Ways to Deepen Your Devotional Time

      If I'm being honest I don't always enjoy having a devotion. "Gasp". But whether we admit it or not, we all at one time or another find our daily time with God lacking or monotonous or just plain boring. I can find myself skipping through a passage and hardly paying attention to the words just so I can check it off on my To-Do list for the day. And thats an awful way to think about spending time with God, as just another task we have to trudge through instead as a way to connect with God and set our hearts right for the day ahead.
    We actually can, though, have intriguing, attention grabbing, and just fulfilling moments with God everyday if we just use a little imagination.

(1) Get CREATIVE
         I know this is going to sound crazy, but the things you find fun can actually become a part of your devotion. Enjoy playing the guitar? Learn worship songs to sing in the morning or add some tunes behind the bible verses you're reading (Psalms is absolutely perfect for this). Like art? Learn to hand-letter the passage you're reading, get a journaling bible and paint the pages to describe the passage (also check out @shepaintstruth_ for inspiration). Enjoy running? Listen to podcasts sermons and an audio bible as you run. Learning how to intertwine things you enjoy with you're devotion just uses a little creativity on our part.

(2) Go OUTSIDE
        On average only 7% of our life is spent outdoors, which means 93% is spent inside. Go eno at a park or sit outside on your deck. If you haven't realized it already, nature is absolutely breathtaking. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1) Just by being outside in God's creation the Bible says we can see His glory and how the even the scintillating sunrises and sunsets we see proclaim His name. It can really refocus our mind on God then it would sitting in your cramped, dark room every morning.

(3) Learn NEW METHODS
       So for those who are just wanting some different ways to read the bible, one I've always loved is reading through the psalms. It's a method that you take whatever day of the month it is and keep adding thirty until you've got five passages (for example if it's the 5th you would have the psalms 5, 35, 65, 95, 125...), I usually glance through all five then pick the one that is sticking out to me and really dive into the passage with highlighters and all. Another method is using acronyms like S.O.A.P (Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer) you can find the descriptions of this acronym and a million others on Pinterest.

(4) Get COLORFUL
        Don't be afraid to write in your bible. If you took a look at mine it has scribbles and doodles and references all throughout it. Take advantage of highlighters and colored pens, create a color coding system or just highlight the parts of the passage that stand out. Reference other passages that connect with this one or write thoughts about the passage by it (another reason I recommend having a journaling bible or just a journal nearby as you read).

(5) Use SOCIAL MEDIA
        While usually I would say to avoid using any social media or your phone while trying to spend time with God, it can be helpful as long as you aren't finding yourself sneaking to check out the latest tweets. I love the basic Holy Bible app that has a multitude of devotions over a range of topics, and even ones specifically for girls. They're super easy to follow and they even include plans for reading through certain books or even reading through the whole bible. I also take advantage of the Redeemed Girl Ministries (or RGM) app, which has sermons and teachings by Marian Jordan Ellis or if you're just wanting a quick and inspirational message @thedevoco by Morgan Harper Nichols is absolutely amazing as well, each one of these catering to girls in general.


   These are just a few quick ways to further your devotional time, but there are millions of others ways to make it you're own and be able to indulge into God's word deeper. Being able to spend time with God everyday allows for our hearts to start off the day right, and our minds to focus on what truly matters which is bringing God glory in our lives daily.

   -Rachel