"My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him." (Psalm 62:5 AMPC)
Here are some suggestions on having quality quiet time with God. It’s not a formula and I am not suggesting it’s the only way but giving suggestions that may enhance the quality of your quiet time with the Lord.
Consider the place where you study God’s Word each day. How does it help or hinder your focus? Make sure you have everything you need before you begin.
Pray for understanding - “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.” (Psalm 119:18 AMPC)
You can study systematically verse-by-verse, book-by-book, topic-by-topic, or theme-by-theme.
Once you’ve chosen the Scripture(s) you will focus on:
Write down your observations - what stood out to you, what word should you take a deeper look at.
How do you apply this Scripture to my life so it will transform your life?
Read Scripture repeatedly so you can get it in your spirit – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 NKJV)
You can have a quiet time anywhere, but it all starts with a great attitude, a hunger for God, and a desire to grow spiritually. God wants to know that your heart is in the right place, on Him.
The Bible says in 1 Samuel 16:7, “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV).
God sees your heart as you seek Him out. He knows why even when we don't.
What is the right attitude to have during your quiet time?
Come with expectancy. Be eager to come into God’s presence. You’re meeting with God — the creator of the universe! You should expect to have a good time of fellowship with him and receive blessings and insights from Him.
Come with reverence. You’re going to meet God, so don’t rush into His Presence. Prepare your heart by being still before him. If you were going to meet with the president of the United States or the King of England, you’d get there early. You'd look your best. How much more reverence should we have when we come into the Presence of the Creator of the universe?
Come with alertness. Get yourself wide-awake before you meet with God. Again, you’re meeting the Creator of the universe. The best time to prepare for your quiet time is the night before. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier if you need to. Be mentally and spiritually prepared when you meet with God. He deserves your full attention.
Come with the willingness to obey. Don’t start your quiet time with the idea that you’ll hear from God and then decide whether or not to obey. Instead, tell the Lord you’ve already decided you’re going to say “yes” to whatever He tells you.
Have a good attitude before you start your quiet time, and you can expect a good result from your quiet time. Come before the Lord with the wrong attitude, and it’ll be just the opposite.
Some questions for you to ponder:
What specific ways will you change the way you do your quiet time once you consider your attitude toward your time with God?
How do you think your attitude would change if you had a sense of expectation about what God is going to do in your heart during your quiet time and not if he will work in you?
Some Scriptures to ponder:
"A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep drafts of God. I’m thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, “Will I ever make it—arrive and drink in God’s presence?” (Psalm 42:1-2 MSG)
"I spread forth my hands to You; my soul thirsts after You like a thirsty land [for water]. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!" (Psalm 143:6 AMPC)
Jesus replied, "I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)." (John 6:35 AMPC)
"And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken." (Isaiah 30:18 AMPC)
"O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is." (Psalm 63:1 AMPC)
"Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help. Every morning you’ll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend." (Psalm 5:1-3 MSG)
Be Encouraged! ❤
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