Holiness and Sanctification

Continuing with yesterday’s theme of holiness, I wanted to research more about the word.  Using BibleGateway.com Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary resource, here’s what it said about Holiness and Sanctification.

Holiness in the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God’s service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24).  See Sanctification.

So we see from above that holiness is a gradual process.  Once we become Christ’s we are ever changing, morphing into His image.  Everything in life (marriage, singleness, parenting, work, school, health, etc) is used as an instrument of conforming us to our heavenly Father’s character.

 

Sanctification involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13). Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification, inasmuch as it (1) secures union to Christ (Gal. 2:20), and (2) brings the believer into living contact with the truth, whereby he is led to yield obedience “to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come.”

Perfect sanctification is not attainable in this life (1 Kings 8:46; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8). See Paul’s account of himself in Rom. 7:14-25; Phil. 3:12-14; and 1 Tim. 1:15; also the confessions of David (Ps. 19:12, 13; 51), of Moses (90:8), of Job (42:5, 6), and of Daniel (9:3-20). “The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray. They are always subject to the constant chastisement of their Father’s loving hand, which can only be designed to correct their imperfections and to confirm their graces. And it has been notoriously the fact that the best Christians have been those who have been the least prone to claim the attainment of perfection for themselves.” Hodge’s Outlines.

Remember, God’s not done with us yet.  We are in the process of becoming more like Him.  He is faithful to carry out that process until Christ returns.  Every day reveals more improvements, slight changes in mindset and/or behavior.  Each new struggle is an opportunity for us to exercise the will of God and respond out of love rather than self-centeredness.  Therefore, we continue to focus on the eternal things for only the eternal things will last.  We know what we see is temporary and is passing away.

How are you doing on your holiness and sanctification?  Any progress towards God is great.  Don’t get discouraged.  Persevere for even in the persevering God is using it to develop His character in you.

 

O’Lord, I am thankful you make us holy.  Thank you for your sacrifice to make us sanctified, pure and blameless before you.  Help us to understand the depth of the treasure you gave us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc is a 501(c) (3) Public Charity helping you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

What If Marriage Is Meant To Make You Holy Rather Than Happy?

This is a question for all the readers out there.  I’m currently doing a bible study called Sacred Marriage.  Lesson 1 focus is on the purpose of marriage.  It doesn’t matter if you’re married or single.  I’d like you to consider the question above.

If God designed marriage with the purpose of developing His character in you, rather than for your happiness, how would that change your perspective on marriage?

What is holy anyway?  Study God’s Word to find out.  God said ”Be holy, for I am holy.”  When I look for the word “holy” throughout the Bible, I find locations can be holy, days can be holy, clothes could be holy, nations could be holy, people could be holy and of course God is holy.  Holiness is like purity, having motives like God, for the good of others.  Holiness is like love, thinking of others above yourself.

What if we started being holy in our marriages?  What would that look like?  How would our responses change?

Did you know happiness will find you, if you willingly follow God’s ways?

If God wants us to be holy, we should be holy and the result is a lasting joy appears in our life.

Any comments or thoughts you’d like to share?

 

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc is a 501(c) (3) Public Charity helping you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

Pop Quiz Time

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV

Wow, what a list of qualifications.  Even if you don’t desire to be a bishop, this is a good reminder for the children of God.  All of these things should be present in God’s people, not just a bishop.

We all need reminders of the good path to follow.  Today’s verse is a good check list.  Review it for yourself.  How well does it apply to you?  If you find you’re not doing so well, thank God for revealing areas you and He can work on together.

I love verses like this one and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV because they provide a test I can use to determine how well I’m allowing the Spirit in me to conform me to God’s character.   Try it for yourself.  Simply read the verse above as though someone was describing you.  How well does that fit?  Are there areas you’re struggling with?

Lord, thank You for Your Word that so clearly describes godly behavior.  Thank You for Your Spirit to lead us in Your ways.  Forgive us when we fall short and help us to allow You to work in us.  Develop Your character in us, so more of You is evident and less of us is displayed to the world around us.  May we be diligent in our studies of Your Word and in the application of it in our lives.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

 

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc is a 501(c) (3) Public Charity helping you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

Sharpen Your Faith with New Habits

As a believer, you’ve started a new life in Christ.  For every bad habit that distances you from God, Jesus wants to give you a new habit to draw you near to Him.   The goal is to stay connected with God and strengthen your relationship with Him.  In keeping with our goal, here are some practical do-able suggestions to help foster new habits that keep you turning to God.

Pray always. Prayer changes things.  If you can’t find the right words to pray, try reading some of Stormie OMartian’s “Power of Praying ________” books.  She’s written several. Fill in the blank with wife, woman, parent or husband, depending on the perspective and focus you need some help with.  These books are quite handy for expanding your personal prayer horizon and for learning to pray with God’s Word.

Read the Bible every day. I’m sure you’ve heard this one before, but it’s true.  Even reading just a verse or two every day can make a huge difference in your life.  God’s Word is powerful.  The more you read, the more you’ll want to read.  The Bible is like no other book.  It’s alive.  It will give your faith new life, if you’ll read it.

Memorize scripture. When you come across a verse that resonates with you, God’s probably trying to tell you something.  Try to commit it to memory.  Write it down on a post-it note or note card, put it somewhere you’ll see it frequently.  Read it often.  By spending time with a particular verse, God may be preparing you to receive further revelation about Himself or the situation you may be in.

Make God’s Word accessible. Everywhere you go, have God’s Word with you.  Keep a Bible in various places like the office, in your car, and in every room of your house.  They even make very slim or pocket size Bibles you can easily fit in your purse or back pack.  If God’s Word is everywhere, you make it easier for you to pick it up and read it.

Change the radio station. Instead of listening to depressing talk radio or downer worldly music, consider switching to a Bible teaching or Christian music station.  Hearing God’s Word while in the car turns a boring car ride into productive time with God.

Join a small group. Gathering together with other believers for Bible study, fellowship and accountability encourages one another in our faith.  It helps build you up in His love.  Hearing how God’s working in another’s life can cause hope to rise that He’ll come through for you too.  Sharing your story with others can provide encouragement to someone and strengthen their faith as well.  God made us better together.

Have you noticed the theme running through all these suggestions?  That’s right, God’s Word is the main thing.  Our goal is to keep the main thing, the MAIN THING. Deuteronomy 11:19-21 NKJV teaches us to tie God’s commands to our hands, bind them to our doorposts, discuss with our children when we sit down, lie down and when we stand up.  How better to do that than to have God’s Word with us everywhere we go?

If you find your relationship with God growing dull or cold – STOP, check your focus.  How frequently are you talking with Him?  How often are you reading, hearing, thinking and speaking God’s Word?  Try the suggestions for a week and see if it helps get your perspective back and re-ignite your love for God again.  Remember these things are not to replace God, but to help you draw close to God.  His Word by the power of His spirit draws you near, but your job is to remain in Him through obedience to His Word.

Lord, we thank You for giving us everything we need to maintain a healthy intimate relationship with You. Forgive us for straying away from You.  Draw us closer by the power of Your Spirit.   Thank You for Your life sustaining Word and Your Spirit within us to teach us Your truth. Help us develop godly habits that strengthen our faith in You.  In Jesus name Amen.

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc is a 501(c) (3) Public Charity helping you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

Learn in Silence

Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 1 Timothy 2:11-14 NKJV

Oh how this section of scripture cause may people to cringe.  It’s not as bad as you might think.  At least the way I view it anyway.  Let’s take a look together.

When teacher is teaching multiple students, it’s always helpful for the students to remain silent until the teacher has finished explaining the concept completely.  To remain silent during this time is productive.  It allows the teacher to get the main points across and the other students to grasp the concept without being derailed by a question.  In this context, I believe it is total appropriate for a woman, who naturally is more inquisitive, to remain silent and submissive to the teacher.  So when you’re being taught, be silent and listen, try not to interrupt with questions until the right time.

Granted I have a little trouble with this verse 12.  But here’s my explanation.  God’s design was the man would be the head of the household and the woman would be submissive to her husband.  The man is like Christ, meaning the head, while the woman is the body, meaning the church.  We are to follow Christ, not follow somebody from the church.  Therefore, as the woman was not designed to be the head over the man, she shouldn’t be in authority over him.  Does this make sense?    The difficulty I have is not the “authority” part, but the teaching part, for says Galatians 3:28 NKJV “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  If we’re all one and we are moved by the Holy Spirit to teach, I’m not sure why Paul would say a woman can’t teach a man.  You can decide for yourself.

 

As Paul doesn’t stop with verse 12, he continues with verse 13 and 14, which provide his reasoning.  Adam wasn’t deceived in the garden.  It was Eve who was deceived.  As a result, woman have a higher chance at being deceived, this is why Paul suggests woman shouldn’t teach men.  I don’t know about you, but being a woman who teaches, I am keenly aware of my capability of being deceived.  The last thing I want to do is deceive anyone.  So all the more reason, I spend as much time in God’s Word as possible.  I figure prayer, God’s Word, and His Spirit in me are the only three things that can keep me aligned with God and not drawn away by some deception.

That’s my take on this section of scripture.  Hope you found it enlightening.

 

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc is a 501(c) (3) Public Charity helping you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

God Does What He Says He Will

Genesis 21:1 KJV “And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.”

When God speaks, we can trust He will carry out whatever it was He said He would do.  What did the Lord say He would do to Sarah?

Genesis 17:19 KJV “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.”  Did you notice the word “indeed”? It seems like it was added for extra emphasis.  It’s like God is saying this is for sure, have no doubt, this thing is really going to happen.

Genesis 18:14 KJV “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”  No, NOTHING is too hard for God.  Not even causing a barren woman to give birth at an age over 90 years old!  This verse also tells us God’s timing is important factor to remember: “at the appointed time”.

Consider this:  Our life (past, present and future) are all mapped out in God’s blueprint, according to God’s design.  As He designed the plan He knows where everything goes.  The events of our lives are like intricate wooden puzzle pieces that only fit together when all the pieces are inserted in the proper sequence.  And only God knows the appropriate sequence to complete the puzzle.

At the appointed time…Genesis 21:2 KJV “For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.”  We see from scripture, God always does what He says He will do.  It’s just from our limited view it can feel like His plan is never going to happen.

Next time you find yourself in a waiting period, continue to believe God will fulfill the vision.  The following verse I memorized during one of my waiting periods was a wonderful reminder to me and can be encouraging to you too. Habakkuk 2:3 KJV “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”   To tarry means to delay.  The vision won’t be delayed.  It will happen right on schedule. When God speaks, He follows through.  You can count on it.

Lord, thank you for being a God of Your word.  When you speak you also do.  Thank you for your reliability and faithfulness to do what you say you will do.  Help us to believe you.  Increase our faith.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

 

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc is a 501(c) (3) Public Charity helping you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

What To Wear

in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9 NKJV

Have you ever watched that show “What Not To Wear?”  It’s a great show providing tips on how to dress for your body type.  They teach you pick out outfits that flatter you and show you have to dress appropriately for your age.

 

For all the women reading this, did you know how you dress can cause a good man to stumble?

I read “For Women Only: What You Need To Know About the Inner Lives of Men” by Shaunti Feldhanh recently.  A girlfriend recommended it so I began reading it.

Chapter 6 Keeper of the Visual Rolodex is about why it’s so natural for him to look and so hard to forget what he’s seen.   This was really educational for me.  I always knew men looked at women, but I didn’t realize it was a compulsion.  When a woman with a good body comes into their line of view, they are literally compelled to look.  It takes the greatest will not to look.  If your witness your husband, looking away to avoid seeing a beautiful woman while you’re out and about, you should applaud him for his efforts to stay pure.  It really does take a lot of effort for him not to look.

It also explains how once they see something it is forever locked in their minds.  Every image they’ve seen over their life is seared in their memories and can pop up involuntarily through the day or night. So you can image what kinds of images are popping up considering our culture?  TV commercials, magazines, on-line advertisements, spam emails, and mail order catalogs are all geared towards making him look.  They push sexual images out there because they know a man has to look.  Our men are being taken advantage of whether they realize it or not.

Now, getting back to the opening point, how you dress affects men.  Today’s verse says women should wear modest apparel, with propriety and moderation.  If you have a good body, men will imagine what your body looks like under your clothes.  Therefore, if your clothes reveal more of your shape and provide sneak peeks of your woman-ness, you’re basically setting a trap for the men around you.  They are compelled to look at you and the image you portray will be etched in their memory forever.  So take care of how you dress.  There’s nothing wrong with looking nice.  All I’m saying is we should exercise restraint in how much of our bodies we choose to reveal.

I should think the last thing we want to do is cause someone else to stumble.  It’s like Paul talked about if someone doesn’t eat meat, then you should refrain from eating meat when you’re around them so you don’t cause them to be troubled over you eating meat.  Likewise, if your husband is a recovering alcoholic, you don’t drink wine with your dinner if you’re dining with him because you don’t want him to be drawn back into the life of alcoholism.  The same principle works with our dress.  Knowing a man is compelled to look and how images stay with them, we need to dress appropriately so as not to add to the collection of images that can haunt a man the rest of his life, like a certain intimate apparel company’s commercials!

If you’re interested in reading more, please see my article at http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/article.cfm?articleid=134602&from=PROFILE for a detailed book review.  Or order the book from my Book Reviews page at http://thinkonit.org/books.aspx .

Lord, thank you for creating men and women differently, each portraying your likeness.  Help us learn to dress in modest ways so we don’t cause men to stumble.  May we recognize the efforts of our men to avoid looking and encourage them to keep up the fight to stay pure.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

 

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc is a 501(c) (3) Public Charity helping you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

Prayer Tips from 1 Timothy 2:8 NKJV

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 1 Timothy 2:8 NKJV

Do you want to bless God and make Him smile?  Take the advice of this verse.

Pray everywhere – Does that mean just on Sunday when I go to church? It includes Sunday, but it’s all in compassing.  Everywhere we go, we are to pray.  We pray when we get up in the morning, while we eat breakfast, drive to work, while at work or school, when we need to make a decision, when we experience trials, when we are happy, when we are sad, when we come home, when we sit around, and while we lie down.  What ever condition we find ourselves in and where ever we may be at the time, we pray.  Prayer is communication with God.  It’s a constant turning our thoughts to God, where ever we are, in that moment.  Don’t forget it’s two-way communication.  We talk, yes, but we also pause to allow us to listen when God speaks to us.

Lifting up holy hands – Have you ever seen a person during a worship service raising their hands over their head?  Those folks are reaching up to God during worship.  They’re setting aside what others may think about them and focusing soling on God, giving Him their all.  The lifting up of hands is a physical expression of thankfulness, worship to and gratitude towards God for who He is.  We know that by our own efforts we can not make our hands holy.  We have been cleansed by Christ’s death and resurrection.  Because of that we have holy hands, stretching out to touch God in all His goodness and glory.

Without wrath and doubting – Have you ever prayed with anger or hatred or bitterness towards another living being?  Do you remember what some of Jesus’ disciples did when a Samaritan wouldn’t receive Jesus into his house in Luke 9:51-55 NKJV: “And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?””  Jesus’ response was “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”  Based on this, we are not to pray destruction upon anyone.

We are also not to doubt when we pray. James 1:6-7 NKJV “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;” Instead of doubting, we are to pray as though we already have whatever it is we’re asking for.  Look at Mark 11:24 NKJV “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Let’s review what we’ve learned from today’s verse: 1) We are to pray everywhere. Prayer is two-way communication with God.  Talking to God is important, but equally important is listening to what God says to you through prayer. 2) Recognize our hands are holy because of Jesus.  We praise and worship our Lord and Savior by raising our hands.  It’s not the only way, just one of the ways we express worship. 3) Prayer should not be with wrath or doubting.  Instead pray as though we have whatever it is we’re asking for, and then it will be ours.

 

So how’s your prayer life?  Are you in constant contact with God Almighty through prayer?  He’s just a thought away.  Are you listening when you pray?  Are you believing you have already received whatever it is you’re praying for?  Start today.  He’s waiting to hear from you.

Lord, we thank you for your great sacrifice to make us holy in your eyes.  Thank you for saving us.  Thank you for hearing our prayers and accepting our worship of you.  We ask that all may come to know you as Lord and Savior.  We ask this without wrath and doubting.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc is a 501(c) (3) Public Charity helping you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

Our Choices Shape the Relationships Around Us

Have you ever watched the movie called “A Walk To Remember”?  I recently saw it on cable.  There’s a line in the movie I just love.  The young man was talking to his mother about a girl he has become attached to.  He said “She makes me want to be a better man.”

 

Wow!  What a statement.  The way the young girl lived her life before the young man caused him to want to be a better person. Isn’t that what God wants from everyone of His children?  By our lives lived on purpose with intention we can cause those around us to want to be better persons too! Let’s look at some things the young girl did in the movie to see if we can draw any conclusions as to how we should live.

 

She was kind, always calm and pure.  She didn’t let the trials of life affect or bother her.  She always saw good in other people.  She had faith in the young man and believed he would go great things.  She was humble.  She considered the young man to be her angel sent by God to help her.  She was also dying from cancer, but was not bitter towards God because of it.

 

Now let’s look at what 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV says about love:

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Do you see the similarities between scripture and the young woman’s life? When we face adversities in life, such as cancer, others are watching how you handle it.  In the movie, the young woman was a noble role model who didn’t blame or curse God because of the disease.  Instead she lived out her life to please to God, she lived a life of love.

But I challenge you, it is not just during adversity when others are watching.  It’s also during the mundane every day tasks of life and how you respond to them that others are watching. Take for example the scene where the family pet has just made a mess on the carpet and hubby, walking barefooted, has just stepped in it.  If you were “hubby” how would you respond?  Before you answer remember, hubby is the head of the household according to God’s design.  He sets the example for the rest of the family. (No pressure!)

Choice #1: Get angry. Raise your voice to yell at your spouse, who bought the pooch you didn’t want in the first place.  Angrily blame your spouse and child for not cleaning up the mess and with loads of bitterness clean up the stinky mess yourself.

Side Effects: A chain reactions is started by your snapping at your spouse.  You spouse snaps back.  She’s now hurt because of your tone of voice and giving you the silent treatment as she stews on her own pot of bitterness.  Your child is mad because when he attempts to clean up the mess, you scold him for not doing it right.  Accusation, blame, bitterness are flying around and now distance between all parties is going.

Choice #2:  Calmly get something to wash your foot off.  Then clean the mess on the floor or ask for help.

Side Effects:  Your spouse comes over to assist with the mess.  You child takes the pooch out for a walk.

Which of these choices promotes peace, conveys love and sets a positive example for the rest of the family? Which choice leaves lasting bitterness, remorse and wounds the very people you love?  How would you want your children to react in a similar situation? How would you respond?

 

Even in the ordinary things people are watching how we respond.  Are we going to respond from our old “wounded” sinful flesh?  Or are we going to choose the “high way” and walk by the Spirit?  What do you suppose Jesus would have done? Next time you’re faced with a “stinky” situation think about the choices in your response.  What kind of memory do you want to pass along?

 

Dear Jesus, we know without you we are nothing. It is by your mercy and grace we have your Holy Spirit dwelling in us to help respond in a godly way. Teach us to follow you in all we do. In your name, we pray. Amen.

 

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc is a 501(c) (3) Public Charity helping you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

Quiet Time – Renewal Time

Genesis 18:1 KJV And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre; and he sat in the tent door in the heat of day;

Abraham was sitting quietly in his tent door.  Perhaps he was meditating or praying.  We don’t know for sure.  However, we do know to sit means to be fairly still and not moving around.

Notice how the Lord appeared to Abraham when he was still?  How often are we still?  Do you allow stillness into your daily routine?  It is within this stillness you can hear the Lord speaking to you.

You may find it hard to quiet yourself at first, especially when you’re not used to it.  You might find your mind racing through a mental TO DO List of all the things you need to get done.  If those thoughts plaque you when you try to have a quiet time, here’s a helpful hint:  Keep a notepad and pen close by.  Write down every distracting thought so you can deal with it later.

So with the distracting thoughts written down for later, what exactly do you do in a quiet time?  No two quiet times are the same.  Each one is different based on how God shaped the person.  By sharing what I do in my quiet time, perhaps it will give you some ideas for yours.  Please kind in mind this is not a formula to follow, it’s just an idea of what you can do in your own quiet time.

1) I like to journal my prayers. As I pour out my prayers with thanksgiving, praise and worship of God Almighty, I feel my heart opening and turning towards God.  After some time of praise to God, my prayers switch to praying for others (those close to me, those who point me to Christ, those in authority, those who are in need etc) and finally I pray for the concerns on my heart at the time. What I like most about journaling my prayers is how God sometimes answers those prayers as I write them.  It’s also neat to have a record of what I prayed for and how God answered it.  It can be very encouraging to read when you find yourself spiritually low.

2) After journaling, I like to sit quietly and focus my thoughts on God. Thinking of what He has done for me already and remembering His promises straight from God’s Word, the Holy Bible.  Here’s a few I like to meditate on:

a. John 3:16 NKJV 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

b. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

c. Ezekiel 36:26 NKJV I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

d. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

3) I read God’s Word. It doesn’t matter really where you read.  I’ve read through the Bible from beginning to end.  I’ve also read a New Testament book and then read an Old Testament book, alternating back and forth.  Sometimes a few Psalms.  Other times I read Proverbs.  I’m currently reading through the whole Bible again in KJV, hence the reason for today’s verse.   The point is READ GOD’S WORD.  Read it regularly.  It’s God Word to you.

4) I write down everything I feel the Spirit has prompted me to write. Sometimes this is a way to handle a certain situation I was facing.  Other times it’s an idea for a devotion or article to share with others.  Then again, it can be a deeper understanding of God’s character.  It also can be an awareness of some sin in my life.  When this occurs, I repent and ask for God’s forgiveness. The result of having a quiet time is a deeper, richer, more fulfilling relationship with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  Spending this time is like developing assurance and confidence in God.  The more time you spend with Him, the more you know with certainty He is who He says He is and He does what He says He will do.  God used my quiet time to strengthen my faith and reassure me of His love for me.

Whether your prefer quiet time outside walking in nature or studying God’s Word in your den, spending time with God is how you draw closer to Him.  So when you quiet yourself and think on God, you will find Him closer than you think. As Psalm 46:10 NKJV says “10 Be still, and know that I am God;” being still and reading His Word are ways to know more of God.

Lord, I thank You for being all You say You are and for doing everything You say You will.  I thank You that You want a relationship with me and desire me to draw closer through quiet times.  Help me to prioritize my schedule to include those special moments with You.  In Jesus’ name Amen

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