This Wednesday I'm sharing with you about one of the best parts of my daily routine: my quiet time, and what I usually do during it. This post is spiritual but I hope it helps those of you seeking a new devotional book or just direction in how to spend more intentional time reading your bible.
Spending time reading my bible every day is something that I have consistently made time for since college. Sometimes I get to spend over 30 minutes reading/praying/journaling and other days I get less than 5 minutes. Growing up in a Christian household, I knew that reading my bible was a good habit and something I "should" do, but it was in college where I began to desire to read God's word and to spend time with Jesus on a daily basis.
Why am I telling you all this?...
Jesus transformed my heart in college. He allowed my experiences to see my need for him. I couldn't do things on my own any longer. I grew up knowing the gospel; Jesus Christ came and lived a perfect sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again three days later allowing me to have the gift of eternal life by taking my sin. Even though I grew up knowing this, I only trusted him with various parts of my life. It wasn't until college that I fully surrendered to him every area and allowed myself to be in a daily relationship with him. Because I have been given this free gift from God, my life looks differently on a daily basis than it used to; and part of that is in my daily time spent with God.
I thought I would share with you what that time usually looks like for me... as reading the bible can seem REALLY overwhelming, and what devotionals I use as well.
My Routine:
First I always start in prayer. Asking the Lord to open my heart to what he has to say to me and to show me truth. I daily want to be surrounded by truth in this world that is always sending mixed messages about what is right and wrong.
Second, I pick up from where I have been reading the previous day. I usually read a chapter or more and have recently been working my way through the Old Testament. After reading a passage, I ask myself 3 questions:
- What does this say about God? (character qualities, attributes)
- What does this say about me? (character, responses, actions, commands)
- How does this affect the way I should live? (Now that I know this, what should I do about it or should I be living differently than I am?)
Answering these 3 questions always helps me process and break down the text that I am reading.
(If you don't currently read the bible but you want to start reading, I would start in the gospels, like John or Matthew or in Proverbs. I wouldn't read more than a chapter at a time, but answering these three questions after is a great way to help you understand what you are reading.)
Third, after reading the text, I write out my prayers in a journal. This is the best way for me to stay focused and to process what I have just read and to talk to Jesus. It's also a neat way to look back and see how God has worked over a period of time.
DEVOS:
Simple Pursuit: A Heart After Jesus by Passion
I actually got to be apart of helping write a few devotionals in this book last year and I'm so blessed to have gotten to be apart of it! The Simple Pursuit is written for college students and young adults by 18-25 year olds. It's a 365 day devotional book so there is something to read for each day to encourage you in your relationship with God. This book was created to speak truth into the lives of young adults and to help them create a daily focus on Jesus.
New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
This devotional book is really focused on growing your relationship with Jesus and is another 365 day book. If your not sure where to read in the bible, this book is a great way to start getting scripture and God's word into your day and in your mind! The book not only shares great truths but really gets you thinking throughout the day about BIG things that matter and keeps your eyes off the little things.
Jesus Calling is a book that is really amazing in the way its written. It focuses on one scripture a day and then the author writes to you from Jesus's point of view. Every page is "Jesus's" voice of truth to your life and to your heart of what He wants you to believe about his scripture.
All three of these devotional books are great starts if you are wanting to start listening to God's word in your life on a daily basis.
Hope this post was helpful! Please message me or email me with any questions!
xo, ash