One Way Only (Christian Devotions)

Ansabe Mo Lord? (Paano Magdevotion)

"Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
Joshua 1:8

Since nagdedevotion na ako noong bata pa, gamay na gamay ko na ang pagdedevotion. Sa sobrang galing ko, may check ako kay leader. Ang sarap sa feeling na ipagmalaki ka, pero hanggang doon lang yon. Hindi ko naapply lahat ng nababasa ko sa Bible. Minsan (kadalasan), lutang ako habang nagbabasa ng Bible. Pero dahil may pattern ako, nakakasunod pa naman ako.

Kaso walang dating sa akin. Walang strike. Pakiramdam ko, binabasa ko lang yung Bible na parang bang story lang tapos yung devotion ko yung buod. After some years, paunti-unti akong nawalan ng wisyo sa pagdedevotion. It was those times na nanlalamig ako sa faith ko at nabubuhay ako sa kasalanan (baka sa next chapters ikuwento ko). Noong naredeem na ako ni Papa God, pati yung perspective ko sa pagdedevotion nagbago.

Nakaipon ako ng pera para makabili ng sariling Bible, at nasa akin pa rin yung Bible na yon. Napuno yung Bible ko ng mga highlighters at mga marks kasi may mga rhema(living word) sa akin si Lord sa mga yon.

One thing I asked from the Lord was the desire to read His word, and indeed He gave me that heart. Yung dating 10 minute reading ko nagiging 1-2 hours na, lalo na pag weekends. Sabi nga sa James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
Hinahanap ni Lord sa atin yung willingness na lumapit sa Lord.

Pero PAANO NGA BA MAG-DEVOTION?
Kailangan ba may pattern? Kailangan ba may ioobserve ako?

For new Christians, the S.O.A.P. (Scriptures, Observation, Application, Prayer) method might work. Pero as years go by, what the Lord taught me was beyond my notebook. He was not interested on how many points you write or how interesting your devotions are, he's interested on your life. Results are far better than written symbols.

I'm not telling here how to LITERALLY do devotions, but feel free to comment down if you want me to help you, I'll be glad to write steps or strategies on devotions. But for now, let's get to what's ESSENTIAL.

So, paano ba magdevotion?

1. Begin with a prayer.

May time na mapapatitig ka na lang sa Bible mo at mapapasabi ka na lang, 'ano ba itong binabasa ko?'. We must be expectant everytime we read the Bible. Always begin with a prayer. What I usually pray before reading was His presence. I pray that he will cover me from any distractions, that He will speak over me. I ask God to seek my heart, para yung maging word niya ay yung sasakto at tatama sa akin. I ask for forgiveness kasi kung may hahadlang man sa akin yun ay ang kasalanan.

Everytime na magdedevotion tayo kailangan presentable tayo before the Lord. What I mean of being presentable is dapat wala tayong bahid ng kasalanan. It is only through the blood of Jesus we can do that. (Maybe I'll go further on this sa mga sunod na chapters).

2. Acknowledge the King.

Kailangan aware tayo na ang kakatagpuin natin ay ang Lord. Paano natin siya iaacknowledge? I begin with a worship song. At times, I sing with some music, pero may mga time na kung anong laman ng puso ko, yun ang inaawit ko kay Lord. Have the faith na habang nagdedevotion ka, na andon si Lord, nakikinig sa'yo. Open your heart to Him. He is concerned of every single detail.

3. Be silent before the Lord.

Tatahimik lang ako at times then He will speak over me. Medyo mahirap ito but if God sees your willingness, mangungusap talaga siya sa'yo. Iba yung may sinusundan ka na pattern, at iba rin yung nakikinig ka sa kung saan ka dinadala ni Lord. We must desire this kind of discernment. Doon ko nakikita na mas nagiging accurate yung mga binabasa ko sa mga nangyayari sa buhay ko. Hindi masama na may sundang pattern, lalo na kung hirap ka pang idiscern yung voice ng Lord. Pero kung gugustuhin natin, magsasalita talaga ang Lord. Mas nagkakaroon ng sense yung pagbabasa mo ng Bible kasi dala dala ka ni Lord doon sa mga verses na sasabihin niya sa'yo. However may mga precautions rin ito (as I've said, maybe I'll write some. Kahit di pa ako yung perfect, dahil at para kay Lord 😅 sheshare ko paano. Haha).

4. Ask God of what you need to do.

Syempre it all goes down to the application. Aanhin mo ang Devotion kung puro lesson lang. Dapat magamit mo yung word. Iask mo sa Lord kung saan niya gagamitin yon. Sabi nga ni David, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105. The word of the Lord will help us discern of what step you should take. It helps us change our ways, our thoughts, our lives.

5. Keep His word.

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." Deuteronomy 11:18
Memorize verses. Believe me, you never knew kung kailan mo kakailanganin ng reminder. His words are enough to remind us of who He is and what He can do. Kaya nga kailangan hindi mo lang alam, hindi lang binabasa, tinetreasure mo pa.

There are a lot of things I want to tell you. Gusto ko pa nga sana ilagay dito of how you can apply God's word, or how accurate it could be in your life. I am praying that God will use this book as a channel of His blessing and His word. Hindi kaya ng isang chapter! Hahaha. God bless!

--
Feel blessed by this chapter? Hit vote!