If God is our priority, why do we spend so little time with Him?
We ALL make time for the things we enjoy or the people we love. And the more time we spend with someone, the more like them we tend to become. Without daily time set aside for God, very little of His character is seen in us.
When you give your life to Jesus Christ, you begin a new relationship with Him. You have entered into a permanent relationship with God. This relationship allows you to have fellowship with Him. But although your relationship is secure, your fellowship with Him will vary according to your availability and comittment. Quiet time is a way of building spiritual strength and applying His Word to your life.
Most of us would love to make a true commitment to spend more time with God each and every day. But HOW?
The first step is to set a regular time and place, and then stick to it.
Decide that your Quiet Time will be your first priority each day. Don't even allow yourself to think "I'll do it later, first I have to ..." Make room on your schedule to meet with God in a place that is special to you. Choose a place where you can read your Bible and make notes. That becomes God's time and place, and nothing should keep you from this most vital appointment each day!
For most of us, the morning hours are the most quiet time, free of interruptions, and before the world comes crashing down around us. You start your day with Him, and He becomes a part of your whole day. But if the evening hours are less hectic for you, then choose a time that fits well for you then. Perhaps right before you go to bed allows you the opportunity to review the day with God and plan for tomorrow with him. But by all means, set up a specific hour for your time with God. It brings accountability to your commitment.
Then choose a place to meet with God daily - a favorite corner of your bedroom, by a fireplace, near a favorite window or even in your backyard. This will become your own personal sactuary with GodEstablishing a personal sanctuary with God, lending a sacredness to your quiet time.
Second, have your Bible with you when you meet with God. God speaks to us through His Word and reveals His will for our lives. To fully commune with God, we must first seek His will. Choose a verse that applies to your life and read it as though for the first time. Then quietly wait before God in prayer, allowing your mind to meditate on His reply.
Third, develop a listening heart!
Eliminate all noise and chaos, and during your quiet time, let God have all of you. Allow the Holy Spirit to open your mind and heart to the sweet whispers of God's voice. Never forget that communing with God is not a one-way conversation!
Begin your Quiet Time by reading from the Bible. Read a daily passage prayerfully, asking God to speak to you as you read it. Ask the Lord to show you examples to follow, commands to obey, errors to confess, sins to quit, promises to claim, etc.
After you have prayed and brought your needs before Him, be still and feel His presence. Always listen for His answer.
If you miss your Quiet Time one day, start again the next day. If you miss a meal, you don't stop eating for the rest of your life, do you? Or if you miss a night's sleep, you don't give up going to bed ever again!
Understand that some Quiet Times will be more meaningful than others. Don't expect every Quiet Time to be a spiritual high. But remember that Jesus spent time with His Father, seeking fellowship, strength and guidance. If JESUS needed to spend time with Him, how much more do we need to spend time with Him? By establishing a Quiet Time, you will become more like Christ as you follow His example and as you receive His power through prayer and God's Word. Plan to spend some time listening to Him through reading the Bible, and then talking with him through prayer.
And how do we pray? In order to talk to God, you must believe that He is with you, even though you can't see Him. Faith is not hopingK that God will listen, but trusting that He is real and available to you.
God speaks through His written word. He speaks through Christian leaders and friends. He sometimes speaks the loudest from a quiet voice in your heart. Prayer is not only talking to God, but also listening for His voice.
There are five distinct parts to prayer. Make certain your conversation covers all five areas:
1. Praise
Praise is a lot like thanksgiving, but it's different. Praise is adoring God for who He is; thanksgiving is thanking God for what He has done. Praise is showing love to God; thanksgiving is expressing gratitude. God is to be praised for His character; He is to be thanked for His actions.
2. Confession
Ask the Lord to make you aware of any sings that might huirt your fellowship with Him; confess each sin individually to Him; reaffirm your commitment to avoid these sins in the future; by faith, claim His forgiveness; right the wrong as best you can; accept by faith that you have been totally cleansed.
3. Thanksgiving
Express your thankfulness for specific things. Be thankful, whatever the circumstance.
4. Intercession (Praying for Others)
Pray for the needs of other people. God's grace will meet the needs of that person.
5. Petition (Praying for Yourself)
Pray for spiritual growth; pray for your material needs; share with God the desires of your heart and trust Him to respond in the best possible way.
Many people start a Quiet Time each day, and they're enthusiastic about it. But before long, they get too busy and somehow God gets left out of their day. Consistency is the KEY!
Once you start, DON'T QUIT!
