[Author’s note: This essay completes our salvation series, ending with the very important business of maintaining a daily walk with God.]

There are at least two great works that the Holy Spirit performs in the life of the believer, the first is to “get the man out of the world,” that’s salvation which is a one-time event. 

The second great work is to “get the world out of the man,” that’s sanctification which continues for the rest of his life. It begins with a strong personal devotional life.

Praying Like Your Life Depends On It

In a marriage, communication is key to a successful relationship. It is the same with our relationship with God, and prayer is the means.

Consider this paradox: The real “you” can only be seen when no one is looking; when you have no one to impress, when your guard is down, and when you allow what is “inside” to show on the “outside.”

We are talking about integrity, and it only comes through honest dialog with God.

Guess what? He knows you through and through anyway. D you think He ever says, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming!”

So, get real with Him, it absolutely obliterates anxiety, as noted in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

So, let’s look at what a typical restful and restorative “quiet time” with God in the morning might look like.

Typical 20-Minute Daily Devotional

There is nothing magic in the time it takes for a devotional, the key is quality. For that reason, it is best done first thing in the morning before emails, phone calls and the rush of the day press in.

In the early morning, your mind is clear, the coffee is fresh and the silence is restorative.  Here is a suggested outline for your daily time with God:

Confession, Cleansing, Renewal (1 John 1:9)

Put your sins “on the table,” ask forgiveness, appropriate God’s strength in overcoming these in the future.

Confession comes from a root word meaning “to agree together with.” Apply this to prayer. It means to agree with God.

Something happened yesterday you called a slight exaggeration — God calls it a lie! You call it strong language — God calls it swearing. You call it telling the truth about somebody in the church — God calls it gossip.

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” — Psalm 66:18

Bible Reading for Each Day (e.g. One-Year Bible)

Ask God for spiritual insight, as explained in Ephesians 1: 17-19. We are spiritually blind apart from the Holy Spirit, ask for His wisdom and revelation.

Be on the lookout for a take-away application of your reading for each day. What stood out to you from your encounter with God and His word?  How will you apply it?

Jesus answered in Matthew 4:4, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’”

As you read, think in terms of the following three stages of comprehension:

• Observation: What does it say?
• Interpretation: What does it mean?
• Application: How does it apply to my life?

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you — they are full of the Spirit and life.” — John 6:63

Pray for Your Needs and Those of Others

“Supplication” means to “ask for, earnestly and humbly.” This is the part of your prayer life in which you make your petitions known to Him.

Ask for others, then for yourself. Why not include other people around the world, such as missionaries, students studying abroad, friends in distant places, and above all the people of many lands who have yet to hear about Jesus Christ?

How About You?

It could be asked, what do I have in my life that is more important than getting to know my God — the One with whom I will spend eternity?

As Jesus pointed out in the verses above, “knowing” God is a matter of revelation, and revelation requires that I regularly “tune in” on Him and find out what He is doing.

We are far too enamored with what WE are doing, and the resulting burden of self-absorption can become unbearable.

Jesus promises His faithful followers that they will be beneficiaries of one of the most elusive and precious human treasures, “rest for your souls.”

Money can’t buy it, making time for God assures it.

Do you agree, fellow Christian?

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Click here for a fascinating AI-generated video overview of this essay.