Friday, September 9, 2011

Devotion 101



It's been months since I last posted here, to exempt my 125th Devotion and the one about the wind of my life. But I'm back to blogging, finally. Harhar. Starting now, one thing is for sure, I'll be able to update this blog everyday because I'll be posting my daily devotionals. I follow the pattern of the G12 Vision's (Google it if you don't have any idea about it). I'll be talking about more of that on future entries. But for now, let me just share how a devotional is done. If there's one thing that has helped me way, way a lot, it's my devotions everyday so I urge you to try it. Why? Continue reading. :P

DEVOTION 101
WHAT: Devotion is keeping in touch with God by spending time in His holy presence.
WHY: God created the universe for 6 days and rested on the 7th day. The last one in His creations was man, so the official first day of man on earth was rest day. “Work first then rest.” is applicable only to God. (The 'rest' I mean here is spending time with the Lord first before anything else.) We’re not God so we need strength and empowerment before facing the battle in every day. This also allows us to establish a deeper relationship with our Lord resulting in an unstoppable and unbreakable commitment to do His will and live righteously.
WHEN: This is done every morning to strengthen and equip us with the power of the Scriptures. Keep in mind that knowledge of God’s word and faith in God is our best weapon and defense against the enemy. And it is only in the presence of the Lord that we are able to listen to God, so we also are being guided through devotions.
HOW: Read the Bible and choose a story or verse which strikes you the most. Then, follow this pattern: MPCWA.
53rd Devotion * June 27, 2011 * Monday
MMessage from God: where you will write your chosen story or verse with your own explanation and understanding
Bible Reading > Psalm 16
My confidence is in the Lord. All things that bring good outcomes come from Him. One of which are His people, my siblings in faith. They add nothing but riches to my life. They are the best company because with them, I feel the everlasting promise of paradise in God’s presence.
The Lord is all I have and He is not all I need but even more than just enough. I live in confidence and peace because I know God is in control of what will happen next so what else do I need? Nothing bad can happen for I am safe in God’s embrace.
PPromise(s) to Claim: extracted promise of God from  the chosen story or verse.
§ Anything that comes from the Lord leads to a happy ending.
§ I am safe in God’s loving embrace.
§ Nothing and no one can stand on my way, I know the secret passages, I have the map, I am equipped for battle.
CCommand(s) to Follow: commandments of the Lord according to the chosen story or verse
§ Stay in God’s embrace, in His territory.
§ I should surround myself with His people, because we’re on the same track, we walk the same walk, and so I’ll never be lost.
WWarning(s) to Remember: things you need to refrain from doing or be aware of
§ I am guided by God’s Spirit but if I don’t practice listening, I’ll get used to it and gradually weaken my hearing. I will be numb to God’s holy guidance. L
AApplication and Commitment:  actions you will commit to do in application to what you’ve learned so far
·    I will not let go of God’s embrace. C:
·    Each day, I will testify to at least one member of my family on how amazing my ride had been since I let God take the steering wheel.
·    I will stay on track and allow my spiritual mother to hold my hand as we walk together on journeys to the same destination. I don’t want to be lost.
·    Each cell meeting, I will ask my disciples on how they have felt God’s hand working in their life through the week to constantly have and give them an assurance that God never abandons His faithful sons and daughters.

Prayer: open up yourself to God
Father, thank You for giving me the chance to make You the Lord of my life! My life is amazing, it’s awesome, all because You’re the one who’s driving. Although I don’t have my parents to guide me in every step I take, You let Your Spirit be my guide and sent a second mother to look after the road I’m taking.
I may have been wounded with a lot of broken friendships, but I thank You, O Father, for the angels I’ve met in Your Home whom I know I can always walk with side by side.
I want to help those who are suffering in a life I have once lived before. Allow me to be their guide, Lord God. Help me to teach them to walk on the road that leads to true life. Help me do Your will, O God.
Let my life and my character reflect Your love and greatness for Your people so that all may know that there is a Father whom they can run to who paints nothing but the best pictures for His children. This is my prayer in Jesus’ most precious name, Amen!
NOTES: Notice that every part was personalized. For example, in Promises to Claim, you are supposed to write,  “God promises me…” not “God promises us…”
Suggested Bible text to read each day: 3 Chapters of the New Testament (start with Mark, Acts, then Romans), a Psalm and a Proverb
·    No devotion, no breakfast
·    Pray first and ask God for wisdom and understanding
·    Enjoy the presence of God! :D
There, enjoy your time with the Lord! C: Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re confused with something or need any help,
contact: clarennhalee@yahoo.com | +639279617623

Here is another example: 54th Devotion * June 28, 2011 * Tuesday
Message from God:
Bible Reading > Psalm 18
The Lord is my light, my weapon and shield, my everything. He has seen my shame and misery and grabbed my hand since that day I chose to surrender. That was all I had done, choose Him above myself and above everything else. From then on, He gave me the power to overcome my enemies who were too strong for me. Doubts and fears surely sprouted but He washed them all away. I wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for the Lord. I chose to obey, I chose life. I only had to decide, it is beyond belief how He had made it all so easy and swiftly. I sure still make mistakes, but because the Lord knows the desire of my heart, He is ever loving and forgiving.
Promise(s) to Claim:
§ Take God’s side and He will do the rest!
§ I am weak and fragile yet the extreme opposite when paired with the Lord Almighty.
§ God will pave the way as long as I remain still in His embrace.
Command(s) to Follow:
§ Submit and choose God. :D
§ Don’t ever doubt nor fear. If God is in control, then what can bring me down?
§ I shall earn God’s favor in my desire and obedience to His Word.
Warning(s) to Remember:
§ I will make mistakes, I am no perfect woman. Satan will use this to defeat me with guilt. But I must oppose, for it is the will of my heart that the Lord is after.
Application and Commitment:
§ I will stand firm for God without fear! When guilt arises, or any negative feeling, I will cry out to the Lord and He will forgive and save me from it. He will take over me and nothing can ever stop me.
§ I will be the persuasion and motivation as well for my future disciples and all the members of my family to choose God’s track.
§ I will remain in submission to my leader.
Prayer:
Lord God, I am deeply overwhelmed for bringing me back to that scenario on how You saved me when I was once lost. Every day, Father, I become grow more and more gratified because each new day, You do something in my life that proves how very blessed I am for having been chosen and spared by You. I love You, Lord! I will give You praises with all my heart in every way possible. I believe You will give me power and a strong will to stand firm in Your presence till the end of age. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. :D

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