In the Christian life, we develop our relationship with God in the same way we develop a relationship with anyone else—through time. If you consider your best friends, they are probably the ones you spend the most time with. The more time you spend with someone, the better you get to know them. You know how they think, how they feel, and how they are likely to respond to life’s situations. In the same way, you want to have meaningful quiet times with God.
The more time you spend with God in His Word, the more you understand how He thinks, how He feels, and how He wants us to respond to life’s situations. Meaningful quiet times (or devotional times) form the foundation for our relationship with God. It is daily time listening for His voice through reading the Bible, prayer, and meditation. Quiet times vary in length. They can be as short as five minutes or as long as an hour! It all depends on you. The key is making sure your quiet times are quality time with God. These posts guide you to have a meaningful quiet times—regardless of their length.
The Promise of Christmas Advent Brings Joy
The holidays are upon us! Soon we will celebrate Thanksgiving and immediately following, the Christmas rush begins. Children are easily caught up in the excitement of Christmas. For them, it’s almost magical. As we mature, however, childlike awe dissipates. “Adulting” replaces wonder. Pressure to find the right gift, decorate the tree just so, and prepare…
Bible Reading Plans for Your New Year
I pray you are enjoying and reflecting on our Savior’s birth! The New Year is a week away, along with the beginning of new things. For many, this includes reading through the Bible. It can be a daunting task, especially with the first few books of the Bible. Beginning in Exodus, God tells Moses how to…
From Empty to Filled with Love
Do you remember your first love? Waiting in the hall with bated breath, watching for that first glimpse as he rounds the corner, the catch in your heart when your eyes meet, smiling so big your cheeks hurt, surges of electricity when he grabs your hand, shoulders bumping in the crowded hall on the walk between…
How to Transform Your Quiet Time from Average to Outstanding
You set your alarm the night before and got out of bed as soon as it went off. You poured hot, fresh coffee into your favorite mug (or maybe you enjoy tea) and took a seat in your favorite chair. Now you are in a quiet room or sitting on your porch. You pray, asking…
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3 Ways God’s Word Encourages Our Hearts
Today we wrap up this series on the Purposes of God’s Word. I think my favorite facet is the way God’s Word encourages our hearts. Probably because it’s this aspect of the Bible that I find myself needing so much. I don’t like to admit it, but I’m easily discouraged. As a Type-A personality, I…
3 Ways God’s Word Guides Our Decision-Making
God’s Word is amazing. No other book on the planet is as powerful and practical. First and foremost, The Bible shows us the God who loves us–and our need for a Savior. God’s Word also cleanses us and allows us to have victory over sin. But also, God’s Word guides our decision-making. From simple, everyday…
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![This week in our small group study, I felt the Lord’s gentle chastisement.
We looked at the promise in Luke 11:28, “He [Jesus] replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’”
At first glance, the promise of blessing comes from obedience. But it’s much more.
In the preceding verses, Jesus had cast out a demon that caused a man to be mute. The crowd accused Him of casting out a demon with Satan’s power.
Jesus explained how ridiculous it would be for Satan to drive out his own demons. Then a woman cries out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you,” (v 27).
This is the sticking point. Jesus was in the middle of an important discourse when this woman interrupts Him. He corrects her with this:
✨ Blessed are those who HEAR the word of God and obey it.
That word HEAR means to LISTEN with FULL ATTENTION.
✨ We cannot truly obey God if we don’t know what He’s saying to us.
Basically, Jesus told this woman, and the others in the crowd, “Pay attention!! Don’t get distracted from my voice. I have important things to tell you. You won’t know what they are and what I want you to do, if all you’re thinking about is what you want to say or how you can gain attention. Put your attention on ME.”
It’s never fun to be Jesus’s object lesson.
The questions I’m asking myself …
✨ What keeps me from spending time alone with Jesus?
✨ When I finally get alone with Him, what distracts me?
✨ What keeps me from focusing on God’s Word?
✨ What causes my kind to wander when I’m praying?
➡️ Eliminating distractions …
➡️ Exercising discipline …
… to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)
… brings true blessing.
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