SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: Quiet Time

Mark 1:35   35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

WHAT IS QUIET TIME?:

Quiet time is our daily appointment to meet with God. It can also be called personal Bible study or devotions.

·         Ex 33:7-11 – The Tent of Meeting

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

In order for any relationship to grow, the lines of communication have to be open and working on both sides. In order for your relationship with a significant other to grow, quality time has to be spent to hear and listen to what each other has to say and want. Quiet time is a Christian’s daily appointment/date with God. Just like in our earthly relationships, in order for our celestial relationships to grow, we must spend quality time communicating with God, listening to what He has to say through quiet time and communicating with Him through prayer.

HOW DO WE APPLY IT TO OUR LIVES?:

As Disciples of Christ, we strive to be Christlike in all aspect of our lives. In the area of quiet time, Jesus gave us very good examples to follow.

·         Mark 1:35 “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

• Luke 5:16 – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

In all the buzy-ness of Jesus’ ministry, He still found time to get away and connect with God. Here are a few basic guidelines to follow in order to do it right:

• Right time: Your quiet time should last at least half an hour. But some time is better than no time,
• It should be your very best time.
• Make time, and make it a priority.
• Begin your day with God. Psalm 5:3 says, “… in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.”
• Right Place
  :  Find a place where you can focus. Matthew 6:6
• Right Tools:
• a study Bible with plenty of room to write notes in the margins.
• a  journal – You need something to write down what God says to you. Also use it to record things you're praying about.
• a notepad - Write down your daily assignments.
• Be Right:
• Get still and quiet. The Bible says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Focus your mind on Him. Calm down, relax, and recognize His presence. Take a deep breath and focus your thoughts on the Lord.
• Get into the Word of God. It is more important for you to hear from God. God already knows all about us, but we need to get to know more about Him. Read the Bible for quality and not quantity. This is the time when you simply read the Bible with an open mind.
• Meditate. As you focus on the Word of God and meditate, let it permeate you. Ask:
• Is there a command to obey?
• Is there a promise to claim?
• Is there a sin to avoid?
• Is there a lesson to learn?
• Is there a new truth to carry with me?
• Record what God has given you. Write down what God says to you and what He tells you to do.
• Pray. When you pray, pour out your soul. Be natural and honest with God. Tell Him how you feel. Pray out loud. It keeps your mind on track and enables you to stay focused.
• Share with others. God did not make us to be reservoirs; He made us to be conduits. Tell others what is God is showing you.
• Obey what God tells you. Your spiritual train is running on two rails. One is revelation and the other is obedience. And if either rail stops, your train stops. Learn to obey the Word of God.

FINAL WORD:

• In order for our relationship with God to grow, we have to be in continuous communication with him and have quality time set aside to hear what God wants from us in the relationship. As we become more discipline as disciples, we become closer and closer to Christlike resemblance.

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NEXT TIME: Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer & Fasting