Faithgirlz! Devotional Collection -- Inward Beauty. Outward Faith

Taking Time Out For God

Taking time out (“devoting time”) for God and for those things that support your relationship with God like prayer, journaling and reflecting is exactly what a Devotional is. And the Faithgirlz! Devotional Collection is designed to guide girlz in the praying, journaling and reflecting that are just right for your issues and your life.

Sometimes it can really help to do some extra thinking about what you want this special “time out” to look like. Maybe you are more attentive when it’s quiet or maybe you like the feelings and moods that can come from listening to some meaningful music? Maybe you can’t focus until you are really comfortable both inside and out?

Check out some ideas for organizing your Devotional time and experiences below. Remember there is no right or wrong way- this is your special time. So go on girlz and take time out for God today!

Calandar

Tip #1: Get Planning

Faithgirlz! live busy, full lives and it can be hard to find the time to eat a good meal let alone time to connect to God every day. Try to block time out just like you might to make your daily phone calls to your friends or to practice your instrument or favorite sport. Routines are a really helpful way to be sure that you have time for the things that are the most important to you. You could even make a special chart or calendar to keep track of the time that you spend thinking about your life and your faith.

Tip #2: Take It Outside

Nature

Grab your devotional and head outside for a mini-vacation from all the distractions in your life. There’s nothing like the beauty of the outdoors and the invigorating feeling of fresh air to help us pay attention and get focused on appreciating the many gifts in our lives. Climb a tree for a new perspective or hunker down in your favorite grassy spot. Surround yourself with the wonders of God’s creation and uncover his special plans for you to be a part of it!

Buddies

Tip #3: Use The Buddy System

You have your best friend with you for all the other big things in your life…why would devotional time be any different? Share your growth and learning with your BFF and enjoy having a companion on your journey as a child of God. It’s so nice to know that you have someone to laugh with, to cry with and to rejoice with as you discover the beauty of believing and the beauty of uncovering and celebrating your true self.

Tip #4: Make Yourself At Home

Beanbag

How about hanging some fabric from a corner in your room or surrounding yourself with your favorite stuffed animals, colors or photographs? Taking the time to create an environment that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed can really help as you do more thinking about yourself and your spirituality. Grab a beanbag and your favorite slippers or focus on that painting that you really love and feel yourself become more at ease and more open to your communication with God.

Fortune

Tip #5: Be A Cheerleader

Imagine the joy that God feels when you reach out and connect with him. You’ve got a lot to celebrate as a Faithgirl and that is definitely worth a very loud round of applause! Maybe you could take a minute to sticky note encouraging thoughts from your devotionals onto your bedroom wall or bathroom mirror. Or it could be fun to do something special every time you finish one of the Faithgirlz! Devotional books; perhaps filling fortune cookies with meaningful Bible verses and sharing them with others or hanging a heart from a mobile for every devotional you finish. You are doing very important work and should take the time to give some hip-hip-hoorays for the time and commitment you make towards your faith!

Read ideas from other girls

Idea #1

What I do is I read my Bible everyday before I go to bed. Its a great habit to get into. Then sometimes I will read a devo, right in my journal and sometimes even write my own!(2) My best friend lives 5 hours away and we stay in touch by texting and calling each other. Even though we pray all day long, sometimes at the end of our phone conversations we just pray together for several minutes to 30 minutes!Its a time to get closer to God and closer to your friend as well. Phil. 1:7
– Emilee, age 11

Idea #2

I have a special notebook that I use to talk to God. I write about my problems: things that are bothering me, things I need help with, things I want etc. -Kind of how Lucy does in the Lucy Novels. Then I try to write the answers that God gives me. It is very comforting to look back on all the wrinkles my life has had and the way God smoothed them out for me.
– Addison, age 14

Idea #3

God is your BFF,saviour,father,protector,king! So it should be exactly that way! I think you should relate your bible to life matters. That's wher you can understand what to do with our life! Lay back in your bed with a closed door, read what it says, then close your eyes and imagine your wit Jesus. What does he say connected to that? God usually gives me prophecies that I write down in my journal. And he also tells me chow to apply it to my life! So he will too!
– Deborah U , age Nine

Idea #4

follow god in everything you do...!
– aliyah, age 12

Idea #5

i think its a great idea if you have no time to fit it in your busy life for the time being. Pray on the way into and on the way out of school. Then before you go to bed wind down by reading your bible and committing that time to God!
– Isabelle, age 12

Idea #6

A habit is formed in one week so everyday for one week read your Bible. Whether it's before bed after school or anytime . Make it a priority.
– Nicki, age 12

Idea #7

i so think you should take tome out for god. So my idea is, have a special corner where you can put all of your faithgirlz! books, and read at least a part from one of them every day after school. Call this special corner your faithgirlz! prayer corner.
– Mary, age 10

Idea #8

I like sitting on a quiet spot in my house, like in the family room, your room, wherever is most quiet and peaceful for you. My youth group teacher has encouraged us to read the book of Proverbs, because they are quick, and simple. Just a verse a day, and I like to try to memorize that verse and write it down so I remember it.
– Alexa, age 12

Idea #9

Grab a friend in a cozy spot around your house and read your favorite Bible story.
– Rachel, age 10

Idea #10

If you're bored and you can't think of anything to do, talk to God! In your head or out loud-whatever you prefer. When I do that, I always feel happy afterward and it motivates me to read my Bible and do some Bible study! You could also choose a Christian CD and play that quietly while you study if it doesn't distract you.
– Jess, age Age 14
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Nothing Is Too Big for God
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33 (NIV)

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