Devotions should be about ten minutes long, no longer than fifteen.  Devotions are meant to be a jump-start to your day and a booster shot to your spiritual life.  Admit it, your morning is busy, and the thought of losing half an hour to devotions keeps most of us from even trying.  Getting your day started off right is vitally important.  I've heard it said that you have so much to do that you can't afford not to take ten minutes out of your schedule to get your heart right. First, you should start with a short prayer.  This is not the time to bring all your heart's burdens before God, or to petition all the requests that have been shared with you by others.  This is when you simply ask God to open your heart and mind to His Word, to encourage you and give you an insight to carry with you through the day.  Next, you should have a scripture passage to read, having a devotional thought would also be good.  At the end of the devotional take a moment to think over anything that stood out to you.  Highlight a verse that catches your attention or touched you in a special way.  If you prefer not to highlight in your Bible or book, keep a notebook.  In this notebook write down the date, the verse reference and any thoughts or insights.  Also, you should record these items in the book as they apply: 1.  Things I can learn about God 2.  Exhortations (positive or negative) that apply to me 3.  Note all people mentioned and how they can apply to my life 4.  Special blessings and encouragement to me 5.  Any questions I would like answered or discussed or Adoration:  What do these verses tell me about God? Confession:  (1 John 1:9) What shortcomings do I see in my relationship to God and others? Thanksgiving:  (1 Thes. 5:18) What has God done for me, my family, my friends or my church? Supplication:  What should I ask God to do for someone else, for me, for my church? What goal do I see for myself today from this passage? Any questions you have from the passage can be used for Bible study.  If you have a partner for Bible study, these are good discussion questions. Resist the urge to turn this into a Bible study.  Come back to it later in the day if you want to look into it further.  it is good to carry questions and insights with you throughout the day, and to take time to thank about it in more detail. After your moment of introspect, then end your devotions in prayer.  At this point you should thank the Lord for what He has given you in this reading, ask Him to help you carry it with you throughout the day and to become part of your life.  Ask for strength and wisdom throughout the day, that you would guard your testimony and His reputation with your actions.  Keep this short and simple too.  You should take a moment to refresh this in your mind later in the day.  If you work, take a few moments out of your lunch or other break.  If you are at home with children, take a few moments during their naptime.  then at the end of the day you should take a moment to refresh and go over your notebook looking for the five items listed above. You may ask, "Why do you insist that devotions be short?  Shouldn't I spend more time in prayer?  Don't I need to spend more time in God's word?"  Devotions should be short if you ever hope to get them started as part of your daily life.  If your devotions are an hour long, you'll never get around to doing them.  You'll feel you just don't have time to get them in.  Anyone can take 10 minutes out of their morning, or wake up 10 minutes earlier to fit them in.  Ten minutes isn't very long.  Eventually you can make them a little longer if you want, after they have become inbedded into your schedule.  And yes, you do need to spend more time in prayer and in reading the Bible.  Actually, you should be praying throughout your entire day.  The important thing is to get started and keep it up.  Once it is established, then you can start expanding.  One step at a time. Bathe your day in prayer and the Word, and watch your Spirit soar, as well as finding the strength and grace to handle the trials that come your way.   There are many devotional Bibles out on the market today.  I have seen a Bible out that is along the theme of God's Little Instruction Book.  There are devotional Bibles for men, women, seniors, couples, college kids, teens and children.  Most of them are in more modern versions.  The Women's Devotional Bible 2 is available in several versions, including King James.  There are also many devotional out on the market.  Some are very good, but personally I think a devotional should have a short passage of scripture to be read.  If you prefer a devotional over a devotional Bible, then two excellent ones I would recommend are God's Abundance -- 365 Days to a Simpler Life, edited by Kathy Collard Miller and Every Day Light -- Daily Inspirations from Selwyn Hughes and Thomas Kinkade.  For those starting out in devotions I would recommend you start with one of the devotional Bibles from Zondervan.  Each of these Bible's have a year's worth of devotions.  Next you should move to Every Day Light.  Each devotional has a thought, a passage to read, an insight, passages for further study, study questions and a prayer.  From there you need to decide if you want another devotional Bible or just a devotional. Above all, be consistent!  If you miss a day, jump right back in,don't wait to get started again next week, because it won't happen.  You may be sporatic at first, but eventually you'll find your pace.  It is worth the effort.  The rewards will be immeasurable!
							Back to A Woman's Guide Series