One of the clear manifestations that the early church was the product of the Holy Spirit was a God-given devotion to His Word and prayer. Acts 2:42 says, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."
Bible reading and prayer are two spiritual staples that will help any believer grow more and more in the spirit and draw us closer to God if we commit to them regularly. But daily devotions hold some practical benefits that affect more readily evident changes as well. They do not change our spirits in a way that we can't even tell the difference, but the changes are so profound that the spiritual disciplines we learn touch our bodies, minds and hearts.
Here are just four of the many practical benefits that daily devotions can bring to anyone who wholeheartedly commits to them.
God's Word teaches you principles that make you successful
Joshua 1:8 gives us this wonderful promise: "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." God's Word is not an obsolete book of stories and historical facts but a collection of timeless truths and principles that can still apply to us today.
The Bible is a great resource for financial, managerial, work-related, relational, parenting and marriage principles that can help us in so many practical ways. When we walk in the ways God directs us, we will experience both spiritual and worldly success.
We experience restoration of strength in our quiet time
Have you ever felt discouraged, disheartened or broken in spirit? I'm sure you have and when we feel this way, it affects not just our spiritual walk but even our daily living - our careers, our relationships, and even our daily routines. Spending time with God is the best antidote to all of these. Zechariah 9:12 says, "Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double."
We build self-discipline through spiritual discipline
Spiritual discipline also builds self-discipline. It admittedly takes a strong will and an ability to delay gratification to sometimes commit to daily Bible reading and prayer but we all know that these are actually good for us. Devotions build discipline which will then trickle down to every area of our life making us more productive.
Devotions build up our energy and will
Psalm 51:12 says, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." We need to be reconnected to the joy of knowing the salvation we now have through Christ because the hope that comes with the gospel fires us up and gives us the energy to give our one hundred and fifty percent in all that we do. When we have God's Word and presence as fuel, we will never run on empty.
