The Power of Daily Devotions.
Part 4 – How to Have a Fruitful Devotional Session.
Welcome to session #4 of the “Small Groups” season at Joy Fountain. We have been discussing the subject “How to have a Fruitful Devotional Session” under the wider subject “The Power of Daily Devotions.” In previous Parts 2 and 3, we looked at items #1 to #4 namely
- Begin a Devotional Session talking to The Father with “Thanksgiving and Praise”
- Read and Meditate on the Scriptures
- Pray the Scriptures
- Bring your requests to God
In Part 4 today we will discuss #5 and #6 respectively which are as follows:
- Repent and enjoy the Father’s forgiveness
- Make it a “quiet place” and a “quiet time”
Take a moment to review the Memory Verses from previous sessions:
Mark 1:35, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 1 John2:6
And here is the new one below. See if you can memorize it.
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent
Acts 17:30 NKJV
Guided Discussions.
We continue with item #5 to #6
5. Repent and Enjoy the Father’s Forgiveness
Repentance is an action based on a decision we have made in our hearts to turn away from what God hates or displeases Him. We are commanded by God to repent no ifs and buts. When the Lord brings things to our attention that displease Him repentance right away is required.
Many Christians have a problem with forgiving themselves or thinking that God has something that He is holding against them. In the light of scripture and as difficult as it may be for any of us to think it to be so, God truly does forgive us our sins and has no recollection if we have indeed repented of them. It is satan who goes around accusing us of one thing or the other.
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
Revelation 12:10 NKJV
Despite satan’s lying harassment, hear what the Father Himself says to us His children in the following scripture verses regarding repentance and forgiveness. Please read them all and then discuss your findings.
Acts 17:30, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Hebrews 10:14-18, 1 John 1:8-10, Psalm 103:8-14
Based on the Scriptures we have just read please advance reasons why you think some or many have difficulty receiving forgiveness from God.
6. Make it a Quiet Place and Quiet Time
My early Christian mentors, God bless them, taught me and others at the time of the need for a daily “Quiet Time.” What a blessing that was. That information is still very valid today for every Christian. Some call it quiet time others devotions etc. Jesus and the apostles seemed to like quiet spots and a quiet time of the day for devotions (QUIET TIME.) Read these scripture verses with examples from Christ, Peter, Paul, and Silas:
Mark 1:34-35, Luke 6:11-12, Matthew 14:22-23, Acts 16:23-25, Acts 10:9
Why do you think Jesus and the apostles individually liked quiet times and spots for communing with God?
Part 4 Summary/Conclusion
To have a fruitful devotional time with the Father, we must be intentional to make the time daily to spend with Him. Let having conversations with Him become the norm for you. In summary from all the discussions, we should endeavor to incorporate the following items of value: thanksgiving and praise, reading and meditating on the scriptures, praying the scriptures, bring personal and other specific requests to God, repent and enjoy God’s forgiveness, and make it a quiet place and a quiet time. In Part 5 we will close these discussions on “How to Have Fruitful Devotions” with item #7 which is “The Holy Spirit.”
Prayer Time
- Any Praise Reports or Requests to share?
- Praise God for the gift of meeting with Him daily
- Pray that we Go Deeper With Jesus in 2024 and beyond.
- Pray for one another’s needs as needed.
Announcements
- Next Small Groups Wednesday, December 20, 2023
- Next Prayer Summit: January 6, 2023, beginning our 21-day fast. More details to come on this.
- If you are coming to the Missions Banquet begin thinking about what the lord will have you give in this month to Missions as we celebrate the greatest missionary ever to be born: Jesus!