Devotions? What does that mean?

The What, How, When and Why of Devotions

*Note* This is my own opinion and doesn't have to reflect the way you live your life

So in my last post which you can read here I talked about the many changes that have been happening in our lives one being stepping up our relationship with God and doing daily devotions. So now I want to cover what are daily devotions, how do we do them, when do we do them, why do we do them.

So first...

What are Devotions?

Devotions are time spent reading Gods word and praying. Just being in Gods presence. Just listening and spending time with your savior.

How do you do devotions?

So when I was a kid going to church camp I was always taught to do devotions everyday. So in my mind that meant I had to have a really great devotion book, you know like a Daily Bread or something. So I would get one, I would read it  and of course I would read the couple verses that go along with it but I always felt that something was lacking and then I would quit because, well it was lacking. So recently I decided that I don't need devotion books, because I already have the Ultimate Devotion book that was written by God.  So How do I do devotions?  I read The Bible and spend time in prayer. and So far I am doing better than I have ever done before at keeping up with spending time with God.

When is the best time to do devotions?

Well I do devotions at night before going to bed and my husband and I read for a few minutes just before he leaves for work in the morning and we read right after dinner in the evenings while everyone is still sitting around the table.  We chose these times because they work for our family.  We tried doing Family devotions right before bed but that posed a problem on days that everything went crazy and we were just getting home at the kids's bedtime. We would just skip the devotions because everyone was crazy and tired.  I tried doing my devotions at nap time or first thing in the morning (like everyone tells you to do)  but the kids would get up early or I had to train them to keep them in bed at nap and so I was missing out on my time with Jesus. So  I took my husbands advice and started reading before I go to bed. No matter what time it is I try and read for at least a few minutes before drifting off to sleep.  My husbands dad told him once. "what better way to fall asleep than in the presence of God"

So as a summary do devotions when it works for you just make sure you are fitting it in. :)

Why do devotions?

Do devotions because it helps you to be closer to God.  It teaches you to live how he would want you to live.  And it helps you to be a better you.  

Big Changes!

Recently we have made ALOT of changes in our lives.

 First my husband had a job change!! Yay! what a blessing that was!  He is still with the same company just a better position.  Then we moved to be closer to his new location and it has been fabulous!! We are renting a house, and for the first time in our married life we actually have a house! With space! It is amazing and I don't have enough furniture to fill it. LOL

But more than those changes we realized that our relationship with God was greatly lacking so we decided to step it up a little or a lot really. We made a contract that we both signed together stating that we would

 1. Do devotions with our kids every evening at supper time. We just started in Genesis and started reading to them then we discuss what we read and pray

2.Do our own devotions privately before going to bed each night.

3.Do a couples devotion in the morning before David leaves for work and before the kids are out of bed.

It has been fabulous!! we haven't been perfect we have missed a few couples devotions but we are working towards doing better. Our kids have really enjoyed it! and I am amazed and what God brings to the surface when you are spending time with him everyday.  For example, I am learning that I am a little bit of a control freak! Yikes! God is teaching me to relax and let him take care of our problems.  Maybe later I will tell you more about what he is doing but for now I just want to encourage you to make sure your heart is aligned with Gods so that he can help you be a better happier you!