“The power of God’s Word–This morning I came to the Word greatly discouraged. I left greatly encouraged”–Paul Washer.
I need to spend time with God, and I need to do so at the beginning of the day.
No one should be ashamed or intimidated by someone else’s schedule or practice. The Bible does not give us a time, place, or general practice about out daily time with God. Jesus often prayed late at night or early in the morning. In the life of Jesus, prayer (and fasting) seemed to be repetitive and spontaneous. He prayed as the need arose.
At this point in my life, I enjoy beginning my day in the presence of God. That does not mean everyone should or that I always will. The important part is simply spending time with God. If you would like to get an idea about my routine, click here.
Here are seven reasons why I spend time with God and why I do so early in the morning.
First, spending time with God encourages me. Like Paul Washer, I find the Word of God blesses me. Even when reading through Leviticus or other difficult and unusual passages, I find God speaking to me through His Word.
Second, spending time with God puts me in the right frame of mind. Prayer, as the saying goes, does not so much change God as it changes me. My prayer time allows me to head off to work with joy and peace in my heart.
Third, my time with God gives me guidance. I take my problems to God and ask Him for guidance. When we lack wisdom, we should ask God. Actually, I am now trying to take all decisions to God.
Fourth, my time with God allows me to pray for others.
Fifth,spending time with God lets me get to know Him. Isn’t this the way it works with family and friends? The more we spend time with God the more we know Him.
Sixth, spending time with God in prayer and Scripture helps conform me to His image. This is God’s will for my life and yours. We simply must ask ourselves if we are being conformed to the image of Christ and what we are doing to help that process.
Seventh, spending time with God helps me recognize His voice. More anything in my life, I want to hear from God. I want to know His voice and obey Him.
For all of these things, I seek to meet with God at the beginning of my day.
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One Response
More ‘than’ anything else in life a Christian should want to Know and Hear from his Lord.
A dead ringer that the voice I hear is from God is when it tells me to do something that defies all logic & I believe is beyond my ability. Not unlike buying a field in the midst of desolation. Sometimes it is dangerous, sometimes daring, and always a single step at a time in a direction previously not considered. Such behavior can be and is usually taken rather harshly by the “Brethren.” This post is an example of an unexpected Mercy.
It is good to consider and remember Jeremiah’s confession of Faith in Lamentations 3: 23. However, one must not forget the context of the previous 23 verses of that chapter.
Verses 1 & 2: I am a man that has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He has led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.
Verse 19: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
Jeremiah and I both have them with us still “in remembrance,” and we are humbled in reflection of the path traveled. We know we are not deserving of what Blessings we have; even as we call for others to also realize His Plans for Us as His People. Sadness and frustration are coupled with Hope in His Mercies; because Great is His Faithfulness, even in the fire, the pit, the sea. The experience has taught me to seek a place of dispassionate perspective. Only occasionally do I arrive in any moment to that destination and only with Him.
Thank you Dr. Bailey for all your God Given Points of Reasoning. May they be received as water upon a dry and thirsty land. AMEN.
Blessings.