Quiet Time 101a - Be Still and Listen

[Brother Bob...<><]

 

 

 Quiet Time 101a - Be Still and Listen

Based on a study found at:

 http://www.allaboutgod.com/Quiet-Time.htm

 

(Psa 46:10a KJV) 

Be still, and know that I am God...

 

(1 Pet 3:4 KJV) 

But let it be the hidden man of the heart,

 in that which is not corruptible,

 even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God of great price.

 

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QUIET: (definition)

Being in a state of rest; still;; free from alarm or disturbance; mild; meek; contented.

Calm; not agitated; Smooth; unruffled. Undisturbed; unmolested;  At rest; repose; stillness; the state of a thing not in motion.

Tranquility; freedom from disturbance or alarm;. Peace; security..To stop motion; to still; to reduce to a state of rest.

To be calm; to quiet the soul ;

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Quiet Time - Be Still and Listen
Quiet time could refer to those precious moments after the kids are in bed, but for Christians, a quiet time is more than that. Quiet time, or devotion time, refers to our daily appointment with God, when we shut out as much outside interference as possible. During our quiet time, we may sing praise songs, pray, read Scripture or daily devotions, meditate on God's Word, or simply be still and listen. Making that appointment is one thing; keeping it is something else entirely!

(Psa 4:3-4 KJV) 

But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:

 the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

 {4} Stand in awe, and sin not:

commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

 

(Psa 100 KJV)  A Psalm of praise.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

{2} Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

 {3} Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

 {4} Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:

 be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

{5} For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;

 and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

Quiet Time - The Outer Challenge

Quiet time is a goal that sounds simple, but which meets with greater challenges than many physical endurance contests. In America particularly, we live in a world of noise. Everywhere we go, even in our own homes, there is some kind of noise to distract us, from telephones to TV to traffic. But making time for daily devotion is critical to hearing God!

If we stop to think about it for a moment, we recognize that we live in enemy-occupied territory, so constructing an ideal spiritual surrounding is nearly impossible. Satan, our chief opponent, does not want us to spend quiet times with God. In fact, it is his goal to prevent that in any way possible. He knows that the more time we spend with God, the more like Christ we will become and the more we will be accomplishing God's goals on this earth. Satan does not want us to succeed.

God wants all people to be saved, but Satan wants us all to perish. Praise God because His plan is greater! Satan is no match for God, but he can trouble God's children, and he does. The next time you are finding it difficult to get away from the noise and get alone with God, remember who is standing in your way. Then remember who is greater!

 

(Exo 33:13-17 KJV)

  Now therefore, I pray thee,

 if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way,

that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight:

and consider that this nation is thy people.

{14} And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

{15} And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

{16} For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight?

is it not in that thou goest with us?

so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

{17} And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken:

for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

Quiet Time - The Inner Challenge
Quiet time involves an inner state of being, as well as an outward condition. Have you ever noticed that when you sit down to read your Bible or pray, your mind begins to wander or you suddenly remember what you needed at the grocery store? Inner "noise" can be just as troublesome as outer noise when it comes to having quiet time with God.

Our own human weaknesses combine with the enemy's efforts to keep us from God. There is a reason he is known as the Prince of the Power of the Air! But again, God is greater still. Defeating the inner noise can be done, but it requires commitment and discipline.

(Mat 6:6 KJV) 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet,

 and when thou hast shut thy door,

 pray to thy Father which is in secret;

and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

 

(Mat 14:23 KJV) 

And when he(Jesus) had sent the multitudes away,

 he went up into a mountain apart to pray:

and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

 

(Luke 6:12-13 KJV) 

 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray,

and continued all night in prayer to God.

{13} And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples:

and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

 

Quiet Time - What's the Big Deal? Why Is It Important?
Quiet time can be so difficult to prioritize. It's tempting to make excuses or just not bother. Preparing our hearts to hear from God requires a focused effort. Noise, whether outside or inside, distracts us. If we fail to understand the importance of having a regular, committed quiet time with God, we are not likely to hear His voice...the one that whispers,

(Isa 30:21 KJV) 

 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way, walk ye in it,

 when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

God longs to spend time with us. Consider what He was willing to do for us, in order to reunite us with Him. Is it asking too much that we devote daily time to Him?

Jesus set the example for us concerning quiet time. He took time to connect with the Father regularly, as the following Scriptures tell us:

(Mat 26:36 KJV) 

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples,

Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

 

(Mark 1:35 KJV) 

 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day,

he (Jesus) went out, and departed into a solitary place,

 and there prayed.

 

(Luke 5:15-16 KJV)

  But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him:

and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

{16} And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

 

(Eph 6:10-18 KJV) 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

{11} Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

{12} For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

 against spiritual wickedness in high places.

{13} Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,

 that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

{14} Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

{15} And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

{16} Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

{17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

{18} Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

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God Bless You.....brother bob.......<><