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private devotions

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Jim1999, Sep 19, 2002.

  1. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Do you set aside a specific hour or time of day to have private devotions? Do you follow a systematic reading? Do you make notes? How much does your private time enter into your sermons or teaching?

    I rise at 5:30 AM. It is a quiet time in the house. I use Scripture Union notes to keep my mind fixed on devotion and not study.
    In the early days, I dressed for work,,shirt, tie, suit......before I entered my study. As I got older...well, I got smarter, I guess, but still dress decently..no tie.

    Cheers in Him,

    Jim
     
  2. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    A little disappointing that pastors are not making use of this forum to share.
    It seemed like a good idea at the time.

    Cheers in Him,

    Jim
     
  3. Circuitrider

    Circuitrider <img src=/circuitrider2.JPG>
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    Jim,

    Hope you haven't given up on this post. I like to take time first thing in the morning to spend time with the Lord. My office is at home and so usually before I even have breakfast I take time in personal devotions. Dr. Cedarholm taught us preacher boys, "NO BIBLE, NO BREAKFAST." :eek: I have a reading program which allows me to cover the entire bible over a specific period of time. I have a weekly prayer sheet which divides my requests into 6 days. Though it has been a stuggle, with God's help I have been able to maintain this daily time over quite a few years.

    Early in my ministry I had a tendency to get busy first thing in the morning and miss this time. [​IMG] I have seen the folly of that choice and now make this a daily priority. I try to use time in the car to pray for area pastors and other ministry needs (obviously I keep my eyes open for that prayer). ;)

    Praise God for sweet fellowship with him.
     
  4. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    I love the late night and have made it a habit to have Bible reading for devotional (non-sermon related) purpose when going to bed.

    Each year or two, I try to read through the Word in a different English translation. Favorite is the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) which is written by a Messianic Jew and using liberally jewish terms that make many Old AND New Testament passages come alive.

    Last year I did the AV1611, but got bogged down in the Macabbees. Changed to a Douay/Confraternity (Roman Catholic) version which was easier on the old eyes than the type face of a 1611 facsimile. :cool:

    AND AS A BONUS, I got 25 years off of Purgatory for reading it! Said so in the cover!! :eek:

    Sometimes find myself reading for an hour or more (when I should have gone to sleep). But it is quiet and nothing else happening, so still my preferred time.
     
  5. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    A quiet time is so important. To me, it is just that, a quiet time...Sometimes, after reading my devotional booklet and the adjoining scripture,,,I sit in the quiet and say nothing....just let that nothingness speak quietly to me. Mystical? I suppose it is.

    Sometimes we get so busy talking to God, that we have little time to listen. I learned this from a godly man, one A.W. Tozer. He told me he used to sit and stare out a window as if looking for the Lord to appear.

    I am always interested in hearing how different people approach God. This is not to evaluate how "spiritual" they are, but to learn how I may become so.

    Cheers in Him,

    Jim

    PS.. I am so pleased to read Dr. that you have 25 years off your purgatorial sentence. I should imagine you are greatly relieved. (smile)
     
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