i want to try to have devotions with God every day, but being 16 years old, i have a hard time finding time to do it. I can pray, once i get started i could go on for a while, but it's that getting started that i have a problem with. the Bible reading/studying i hate. it's just words to me. i don't see how my pastor can take a verse or passage, and get so much meaning out of it. if i were to read that same verse on my own time, it would mean zip to me. and i fight with myself every day. this argument goes on in my mind "ok, you need to go pray", "but i don't want to", and it goes on and on until i forget all about it. i put it on my to-do list "devotions", and every night, it's the only thing that doesn't get crossed off. i hate it. i want to see how the bible applies to me, a teenager, but i can't. no matter how hard i try. please help (and i would appreciate if atheists making fun of me wouldn't answer). thanks.
2007-11-28 07:27:24 · 17 answers · asked by :) 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i bought the electronic bible it's so much fun! you can be creative when praising God
2007-11-28 07:31:05 · answer #1 · answered by Not of This World Returns 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
First of all don't feel alone, Serving God isn't a job it is a honor.This is all something that will get easier for you as you grow in Christ.Even if you don't feel like praying or doing devotions do it any way, get yourself into a schedule of spending time with him. When you get up in the morning first thing read your bible, get up earlier if you have to, and trust me I have to do this myself cuz it is hard sometimes, but remember God still knows your heart.It will get easier for you and I am happy to see a 16 year old that has such a heart for Christ, God bless you and hang in there it WILL get easier.
2007-11-28 15:37:00 · answer #2 · answered by simple serenity 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you pray, ask God for concentration. I find studying rather dreary as well, so I make sure and have a bible translation that I can realte with. The Zondervan Publishing Group has some excellent study bibles for teenagers. Not only does it have references and elaborations on the stories so you dont have to jump from book to book; but it also has life applications in it. The best time to do your studying, from my experience is in the morning before you start your day. In the evening normally I just want to wind down and relax. So pick a time in your day when you arent distracted so much. Not only that but getting your day started on that note can do wonders for your attitude. As long as you keep asking God to help you focus, he will, he knows your heart.
2007-11-28 15:35:52 · answer #3 · answered by thomas.stanley22 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about an atheist NOT making fun of you?
Instead of mindlessly applying yourself to rituals that make no sense to you, consider simply trusting your own instincts.
Read stuff. Anything that piques your curiosity. Travel anywhere and everywhere you can. Get to know lots of different types of people. Analyze your world. Be alert, and aware of how people behave and what goes on around you. You sound like someone who is already more aware of things than most people your age. Use that. Examine reality, attain wisdom by doing that and then make up your OWN MIND what, if anything, you want or need from religion. You might decide that it's right for you. You might choose another religion. You might make your own. You might realize that it's just not for you at all. The main thing is, don't let OTHER PEOPLE determine who YOU are or what YOU should apply your intelligence to. Be an alert, critical thinker and you'll find yourself making your own decisions about your own life.
2007-11-28 15:36:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
From your question, it seems that there is a conflict between what you have been told is the right thing to do and what your heart really wants. Don't fight yourself. Accept yourself as you are and then seek God's truth so you can change in ways that you feel are positive. As a first step, consider praying that God would help you understand your heart, i.e. God, I want to have a heart that is devoted to you. Please help me understand my heart and work through what I find so that I can purify it and draw near to you.
The essence of devotion is a heart devoted to something. I have been trying all my life to pray and read the bible on a regular basis. It wasn't until recently (after 5 years of working through stuff) that God revealed to me that I had devoted my heart to an idol 35 years ago. Ezekiel 14:7-8 declares what happens to those who set their heart on an idol. No matter how much I have tried to do devotions, all these years, my heart was devoted to something else and I didn't even know it. I lived with the result of being cut off from God's people as long as I remained ignorant of my heart's idol worship.
From personal experience, I highly recommend that one gets to know the truth about one's heart. Its a mistake to ignore the desires of the heart just because your heart desires things that are contrary to socially accepted norms. God desires that we are truthful in the innermost parts of our being. This is the great challenge since the heart is deceitful above all things, and desparately wicked (Jeremiah 17: 9). Jesus said, Watch (your heart) therefore (when you see therefore, look at previous verses to see what the therefore is there for - in this case the therefore refers to the statement two verses before where it states "take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighted down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly"), and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).
We see from Luke 21:36 that prayer should include matters of the heart. Learn about your heart and pray about those things that you find in your heart which are troubling. Also, be thankful for those blessings that you discover. Phillipians 3:6-7 states be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. If you do this, you will no longer need to fight yourself. There will be peace within between your heart and your mind.
Bible reading, though difficult, is important to learn truth. Jesus said, if you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:31-32). I would encourage you to keep reading the bible, a few verses as time allows. Quantity is not necessarily that important. It is also good to take a few verses, memorize them, and think about them as you go through the week. Deeper truths take time to discover. I can think about a verse for days and then a new application will occur to me.
2007-11-28 23:57:46 · answer #5 · answered by HaoShe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Re-consider what 'devotions' are. I like to think about them as being the time I devote to the Lord to hear what He wants to say to me through His word.
That can be done in a variety of ways: Topical readings, Book by Book readings, Devotional Guides or books, etc.
Maybe you could start by simply thinking about what ONE question you would love to ask God if you could ask Him in person and know that He would answer it. The truth is He has already answered that question in His word. All you have to do is find the answer. He wants so much for you to know Him more so that your love and trust in Him will grow. Devote your time to Him by searching His word to find out how He has already answered the questions you have.
2007-11-28 15:41:54 · answer #6 · answered by David 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I find that rewarding myself with quiet time first thing in the morning is nice. Get a cup of coffee and sit quietly before the Lord. You don't have to have a certain regime that you follow. Start by just sitting quietly in his presence for a week. Then maybe add a few verses. If you are led to follow a devotional after that then do it. This was meant to be a reward for you, not a chore. He wants to bless you and keep you whole.
2007-11-28 15:32:14 · answer #7 · answered by ....... 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You should try a Bible like The Message. There are different versions but each offers a unique way to study God's word and feel close to Him. Here's teh like to Barnes and Nobles. This is only one of many. One is called The Message: Remix. It's good to.
2007-11-28 15:32:54 · answer #8 · answered by jfoxie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First do not take it as a duty but as your special time with someone who you love.Each day you look forward in eating.Think of who provide for you.When you wake up in the morning it is not the alarm clock that wake you up, it is God. So make it something special to thank Him for waking you. Thank Him for making you breathe, be able to see,hear, smell ,feel. When you practice to do this you will be able to enjoy those moments. Then as you ask Him to help you to have those moments with Him, you'll find that you cannot go through or start each day without having this special time each day. It will be to you more than food or drink or even your daily activities.
So begin now by making God the first One to talk to each day.David said 'Each morning I will look to you and lay my requests before you, praying earnestly.Psalms 5:3
God bless.
2007-11-28 15:43:57 · answer #9 · answered by Getwisehealth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you do it, feel it. Really feel what you do in your heart - if that's what you really want to do. If not, you're just lying to yourself and wasting your time. It's not about words on a page. It's about feelings in your heart. It's not about the actions you take. It's about what motivates them. Don't let the bad things people do using religion as an excuse turn you off from a genuine exploration of greater things. Or, give up. Your call.
2007-11-28 15:46:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Invite God to be with you in your every day activities, from eating breakfast, going to school, playing with friends, doing homework - EVERYTHING.
That is the greatest devotion you can give to God - including Him in every part of your life.
In regards to how the Bible applies to your life, try going to http://www.wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp This site will give you a Bible reading for the day along with a meditation on that reading. I think you will see how the Bible applies to every day life, then.
Please contact me or instant messenger me to discuss more.
2007-11-28 15:34:45 · answer #11 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋