I must have been eleven when my father left on his desk a booklet called, Five Minutes With Jesus. Before walking to school with my brothers, I’d read the allocated page for the day, then prayed as was suggested.
Can’t confirm, nor deny my godliness throughout the day as a result. But, that kiddy devotional book created a consistency in me to daily allocate time-with-Jesus.
Five minutes was only the starting point that increased with time. There’s a saying in Romanian “Appetite comes with the eating.” The more I snacked on God’s Word, the more I craved a five-course meal.
My Quiet Time switched from nibbling on somebody’s thoughts in a devotional, to a serious appetite for dissecting for hours boring pages into chronological orders; butchered names into logical lists; repetitive words into overlooked principles; and mindless location-names into adventure maps of the Saints.
Devotional Books are great at creating a habit. Being consistent is crucial, just as it is when you workout physically; it will bring more substantial results than an occasional, yet intense workout.
How consistent are you in the Word of God?
Devotional Books are not wrong, as long as we are discerning with its content not contradicting the Scriptures. They can be a great tool in creating a healthy ‘habit of grace’ (as David Mathis calls it).
Devotional Books are a great start. Let’s not stop there.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 NIV