Quiet Time with the Lord - Day 5

How have you done with your quiet time this week? Even if you haven't been able to find time for one, it's never too late to start!

Today's Reading: Psalm 119:105-112

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.

107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.

108 Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.

109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.

110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.

111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.

112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.

taken from www.biblegateway.com

The fourth step in Rick Warren's plan for quiet time is to follow a simple plan. There are actually several Biblica examples of plans for communing with God. Sometimes we get so caught up in doing it the 'right' way that we really lose the meaning of our quiet time.

In this example from Psalm 119, the author reads (or has memorized) the words of God and he has made a commitment to follow them. He prays for help. He praises God and works to follow the guidance he's received through the scripture.

That's really all there is to it! These days we have easy access to God's word and tons of tools to help us understand it. There are study guides and special journals to help along the way. These tools can give us new perspectives and help us focus on specific lessons, but sometimes I think they cause us to doubt our ability to study the Bible effectively.

God promises that his words will never come back empty (Isaiah 55:10-11). Trust that he will provide insight if we start with the proper attitude and spend regular, dedicated time in his word. It's as easy as pray, read, do!

Quiet Time With The Lord - Day 4

Today's Reading: Matthew 6:5-8

5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you been tempted to pray aloud on a street corner lately? Most of us are uncomfortable praying out loud among a group of church peers, much less out in the open in front of strangers. In fact, I would have great difficulty praying on a street corner just because of all the distractions!

I got started on my quiet time a little late this morning, and as I got close to the end our twin boys woke up and started munching their Poptarts next to me. While I know it sets a good example to pray in front of your children, I find that I do much better when I'm alone. Even studying the Bible becomes more difficult when others are in the room.

I don't have a 'special' place to do my study. I really like to have a table to write on and I find that if my chair is too comfy I tend to drift off, so I just use our kitchen table. I'd love to have my quiet time outside, but even then I get distracted by birds, clouds, and things that need to be done in the garden.

Jesus found his place for communing with God in the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke tells us that he went there often to pray, and it's fitting that this was the location of his prayer for strength before he was taken away and crucified.

Have you found a place where you are able to study and pray reverently?

Quiet Time With God - Day 3

Today's Reading: Ecclesiates 3:1-8

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

There is also a time to commune with God! The time we each choose will vary. I like the early morning. I just feel closer to God when I watch the sunrise and listen to the birds (however I wasn't very thankful for them at 5:00 this morning!). If I don't take my quiet time before my day begins I never seem to fit it in. Taking this time in the morning seems to set the framework for the day.

Others prefer lunch time or even late night. Whatever time you choose, try to stick to that same time each day. Once your quiet time becomes part of your daily routine you'll be surprised that you ever made it through the day without it.

Experts say it only takes 30 days to create a habit. However, if you miss a day it's not a crisis...just jump right back in the next day.

So, how are you doing so far this week? Even if you haven't started yet, you still have time for 5 quiet times with God between now and Sunday morning!

Quiet Time with God - Day 2

Just a reminder -- the Four Step Plan for having a meaningful quiet time
A. Start with the proper attitudes
B. Select a specific time
C. Choose a special place
D. Follow a simple plan

Today's Reading -- Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

It is easy to fall into the trap of quick, requesting prayers. We want to pray but don't feel like we have much time or praying may tend to put us to sleep when we pray at bedtime, so we give God a quick thanks and jump right to our list of requests. Our daily prayer time may last anywhere from 30 seconds to three minutes, not counting mealtime thanks. But we prayed!

Rick Warren suggests we pray with the attitudes of expectancy, reverence, alertness, and the willingness to obey. God wants us to bring our requests to him, and he expects us to realize the magnitude of his greatness when we do so. Allow yourself to be overwhelmed by God's glory as you begin your quiet time.

Look at David's writing. How many verses relate to God's majesty? Find the requests he made of God. Remembering who God is and all that he has done changes my perspective about the things I planned to request!

Quiet Time With God - Day 1

In case you missed class yesterday, Steve broke away from our Ancient Words series to deliver a much needed reminder of our need for quiet time with the Lord. This week we'll focus on some of the references he gave. Have you had your quiet time yet today?

Today's reading -- Psalm 25

1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
2 in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

3 No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.

4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;

5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.

8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

11 For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

13 He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.

14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.

15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.

18 Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.

19 See how my enemies have increased
and how fiercely they hate me!

20 Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.

21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,
from all their troubles! (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

We have more information in the Bible about King David and his relationship with the Lord than any other person in the Bible. Throughout the Psalms he lifts his worries, praises, and frustrations to God, providing a role model for our quiet time.

David reminds us of God's tangible love as he praises him for teaching us, keeping his promises, and forgiving our past sin. Verses four and five are a request that God would show us his ways. How will we be able to learn these things if we don't spend one-on-one time with Him?

It is going to be really easy to be distracted from our plans for quiet time. I hope to get up a little earlier each day to make time. Today I didn't set the alarm earlier because Doug was staying home and I wanted to be able to let him sleep in. I even woke up at the earlier time and I chose to roll back over and sleep just a little longer. Strike one! I've found a way to reschedule and I don't want to let life interfere. Hmm...that sounded a little hesitant...ok, I won't let life interfere!