Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Struggle with Quiet time


"To know Christ" is life's greatest achievement. . . The reality of knowing Jesus comes as a result of hidden prayer, and personal Bible study that is devotional and consistent in nature. Christ becomes more real to those who persist in cultivating His presence.(Quote from Stream's in the Desert)
Do you struggle with your quiet time?
Do you feel like ‘why bother, I never get any thing anyway’?
Does it seem boring and monotonous?
Do you wonder why “everyone else” has such a wonderful quiet time?

I just want to encourage you to not give up! The Lord desires, even longs to meet with you. I don’t think anyone knows for sure why some seasons of our quiet time are ‘wow’ times and others feel so empty and dry. Nobody can even say for sure what each individual time with the Lord should look like.

One thing, I believe, that is key, is consistency. As I look back over the years as a whole, my time alone with God has been awesome. But, if I were to zero in on little snapshots, I would see many “dry” times, many times of feeling alone, as well as lots of precious times. The one thing I notice is that, by his grace , I consistently sought Him.

Consistency is the key. Just keep seeking Him. He is not a liar. To say, “oh, He never speaks to me” is to say He is a liar.

He is the God of your salvation.
He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
He longs to be gracious to you.
He is your Shepherd, He leads and guides you.
Read the Psalms, let them be the cry of your heart. He loves you with an everlasting love. He has not left you and he never will forsake you. Don’t give up, be of good courage.
Everyday with its new reasons, rise up and bless Him, praise His name. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.
Ask, seek, KNOCK.
Make this your one goal in life.
For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] (Phil. 3:10)

Speak unto Him for He hears you,

And Spirit with spirit will meet!

Nearer is He than breathing,

Nearer than hands and feet.

5 comments:

Valencia Jones-Edwards said...

This was really needed today!! I've been feeling like that during my prayer time. I will pray for that closeness I once had during my fellowship with the Lord.

Word Warrior said...

Great reminder, Michelle. I try to remember, "Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you."

Ellen said...

I am so glad the Lord put this on your heart....this is something I have struggled with many times....an encouragement for sure!He is always there!!

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

I am in a dry season as far as getting time for quiet time. With six children 10 and under, it is hard to get away to be alone with God. I usually have my "quiet time" while I am nursing, but even then I get interupted constantly. It is just the way it is when you have little ones. Praise God, that He is so grace-filled and is not legalistic about it.

I try to pray continually throughout the day, instead of one big prayer time in the morning. At the end of the day, as I lay on my bed, I reflect, thank and pray to Him.

Mary said...

Thanks for the encouragement.