How are your devotion times? However this looks for you, whether they are already meaningful, or you desire to experience more heartfelt devotions, I pray this will encourage you.

Today, I'd like to share 5 helpful ways to make your devotion time full of purpose.

5 ways to have meaningful devotion times:

#1 Choose: You must make a choice to spend time with the Lord. If you don't purpose in your heart to spend time with Him your day will fill up with other activities. Choose to dedicate part of your day to spend alone, just the two of you. 

You will also need to choose a passage of scripture or a devotional book that uses plenty of scripture. I go back and forth with both of these. Preferably, I like using devotionals that others have already taken time to prepare. This helps my times be more focused. There are many devotional books available, with many topics. Be prayerful about choosing one that will be best for your life at the time.

#2 Prepare: Before you meet with the Lord take a few minutes to prepare your heart. If your heart is distracted, in a hurry or not in the right place, you can miss what God is desiring to do.

One way to prepare is to recognize who you are meeting with. You are meeting with a King; And not only a king but the King of kings. At times you might not feel worthy to come into His presence. Remember that you come to Him wearing a robe of righteousness that Jesus purchased for you at the cross. You can come boldly to His throne of grace at all times (Hebrews 4:16). 

#3 Pray: You have a King that listens and responds to the cry of your heart. Come to Him with a desire to see His will accomplished in your life and the lives of those around you. Wow, and how amazing to think your prayers can affect, not only those around you, but the whole world.

#4 Read: God's word is alive (Hebrews 4:12)! When you open the Bible be ready to be transformed. 

Billy Graham wrote: "Reading God's word and meditating in its truth will have a purifying effect upon your mind and heart, and will be demonstrated in your life. Let nothing take the place of this daily privilege."

#5 Believe: Believing what God's word says is more than intellectual. The word must go from your mind to your heart. This will happen as you slow down and take time to meditate on God's word during the day. How important it is to think it through, seeking how it can be applied to your daily life. Application is the key.

I pray that these 5 ways are helpful to you and you are encouraged to spend daily time with your King. There is nothing better than being in His presence.

If you need something to help keep you focused and to help you apply what you learn, download this free devotion page.

Also, if you need a Bible study that will help draw you close to the Lord, make sure to click here to download my free Bible study "Loving God". This study is a great resource to help you begin having a meaningful devotion time.