The Battle For . . .Quiet Times

So, anyone who knows me well knows I am not a morning person. I do not like getting out of bed. I always use the excuse that I am one of those people who needs a lot of sleep. However, I also know that my day gets off to a much better start if I wake up at 5:45 or 6:00 and spend time reading the Bible and praying. I know that I need to spend time alone with God to grow in my relationship with Him. We all know that for a relationship to grow whether it be parent/child, boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, friend/friend, etc.--we must spend time on that relationship. The same is true with God. So, why is it so hard?

I thought I would share some of the lies that I tell myself or that Satan whispers when it is time to get up and spend time with God:


  • You had a long day yesterday, just hit the snooze one more time, you really need your sleep or you won't function well today.
  • I am so warm right now. I will freeze if I get out of bed right now.
  • Just hit the snooze one more time, you will have plenty of time when your alarm goes off again.
  • Your kids were up in the middle of the night and you deserve to sleep in.
  • You will have time to pray and read your Bible later in the day.
  • Does it really matter that you start your day this way?
  • You skipped yesterday, God probably is disappointed in you.
  • The kids are probably going to wake up any minute so why bother?
  • You will probably read your Bible or pray at some point today. After all, you are a pastor. Do you really need to get up and do this now?
  • I will get up when the alarm goes off. Hit snooze (again and again and again).
  • Don't share that you struggle in this area because you are a pastor and your church will surely get rid of you if others knew you skipped quiet times.
  • The lies could go on and on

What is the truth?

Psalm 5:3 says, "O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch."

Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet."

Mark 1:35 says, "And rising very early in the morning while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." If Jesus who is God and sinless needed to get away and pray, then I know I need it as a human and a sinner.

The time is not as important as just doing it. Pick a time that works for you and spend time with the Lord. If you miss a day, don't worry-just pick up where you left off. There are a ton of resources out there, but I usually just read a chapter from the Old and New Testament and spend time in prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). Know that Satan will always wage a battle in this area because he does not want us doing anything that will strengthen our walk with Christ.

Comments

  1. JeniaOctober 8, 2009 at 3:36 PM

    Thanks for sharing that J.L. It is so true! I still struggle with fitting MY own time in with God. It is and I think will be a constant battle for all Christians who truely desire to grow their relationship with Christ... because the at is exactly what Satan does not want us to do!
    See you in a couple of weeks:)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sermon Notes-"Transitional Thoughts"

Introduction: As I was thinking and praying about what to share during my final sermon on staff, I began to think of the transition that I am making as well as the church.   We as pastors have been consistently focused on three priorities over the last several years: prayer, worship and equip.   So, even though I may no longer be on staff in a few weeks at this church, as a member of this church I believe just as strongly that Hesston MB needs to continue to be about these priorities in the days ahead.   However, the more I prayed about it, the more I realized that to get to these priorities, we as a church also had to make some transitions so that is why I am entitling this message “Transitional Thoughts”.   Transition is defined as “the process or an instance of changing from one form, state, activity, or place to another.” Educate to Equip- Ephesians 4:11-16 ·          What is the difference?   o    To educate the focus is information; to equip the focus is transformation o
Read more

You Are Blameless

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
Read more