In
order to stay close, feel close, and walk close to the Living God, you must
learn to speak to Him and hear from Him at least once a day. A quiet time with
God is one of the most important aspects of the believer's life. It
is in that time that we breathe out our heart's cry for answers, direction, and
comfort. We breathe out words of worship and adoration and breathe in His
words from His Word. Your spirit
without the daily fellowship with the Lord yearns for His presence, much like
oxygen deprived lungs yearn for air.
The
Lord enjoys the company of His children. Quietness before God is a great need in
life. In the rat race of schedules, purposeless activities, and temporal
business, take time to be quiet and enjoy giving yourself to worship the One who
sits on the throne of Heaven.
I.
Schedule a Quiet Time Each Day
In
order to get to know God through fellowship with Him.
To
receive direction in daily decisions.
To
bring needs before God.
To
enable you to worship alone from your heart.
II.
Our Example - The Lord Jesus
Early
in the morning. Mark 1:35
Rather
than sleeping. Luke 6:12
In
an undisturbed place. Mark 6:46
Alone with God. Matthew 14:23
III.
The Procedure
A
set time - make an ongoing appointment with God.
A
quiet place - no distractions to divert your attention.
A plan to follow - reading and meditating on Scripture, prayer, and worship.
IV.
The Plan Implemented
Win
the victory the night before - Go to bed early and get plenty of rest.
Select
a quiet place the day before - this place will become special to you.
Be
as consistent as possible - don't let excuses arise.
Develop
a balanced reading/meditation/prayer time. Avoid the temptation to
read as many verses as possible during your quiet time. Take time to
read, reflect, think, and listen.
Develop
an effective prayer time.
Learn
how to have prayers answered.
Learn
to keep a journal of prayer requests and when they are answered.
Pray
with focus. Learn to spend most of your time on one or two special
prayer needs.
V.
The Bible Plan
Begin
with a sentence prayer - Psalm 119:18
Read
through the Bible in a systematic format. Choose a book and read it
chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Don't spend your time hunting
for a new place to begin each day.
Mark
your Bible. It's OK to write in your Bible. Learn to circle,
underline, and make notes in the margins near Scriptures that are dear to
you.
VI.
The Prayer Plan - ACTS
Adoration
and Praise: Tell God how much He means to you.
Confession:
Clear your heart, accept forgiveness, go and sin no more.
Thanksgiving:
Acknowledge blessings and answers to prayers.
Supplication:
Offer heartfelt prayers which come from deep burdens.
VII.
Listen to God
Doctrine
- teachings of the faith.
Reproof
- correcting error.
Correction
- redirecting one's life.
Instruction
- training in Godly living.