What is your most important time of your day?

The Most Important Time of My Day

Lysa TerKeurst

 

 "'... Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

         

Devotion:

Is it really that important to have a quiet time with the Lord everyday? I mean the Lord knows how busy my life is, so if I just toss up a few prayers and listen to a Christian song on the radio while rushing into my day, that should suffice. Right?

 

It's easy to let the busyness of life crowd out time for prayer, Bible reading, and sitting with the Lord.  There are a million things on all of our to-do lists, time is tight, and quiet moments seem few and far between.  But I've learned that if I make the choice to be with the Lord first thing in the morning, my outlook on life that day and my ability to handle things seems to go so much smoother.

 

Also, I've had to change my mindset on having a quiet time. Spending time with the Lord in the morning doesn't end when I say "amen" and put my Bible back on the shelf.  I've just invited the King of kings to participate in my day.  So, I get up from spending time with the Lord in the morning and start eagerly looking for His hand of activity in my life. 

 

I think about the Bible verses I read that morning and look for ways to apply them to my life that very day.  I watch the circumstances that come my way hour by hour and ask the Lord to constantly give me wisdom to process life in the way that would be most honoring to Him.  My mindset is healthier, my attitude more positive, and my ability to extend grace to those who rub me the wrong way is increased just by setting aside some time to be with the Lord.

 

If you are struggling with having quiet time with the Lord each day, try these helpful ideas:

 

1. Be honest with God and admit your struggle.  Ask God to give you the desire to set aside time to be with Him.

 

2. Start with just a small amount of time.  Even if it is just 5 minutes at first, give this 5 minutes solely to the Lord without any other distractions.  Over the next weeks and months, your desire for more time with Him will increase.

 

3. Use a version of the Bible that lends itself to study.  I use the NIV Life Application Study Bibleand I love it.  It helps me understand the context each book was written in and gives me commentaries to understand specific verses.

 

4. Ask God for understanding as you read the Bible.  When I first started reading the Bible I had a hard time.  So, I started praying that God would open my spiritual eyes to see the truths in a life changing way for me. 

 

5. Write some of the verses that seem most applicable to your life on 3x5 cards and use them in your prayers.  For example, Matthew 6:19-20 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven."  So, I could use this verse in my prayer time by praying, "God, help me to know how to store up treasures in Heaven.  Help me to relinquish my tight hold on my earthly possessions so I can use them to build Your kingdom now.  Show me how to best use that which You have blessed me with.  Give me Your mindset for the money I have."

 

6. Get involved in a Bible Study with friends.  This will help hold you accountable to getting your study time done and will open up great discussions to deepen everyone's understanding of applying God's truths to everyday life.

 

I've found a daily quiet time with the Lord is very important and very doable as well.

 

Dear Lord, I want a more vibrant relationship with You and I know having a daily quiet time is an important part of that.  Help me make this my most important priority each day, no matter how busy life is. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

Related Resources:

Lysa wrote her new book, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, specifically to help women learn to more effectively understand the Bible and apply truth to their life.  If you are tired of going through the Christian motions, this is the book you've been looking for.  Click here to order.

 

Visit Lysa's blog today for some more suggestions on having great quiet times with God

 

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst

 

Application Steps: 

If you don't know which book of the Bible to start with, I'd suggest either Matthew or Philippians.  These are two of my favorite books that are rich with life application opportunities.  You may also want to read a chapter from the book of Proverbs.  There are 31 chapters, one for each day of the month.

 

Reflections:   

The fall months seem to be a time where schedules pick up, time gets tight, and some things have to fall by the wayside.  But, we have to be careful to never take a break from having time with the Lord.  How can we safeguard this time and make it a priority each day?

 

Power Verses:

Matthew 6:11, "Give us today our daily bread." (NIV) 

 

Matthew 6:33, "But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)

 

 

© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

 

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

I Trust You!

Whatever It Takes

Marybeth Whalen

 

 "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance."

Psalm 66:10-12 (NIV)

         

Devotion:

This school year, my husband and I made some big changes in our house. We took the kids' computer out of the bonus room and gave them use of our two laptop computers in our presence only. We took the extra TV out of the bonus room. We got rid of all the extra channels on our satellite service, leaving the basic few. And we began requiring that our two children who have cell phones turn them in for the night at 8pm.

 

Why did we implement these seemingly harsh decisions? Because last school year our children made some bad choices... and their grades reflected it. They chose to watch TV in the bonus room instead of going to bed at a decent hour. They chose to play on the computer when they were supposed to be working on assignments. They chose to text their friends instead of focus on their schoolwork.

 

After repeated lectures and warnings, they still made the same mistakes. This pattern of behavior left us no choice but to come in and remove the things that were a stumbling block. The kids didn't like our decision and to them it seemed unfair. But we stood firm. We knew that we were doing the right thing for our children. We could see a future they could not, and we had to protect that future for them--even if they didn't understand our method for doing so. As their parents, we have to do whatever it takes.

 

Sometimes God has to do the same for us. At the time His plan may seem harsh and unnecessary. We may not realize that He can see a future we cannot. We are His children, and He will remove all stumbling blocks that keep us from being all that we can be. Even if it hurts. Even when we cry and beg Him not to. Even when we pout and tell Him it's not fair.

 

It's because I love you, He tells us, that I do this. I am creating something beautiful in you if you will just stop fighting me. I have a place I am trying to get you to. You can't see it, my precious child, but I can.

 

Is there something God is doing in your life that feels unjust? That has you pouting or crying or wondering why? Maybe you identify with the verses from today. You feel imprisoned, burdened, trampled, burned. Do you trust Him to bring you out of the place where you are to a place of abundance? The most beautiful prayer we can pray is: I trust You, I trust You, I trust You. He is a loving Father who only wants the best for us and He will do whatever it takes to get us there. Instead of fighting Him, let's rest in that Truth.

           

Dear Lord, I trust You. I trust You. I trust You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

Related Resources:

Everyday Life encouragement is just a click away!

 

Becoming A Woman of Influence, CD message by Marybeth Whalen

 

For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen

 

When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James

Visit Marybeth's blog - Cheaper by the Half Dozen

 

Application Steps: 

Is there a time that God did whatever it took and you later realized it was good for you? Spend time journaling about that today.

 

Reflections: 

How is God doing whatever it takes in your life right now? Are you recognizing it or rebelling against it?

 

Power Verses:

Psalm 143:7-8, "Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." (NIV) 

 

Psalm 18:19, "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." (NIV)

 

 

© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.

 

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

 

Faith Attitude

Thinking Our Way to Success

Philippians 4:4-19

Healthy thinking is a key contributor to godly success. And the Scriptures have a lot to say about what a believer's mind should and should not dwell upon. That is because every choice we make, every word we speak, and every action we take begins as a thought. So we really need to have our heads on straight, so to speak.

The Bible contains long lists of activities and thoughts that may have been part of our old existence but aren't suited to a victorious life in Christ. We are to lay aside attitudes like anger, jealousy, and self-pity. Negativity held in the head and heart can work its way outward like spreading poison, tainting conduct, conversation, and character.

God's Word also offers right ways of thinking to keep grace and love flowing. Setting our minds on heavenly things is a choice (Phil 4:8). Consider Paul, whom the modern church surely sees as successful. But his contemporaries would have seen a man repeatedly beaten, jailed, and persecuted.

He was often impoverished and friendless. And yet, during one of his many prison terms, Paul wrote of his joy, contentment, and unshakable faith in God (vv. 10-19). His life is an awesome expression of a positive faith attitude. He was a man committed to thinking godly thoughts whether his life was marked by blessing or adversity.

Proverbs 23:7 sums up the profound effect of our thought life: "For as [a man] thinks within himself, so he is." Paul believed he was the beloved servant of almighty God, and he acted like it! Perhaps it's time for you to claim the healthy, fulfilling thought life available through reading Scripture.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

God's Way

Experiencing Success God's Way

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

The apostle Paul continually strove to be and do all that God wanted. This former enemy of Christians became a passionate worker for the kingdom who succeeded in his assigned tasks. For us to experience success, we need to have:

Clarity. Paul knew the key cities he planned to visit on each of his missionary journeys. His goal was to share the gospel and establish churches in each of them. The more clearly you can visualize the goal, the more sensitive you'll be to opportunities for achieving it. In addition, you will become more aware of God's timing. On Paul's first trip to Ephesus, the people invited him to stay, but he declined (Acts 18:20-21), knowing he had to move on to the other locations. However, when he was able, he returned and stayed there two years, teaching and building up their faith (Acts 19:10).

Commitment. Paul was fully committed to God's plan to spread the gospel in the Gentile world. He so valued his salvation that he wanted to share it with those who did not know Christ. His profound gratitude gave him a passion to carry out the Lord's plan. Such godly fervor was not unique to Paul. The Bible is filled with stories of ordinary men and women who dedicated themselves to accomplishing the Lord's plan for their lives.

Like the apostle, be sure to seek God on a daily basis so you do not wander from His chosen way. Ask for the Spirit's empowering so you can move past your fears and insecurities. Allow Him to teach and lead you (John 14:26). He will accomplish more in and through you than you could imagine.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org

You who minister by night, praise the Lord!

Psalm 134

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

If the priests working in the Temple needed reminding to praise the Lord, how much more do we? Some of us spend a half hour or so on Sunday mornings praising the Lord and that’s it.

Yet the Lord blesses us all day every day. Shouldn’t our praise in some way approximate His blessing? And so what if you’re in a bad place right now? He’s gotten you out of bad places before and will do so again. Besides, you’ll soon be in Heaven with Jesus where you’ll be blessed forever. Praising the Lord is just the thing you need. Praise The Lord!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:4-7)

Since you can only think one thought at a time, the time you spend praising the Lord is time you won’t be able to spend feeling bad about your situation. The Lord knows the trouble you’re in and He knows how He’s going to get you out of it. If you start praising Him now, who knows, He might deliver you sooner. So make a “contrary to feelings” choice. Put your favorite praise CD in the player or turn to your Christian radio station and start praising Him. I guarantee you’ll soon feel much better. Praise the Lord!

And if you’re in a great place, you shouldn’t need reminding. You should already be praising Him. It wasn’t your brilliance that got you here, but His blessing. There are plenty of brilliant folks in the world who never get anywhere. Look at the path you’ve taken to get where you are and pick out the unexplained coincidences. Those are where God got involved and decided to remain anonymous. Praise the Lord!

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Ask for the light!

DARKNESS AT THE GATES

BY THOM GARDNER

Proverbs 23:7 "As a man thinks within himself so he is."

The ancient word translated "think" in this text comes from the word for "gate" as in the gates of a city. We might say the gate is the mind of the city--where the city thinks and judges.

Imagine with me for a minute that you are standing at the gate of an ancient city. There is the bleating of sheep and voices of many merchants traveling through and raising the dust of this main artery of commerce into the city. And through the dust and the din we see the elders of the city sitting at the gate debating the issues of the day from the price of grain to marriage contracts. Whoever and whatever stands at the gate controls the city. 

Our minds are the gates to our hearts. At these gates many voices arise out of the dust of our personal history and programming. The insecure grade school teacher who spoke an unkind word over you; the bully who called you out in front of the whole class; the parent whose absence from the table spoke loud words of indifference all stand at the gate reminding you of who they say you are. You believe them! And though we are positionally safe in the arms of Christ, darkness overshadows our gates and the dust of daily commerce kicks up memories both good and uncomfortable. These echoes from the past seem true to us but present us a false reality. We see dimly--enigmatically through this dusty light, but it is the only light we have. 

Jesus gave another analogy for the mind which is the eye gate. 

"The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Matt 6:22-24

Possessing the gates of the enemy is a part of the promise to the spiritual seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Genesis 22:17) Yet, the mind of Hell broods over our inner gateways to distract us from the face of the One who created and who calls us to Himself. 

Beloved, Jesus summons His Church to an overcoming and prevailing life of healed reality and vision. He speaks into the darkness as at creation saying "Let there be Light!" In the light of His presence the gates of Hell--the mind of Hell cannot prevail! (Matthew 16:18 KJV) I don't think it's a coincidence that Jesus healed blind folks at the gates giving them the ability to regain real sight. (Mark 10:47-52) 

Now picture Jesus bringing the light of His glory to the gates of the city and silencing each untrue voice. Imagine Him healing those who have offended you out of their own darkened gates. Come Lord Jesus, come! Dispel the darkness at our gates. 

About Thom Gardner:  Thom Gardner is the president and pastor of Grace and Truth Fellowship, Inc., a ministry and local assembly dedicated to equipping and healing the Body of Christ, preparing them to minister the presence of Christ to the wounded who surround us. Thom is a graduate of Cornerstone Seminary in Harrisonburg , Virginia and travels internationally to heal and teach the Body of Christ in the mercy of God. He is the author of Healing the Wounded Heart. For more information or to order this book, visit www.graceandtruthfellowship.com or www.destinyimage.com.

Wait for the Lord!

Champions Dream!

By Rev. Ernest V. George   

www.gardencityag.org

Romans 4:17 – “(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he [Abraham] believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

 

Dearly beloved in Christ,

 

Champions are battle winners! They are dream-carriers too. A DREAM is a God-given desire that is consuming and gives champions the impetus to move forward to see it accomplished against all odds. Every born-again believer is a champion carrying a destiny dream! From Romans 4:17, we understand that dreams become a reality when we visualize it and verbalize it. We SEE it through the eyes of faith and SPEAK it forth into being! Dreamers see things that are not there, as though they exist! From the lives of Joseph, David and Mary I would like to present four truths about the Destiny Dream that can make you a champion of God.

1.   Destiny Dreams may seem IMPOSSIBLE

God revealed to Joseph through two dreams that he would be a ruler, that even his family would bow down to him. [Genesis 37:5,9] David was anointed as per God’s instructions by the Prophet Samuel to be the second king of Israel. [1 Samuel 16:13]. God sent the angel Gabriel to inform Mary [a God-fearing young woman] that she would bear the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit! [Luke 1:26-33]. Three very distinct “destinies” that God orchestrated that seemed impossible. Joseph was an ordinary boy as was David, and Mary a very simple girl. As ridiculous as these dreams were, it was God’s idea! Don’t let go off your dream even if it looks impossible!

2.   Destiny Dreams will cause ISOLATION

The second reality that Destiny Dreamers must face is that they will be isolated. Joseph was made to feel like an outsider by his family after he told them his dream. His brothers even plotted to kill him! [Genesis 37:18]. David was misunderstood by his brothers, who accused him of coming to the battle-lines to enjoy watching the battle. [1 Samuel 17:28].  David’s companions wanted to kill him when their family and possessions were captured by the enemy. [1 Samuel 30:6]. From the psalms written by David we know he went through a very lonely path, but he was confident of God’s Presence in his life! Joseph wanted to separate himself from Mary because she was found pregnant before he had married her. He had in mind to divorce her quietly. Mary would have been ostracized from society for her physical state. [Matthew 1:19]. This is true of every destiny dreamer. Isolated moments will be part of your path towards achieving your God-given dream!

3.   Destiny Dreams undergo a period of INCUBATION

Incubation is maintaining something at the most favorable temperature for its proper development. Destiny dreams will have to undergo a gestation period when nothing seems to be happening. But in reality, the dream is being developed – unnoticed! Joseph interpreted the dreams of his fellow prisoners – the Chief Baker and the Chief Butler, but the Butler forgot all about Joseph, leaving Joseph in prison for another two more years! [Genesis 40:23] David, in spite of being anointed as the second king of Israel, spent many years wandering in the desert for fear of being killed by King Saul. [1 Samuel 23:14] Mary had to undergo a period of “incubation” carrying the Son of God for fear of being mocked by public. She stayed with her cousin, Elizabeth who was also carrying a dream… John the Baptist! [Luke 1:56] Don’t try to bring forth the dream before the time set by God. Allow this period of incubation of inactivity to give shape to the dream.

4.   Destiny Dreams burst forth in an INSTANT!

Destiny dreams have a defining moment when it shall burst forth suddenly! In an instant, there will be a turnaround and you will see the dream fulfilled. In one moment Joseph’s life was transformed as he was summoned before Pharaoh to interpret his dream. Pharaoh just knew that there was something different about Joseph and he was elevated to the position of Prime Minister in the land of Egypt. [Genesis 41:14, 41] David was legally given the position of king after the death of King Saul. There will be a change…shifting of positions when God will lift His anointed ones! [2 Samuel 2:4] Mary gave birth to the Son of God in one of the most unexpected places – a manger! [Luke 2:6-7] But the PLACE of birth was already foretold by the prophet Micah hundreds of years before! Bethlehem was the chosen place for the Son of God to be born! [Micah 5:2]

 

Isaiah 48:3 – “I foretold the former things long ago, My mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.” [NIV]

 

There is that moment in the life of a believer when everything will change in an instant! Destiny Dreams will be fulfilled suddenly! You may be in any one of these stages of your dream. May God give you the grace to wait until He steps in and fulfills your dream!