Thursday, September 26, 2013
Discovering A Growing Relationship With God
Commit to being a growing member of Life Anglican Church Riverstone
Have you considered your growing your Christian life at Life Anglican Church –Riverstone?
HOW TO BEGIN A DAILY QUIET TIME
1. SELECT A SPECIFIC TIME.
The best time to have a quiet time is when I am ______________________!
Reasons for considering an early morning quiet time:
1. The example of Bible characters.
David -Psalm 55:17 “Evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud..”
Daniel -Daniel 6:10 “The windows in its upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
Jesus -Mark 1:35 "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."
2. It seems logical to begin the day with it.
”The best time to tune your instrument is before you play the concert, not after!”
3. It demonstrates that meeting with God is your first priority. You give him the first part of your day!
4. You are likely to be more rested, your mind is less cluttered, and it’s often the
quietest time!
Whatever time you set,
_______________________________.
HOW LONG SHOULD A QUIET TIME BE?
3 Guidelines
Start with 15 minutes and let it grow.
Don't watch the clock!
Emphasize quality, not quantity!
2. CHOOSE A SPECIAL PLACE.
"Jesus left the city and went, as he usually did, to the Mount of Olives ... to pray."
Luke 22:39 (GN)
The Important Factor:
"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
3. GATHER THE RESOURCES YOU'LL NEED.
1. A Bible - with readable print.
2. A Notebook - to write down what the Lord speaks to you about, and to keep your prayer
list.
3. A Songbook - if you want to sing.
4. BEGIN WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDES
______________________________________
"Be still, and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10
______________________________________
"Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word." Ps. 119:18
______________________________________
“The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants” Matt 6:33
"FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH GOD"
(A Plan To Get You Started)
1. ___________________________.
Be still and quiet! Slow down! Prepare your heart. Take a few deep breaths and wait on God.
2. ___________________________.
Begin reading where you left off the day before. Read until you feel God has told you something.
Then stop and think about it.
3. ____________________________.
See the section on "How To Meditate on God's Word".
Think about what the passage means to your life. Write down your thoughts. Part of reflecting is memorizing verses that speak to you in a special way.
4. ____________________________.
Write out a personal application statement that is practical, passable, and measurable.
"Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and the fingertips."
5. ___________________________.
Conclude our Quiet Time by talking to God about what He has shown you and making your requests from our prayer list.
HOW TO OVERCOME THE
PROBLEMS
WITH YOUR QUIET TIME
1. THE PROBLEM OF DISCIPLINE
Your first problem in establishing a quiet time will face you the moment you wake each morning:
Am I going to get out of bed? ("The Battle of the Blankets")
Suggestions
1. Go to bed ______________________.
2. Get up ________________________.
3. Be aware of quiet time _____________.
4. Fall asleep thinking ______________.
2. THE PROBLEM OF DISTRACTIONS
Satan will try to use anything to get your mind to wander during a quiet time.
Suggestions
Get out of _____________________.
Get thoroughly _________________.
Read and pray __________________.
___________ during your prayer time.
Keep a ________________________.
3. THE PROBLEM OF DRYNESS
Sometimes you will feel like you're not getting anything out of your quiet time. (“The Battle of
the Blahs")
Never judge your quiet time by your
____________________.
Possible Causes of Spiritual Dryness
1. Your physical condition.
2. Disobedience to God.
3. Rushing your quiet time.
4. Getting in a rut.
5. Not sharing insights with others.
4. THE PROBLEM OF DILIGENCE
Your greatest problem will be your struggle to stay consistent. I find Satan fights nothing harder than my quiet time.
Suggestions
1. Make a vow to God.
2. Schedule it on your daily calendar.
3. Be prepared for Satan's excuses.
4. Leave your Bible open at night to the passage for the next day!
