Abide: Having a Quiet Time

I'm just gonna start this post right off by saying I am absolutely not an expert on how to have a quiet time/devotion time with the Lord.  Before an anonymous commenter sits down to type that dart from his/her computer, you should know that I KNOW that to be true.  I will even go as far to say that what works for me right now may not even be what I'm found to be doing this time next year.

There is no right or wrong way to read or study the Scriptures.  The point is make time to do so.  And I think we have a lot to learn from each other and even then, we must discern what works for us personally and seek God on how He wants us to work that out in our day.

And He does want us to.

So, this is what works for me ....

1) Journaling.  I start by journaling what is on my heart that day.  For instance, I write or list things that I would take to God in prayer.  Most of last year, my journaling was more of a quick prayer request list instead of what I've normally done in the past  - which is journal as if I'm writing directly to the Lord and telling Him all my 'junk' ;)

Writing a detailed entry or a request list is simply a way for me to get my thoughts together, zero in on what is on my heart and position myself to hear from the Lord. 
I also appreciate the gift that journaling gives someone like me.  Where I would attempt to entertain the ridiculous notion that God has forgotten me, my journals are an absolute testament to His attention and His patience.  So .... I'm back to pouring my heart out on paper.  He is faithful!

2) Reading.  I read from a devotional book (most times more than one) and let God lead me from there.  Oftentimes I will read an entry in a devotional book, jot down the Scripture reference in my journal and read that entire passage in my Bible. 

This is when I am trying to discern what God is speaking to me through His word.  Is He giving me an answer to a request I have already mentioned? Is He promising me something for the days ahead? Is He giving me a confirmation on a subject He wants me to study further? Is He calling me to action on something particular for that day?

I always write down the Scripture references for that day in my journal.  Sometimes, I will write out what I'm discerning the lesson to be.  I love to write out what He speaks to me at that particular moment.  It may be an answer He gave me for something that has been weighing on my heart or it may be what I learned specifically at that moment that I had never thought of before.

We all have many options to choose from in terms of devotion books but here are my (current) favorites ....

The One Year At His Feet Devotional by Chris Tiegreen I'm going through this one for the third year in a row.  I bought the leather bound edition years ago and love it.  I'm drawn to devotionals that make me think and dig a little deeper.  This one does that.  It's the one I first read about the new name we will receive on a white stone - (now, I'm thinking I never posted the rest of that story - oops).

Life Application Study Devotional by Tyndale

Instead of reading through my One Year Bible this year, I told Eric I wanted focus on the New Testament - concentrating on one book at a time.  I found this devotional and am really enjoying it.  It makes me dig deeper, which I love.

Those are the two I use for my quiet time.  I, like many of you, keep devotion books around my house or in my car to browse throughout the day.  For that I enjoy Tozer on the Almighty God, Jesus Calling and Streams in the Desert.

3) Prayer.  I pray about what I've listed in my journal, what God brings to my mind and about what I've just read in His Word. 

A year or so ago, I was struggling with staying focused during my prayer time.  I have a tendency to let my mind wander to my grocery list or what carpool will look like for that day.  While praying with Emma one night, she went through the simple A.C.T.S. method that I had learned so many years before.  Something so simple and elementary, once again, changed my prayer life and now I can stay focused.

A - Adoration.  Spending time acknowledging God, praising Him for who He is and cherishing His presence.

C - Confession.  Asking God to search my heart and revealing those things I need to ask forgiveness for - creating in me a clean heart so that I can come before Him in prayer.

T - Thanksgiving - Giving thanks for ALL things.

S - Supplication - Giving my requests to the Lord and interceding for those around me.  Praying the requests I have on my heart that day.

Some would argue that prayer should come first.  I get that, but what works for me is to be aware of what is on my heart in the first place so I'm not so scattered before the Lord.  So I can pay attention.  Also, once I pray, I have been in His Word and He will usually bring to my mind what I've just read as comfort for what heavy needs I am bringing before Him.

I learned a long time ago that I make time to do what I want to do.  I do what is important to me.  I'm a big enough mess that I know I can't do without a quiet time.  I need it like I need water and food.

Again, this is what works for me.  My 'study' time is a separate thing altogether.  One thing I'm sure of that God revealed to me in 2011 is that my study time (time preparing lessons, etc.) is not my devotion/quiet time.  I may read something in my morning quiet time that I will want to study further, but the two are separate for me.

Remember, this is all about how I'm choosing to Abide with the Lord this year.  It looks different for all of us, so there is no need for condemnation.  However, God's Word is so powerful that none of our lives are functioning properly without it. 

I'm learning so much yet have so much more to learn! He is patient and gracious. 

If you have anything different that works for you, feel free to share in the comments what you do or link to a similar post.

I appreciate all of you!  Let's Abide ....

I am the vine, you are the branches.

He who abides in Me,

and I in him, bears much fruit;

for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5