Do you ever feel like you are surviving instead of thriving? Everyone does from time to time. The real question is how do we turn that around and start thriving instead of simply surviving? At the height of His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ was in great demand. With just a quick glance through the Biblical Gospels, you recognize a pattern in the life of Jesus. No matter how busy His schedule, Jesus got away from the business to have a quiet time alone with God, His Father.
In Mark 1: 32-37, we read that on one occasion Jesus spent an entire day healing the sick and delivering the demon-possessed. Verse 33 gives us a mental picture of the scene, “And the whole city was gathered…” Can you imagine looking out the front door and seeing an endless line of the sick, hurting, and helpless all waiting to spend just a minute with Jesus?
How did the Lord Jesus keep from “burning out?” We need to know this for our own mental, emotional and spiritual health. The answer is in verse 35, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
Now friends, if the Son of God needed to find time alone with the Father to keep Himself refreshed and His spirit energized, how much more do you and I need to spend time alone with God? Think about it!
Here are some practical tips to help you have a daily time alone with God?
- Set an Appointment with God Every Day
Follow the example of Jesus. Get away with God and let nothing distract you. This is a special time to feed your spirit. Remember, God walked with Adam in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden and God wants to do the same with you. (Gen. 3) If you want to meet someone for lunch you set an appointment with them. If you need to go see your Physician, you call and set an appointment. If you need to get your oil changed in your car, you call the shop and set an appointment. You get the picture? When something is of value to us, we set appointments and there is no greater appointment we need to set on a daily basis than to spend time alone with God. We just have to make it a priority.
- Pray and Ask God to Speak to You Through His Word
James 1:5, “ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” NIV
How does the Holy Spirit of God speak to us? Jesus taught that He would speak to us through the Scriptures. Jesus said, ” But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26).
- Read a Passage of Scripture and Meditate on it
Get on a daily Bible reading plan, or take a book of the Bible and systematically read through it. Don’t concern yourself with reading large portions of Scripture at once. You might miss some wonderful truths if you do. Instead, focus on a paragraph (8 to 10 verses) or one chapter at a time and then meditate on the passage and listen for God to speak to you. Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (NIV)
Ask these Questions while you are studying the Bible and praying…
A – What can I learn about God through this passage?
S – Is there a Sin to avoid?
P – Is there a Promise to claim?
E – Is there an Example to follow?
C – Is there a command to obey?
T – Is there a Lesson to learn?
- Praise the Lord for the Opportunity to Commune with Him
Psalm 119:97-99, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.” (NIV)
- Write in a Journal what God has said to you during your Quiet Time
Dr. Adrian Rogers used to say, “The weakest ink is better than the best memory. Study with pen in hand.” As you write in your daily journal, you will be amazed at how quickly you develop a wonderful Bible study journal that you can go back too and refresh your spirit over and over again.
Pursuing Truth with Chris Vaught 