22010.299 Come, Follow Me!

“As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people!’ They left their nets immediately and followed him. Going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Then he called them. They immediately left the boat and their father and followed him.” —Matthew 4:18–22

Leaving all, these two sets of brothers immediately heed Jesus’ call to follow Him. In following Jesus, they are agreeing to His right over their lives. Willing to let go of their possessions and their own aspirations, they yield to His. Smart move on their part! It is God’s desire for us to live our lives with open hands–—not holding on to any earthly treasure or endeavor.

I am reminded of our Lord’s words to us later in Matthew:

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life because of me will find it.” —Matthew 10:37–39

It is Jesus who makes us fishers of men, not our own ability or creativity. In our verses for today, it is Jesus who is preparing to make disciples out of these fishermen—changing their lives as well as the course of history! When Jesus moves calls, things happen! Nothing is too hard for Him.

Jeremiah’s prayer comes to mind:

“Oh, Sovereign LORD, you did indeed make heaven and earth by your mighty power and great strength. Nothing is too hard for you!” —Jeremiah 32:17

I am also reminded of the writer of Hebrews’ lovely benediction expressing the confidence that God through the Lord Jesus will prepare us for every good use:

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, equip you with good thing to do his will, working in us what is pleasing before him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” —Hebrews 13:20–21

This does not negate our personal responsibility in knowing and applying God’s truth to our lives. Yet, it is God who works in us to accomplish His purposes. Paul puts it this way to the Philippians:

“So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.” —Philippians 2:12–13

Jesus’ call to His twelve disciples to follow Him goes much deeper than a mere walking with Him. This is true for every disciple! The call to follow is not a temporary following. It entails an abiding fellowship not only for the sake of learning but of doing whatever He calls us to do. It involves holding on to Him in trust and obedience and acting according to His example. It is God’s desire that we are ever in the process of being conformed to the image of His Son. His desire is that when the world looks upon Jesus’ followers, they see Jesus. We are to be controlled by the Spirit of God.

Become More

“… because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” —Romans 8:29

Further Reflections

“I make it my priority to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I maintain a simple attention and a fond regard for God.” —Brother Lawrence

A special faith in our Lord Jesus Christ’s person, work, and office is the life, heart, and mainspring of the Christian character. He sees by faith an unseen Saviour, who loved him, gave Himself for him, paid his debts for him, bore his sins, carried his transgressions, rose again for him, and appears in heaven for him as his Advocate at the right hand of God. He sees Jesus and clings to Him … He sees his own many sins, his weak heart, a tempting world, a busy devil; and if he looked only at them, he might well despair. But he sees also a mighty Saviour, an interceding Saviour, a sympathizing Saviour–His blood … His righteousness, His everlasting priesthood–and he believes that all this is his own. He sees Jesus and casts his whole weight on Him. Seeing Him, he cheerfully fights on, with full confidence that he will prove more than a conqueror through Him that loved him.” —J C Ryle

22010.298 Are You Willing to Repent?

“In those days John the Baptist came into the wilderness of Judea proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. For he is the one about whom the prophet Isaiah had spoken: “The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.’”
“Now John wore clothing made from camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. Then people from Jerusalem, as well as all Judea and all the region around the Jordan, were going out to him, and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.” —Matthew 3:1–6

John the Baptist’s message was one of repentance; a calling of the people to turn back from their point of departure, a calling to turn back to God. The people had thought wrongly and John called them to think aright. A change of mind will always produce a change of ways. Indeed, John the Baptist was the voice of one calling in the dusty desert to prepare the way for the Lord. His ministry even took place in the Desert of Judea—the barren and rugged land west of the Dead Sea. The desert is a vivid picture of the dry and fruitless condition of man’s soul apart from the “living water” of the Lord Jesus Christ who said:

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. Just as the scripture says, ‘From within him will flow rivers of living water.’” (Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.)” —John 7:37–39

Matthew skips about thirty years Jesus’ life and begins his narrative by picking up with the ministry of John the Baptist. In other parts of Scripture, glorious things are spoken regarding both Jesus and John at their births, which would cause us to expect extraordinary appearances of God’s power and presence when they were young. Yet God’s Word remains mostly silent on both of their growing up years—we have only been given the privilege of barely a glimpse. This brings our focus to the end of their lives—not the workings up to the end. It is amazing how God often takes years before the “time fully comes” in the lives of His chosen vessels and remains fairly silent until their specific task is at hand. There is preparation time in every life and though we may not readily perceive it, God is ever at work.

Our God is a mysterious God. His plans are often not revealed to us. The prophet Isaiah tells us:

“Yes, you are a God who keeps hidden, O God of Israel, deliverer!” —Isaiah 45:15

“Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,” says the LORD, “for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.” —Isaiah 55:8–9

Luke writes of God’s planned job description for John:

“But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John. Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.’” —Luke 1:13–17

In our verses for today, we see John the Baptist not blending with the world (to say the least!). He was great in the sight of the Lord yet lowly in the sight of man—just as Christ himself. John was a plain man denying this world and its eye-catching delights. He had to have been an oddity with his choice of clothing and food as well as his startling and awakening message. He was focused on his office, his call from above.

Generally speaking, the Jewish people of that day were very proud of their privileges as God’s chosen people. They wanted to ignore their sin. John was sent to level their tall mountains of pride and high opinions of themselves. His teachings of self-denial are as necessary now as they were back then. It remains important for us to have a conviction of the inadequacy of our own righteousness. The way of sin and Satan is always a crooked path. To prepare a way for Christ our paths must be made straight. The writer of Hebrews tells us:

“Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.” —Hebrews 12:12–13

Become More

“The one who answers God’s call loses nothing, but a life deaf to God’s call loses everything.” —Ann Voskamp

Further Reflection

“Those whose business is to call others to mourn for sin and put it to death should themselves live a serious life, a life of self-denial.” —Matthew Henry

22010.297 Can You See God’s Grace?

“This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah (by Tamar), Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz (by Rahab), Boaz the father of Obed (by Ruth), Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon (by the wife of Uriah), Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. After the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, fourteen generations.” —Matthew 1:1–17

Seriously, is there anyone out there still awake?

I mean, really, what could possibly be more exciting or invigorating than a good genealogy read? However, this isn’t just any genealogical presentation. It is the genealogy of our Lord and Savior’s earthly ancestors and the list is packed full of insight into God’s amazing grace.

The book of Matthew was written by the tax collector turned Jesus follower, one of the original twelve Apostles. It is an eyewitness account of much of our Lord’s earthly ministry. Matthew writes his gospel primarily to a Jewish audience. It is fitting that he begins his writing by connecting Jesus back to the two great covenants of Jewish history—the Abrahamic (Genesis 12 and 15) and the Davidic (2 Samuel 7)—by including a detailed lineage of Christ. This genealogy shows that God is ever faithful to His promises and will make good every word He has spoken though the performance of the fulfillment may be long deferred.

Anyone claiming to be the King of the Jews at that time would have been asked by their fellow Jews if they were indeed descendants of King David. Matthew clearly gives a definitive “Yes!” to Jesus being rightly related to King David by detailing His lineage.

Interestingly, Matthew makes mention of five women in his genealogy of Jesus. He also includes some men of questionable character. The genealogy of Jesus demonstrates the gift of God’s grace: Tamar, an adulterous Canaanite; Rahab, a prostitute and a Canaanite as well; Ruth, a Moabite; Solomon’s mother Bathsheba, an adulteress; and Mary “of whom was born Jesus,” the “of whom” being a feminine relative pronoun indicating Jesus was the physical child of Mary yet Joseph was not His physical father. I think it is interesting that Matthew, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, mentions Uriah’s name in lieu of Bathsheba’s as he had been her husband and the one that King David murdered in an effort to cover his own sin with her. I think it sweet of God to recognize Uriah in this significant place rather than Bathsheba, once again reminding us that he was an honorable man.

We see God’s grace throughout the Bible, reaching back many generations through his covenant, and going forward through the sacrifice of his only Son.

Become More

“Grace is the grand and only resource for us all. It is the basis of our salvation; the basis of a life of practical godliness; and the basis of those imperishable hopes which animate us amid the trials and conflicts of this sin-stricken world. May we cherish a deeper sense of grace, and more ardent desire for glory!” —C. H. Mackintosh

Further Reflections

“Delays of promised mercies, though they exercise our patience, do not weaken God’s promise.” —Matthew Henry

“No sea is deeper than the ocean of His love. There is no army stronger than His hosts, no force greater than His throne of grace, no enemy who can overcome His direct and indirect work in our lives.” —Robert J. Morgan

22010.076 God’s Great Love

“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16

The battle rages over the souls of men, and while Satan lures us with lies, God lures us with love. God’s ultimate motivation towards His people is always love. This love is not limited to a few choice souls or to a few distinct groups, rather His gift of love is given for the whole world.

“The essential fact of Christianity is that God thought all men worth the sacrifice of His Son.” —William Barclay

God delights in us and it is His desire for this delight to be evident to others as well. The prophet Zephaniah tells us:

“The LORD your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.” —Zephaniah 3:17

Paul tells us:

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:6-8

God loves us—we must let the truth of these precious words resonate in our weary souls—impress them upon our hearts and our minds. Indeed, God loves us! Even when we were His enemies, He loved us so much that He gave us His one and only Son that those who believe in Him will not perish but experience life in abundance both now and forevermore.

“If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God resides in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has in us. God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him.” —1 John 4:15–16

Unfortunately, many people go through life feeling unloved—and unlovable. No matter the reason, your feelings aren’t telling you the truth! God loves you, and if you begin to see yourself the way God sees you, your attitudes will begin to change. If He didn’t love you, would Jesus have been willing to die for you? Very probably not, but He did! The Bible says, “By this we know love: that Jesus laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16).

God loves you. Hammer that truth into your head and mind every day. It will make all the difference.” —Billy Graham

Become More

“I was the enemy of God. I was stamping through God’s universe, shaking my fist in His face. And in the very moment when I was shaking my fist in God’s face and tramping through the Creator’s universe, muddying all His streams, that’s when Jesus died for me. And if this is when Jesus died for me, what hope it gives me now! Now, even when I fall, the blood of Jesus is enough. He didn’t save me because I was strong; He saved me when I was weak. He didn’t save me when I was a pretty thing; He saved me when I was a mess. On the basis of this reality, I can have comfort.” —Francis Schaeffer, The Finished Work of Christ

Further Reflections

“What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?” —Romans 8:31–32

“The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.” —Victor Hugo

20015 Journey Time with God

When parents take their children on a trip, invariably they will hear the question, “Are we there yet?” In response, they encourage their kids to have patience and enjoy the ride. Yet often parents, during their own journey with God, ask a similar question, “What’s taking so long?” God never seems to be in a hurry.

And the priest told them, “Go in peace. The LORD is watching over your journey.” (Judges 18:6, BSB)

There are times in life when we find ourselves on a journey focused on a specific destination and experiencing obstacles along the way. Some journeys are about accomplishing a challenging goal. Other journeys are about overcoming trials and may involve suffering. These can be special times with God if we realize that he is traveling with us.

Whether the journey lasts days, months, or years, we need to embrace the adventure with God so we will experience the joys and hardships together. As a result, our relationship with God will be closer and deeper.

It’s natural to want to get to our destination as soon as possible. But that is not God’s priority. He is interested in the journey and what he will accomplish in us along the way. Even obstacles and delays serve in his ultimate purpose.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Isaiah 55:8, NLT)

Why is the journey so important to God?

Relationships take time and they deepen as we share experiences along the way. God uses our journey time with him to deepen his relationship with us individually. Things happen which cause us to share our thoughts, hopes, and feelings with him.

God also uses the journey time to develop our character. It’s the potholes, detours, and difficulties along the way that provide opportunities to reshape and refine our attitudes and actions. When we finally arrive at our destination, God wants us to be thinking with his mindset. This takes time and it’s his goal we not become derailed from his plan, but champions of endurance.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (Romans 5:3–4, NLT)

God is using the journey time to prepare the right setting and circumstances for our arrival at his destination.  In his sovereignty, he is able to orchestrate events and arrange divine appointments. What seems like a delay or roadblock now may guarantee an exciting addition to the journey.

Don’t be in a hurry. Trust God’s pace for your journey. Along the way, he is accomplishing much more than you could ever imagine.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8, NIV)

20014 Retreat Time with God

Periodically, we need special getaways for more concentrated alone time with God. Our daily schedules are usually full and sometimes hectic. So occasionally we need a larger block of time to worship him, seek guidance, and/or work through significant challenges.

Retreat time with God is a time intentionally set aside when you literally “retreat” from your everyday life and come away to a place where you can be alone with God.

One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. (Luke 6:12, 13, NLT)

Jesus was about to choose his twelve out of a larger group of followers. It was perhaps the most significant decision of his earthly life. He would be with them and send them to do his will. They would receive the bulk of his teaching and the secrets of the kingdom. The subsequent Great Commission would be in their hands. They would be leading the first church after his departure (ascension). Jesus was fully human. So, he went up on a mountain to have retreat time with the Father overnight. He sought the Father’s face, sacrificing his sleep after a long, exhausting day of ministering to others. It was during this retreat time when Jesus was able to decide whom to call to be his twelve apostles.

Like Jesus, there are times when we need retreat time with God to seek his will, discern his plan, receive his guidance and directions, and to pray for others for breakthroughs.

An Extended Time with God

There are various reasons for getting alone with God for a longer period of time. Here are a few:

Relationship

You need uninterrupted time to renew or deepen your relationship. It is time to focus on God’s lovingkindness, faithfulness, and who you are in Christ.

Worship

As an expression of your devotion, you want more time to praise and worship God for his majestic character and amazing deeds.

Perspective

Perhaps you need to get into God’s Word to gain a correct view of your circumstances and life in general to counteract the deceptive illusions of reality promoted by society.

Comfort

Maybe you have just experienced a great loss and are seeking God’s comforting presence and peace.

Guidance

There are times when you need to make a major decision that will have a significant impact on your future. Rather than just weighing the pros and cons in your mind, get alone with God and ask him for supernatural wisdom. He knows all and sees all.

Provision

Sometimes are in need of employment, financial help, or even food and shelter. Spending time with God can open your eyes to his provision.

Deliverance

Perhaps you are struggling with an attitude or behavior problem. Maybe you have a health crisis, spiritual assault, or other threatening situations.

Intercession

God wants us to bring the needs of our family, friends, nation, and others to him. Because of our relationship with him, he invites us to ask him to intervene on behalf of others.

Tips for Retreat Time with God

Schedule Your Retreat Time

You may want to get away with God and have the best intentions but until you block out time on your calendar it is unlikely it will happen. Without deliberate action, other activities will fill your schedule.

Plan Your Retreat

Is there a primary reason for this extended time with God? Worship? Prayer? Guidance? Provision? Deliverance? Or a combination of reasons? Whatever your reason, go into your retreat anticipating God will reveal his presence and meet your need through the Holy Spirit.

Take Spiritual Resources

Bring the resources you may need. In addition to your Bible, what about worship music, devotionals, etc. Be sure to have access to the many resources on this app as well.

Avoid Distractions

Various distractions can hinder your retreat time with God. See tips for avoiding distractions in Quiet Time with God.

Resources for Retreat Time with God

The following article series can guide you on how to have a more fruitful extended time with God. Select an article series from the list below.

>> The Bible

>> Hope in Times of Crisis

>> Parables in the Gospel of Luke

>> Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs

>> New Perspectives for Life Change

>> Prayer Starter

>> The Lord’s Prayer Guide

>> Worship

>> Forever Loved: Jesus’ Life of Love

>> Habits for Greater Intimacy with God

>> Attitudes and Behavior

20013 Family Time with God

When you spend time with other believers, you are also spending time with God because he also lives within each one of them. Don’t allow yourself to become preoccupied with their external characteristics. Look into their eyes. Listen to their words. Share Christ’s lovingkindness and encouragement. Collectively we are the Body of Christ and he lives in and through us.

Together with Christ

As believers, we are members of God’s family — the Body of Christ. Because the Holy Spirit lives within every believer, we can actually develop a deeper relationship with God as we spend time with other followers of Jesus. 

Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20, NIV)

When we are together with others in God’s family, we can worship together, encourage one another, discover new insights, and enjoy the intimate fellowship of being in Christ.

Connecting with the Family of God

Home Life

When you are at home with your Christian family members, don’t forget that the Holy lives within each one of you. Be alert to what the Holy Spirit may want to reveal to you through observations, conversations, and activities.

Fellowship with Believers

When you get together with friends, remind yourself that Jesus is also in your midst. Be genuinely interested in them and what God is doing in their lives.

Church Gatherings

When you attend church events, Christ is glorified as the Spirit moves in worship, prayer, and fellowship.

Tips for Family Time with God

Eyes

The eyes are windows to a person’s soul. Make eye contact and ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of what is going on inside the other person. Be sensitive. If prompted by the Spirit, use explorative questions to help them open up and share their feelings with you.

Words

Don’t make assumptions about the value of what others will say based on your perception of them. Remember the Holy Spirit lives within them and he may choose to speak words you need to hear through them. So listen to others for God’s message. Be an encouragement to them in what you say. What would Jesus say to them right now?

Actions

Notice what others do for one another. Jesus will demonstrate his presence in others through deeds of humility, service, and love. Be an example through your actions.

Resources for Family Time with God

20012 Activity Time with God

As you go through your day engaging in various activities, remember that God is with you. In fact, as a believer, the Holy Spirit actually resides within you. But even though God is always with you, it is easy to forget about his presence as we engage in the various activities of the day.

And the LORD said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, NLT)

Awareness of God‘s Presence

Wherever you go, God is always with you (just like your hand). So use the fingers of your hand as a reminder of five ways to watch how God may be demonstrating his presence and involvement throughout your day.

1. God‘s Loving Presence

In what ways is God demonstrating his loving kindness and goodness to you today?

2. God’s Empowering Presence

How are you noticing God enabling you to do above and beyond your natural capabilities through the help of the Holy Spirit?

3. God’s Illuminating Presence

When are you experiencing flashes of insight that provide guidance and understanding related to what you are doing today?

4. God‘s Sovereign Presence

Where are you seeing God orchestrate circumstances that affect you and others today?

5. God‘s Comforting Presence

When are you experiencing supernatural peace and joy amid difficulties?

Tips for Activity Time with God

Nature

Take a moment to enjoy the beauty, intricacy, and diversity of God’s creation.

People

Pay attention to people. Jesus died for each person so they can have a personal relationship with him for all eternity. Be aware that Jesus wants to love people through you. Allow him to express joy, kindness, and encouragement to the people you meet.

Interruptions

Interruptions can be frustrating because they get in the way of our plans. When you have an interruption, ask the Holy Spirit how he wants you to respond and what God may want to accomplish as a result.

Delays

Delays can also be difficult because we are usually in a hurry. Thank God for delays trusting he is sovereignly working to accomplish his purpose. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you patience and the other fruit of the Spirit. Then others will see Christ living in and through you.

Surprises

Expect surprises. God is the master of a surprise because it is a way he demonstrates his sovereign control of circumstances and why we need to trust and depend on him.

Protection

Pay attention to situations where you were in danger but God intervened to deliver you from harm.

Provision

Watch for ways God is meeting the needs that you have.

Companionship

Remember that God is with you even when you feel alone. Look inward and engage with him.

Pray Continually

Make it a habit to talk to God throughout your day — probably more in your mind than audibly. He is there with you. Share your thoughts with him. Ask him for his involvement in what you are doing. Thank and praise him for what you notice. Do life together with him.

Resources for Activity Time with God

The following articles can guide you on how to become more aware of God’s presence and actively watch for ways God is at work in your daily life.

20011 Quiet Time with God

As Christ-followers, we need focused daily time with God to cultivate an intimate love relationship with him. It is time alone with him, free from interruptions, where he has our full concentrated attention. The priority is to grow closer to God by communicating and being with him.

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6, NLT)

Avoiding Distractions

Various distractions can hinder your ability to have a meaningful quiet time with God.

Environmental Distractions

As much as possible, try to find a time and place for your quiet time that minimizes external interruptions. For many people, early mornings or late evenings are quieter times with less activity.

Time Distractions

Most people have busy schedules and so they feel they can’t devote much daily time to being alone with God. Don’t let time pressures interfere with the quality of your time with God. Whether its an hour, half an hour or just 10 minutes, set a timer so you don’t have to keep thinking about leaving. Focus your attention on God, not your clock.

Emotional Distractions

Sometimes you may not feel like getting alone with God. Your lack of desire may be caused by disobedience, guilt, or shame. Or maybe it is just indifference to wanting a closer relationship with God. Regardless of the reason, spending that special time with God is even more important under those circumstances. Get alone with God and be transparent about your feelings. Although he already knows the condition of your heart and your situation, it is very beneficial for you to discuss it with him. If you don’t even know what to say, ask the Holy Spirit to help you communicate with God and to change your heart.

Mental Distractions

You may have a lot of things going on in your life. And so, when you spent time alone with God, you may find your mind wandering to thoughts about your circumstances or pressing activities. When you begin your quiet time, take a minute or two to release your thoughts and mental activity to the Holy Spirit. Entrust them into his care so you can more fully concentrate on God. If your thoughts still drift away from focusing on God, don’t get frustrated. Just reorient your thinking again or spend some time discussing your thoughts with God.

Demonic Distractions

Occasionally you may experience unexplainable random thoughts or feelings that interfere with your quiet time. Usually, they will cause you to wonder, “Where did that come from?” Demons are able to interject deceptive thoughts into your brain or manipulate your feelings. If you experience that, take a stand against the evil one by verbally rejecting the thought and/or feeling. Ask the Holy Spirit to help guard your mind and heart by delivering you from the assault and shielding you from further attacks.

Tips for a Better Quiet Time

Music

The right kind of music can engage your thoughts and emotions in meaningful worship. Use songs that speak to your heart during your times with God.

Bible Reading

As you spend time in God‘s word, read with observation questions in mind that help you draw out insights. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal new insights to you.

Highlighting

Whether you are reading the Bible or a devotion, highlight, or underline portions that seem most meaningful to you. The process will help you remember more and enable you to review past insights.

Journaling

Write down your thoughts about God and what he is showing you. Writing is a wonderful way to capture meaningful thoughts, feelings, and insights during your special times with God. Then they can stimulate even more meaningful interaction with God as you review them during future quiet times.

Devices

Create playlists on your phone with special songs for your worship time. Set your phone timer for when you need to leave and then stop thinking about your schedule and totally focus on God.

Notes

If thoughts about important things you need to do keep interrupting your time, quickly jot them down on a piece of paper and then dismiss them from your thinking so you can concentrate on God.

Worthwhile

The value of your quiet time is not determined by what you get out of it, but rather by honoring God with dedicated time focused on him. If you leave your quiet time without having received a new insight or being moved emotionally, you will be tempted to think your time was not worthwhile. We naturally place value on things based on what we get out of them. But you have just spent time focused on God and he sees that as having the utmost value. Your quiet time is devoted to relationship building with a heartfelt desire to grow closer to God. That has tremendous value regardless of what God chooses to give back to you during that time.

Snuggle Time

Don’t think of your quiet time as being an academic exercise or business meeting with God. You are his dearly loved child and this is the time when you are climbing into the lap of your Abba Father for a special time together.

Silence

Don’t feel the pressure to constantly be talking to God or reading or doing some other activity during your quiet time. Silence is necessary so you can hear thoughts and impressions from the Holy Spirit. Allow yourself to be still before your loving Father and listen with your spirit.

Holy Spirit

Depend on the Holy Spirit to guide you and help you cultivate your relationship with God. It is only through his involvement that your quiet time will become a supernatural, spiritual experience.

Resources for Your Quiet Time

If your quiet time with God is stalled or stagnant, use Today’s Inspirations (accessible on the Dashboard) and the “Time with God” section (in the main menu) of this app, and ask the Holy Spirit to stimulate your spirit. He will help you develop a more meaningful relationship with God.

Select from the following list of article series available in this JO App.

>> The Bible

>> Highlights in the Gospel of Mark

>> 40 Days of God’s Love

>> Understanding God’s Will

>> Prayer Starter

>> The Lord’s Prayer Guide

>> Worship

>> Praise God with Songs

>> God’s Majestic Qualities

>> God’s Special Names for Special Purposes

>> Receiving Insights from God

20010 Experiencing God 24/7 Overview

Overview

The Christian life is centered on a dynamic relationship with God, our heavenly Father. The time we spend with him is crucial to our spiritual health and well-being. There are various ways we can spend time with God to experience his intimate presence.

Quiet Time with God

A focused daily quiet time is a special uninterrupted and private time with God. As Jesus modeled, it is important to daily focus our attention on our heavenly Father and to spend alone time with him.

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. (Mark 1:35, NLT)

This is a time for worship, devotional Bible reading, sharing our hearts with God in prayer, receiving whatever insights he has for us, and just being focused on him.

Tips about how to have a more meaningful quiet time with God.

 Activity Time with God

God is involved in activities with us throughout our day. He wants us to be consciously aware of his presence wherever we are and in whatever we are doing.

Jesus lived his life with a continual dependence on his heavenly Father.

I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. (John 5:30, ESV)

We can become more aware of God’s presence by speaking with him throughout the day, asking for direction, and watching for signs of his involvement.

Tips about how to practice the presence of God throughout your day.

Family Time with God

As believers, we are also members of God’s family — the Body of Christ. Because the Holy Spirit lives within every believer, we can actually develop a deeper relationship with God as we spend time with other believers.

Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20, NIV)

When we are together with others in God’s family, we can worship together, encourage one another, discover new insights, and enjoy the intimate fellowship of being in Christ.

Tips about how to enjoy family time with God.

Retreat Time with God

Periodically, we need special getaways for more concentrated alone time with God. Our daily schedules are usually full and sometimes hectic. So occasionally we need a larger block of time to worship him, seek guidance, and/or work through significant challenges.

One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. (Luke 6:12, 13, NLT)

Like Jesus, we need retreat time with God to worship, seek his will, discern his plan, and pray for others.

Tips about how to have a special retreat with God.

Journey Time with God

There are seasons in life when we find ourselves on a journey focused on a specific destination. Some journeys are about accomplishing a challenging goal. Other journeys are about overcoming trials and may involve suffering. These can be special times with God if we realize that he is traveling with us and seek his involvement.

Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. (Luke 13:22, NLT)

Whether the journey lasts days, months, or years, we need to embrace the adventure with God to experience the joys and hardships together. As a result, our relationship with God will become closer and more intimate.

Tips about how to benefit the most from your journeys with God.

Sleep Time with God

Even while we sleep, God is still with us. When we are asleep, we are not aware of our circumstances and have ceased our striving. While we rest, God watches over us and continues to work on our behalf.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” (Mark 4:38, NLT)

God wants us to rest in him physically, emotionally, and spiritually as we sleep. We can only do that to the extent we entrust our cares to him and realize he is more than able to handle our concerns as we rest in him.

Tips about how to rest in God while you sleep.

Desert Time with God

You will have a season in which you feel distant from the Lord.

Jesus had a desert experience after His baptism before He began His public ministry.

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he endured temptations from the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, he was famished. (Luke 4:1–2)

The desert time may be like your spiritual winter. Just as there are seasons in a year, your spiritual life periodically goes through a cycle of different seasons.

Even though there is no growth in the cold and the world may be white deep in snow, winter has its beauty and purposes. It is just as important as any other season of the year. For example, winter snow in the mountains is the source of water for the spring and summer in the valleys below.

Tips about how to walk through the desert with God.