Why do it?

Hey everyone,

Today I got up about 6:30. I did my devotions, it took longer because I had a good many distractions, but I got them done and I also learned. Then I ate while I did my german class. I got my school done for today and now I'm just kind of relaxing. I figured I'd make a post about what I learned in my devotions today.

First off, there's a question asking whether or not you have ever thought, "Oh, I have my devotions done, now I will be blessed today and I won't have any hardships." Or similar thoughts. That is OBVIOUSLY not the way we should be thinking when we are doing our devotions. She gives four primary purposes/motivations that she has found. The first is Communion. Having communion with God. On http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/communion , it gives 3 definitions for communion. The definition I like best is the second one which says, "Sharing of thoughts and feelings." So we are to share our thoughts and feelings with Christ. We are to WANT to share our thoughts a feelings. The second is Purification. We should want to be purified with the blood of Jesus. We should want to always be pure. The third is Restoration. We need to be restored from our daily hardships. The fourth is Instrutcion. We should want instructiong from the Lord. She mentions that she had gotten into the habit of praying Psalm 25:4-5 before she starts reading or studying which says, "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

I hope this encouraged/convicted you as much as it did me!

~~~Em