Discovering Spiritual Maturity - Session Three

AUTHOR MERLE

The Habit of a daily time with God

“The one who looks steadily at God’s perfect law… and makes that law his HABIT – not listening and then forgetting, but actively putting it into practice, will be happy in all that he does.”

James 1:25

The Definition of a “Quiet Time”

“A quiet time is a daily time I set aside to be alone with God, to get to know Him through the Bible and prayer.”

The importance of daily quiet time

There are five reasons for the importance of a daily quiet time.

A. We were created to have fellowship with God.

“So God created man in his own image….” Gen 1:27, 2:7, 3:8

“Look! I’ve been standing at the door and constantly knocking.

If anyone….opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.” Rev 3:20

B. Jesus died to make a relationship to God possible.

“God….has invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son Christ our Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:9

C. Personal time alone with God was Jesus’ source of strength

Mark 1:35 Luke 22:39 Luke 5:19

“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”.

D. Every person who has been effective in Service for God developed this habit.

Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Paul, tec.

E. You cannot be a healthy “growing” Christian without it.

“Man cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that God speaks.”

Matt 4:4

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By keeping to Your Word.”

Ps. 119:0

THE PURPOSE OF A DAILY QUIET TIME

A. To Give devotion to God

“Give to the Lord the glory due to His name. Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness.” Ps 29:2

“Hezekiah was successful, because everything he did…..he did in a spirit of complete devotion to His God”. 2 Chr 31:21

God Desires our devotion Rev 4:11

God Deserves our Devotion John 4:23

B. To Get direction from God

“Show me the path where I should go, O Lord : point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me….” Ps 25:4

C. To Gain delight in God

“Delight yourself in the Lord: and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Ps 37:4

“Gods presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure”. Ps 16:11

D. To Grow daily like God

“For as you know him better and better, God will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life….He has promised to save us….and to give us His own character! 2 Pt 1:3-4

….and we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit 2 Cor 3:18

When the council saw the boldness of Peter and John….they were amazed and realized what being with Jesus had done for them Acts 4:13

SO IT IS A FACT : THE BETTER I GET TO KNOW CHRIST, THE MORE LIKE HIM I BECOME, THE MORE I LOVE HIM.

The objective of your quiet time is not to study about Christ, but to actually spend time with Him.

HOW DO I BEGIN A DAILY QUIET TIME

A SELECT A SPECIFIC TIME

Personally mornings? Can anyone give examples as to why an early morning quiet time is good to consider?

It seems logical to begin the day with it

“The best time to tune your instrument is before you play the concert, not after”.

It demonstrates that meeting with God is your first priority, You give Him first part of your day. (More likely to be rested, mind less uncluttered, and often the quietest time.

B. A SPECIAL PLACE

“Jesus left the city and went, as he usually did, to the Mount of Olives….to pray”. Luke 22:39 Mark emphasizes the time of day here and says, “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place where he prayed.” Mark 1:35

C. GATHER YOU RESOURCES TOGETHER

What resources do you have when spending quiet time?

Bible

Notebook

Songbook

Musical Instrument

D. BEGIN WITH RIGHT ATTITUDE

Reverence – “Be still and know that I am God”. Ps 46:10

Expectancy - “Open my eyes to see wonderful things in Your Word”. Ps 119:18

Willingness to obey – “Whoever is willing to do what God wants, will know…” John 7:17

The five R’s and God

Relax – Be still and quiet! Slowdown! Prepare your heart, take a few deep breaths and wait on God

Read

As discussed last week with reading Gods Word

Reflect

As discussed last week with Meditating on Gods Word

Use your S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S

Sin to confess?

Promise to claim?

Attitude to change?

Command to obey?

Example to follow?

Prayer to pray?

Error to avoid?

Truth to belive?

Something to thank God For?

Record

Write out your personal application statement

Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and the fingertips.

Request

Make your requests known

PROBLEMS WITH QUIET TIME

The problem with Discipline

First problem that faces you especially in the morning is “The battle of the blankets”

Suggestions

Go to bed on time

Get up immediately

Be aware of quiet time

Fall asleep thinking spiritual thoughts

The problem of distraction

Satan will try to use anything to get your mind to wander during a quiet time

Get out of bed

Get thoroughly awake

Read and pray aloud

Walk if you have to

Keep a note book

The problem of dryness

Sometimes you might feel as if you getting nothing out of quiet time

Never judge your quiet time by your feelings

Possible causes of dryness

Your physical condition

Rushing

Getting in a rut

Not sharing insights with others

The problem of diligence

The greatest problem is the struggle to stay consistent

Suggestions

Make a covenant with God

Schedule it

Be prepared for your own or satans excuses

Leave you bible open at night to the passage for the next day

And what if I miss a day?

Don’t get on a guilt trip

Don’t become legalistic

Don’t give up

It is suggested that it takes 3 weeks to become familiar with a new task. Then another 3 before it becomes a comfortable habit. (Break the barrier)

“Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up”.

Prayer of commitment

“Father, realize that I was created to have fellowship with You. Thank You for making this privilege possible through Jesus’ death. I know that daily fellowship with You is to be the most important thing in my life. I now want to commit myself to spending at least some time everyday with You in quiet time of Bible reading and prayer. I’m trusting in Your strength to help me be consistent. In Jesus name, Amen