We may set aside time for daily Bible devotions and understand its importance. But, when we also come together with other believers and share how we have been refreshed in His Word, devotions take on a whole different dynamic.  We read the Word, pray the Word, and live the Word together.

This past March marks the first year since my father’s passing on to the other side of eternity.  When I started going through the Living Life devotionals here at Chinese Grace Bible Church (CGBC) a few years ago, he joined, too.  Each week, we came together to chat and pray about our Quiet Time (QT) reflections, which covered such Bible books as John, I and II Kings, I and II Samuel, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Ephesians and Revelation, among others.  We had good lively discussions that even spilled over to the dinner table, promoting participation from my son, his grandson. My whole family witnessed his desire to pursue God in these later years.  To my amazement, I saw a life being transformed right before me. His faith grew in confidence, his prayers broadened to include the salvation of others, and his humility for God-given moments became more evident. More importantly, his pursuit prepared him for eternity.  We didn’t simply do quiet times together; we did life together.

For the past two years, I have met regularly with a number of brothers in this church for devotions during the mornings and in the evenings. With the Word as our basis, a few brothers in the group have concurred on how each has experienced a deeper sense of body life together both in inspiration and involvement with guys at different stages of life. We have lived through both the worst and best moments of life. One brother had not only been renewed in his faith, but even rejuvenated to serve once again.  And we bear witness how this holy habit in the Word continues to both humble our pride and sculpt our souls.

Every week, the banter of laughter and abundance of smiles are evident in the Mandarin QT group.  I know it is not because of our sense of humor, but rather how all the participants’ devotions have permeated their life and reflections.  Though they are more than gracious in sharing how they benefit from my practical insights to their everyday lives, I am more edified by how their countenances reflect their joy in the LORD.

So often, in any believer’s life, we may reduce devotions to a means to an end or view it as necessary preparation for a teaching lesson. We may even squeeze it out when the life’s pace or ministry responsibilities seem too hectic.  But, when we take a cue from the Lord Jesus’ example who rose early to spend time with the Father (Mark 1:35), we will discover a pattern for personal renewal.  And when we open to others how His Word ministered to us and let them also inspire us, we will have moved from just reading the Word to living the Word.  That’s life together.