Text: Psalm 19:7-14
Memory verse:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Today, we will continue in the series by considering the fourth P in the discipline of quiet time.
This P stands for Practice. This includes the things you do during the quiet time and after it. The cross is a place of conversion but the closet is a place of conversation.God doesn’t want you to remain at the place of conversion forever but that you grow in an intimate relationship with Him through daily conversation. We don’t just speak to God but God speaks to us through His word (Psa 85:8). There are different resources that can be helpful for your Bible reading, like devotionals and Bible reading plan. Devotional commentaries are great but they shouldn’t replace Bible reading. Some believers don’t even read the Bible anymore but only read devotional commentaries. No one can grow in intimacy with God in that way. Intimacy makes you to know God’s ways (Psa 103:7). Most good devotionals have Bible and memory texts for each day. You are to read and meditate on these texts to get a firsthand insight into the scriptures before reading the commentary of the author. You need to discipline yourself to read the Bible first before reading other commentaries. We need to pray, “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions” (Psa 119:18). Don’t just flip through the Bible text but meditate on it and memorize it.
Another discipline of quiet time is learning to write down insightful and provocative thoughts from the passage and your devotional commentary. “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.” ‭‭(II Tim‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬). Paul had developed a habit of writing down insights, so he demanded that Timothy should come along with his book. You must not be too casual with the word of God. Pen down from the passage praise points, examples to follow, sins to repent from and promises to claim.
However, quiet time is not a time for deep Bible study, concordances, commentaries and Bible dictionaries as that can cause you to always extend beyond your time schedule and also get you out of your main focus, which is your relationship with Jesus.
Friends, one benefit of devotionals is that they can give you quick insights into the passages you’re reading without getting you off track, yet they must not replace Bible reading.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, draw me to an intimate relationship with You through my private communion with You in Jesus name.
2. Father, deliver me from the tendency of being too casual with Your word in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. I don’t remain at the point of conversion at the cross but I grow to a place of conversation at my closet.
2. I am not casual with the reading of the Bible but I pay attention and I write down insightful thoughts from the text.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng