At church, we develop a habit of not eating breakfast until we have finished our devotional as a sign and reminder to us that spiritual food is more important than physical food. So, we have eat our "daily bread" first before we get to have our breakfast. Also, we have adopted a pattern for our devotional which is very easy and short and makes us remember what we have heard from God for today. We call it the MPCWA pattern or the Message, Promise, Command, Warning, and Application pattern.
Message is our RHEMA word for the day,the message we feel like the very message God wants us to grasp for that day.
Promises are things God promises us for the future, may it be near or not.
Commands are of course things God wants us to do to become more mature in our spiritual life, things we need to practice and things which we need to do that day.
Warnings are like "Watch out!" sign from God.
Application is the only thing that can't be seen in the Bible. It is our personal applications of the above things. It has to be personalized so that we can easily remember it throughout the day. Applications have to be "I" or "Me" things.
Anyway, at church, we suggest that for babies, you just start with one chapter a day and starting from John and pair it with a Proverbs a day. Since Proverbs has 31 days, so we suggest you read the chapter corresponding to the present date.
To have a sample of it, here is a simple devotional for the day:
James 4
MESSAGE:
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
PROMISE:
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
COMMAND:
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double- minded.
WARNING:
Jas 4:14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Jas 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
APPLICATION:
I will not soak in the internet for today, and just work.
I will not speak of something to someone that makes me become proud of who I am today.
To come near to God, I will do my devotionals and pray everyday.
Today, I will not think of what my future is like but just submit my life to God.
Proverbs 11
MESSAGE:
Pro 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Pro 11:20 The LORD detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
PROMISE:
Pro 11:8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.
Pro 11:18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
Pro 11:19 The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death.
COMMAND:
Pro 11:16 A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
Pro 11:25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
WARNING:
Pro 11:1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.
Pro 11:21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.
APPLICATION:
I will show integrity on my wrok today and even on the G12 Seminar later.
I will not do something foolish today and will be careful that my ways are righteous.
I will not cheat on my working hours today.
I will be kind to even one person today.
I will give something to eat or drink to someone today.
Simple isn't it? But, as you grow in your walk with the Lord and have a deeper relationship with Him, you'll see that your understanding of His word will also deepen. Be patient on your spiritual walk for being Christ-like is a process. It doesn't just happen in one instance. :)
God bless you...
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