Why devotionals? Daily quiet time with God, or devoting oneself to the Almighty, works because God's Word tell us over and over again that we are to take in God's Word, to pray to God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord, and to worship Him regularly. Jesus regularly got away from all distractions and sought God through prayer and worship (Mark 1:35). A simple devotional process practiced by followers of Christ for centuries is as follows:

 

 Reading the Bible... Meditation on God's Words...Prayer....Asking: What Is God Telling Me?

 

 Psalm 1:2-3 puts it this way: "...but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditate on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers."  In other words, God's Word makes us strong for the seasons of life. 

 

Psalm 19:7 says this: "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." In other words, God's Word revives our souls and makes us wise for daily living. 

 

 A simple means of asking yourself during this time, "What is God telling me?" is the following easily memorized acronym: PIECES. Its easy to learn the Bible with bits and PIECES: 

 

 P - Promise                                 "What promise of God do I need to claim?"

 I  - Instruction                           "What instruction do I need follow?"

 E - Example                                "What example of Scripture should I seek to live like or avoid living like?"

 C - Command                             "What command of God must I obey today or soon?"

 E - Encouragement                   "What encouragement from the Scriptures has God given me today?"                         

 S - Sin                                          "What sin in my life do I need to ask forgiveness for and ask God to help me to stop doing?"

 

It is also helpful to buy a journal and record your reflections from your daily devotional time with God in His Word. No learning takes place without reflection. As the year progresses, look back at the faith journey God has you walking with Him on. In these moments of reflection, pray for the Lord's will to be impressed upon your mind and heart. Often, the Lord will speak to you through the pages of your journal as you reflect on what you have gotten over the year from your time with God daily in His Word and prayer.