Daily Devotion

Introduction

Today’s message begins a short series on spiritual foundations. Call them principles, rhythms, etc.

These represent the DNA of a disciple

This will become the DNA of Hope Church

Grounded in God’s Word, the 7 Rhythms of a disciple are the foundation of the Rooted experience. Each of these rhythms was practiced by the early church in Acts 2. When we commit to practicing the 7 Rhythms in community like the early church, we see growth and transformation in both our personal lives and in our communities.

A rhythm is “a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.” It is both detectible and reliable. Discipleship has 7 of these rhythms that are necessary if we are to be faithful servants of Christ.

-Rooted Network

Acts 2:41–47 “41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” “41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,”

What is “daily devotion”?

Perhaps you’ve heard these terms:

quiet time, daily walk with God, Bible study & prayer, daily communion, prayer & reflection, personal worship

All convey the same concept of daily devotion

Time you spend with God

“Scripture is the very Word of God. Through it, He equips us with all we need to learn about Him and live a life pleasing to Him. A daily rhythm of reading, meditating on and applying God’s Word to our lives is key.”

- Rooted Network, Life-Changing Discipleship has 7 Rhythms

Why should I “daily devotion”?

to understand salvation

2 Timothy 3:15 “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

to find comfort and peace

Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”

to protect against temptation and sin

Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

to grow

1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—”

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

to honor God in your life

Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

to know God’s will

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

to hear God’s voice

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

How do I “daily devotion”?

1. Bible reading

John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,”

First step in learning God’s word

Trustworthy, understandable translation: KJV, NKJV, NASB, NIV84, ESV

2. Bible studying

Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

More than mere reading, study asks the questions:

Ask questions:

What did it mean then? What does it mean now?

Approaches:

Books

Titus

Themes

Love, sanctification, judgment

Persons

Moses, Ruth

Cities

Jerusalem, Babylon

3. Bible memorization

Proverbs 7:1–3 “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Committing the Word of God to memory

4. Meditation

Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Psalm 119:148 “My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.”

In meditating, we set our minds on the things of God, allowing them to penetrate our lives

5. Application

James 1:25 “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

The most important part of Biblical interaction. This is where we move our faith from education to action

Conclusion

The reason most Christians fail and fall is that they do not “daily devotion”

Call it whatever you like, do it when it works best for you, but do it

Daily devotion isn’t just about learning information; it’s about transformation. As we spend time in God’s Word, the Holy Spirit works in us to mature our faith, helping us grow more like Christ. We can’t grow spiritually if we neglect the source of our nourishment.