Topical Sermons - Private Devotions

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                          "PRIVATE DEVOTIONS"


INTRODUCTION

1. Great men of God were noted for engaging in private devotions...
   a. Isaac meditated in the field at evening - Gen 24:63
   b. David prayed three times daily, meditated on his bed at night
      - Ps 55:17; 63:6
   c. Daniel's custom was to pray three times daily - Dan 6:10

2. Private devotions is encouraged by the Son of God...
   a. Jesus sought solitary places at early morn and late night - Mk
      1:35; Lk 6:12
   b. He counseled His disciples to pray in secret - Mt 6:6

[You may faithfully attend public worship with God's people, but do you
also take the time to engage in daily, private devotions...?]

I. WHY HAVE PRIVATE DEVOTIONS

   A. TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD...
      1. God is found by those who seek Him
         a. As David advised his son Solomon - 1Ch 28:9
         b. As Azariah told the king Asa - 2Ch 15:2
      2. God draws near to those who draw near to Him - Jm 4:8
      -- Do you want a closer walk with God?

   B. TO RECEIVE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT...
      1. We need spiritual nourishment in our lives - Mt 4:4
         a. Man cannot thrive on physical food alone
         b. We need spiritual food that nourishes the soul
      2. Spiritual growth comes from the Word of God - 1Pe 1:23; 2:2
         a. We are born again through the incorruptible seed
         b. We continue to grow by the Word of God
      3. God's Word provides spiritual strength - Ep 6:10-17; cf. Psa
         119:7-11
         a. We need God's help to fight our spiritual battles
         b. The Word of God provides such help!
      -- Do you want a stronger, spiritual life?

   C. TO FIND PEACE AND STABILITY...
      1. We live in a world filled with anxiety; prayer provides the
         antidote - Php 4:6-7
      2. We live in a world filled with pitfalls; God's Word keeps us
         from falling - Ps 119:105,165
      -- Do you want inner peace and outer stability?

[More than ever, we need to take the time to draw near to God, to
receive spiritual nourishment, to find peace and stability.  The habit
of daily, private devotions can go a long way...]

II. HOW TO HAVE PERSONAL DEVOTIONS

   A. FIND A TIME AND PLACE...
      1. The time may vary for different individuals
         a. For "night owls", the best time may be late at night, after
            the children are in bed
         b. For "morning larks", early morning before the children wake
            up might be better
         c. The key is to find a quiet time, free from worldly
            distractions
      2. The place may also vary for different people
         a. Some may prefer a place outside, following the example of
            Jesus - cf. Mk 1:35
         b. Some may prefer a place inside, following the teaching of
            Jesus - cf. Mt 6:6
         c. The key is to find a solitary place, free from worldly
            distractions
      -- To develop a habit, the time and place should be the same each
         day

   B. ENGAGE IN PRAYER, MEDITATION, AND PRAISE...
      1. Approach God in prayer
         a. Thank Him for your blessings - cf. Col 4:2
         b. Confess your sins - cf. 1Jn 1:9
         c. Make supplication for your needs - cf. Php 4:6
         d. Intercede on behalf of others - cf. 1Ti 2:1-2
      2. Spend time in meditation - contemplate on such things as:
         a. The Lord Himself (His character) - Ps 63:6
         b. His wonderful Works (both creative and redemptive) - cf. Psa
            77:12
         c. His revealed Word - Ps 119:15,23,48,97-99,148
         d. Things that are wholesome and praiseworthy - cf. Php 4:8
      3. Praise God in song - perhaps aided by recorded hymns
         a. A natural response to joy in the heart - cf. Jm 5:13
         b. Making melody in your heart - cf. Ep 5:19
      -- Talk with God through prayer, praise; listen to Him by
         contemplating His Word

CONCLUSION

1. Living in world filled with sin, there is much that would...
   a. Fill our lives with stress and anxiety
   b. Pull us away from God and things that are good

2. Making room for private devotions in our lives, will help greatly
   to...
   a. Walk closer with our Father in heaven
   b. Receive strength of heart and peace of mind in doing His will

If David, a man after God's own heart, and Jesus, the Son of God
Himself, found it needful to spend time alone with God, how much more do
we...!

   "I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I
   hope in Your word. My eyes are awake through the night watches,
   That I may meditate on Your word."
                                                - Ps 119:147-148
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