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What is a "Quiet
time"?
Psa 46:10a (KJV)
Be still, and know
that I am God: When I first became a christian I had never heard of
the concept of a "Quiet time". I am sure that the pastors and teachers that were
teaching me up until that point MUST HAVE been doing it, but the whole concept
was foreign to me. Perhaps it is to you too, so let's take a look at it and see
what we can learn....
Although it may seem a little obvious, the concept of
a "quiet time" consists of two parts.
1) The first part is the "Quiet"
part.
What does "quiet" mean? According to the
dictionary, one definition of "quiet" includes the
following...
2) The second part of the concept of a "quiet time"
is...time, ie, time alone with God.
It is so obvious that we might miss it. What does the
dictionary have to say about "time":
So let's put it altogether now...
A quiet time is a set occasion that you commit
yourself to withdraw from the frenzy of worldly life, and seek to meet with God.
You try to calm your heart, eliminate all outside distractions, focus your
attention only on God, and allow yourself to be calmed and quiet and
settled.
You may confess your
sins and worldly attitudes, re-dedicate yourself to God for a new day, ask God
to fill you with the Holy Spirit for joy and service for the day, pray, read a
few passages of scripture to focus on God's goodness, intercede for a friend, or
ask God for some help. And in the quietness of the time, recognize
that God loves you and is waiting to help you and answer all your prayers. I
find that it takes at least 20 minutes or more to get focussed on God and
have a valuable time with Him. Your time may vary, of course, but the more time you spend with God, the deeper will be your
experience of God, and the more you will be prepared for the day.
When should you have a quiet time? The
most logical time is in the morning before you start the day, so that the
blessing of your experience will follow you and spill over onto others for the
remainder of that day. But you don't have to limit yourself to one quiet time.
You may want to have another one at break time, at lunch, during your daily
commute back and forth. Indeed, the Bible exhorts us to "pray without
ceasing". So it is desireable to take your quiet time with you, to try to
have a quiet time all day, to recognize that you are in the presence of God all
day. And actually He is, because if you are a Christian, Christ is on you in the
person of the Holy Spirit. (Col 1:26-27
KJV)
Even the mystery which hath been
hid from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to
his saints:
{27} To whom God would make
known
what is the riches of the glory of
this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope
of glory:
Here now are some pertinent
passages from the scriptures dealing with our devotional life with Christ.
God bless you as you seek to
do His will.
In Christ....brother
bob........<><
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Psa 46:10 (KJV)
Be still, and know
that I am God:
I will be exalted
among the heathen,
I will be exalted in
the earth. Psa 4:3-4 (KJV)
But know that the
LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:
the LORD will hear
when I call unto him.
{4} Stand in
awe, and sin not:
commune with your
own heart upon your bed, and be still.
Selah.(=calmly
meditate)
(Mat 6:6 KJV)
But thou,
when thou prayest,
enter into thy
closet, and when thou hast shut thy door,
pray to thy Father
which is in secret;
and thy
Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Jer 23:24 (KJV)
Can any hide
himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD.
Do not I fill
heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
1 Th 5:16-18 (KJV)
Rejoice
evermore. {17} Pray without ceasing.
{18} In
every thing give thanks:
for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Eph 5:18-21 (KJV)
And be not drunk
with wine, wherein is excess;
but be filled with
the Spirit;
{19}
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs,
singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord;
{20}
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ;
{21}
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of
God.
1 Pet 3:4 (KJV)
But let it be
the hidden man of the heart,
in that which is not
corruptible,
even the ornament
of a meek and quiet spirit,
which is in the
sight of God of great price.
Isa 32:17-18 (KJV)
And the work of
righteousness shall be peace;
and the effect of
righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
{18} And my
people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation,
and in sure
dwellings,
and in quiet
resting places;
1 Th 4:11-12 (KJV)
And that ye study to be quiet,
and to do your own business,
and to work with your own hands,
as we commanded you;
{12} That ye may walk
honestly toward them that are without,
and that ye may
have lack of nothing. 1 Tim 2:1-4 (KJV)
I exhort therefore,
that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks, be made for all men;
{2} For
kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
{3} For this
is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Saviour;
{4}
Who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto
the knowledge of the truth. IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN GROWTH DEVOTIONALS
ALWAYS FREE OF
CHARGE
(but not necessarily free
of COST)
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God Bless You.....brother
bob.......<>< For more information, please visit our home page http://www.nazerene.com YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
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