Interactive Devotions

I’ve been going to flea markets with my wife for the past couple of weeks in search of some books. This weekend I found a book of devotionals called: Devotional Classics by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith. It contains some of the greatest Christian authors ever published. Having this tool will help me to make the daily devotional more interactive and challenging. This material along with my own words will consist of an excerpt from one of the authors, a reflection question and an exercise. We will still have a word for today as well as a quote for today. We will also include a short bio of the author given by Foster and Smith when the author is listed for the first time.

William Law (1686 – 1761)

William Law was a devout Anglican priest. His practical work was as a spiritual director, offering guidance to people who sought a closer, deeper relationship with God. The following excerpt is from his best known work, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, a book that greatly influenced the English Evangelical Revival.

1. A Life Devoted

Devotion is neither private nor public prayer, though public and private prayers are a part of devotion. Devotion signifies a life given or devoted to God. The devout, therefore, are people who do not live to their own will, or in the way and spirit of the world, but only to the will of God. Such people consider God in everything, serve God in everything, and make every aspect of their lives holy by doing everything, and make everything in the name of God and in a way that conforms to God’s glory. We readily acknowledge that God alone is to be the rule and measure of our prayers. In our prayers we are to look totally unto Him and act totally for Him, and we must pray in this manner and for such ends as are suitable to His glory.

William has truly challenged all with his words of devotion. Devotion is something that must be practiced not prayed for alone. How can we expect the Lord to transform us into the image of God if we are not willing to live out what we have been taught? Only the truly devout man aims for action in his relationship with the Lord. He can never be satisfied with mere Christianity. He must reach the zenith of his faith. Nothing can make him settle down. Nothing can turn him aside from his path of righteousness. He sees the prize of his labor before him and won’t yield until the day he is called home, to hear those faithful words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

Scripture lesson:

1 Peter 1:15‑16; Romans 12:1‑3; Philippians 4:4‑9; Romans 8:34‑39; Matthew 25:21

Question:

If Law believes the vitality of one’s spiritual life is reflected in our conduct, how would you rate your spiritual condition?