Colossians 2:6: “So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him.”

Kicking off this year at our church in Colossians 2, lifting a few commitments to make at the beginning of a new year from verses 6-7.

1. Jesus is Lord – Beginning with the overarching confession of the believer’s life: Jesus is Lord!
2. A Daily Walk

If the soul is awakened with the confession that Jesus is Lord, the soul is sustained by walking daily in a relationship with Jesus. We walk with Jesus through developing a personal devotional habit and daily practice. We have the promise of his constant presence with us through the person of the Holy Spirit. We have his words, which guide us and show us how to walk in his steps. We have the example of his abiding relationship with the Father through prayer and responsiveness to the needs of others. And we know that he wants a personal relationship with each of us.

God didn’t spell out the perfect formulas for our devotional habits. It never says in the Bible, “Spend 15 minutes a day reading the Bible, pray for 10 minutes, read a daily devotional published by a reputable publisher, then listen to a worship song or two before you go to work.” He’s left that up to us individually to determine the best ways to develop our relationship. And I’m reminded that a checklist of base touches does not produce a deep relationship with anyone and most likely will not with God.

Over 25 years of figuring out how to walk with God myself, here are the rhythms that have worked for me to this point:

• Wake up early. I’m a morning person, so I enjoy the early AM hours. It all goes downhill after 8am to me.
• Journaling. I start my day by writing prayers and commitments of devotion to God. (see my post, Morning Prayers).
• Reading Scripture. I follow one of the Bible in a Year Plans in the Bible App, which leads you through the Old Testament and New Testament in a systematic way (See my post How to Get a Grip on the Bible for answers to questions about the Bible & how to get started reading the Bible).
• Journaling. As I read, I write down the verses that jump at me. When I’m done reading, I read back through those verses and write down any Observations, Applications, or Prayers. (See the SOAP method).  (Also, check out my post Allowing the Teachings of Jesus to Go Deep, for a plan to Journal through the sermon on the mount. Serves as a great introduction to journaling through the scriptures).
• Bible Memory. I also utilize the Bible Memory App to commit verses that jump out at me to memory. Reviewing memorized verses throughout the day helps me to stay in tune and meditate on God’s word all day long (see Psalm 1, Joshua 1:8). (See my posts on the Habit of Scripture Memory HERE).
• Devotional Reading. Sometimes, I read something extra. A few favorites: A Year with C. S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry Blackaby, 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leaders Day by John Maxwell. Lots of great devotionals are available.
• Daily News feed. I also use Feedly.com to follow many authors, pastors, networks, and news sites that inspire and inform me.
• Sharing. As I’m reading, I’m asking if there is anything that I’d like to share with friends or family, with my church, or with my social media networks. I will also tag and file anything that may be helpful for my upcoming speaking and preaching schedule.
• Intercession. I keep a list of people and situations that I want to pray for every day. It includes my family, my church leaders, the team I work with, and others. I’m committed to making time to pray for them. Sometimes, that happens in the mornings during my devotions. Sometimes, it’s later in the day.

Roll with the punches. I wish I could say that this happens every day. Work, sickness, oversleeping, and poor time management happen, so I plan on rolling with the punches. Some tools we have to help with that:

• Technology. When I don’t have time to read in the mornings. I can listen to my Bible plan using the Bible App during my commute. My newsfeed and devotional are also on Kindle, so I can read them during my spare moments.
• Grace. Remember that my salvation is not based upon my ability to read the Bible every day. Only Jesus saves. Devotional habits are tools for our growth in grace. Don’t give up. Our life is ETERNAL, so missing a day occasionally does not mean losing.
• Presence. God is not with me only when reading the Bible and praying. God is with me all the time. I can stay connected with him through prayer all day long.
• Tomorrow. One of my favorite sayings is, “YESTERDAY ENDED LAST NIGHT.” The Bible says, “God’s mercies are new every morning” Lamentations 3:23-24. If you miss a day of devotional habits, put it behind you, celebrate the grace and presence you experienced that day, and let that build anticipation for tomorrow or when you can restore your habits.

Jesus said, “Man cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. Devotional habits are as crucial to the Christian as food and drink. Work out a plan that works for you, figure out how to do it every day, commit to it for life, and roll with the punches.