Daily Devotional Reading
Many Christian women recognize that daily devotional reading from the Bible is important. Few would dispute the fact that spending time getting to know God and His Word on a daily basis is foundational for a strong spiritual life. Most have every intention of making time for such matters. However, including another activity into an already stressful schedule may seem impossible. Many attempt to set aside time, only to have it consumed by other urgent matters. How many have begun a chapter-a-day checklist for reading through the Bible, only to fall away after a few weeks? Guilt can creep in, transforming time with God that should be considered a joyful privilege into just another chore.
In the book of Genesis, it is noted almost casually that God was walking in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day. Although it is not stated explicitly, those words imply that this was a normal occurrence. Perhaps Adam and Eve were in the habit of meeting with God on a daily basis and enjoying His company. That day, Adam and Eve were hiding in the garden, overcome with shame and fear. They had sinned. Now they hesitated to meet with the One who had told them that taking fruit from a certain tree in the Garden would lead to death. They did not realize that He knew exactly where they were, physically and spiritually, and wanted to meet with them anyway, so that confession of sin and reconciliation could begin.
Each individual starts a relationship with God at this same place of recognizing sin and turning to God for forgiveness. Assuming that a Christian is conscious of having sins atoned for by the cross of Christ, what could hinder this precious time with her Heavenly Father? A common complaint is that there simply is no time. Many women are employed outside the home, and daily rush to complete the multitude of things which need to be done in order to also keep their family life running smoothly. Cooking, cleaning, food shopping, laundry, driving children to various sports or club activities -- not to mention spending time with a spouse -- all these are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things she may need and want to do. A daily devotional for women may seem like an impossible goal.
Even women who do not work outside the home are often overwhelmed with many responsibilities and expectations. One woman remarked incredulously that a 'working' friend of hers seemed to assume that her life was a life of relaxation interspersed with bouts of making crafts! The reality is that each woman's situation is busy and she must set priorities and goals so that necessary chores are accomplished . Remember, the worth of what is accomplished is not measured by whether one meets others' expectations, but by whether it is pleasing in the sight of God. Schedules can easily be filled with a multitude of activities that clamor for attention and leave little time for daily devotional reading. Choose to do the things that are most important. Check to make sure that the activities chosen are of lasting value. A daily devotional for women can help a person to keep an eternal perspective.
Chores are not the most important things to be accomplished, by any means. The influence of a godly woman upon her family can be immeasurable. However, in order to be that godly woman, she needs to spend time with God's Word, so that the character traits and values which are of great importance to Him will become evident in her life as well. Even fifteen minutes a day can add up to significant gains in the knowledge of God's Word and its application to one's life. When spiritual matters are put into proper perspective, other matters seem to fall into place. Problems and difficulties will still arise, but spending time in daily devotional reading will give strength to deal with these matters in the proper way. Far from being just another one of many activities, a daily devotional for women can provide the strength and inspiration for completing other activities and living a relationship with others that is pleasing in the sight of God and brings Him much glory.
Aside from all of the above are the marvelous treasures one can learn from the Word of God. People in Bible days experienced all of the same trials and emotions which are common to man. Read Biblical accounts with a you-are-there approach, noting what the results of particular actions were, and imagining how one might respond in similar circumstances. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4) This verse teaches us that a person may obtain learning, comfort, and hope from his or her study of the Bible. The things a woman learns in her daily devotional reading may be of great help and comfort to others as well.
There are a multitude of materials available online for daily devotional reading. These usually provide a short Scripture passage, followed by some remarks upon the meaning of the passage or its application to life. More extensive Bible studies are also online. Be careful to note the doctrine being taught, for there are some commentators who seek to shape Bible passages unto their own purposes, rather than conform their lives to Biblical teachings. Books comprised of a daily devotional for women are also easily located at Christian bookstores or online. Sometimes these books are even focused upon certain segments of women readers, like young mothers, older women or women who work outside the home. These books can be helpful, especially when someone is beginnning to establish the habit of daily Bible reading. However, a person may also simply read the Bible and meet with the One who desires to walk with His people.
In the book of Genesis, it is noted almost casually that God was walking in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day. Although it is not stated explicitly, those words imply that this was a normal occurrence. Perhaps Adam and Eve were in the habit of meeting with God on a daily basis and enjoying His company. That day, Adam and Eve were hiding in the garden, overcome with shame and fear. They had sinned. Now they hesitated to meet with the One who had told them that taking fruit from a certain tree in the Garden would lead to death. They did not realize that He knew exactly where they were, physically and spiritually, and wanted to meet with them anyway, so that confession of sin and reconciliation could begin.
Each individual starts a relationship with God at this same place of recognizing sin and turning to God for forgiveness. Assuming that a Christian is conscious of having sins atoned for by the cross of Christ, what could hinder this precious time with her Heavenly Father? A common complaint is that there simply is no time. Many women are employed outside the home, and daily rush to complete the multitude of things which need to be done in order to also keep their family life running smoothly. Cooking, cleaning, food shopping, laundry, driving children to various sports or club activities -- not to mention spending time with a spouse -- all these are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things she may need and want to do. A daily devotional for women may seem like an impossible goal.
Even women who do not work outside the home are often overwhelmed with many responsibilities and expectations. One woman remarked incredulously that a 'working' friend of hers seemed to assume that her life was a life of relaxation interspersed with bouts of making crafts! The reality is that each woman's situation is busy and she must set priorities and goals so that necessary chores are accomplished . Remember, the worth of what is accomplished is not measured by whether one meets others' expectations, but by whether it is pleasing in the sight of God. Schedules can easily be filled with a multitude of activities that clamor for attention and leave little time for daily devotional reading. Choose to do the things that are most important. Check to make sure that the activities chosen are of lasting value. A daily devotional for women can help a person to keep an eternal perspective.
Chores are not the most important things to be accomplished, by any means. The influence of a godly woman upon her family can be immeasurable. However, in order to be that godly woman, she needs to spend time with God's Word, so that the character traits and values which are of great importance to Him will become evident in her life as well. Even fifteen minutes a day can add up to significant gains in the knowledge of God's Word and its application to one's life. When spiritual matters are put into proper perspective, other matters seem to fall into place. Problems and difficulties will still arise, but spending time in daily devotional reading will give strength to deal with these matters in the proper way. Far from being just another one of many activities, a daily devotional for women can provide the strength and inspiration for completing other activities and living a relationship with others that is pleasing in the sight of God and brings Him much glory.
Aside from all of the above are the marvelous treasures one can learn from the Word of God. People in Bible days experienced all of the same trials and emotions which are common to man. Read Biblical accounts with a you-are-there approach, noting what the results of particular actions were, and imagining how one might respond in similar circumstances. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4) This verse teaches us that a person may obtain learning, comfort, and hope from his or her study of the Bible. The things a woman learns in her daily devotional reading may be of great help and comfort to others as well.
There are a multitude of materials available online for daily devotional reading. These usually provide a short Scripture passage, followed by some remarks upon the meaning of the passage or its application to life. More extensive Bible studies are also online. Be careful to note the doctrine being taught, for there are some commentators who seek to shape Bible passages unto their own purposes, rather than conform their lives to Biblical teachings. Books comprised of a daily devotional for women are also easily located at Christian bookstores or online. Sometimes these books are even focused upon certain segments of women readers, like young mothers, older women or women who work outside the home. These books can be helpful, especially when someone is beginnning to establish the habit of daily Bible reading. However, a person may also simply read the Bible and meet with the One who desires to walk with His people.
Daily Devotional Reading
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