to you in print and email form, read them online, on your Kindle, or even download an app.  Each reading includes a short passage of scripture, key verse, synopsis through a story or analogy, and an insight into the text.  If using the computer is a temptation to check Facbook or email, I highly suggest you not use an internet device during devotional time.

Our Daily Bread also has two fantastic books for preschoolers and elementary-aged children: Our Daily Bread for Preschool and Kids

Inductive Bible Studies

I personally love the inductive Bible studies.  With the scripture the key element, authors help you understand what you are reading and tie relative verses together for further understanding.

• Lord, Teach Me to…
  I have done several of these studies by Kay Arthur and have enjoyed each one.
• Seeds by Priscilla Shirer
  Unlike any of Priscilla Shirer’s other studies, this was the first study I did that required me to truly dig into the Word.  It taught me that I could do the seeking on my own.
• The New Inductive Study Series by Kay Arthur and Pete De Lacy
  These studies are tough, but rewarding.

Read Through the Bible

I can not encourage you enough to read through the whole Bible. Use the The Daily Walk Bible or Key Chapters of the Bible Old and New Testament Reading Plan (available for free in the ABCJesusLovesMe Resource Library). Truly an amazing experience!

Women’s Bible Video Series

There are a plethora of series created for women Bible study groups.  Although written for a group experience, I have done a few on my own (The Armor of God is one I highly suggest).  Many times the coordinating videos can be purchased to view online or are available to view on RightNow Media if your church has a subscription.  My favorites have been by authors Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Jennifer Rothschild.  Check with your church’s Women’s Ministry team for more suggestions.

Guiding Your Prayer Time

If you are not familiar with praying scriptures, Jodie Bendt has written three books on praying specific Bible verses for your children and teenagers.

Do You Have a Passion?

To close this series, I want to leave us with the thought pictures above.

I think we would all agree that it is important to Love God and Love Others (Matthew 22:37-39).  We can agree with God’s commandment to share the Gospel (Matthew 28:19).  But when push comes to shove, does our life represent what we say we believe?

Ponder for a moment…

Do you have a passion for God’s mission? 

If so, we must realize that this begins with a passion to become like Him.

I pray that you are understanding that even though the days are busy and challenging, it is imperative that we start out each day with a ready heart. A heart that is tuned to God, His love, and His will.  And through this daily time we will be changed to be more like Him – living in holiness, love, and truth.

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