I like God. Really, I do.
It’s awesome to access the power available to very-human-me through the God of the universe. To be stuck in a stinky attitude and then reach out for divine perspective – and actually receive it – well, it’s just WOW. To shoot up a prayer for help in a moment when I’m losing sight of hope and know that God is actually listening. Stunning. And to be able to read the Bible – God’s actual WORDS – and gain insight. Who doesn’t love that?
So why don’t I pray, read, connect with God more?
There’s the issue of time. Who has extra time to spend with anyone, much less God? And busyness. Mercy. I’m so busy. Oh, and the hassle. Getting all gussied up and everyone out the door to go to church. Really? And that’s just once a week. What about every other day?
Maybe finding time to spend with God isn’t as complicated as I make it. The psalmist writes, “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself where she may have her young – a place near your altar.” Psalm 84:1-3
Hmmm. Maybe I don’t have to stop everything to find a quiet spot to be with God. Maybe I can be with God just by building my home – my nest - near his altar every day. Pray when I load the dishwasher. Leave a Bible open on my counter and pause to read a verse as I pass through. Download an e-book devotional on my phone and check it when I go to check Facebook.
If I build my house near God’s altar maybe I won’t have to move somewhere to be in his presence.
Because I like God. Really, I do. And I’d really like more of him in my day-to-day life.
Wouldn’t you?
Surely you’ve found some ways to make it easier to get with God. Share an idea here for a chance to win a copy of The NIV Mom’s Devotional Bible.
(Thomas Nelson has graciously donated 3 copies of this amazing resource! Leave a comment to be entered. We will draw 3 winners next week and notify you by email! )
Elisa Morgan is a speaker and the author of The Beauty of Broken and The NIV Mom’s Devotional Bible. She’s the co-host of the daily syndicated radio program, Discover the Word. For twenty years she served as CEO of MOPS International and is currently the publisher of FullFill. “Like” Elisa on Facebook at Elisa Morgan Author.
20 Comments
Currently, I feel a little distant from God. It’s so hard to have a consistant, quality quiet time with littles in the house. But, I’ve started playing a lullabye praise and worship cd while I read to my daughter before nap and bedtime. It has been great! Calms us both and helps focus me back on God. This devotional Bible would be a wonderful tool to help with that quiet time I’m so craving.
Having a devotion sent to my email and a prayer journal have been helpful.
I sneak in about 15-20 minutes in the morning before I get my 18 month old out of the crib. I use devotionals and studies to focus on the Word. I write out prayers in my journal when I get a chance and whisper ‘one-liners’ during the day. I try hard to keep my focus on God!
I get up early or stay up later to make sure I get my Bible reading time in. I also like to listen to Moody Radio throughout the day for some very insightful sermons from wonderful preachers.
Let me be honest, I want to hope that something like this devotional will help me feel closer to God. Currently, I don’t feel that close. I didn’t grow up going to church. Met my husband and started attending the church he grew up in, but I don’t feel a connection there either. (I am a very reserved person and have a hard time opening myself up especially when I don’t understand something, it’s just who I am.) What am I missing? What am I doing wrong? Will something like this devotional move me in the right direction? I have hope, and I won’t give up. I will keep trying, we will make the connection eventually!
Hey Jennifer!
You aren’t doing anything wrong!!!!!
I didn’t grow up in the church either…and when I did become a believer, I felt a little bit like I was living in a foreign country!
Over the years, I have learned a little more about who God is, and how he sees me. The more I read about who God is, the more aware of my own sin I became. As I began to see my own sin, I began to see just what kind of grace I have been given in Christ and I began to better understand the extent of God’s deep love for me. I put ALL of my eggs in that one basket, of believing in God. It wasn’t easy, or perfect. But, he has been faithful! I have prayed often for God to give me greater faith. I have asked him to give me eyes to see and taste his goodness. I have watched him pick up the pieces of some really broken places in my life.
Maybe start there, with some prayer, that he would draw you closer, and reveal his love for you in new ways.
He is pleased with you, as his child, because of Christ. He wants you to walk in that peace, connected to him as your source of life!
Will this devotional be the solution? It might help. But the words of God, that are living and active, and that are found in this bible, they have power, his words have answers, and through them he will begin moving you in the right direction!
I will be praying for you, to know and feel, and see him in new and deeper ways each day! Continue hoping, you are so right to do so!!!
whew….Sorry for writing such a thesis, but I hope you are encouraged to continue to pursuing him!
I am a busy wife and Mom to 4 kids, so I’ve learned to get in whatever time I can.
I think about Him and His goodness throughout the day and pray as I work in my home. I bring my Bible, Bible study material, Christian magazine, devotional books, etc with me for idle times - doc’s office, school pickup waiting times, and even in…the bathroom! 
I will set aside times during my week that are purposeful focused prayer time or study time to be in His Presence. I love those sweet times, but have learned that they are hard to come by these days. I know I need Him and want as much of Him as I can get, so I just talk to Him throughout the day too! And throughout the years during the times I nursed my children I had a lot of of idle sit-down time. So I decided that if I was going to watch any tv then, it would only be content that builds me up and encourages me as a wife and mother. That was years ago, but it became a way of life for me and I don’t really watch tv much now (unless spending time with my husband or kiddos - one of their fav things!). When i do, it’s usually on Christian tv programs and occasionally HGTV. Although I should probably add in some cooking shows…my family would probably appreciate that! 
I am battling with this, too. I desire to spend more time with God, but find myself at a loss for how to make it a reality. I hope to be more successful and show my kids how to achieve this as well.
God’s Word is all I need to be a mom that He has created me to be! So thankful for this special Devotional Bible just for moms! Thank you for a chance to win it
I use an e-Bible with reading plans and find it helpful to listen to the audio version as well. But a devotional for mums sounds like the extra incouragement I wold need …
Honestly, in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep is when I read my Bible the most - maybe something on tape for my commute would work? This Bible would be a great resource, too. Thanks for the giveaway!
my husband and i started reading Spurgeon’s morning devotion every morning this year-we hold each other accountable and that’s been great
I try to begin my days with reading my Bible. Some days, I’m successful, others not so much. I’m too old to beat myself up about it these days. Interwoven in my children’s school work, I have Scripture. We use literature such as Raising Maidens of Virtue for Character Education. I also try to have Bible Study most evenings with my daughters. Right now, we are using the book Lies Young Women Believe. Last but not least, I have an app on my phone called Revival Radio. When I fold laundry in the afternoon, I click on it and listen to the music stream. Again, I’m not able to do all of these things every day. But every day, I try to keep my heart turned toward God. Even just breathing His Name makes one’s soul instantly in His Presence.
Thank you so much for a chance to win a great resource.. I hope and pray I win because that’s exactly how I am with devotional time.. I find it hard to get together with the Lord.
I have 4 kids and I’ve been struggling with getting that quiet time with God. One thing I’ve done is printed out bible verses and put them on my living room walls. They are constantly in my view, and what’s nice is that they are also in my visitors’ views. They end up asking questions about them, wanting some, or getting a reminder of what’s truth.
I have twins who are ttenagers and teach school so lately it has been very hard, but I put verses on an index card and carry with me so when I have a minute I can read.
I just received Lisa Whelchels’ mom devotional book. I’m hoping it will help me learn how to “do” daily devos. I need all the help I can get!
Why is it so easy to teach my kids about God and Jesus and the history in the Bible but it’s so difficult to know how to teach myself great lessons I need that are right in there for me too!?!
Being part of a group. It gives me accountability and the encouragement to get — and stay — in God’s Word!
Being a mom with four young kiddos absolutely keeps me busy. I’ve said far too often “it’s so hard to find time to spend with God” So, a friend and I have become accountability partners. We text each other every morning nice and early, before our kids are awake. Then, we spend time with God. We pray for each other about our walks with Christ and any other needs we have to be lifted in prayer.
I’m definitely NOT a morning person, but knowing that I have a friend who is getting up early too and expecting me to text back is a motivator to me spending time with God in the morning instead of trying to “fit Him in” somewhere into my busy days.
I have felt a “barrier” between me and God - like there is a glass ceiling separating us or stopping us from connecting fully.