Simple Devotion

 Acts 2:42 "And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."

In light of the last blog, God has been putting it on my heart to really start to devote myself to scripture and prayer on a daily basis. (Fellowship and eating with people are my default which i love to do so it doesn't require as much discipline.) I personally have felt led to shoot for 2 hours of prayer and 2 hours of the Word a day. I don't make it the full time everyday, but that is what i am going for. When I don't make it, I repent and go for it the next day without getting hung up in legalism, guilt, or condemnation.

From time to time you might here these amazing stories of God moving in crazy ways through people around the world, but let me tell you these are just a highlight reel. If you look at people who God is doing amazing things through, behind the amazing things is simple devotion.

To be honest, as I have been in prayer, I don't feel much or get much and often feel unproductive. And when i read the Word I don't remember too much of what I have read and don't get tons of revelation. But what I have been finding is that, in the past 2 months of doing this, I have never grown more in my life!! It is not about feelings or us getting something out of it. It just isn't about us! It is just that he is worthy to be sought after. And yet simply being in the Word and in prayer changes you. It is incredible! I am finding I have more faith, more boldness, more passion, more knowledge, and more authority when I speak, than ever before! But it has all come from committing to getting in the Word and prayer everyday. This is not for the spiritually elite, there is no such thing. This is for everyone who is in Christ.

There is no certain amount of time, no formula. It is simply that the more you are in the Word and prayer, the more you are changed into the likeness of Jesus. Right now, I urge you ask God how much time he would have you commit a day for this and if there is "no time in your day" then what would he have you delete from you schedule? This is easier said than done. But Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, and quite simply, he is worthy to be sought after with all of our heart, mind soul, and strength. His love is what drives us, seeing his work on the cross, the price he paid to be with us. And when we encounter his love in the word and prayer, it makes it worth it all. So let's submit to Christ and surrender our lives and schedules to him and go after him like never before!

Two songs of surrender:
Finally, I Surrender - Misty Edwards
I Surrender - Kim Walker