I. Developing a habit of daily devotions (prayer, study of God’s word, and biblical self-evaluation) will help you to:

A.     Follow the example of many people in Scripture who had a heart for God (Psalm 5:3, 63?:6, 119:62, 147-148; Daniel 6:10; Acts 10:1-2, 17:11);

B.     Be equipped for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18) and to remain alert to your adversary, the devil (I Peter 5:8)

C.     Be obedient to the scriptural command of habitual and continual prayer (Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 4:2; I Thessalonians 5:17);

D.     Be sustained and nourished continually by the word of God (Psalm 119; II Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:3-4);

E.      Be directed in the all of life by the word of God (Psalm 19:7-11; Psalm 119; II Timothy 2:15 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12 II Peter 1:3-4);

F.      Focus your life on the worship and praise of God (Psalm 16:11, 34:1, 48:1, 63:1-4, 92:1-2, 95:6, 119:164; John 4:23-24; Hebrews 13:15);

G.     Examine yourself daily in the light of God’s word (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12) confess your sins (I John 1:9), and practice self-discipline (Galatians 5:23-24; I Timothy 4:7-8; II Peter 1:6), thus avoiding the necessity of the discipline of the lord (I Corinthians 11:31-32; Hebrews 12:5-11); and

H.     Keep yourself in a biblical position to help others (Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:1-5).

II. Your daily devotions will enhance your own spiritual development as you:

A.    List your prayer requests and God’s answers to those requests. This will help you to:

1. Become persistent in prayer (Daniel 10:12-13; Luke 18:1-8),

2. Learn patience in waiting for God’s answers (Psalm 40:1; Galatians 6:9b),

3. Avoid anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7), and

4. Be thankful to God for his greatness (Psalm 92:1-5, 105; 1-2, 106:1; Hebrews 13:15; James 1:17).

B.     Develop a pattern of prayer that focuses on:

1. Worshipping God (Psalm 95:6; John 4:23-24),

2. Confessing your own sins (Psalm 139:23-24; Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9).

3. Thanking god for what he has accomplished (Psalm 119:164; Ephesians 5:20; I Thessalonians 5:18), and

4. Interceding on behalf of the others (I Samuel 12:23; Luke 10:2; Ephesians 6:18; I Timothy 2:1-2)

C.     Meditate on specific passages or principles of God’s word (Psalm 1:2-3, 119:48) as well as on God’s majesty and his wonderful works (Psalm 145:5).

D.    Develop a plan of scriptural study that includes application of biblical principles to everyday life (Matthew 7:24-27; II Timothy 2:15; James 1:22-25) see BIBLE STUDY AND APPLICATION FORMAT, supplement 3)

E.     Examine your life according to scripture on a continual basis (Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31; II Timothy 3:16-17) and make appropriate, biblical changes (Romans 6:1-14; 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-17).

SCRIPTURE MEMORY

I. Memorizing scripture is beneficial because it:

1. Help to renew your mind and change your thought life, establishing permanent change in your entire manner of life and conduct (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2-3);
2. Follows the example of the lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:1-10)
3. Equips you to use scripture in everyday situations (for example: Acts 2:16-21, 25-28; 3:22-23; 13:40-41, 47)
4. Allows God’s word to be the foundation of your life (Deuteronomy 6:6-8);
5. Provides guidance (Psalm 119:24, 105)
6. Develops confidence in witnessing (Isaiah 55:11);
7. Establishes a foundation to conquer temptation (for example: Matthew 4:1-10) and to gain victory over sin (Psalm 119:9-11)
8. Becomes an integral part of your prayer life (for example: Acts 4:2-31);
9. Enables you to teach, counsel, encourage, and build up others in the body of Christ (Colossians 3:16);
10. Provides a basis for meditation on god’s word (Psalm 119:15-16, 97);
11. Makes the word of god readily available for comfort (Psalm 119:52);
12. Keep god’s word ready to refresh or revive (Psalm 119:93);
13. Provides stability in your spiritual life (Psalm 37:31, 40:8); and
14. Gives you the truth so that, at times of need, you are ready to answer others concerning your source of hope (Proverbs 22:17-2; I Peter 3:15).

II. Memorizing scripture can extend your devotional time throughout the day as you:

1. Read the verse in your bible and meditate on it (Psalm 1:2; II Timothy 2:15),
2. Take advantage of free moments throughout each day to learn your verses (Ephesians 5:16), and
3. Review the verse you have learned (Psalm 19:14, 119:15-16; Philippians 4:8)

May the Lord help each one of us to improve our memory system by studying the word of God.  Amen.

Yours in His Service,
Rev. T. Marcus Devasahayam