This week I would like to share Charles Finney's "Habits of Devotion" with you. Some of you may be familiar with this, I came across it in the Revival Study Bible. Though this is not a short list (there are 31 items), it is effective... I know I have been practicing it and every line is useful and valuable. My personal time with God has been blessed by this outline and I know yours will be, too.
"Devotion"
1. Definition - It is the offering of self and all to God.
(1) This must be the condition of usefulness.
(2) It must be the habitual attitude of the soul.
2. Hints for devotion.
(1) Like other habits, devotion should be cultivated and established, rendered second nature.
(2) I here speak of ordinary occasions, daily seasons of prayer.
(3) Begin with prayer: Thanksgiving, confession, supplication, praise and adoration - persist until conscious communion is secured.
(4) Then read the Bible, on your knees.
(5) If it opens to you, note the teachings.
(6) Use a study Bible.
(7) If it does not open, pray and worship again.
(8) If still sealed, search, in confession, for the reason.
(9) If time fails, renew the exercise as soon as possible.
(10) Remember you have no power if communion is lost.
(11) This is your argument and strong reason.
(12) "Go, and make all men disciples, and lo, I am with you."
(13) Again, "Men do not go to war at their own charges."
(14) Keep your eye single, and the promise is sure.
(15) Communion must be maintained at any cost.
(16) Never rest short of this any day of your life.
(17) You have no strength, except as you hold on to this.
(18) Your comfort and usefulness depend on communion.
(19) No learning, no study avails without this.
(20) You must maintain a prevailing spirit of prayer.
(21) To do this, you must spend much time in direct communion with God. This is never lost time.
(22) You can accomplish available study ten times faster, if you maintain communion.
(23) But don't pray too exclusively for yourself, nor principally.
(24) By turning from self, you will find access.
(25) Commune with God, about your church.
(26) Let consultation with Him about individuals occupy you.
(27) Beware of selfishness in your approaches to God.
(28) You will find comfort in preparation as you do not seek it. Lose and you will find.
(29) Let your request be for wisdom and strength to do your work.
(30) Your communion will be more unbroken as the habit becomes established - like study.
(31) Your communion will be deeper as you progress.
