Making Time to Be Quiet

In review of Matthew 6:6 it says, “Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (The Message).

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (NLT)

In Matthew 6:5-6 Jesus tells his disciples and myself about prayer. When I pray, I shouldn’t be  like a hypocrite who wants to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. Being seen is the only reward they will ever get. So, when I pray, I am to go away by myself, shut the door behind me, and pray to my Father in private. Then the Father, who sees everything, will reward me.

Jesus points out that some, especially the religious leaders of the time, wanted to be seen as "holy," and public prayer was one way to get attention. Jesus saw through their self-righteous acts, however, and taught that the essence of prayer is not public style but private communication with God. There is a place for public prayer, but to pray only when others will notice you and you’re trying to make yourself look good, indicates that the real audience is not God.

In these two verses Jesus was drawing attention to the motives behind actions. The point really wasn't a choice between public and private prayer but between heartfelt and hypocritical prayer. When I do pray in public, the focus needs to be on addressing God, not on how I’m coming across to others.

Jesus also indicates that it’s also important to be quiet and not distracted. Jesus even mentions find a secluded place where I won’t get distracted. What I’m learning is that God isn’t going to speak to me if my life is filled with a bunch of noise. I’ve got to get alone, and I’ve got to get quiet. This is called a quiet time.

Jesus says it like this in Matthew 6:6: “Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (The Message).

The key to hearing God speak and getting his vision for your life is the notion that: God wants to meet with me.

I need to realize I’m not waiting on God; he’s waiting on me. God made me to have a relationship with him. He wants me to spend time with him on a daily basis. He wants me to schedule a date with him every day. God is waiting!

Getting alone in a quiet place is pretty difficult today. I don’t know if you realize how much noise there is in your life. You’ve always got the radio on in the car or you’ve got earbuds in or Bluetooth turned on. Every waiting room, grocery store, and elevator has music. There’s very little time or space in your life that’s absolutely quiet.

Bottom Line:

Don’t pray just to show off or make yourself look good. Be quiet and take to focus off yourself and direct it toward God. Sense the Grace he provides.

What this means to me:

When I pray, I should find a quiet place to pray, so that I won’t be tempted to just role-play or try to look good in front of others. Just be myself with my focus toward God and not myself or what others think. When I focus on him, I can sense the grace he provides.

I’m in a fairly routine habit of spending time getting into and studying God’s Word. I journal though these entries what I’m learning and my next steps. I do realize that I’m not in a really quiet environment when I do this (lately I’ve be spending my daily time at Panera - which is at least quieter and more comfortable than Starbucks,) but I do try to concentrate. My daily weekday time with God really helps to shape my perspective for the day. I’m reminded today that God is waiting on me to meet with him. I do need to incorporate more prayer into my time.

I Have to Want to Hear from God

In review of Deuteronomy 4:29 it says, “You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him” (NLT).

Today's verse comes from Duet 4:15-29, where Moses gives a warning to the people against idolatry. He tells them to be very careful to not corrupt themselves by making an idol in any form. This is evil in the sight of the Lord your God and will only arouse his anger. If you do go astray he will scatter and bring ultimate judgement upon you. However if you search again for the Lord your God with all your heart and soul, you will find him.

Idol worship is not just keeping statues, it is a commitment to other evil qualities, beliefs, and practices the idol represents. When the strengths and attributes of powerful humans or animals are revered or the cycles of nature are honored without reference to God who created them, this is idolatry.

God promised the Israelites that they would find him when they searched for Him with all their hearts and souls. God wants to be known, but we have to want to know him. Acts of service and worship on our end must be accompanied by sincere devotion of the heart. God will reward those who pursue a relationship with him.

This means that I’m not going to hear God unless I really, really want it. It’s not just an option nicety. It is a necessity!

God doesn’t tell me his dream for my life if I want to debate it. God doesn’t tell me his vision for my life if I want to discuss it. God doesn’t tell me what he put me on Earth to do just so I can say, “Let me think about it.”

It has to be a necessity. I have to say, “I’ve got to know why I’m here. I’ve got to know what you want me to do with my life. I’ve got to hear your voice. I’ve got to have your vision.”

King David wrote in the book of Psalms, “My God, I want to do what you want” (Psalm 40:8 NCV) and “What I want most of all and at all times is to honor your laws” (Psalm 119:20 CEV).

David was passionate in his declaration that what he wanted most of all was to honor God. Being obedient and following God were not options for him. It was the only thing David wanted to do. He used phrases for seeking God like, “I long for it,” “I crave it,” “I hunger for it,” and “I’m like a deer panting for water.”

When I get that desperate, I’m going to hear from God.

A lot of people talk to God but never hear from God. For them, prayer is a monologue. But you can’t have a relationship through a monologue. I’ve got to have a conversation. Just as important as talking to God in prayer is listening to God and letting him talk to me. In order to make this happen I need to want it more than anything else.

Deuteronomy 4:29 says, “You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him” (NLT). It’s guaranteed!

Bottom Line:

If you search for God with all your heart, you will find him.

What this means to me:

If I want to hear from God all I need to do is search him with all my heart and soul.

Being obedient and following are not just an option. They are all that I live for. This morning I pray that I don’t get sidetracked or caught up just in myself, but that I really search and seek out a relationship with God. Learn to listen, even more than speak. I also pray that you help guide me in my relationships with others. Give me guidance in handling work and priorities today.

My Obedience Leads to Peace

In review of Philippians 4:6-7 it says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT).

Today's passage comes from Philippians 4:4-9. In it Paul tells me to always be full of joy and rejoice in the Lord. Let everyone see that I am considerate in all I do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Also, I shouldn’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what I need, and thank him for all he has done. Then I will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard my heart and mind as I live in Christ Jesus. I am to fix my thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all I've learned and received from Paul's teaching, everything I heard from him and saw him doing. Then the God of peace will be with me.

Paul wrote this letter while in prison. It's seems strange that he being in prison would still be telling a church and myself to rejoice. But Paul's attitude teaches me an important lesson: My inner attitude does not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Several times in this letter Paul urged the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they need to hear this. It's easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If I've found my joy waning, I may not be looking at life from the right perspective.

Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within me. Christ is near, and at his second coming we will fully realize this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfill his final purposes for me.

I need to be considerate (reasonable, fair minded, and charitable) to those outside of faith and beliefs. This means I am not to seek revenge against those who treat me unfairly, nor am I to be overly vocal about my personal rights.

Not worrying seems like an impossibility. But Paul's advice it to turn my worries into prayers. So to worry less, I need to pray more. Whenever I start to worry, just stop and then pray.

God's peace is different from the world's peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. My citizenship in Christ's Kingdom is sure, my destiny is set, and I can have victory over sin.  Just let God's peace guard my heart against anxiety.

What I put into my mind will determine what comes out in my words and actions. Paul tells me to program my mind with thoughts that are good. If I find I'm struggling, I should examine what I'm feeding my mind, and replace it with wholesome material. Above all, continue to read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help me focus my mind what is good and pure.

Lastly it's not enough to just hear or read the Word of God. I must also put it into practice. Exposure is not enough. It must lead me to obedience.

I’m also reminded this morning that If I’m feeling overwhelmed or confused about a decision that I’m trying to make, I’m probably caught up in myself and not listening for God’s voice. The Bible says, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV). He is not the author of confusion. So if I’m feeling confused, it’s not God’s voice speaking in my life.

The only time that pressure could be legitimate, is if God’s told me to do something, and I keep saying “no” or ignoring it. Then the pressure does build. But there’s always peace when I say “yes” to what God’s asking me to do.

Satan wants to drive me compulsively, but God wants to draw me compassionately. Satan wants to take advantage of my compulsions and use them to drive my life. But God is my Good Shepherd. He wants to draw me in toward himself and peace.

If I feel like God’s told me to do something but you’re increasingly anxious because of it, then the wires are crossed. Something’s not right.

Today’s passage tells me, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

Bottom Line:

Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray and tell God what you need. Thank him for all the things he has done. As a result, you’ll experience his peace.

What this means to me:

When worry or anxiety comes into my life, I’m to pray about it regardless of what it is. I can tell God what I need and most importantly thank him for all he has already done and will do. This will help me experience God’s peace which in turn will guard my heart.

This passage and study have reminded of seven things which will help guide me today. Father, today I pray that I be full of joy, be and show compassion to others, not worry about things but pray, to fix my thoughts on what is good, to be obedient and keep putting into practice what I’m learning, and lastly not allow my inner attitude to reflect my outward circumstances.

Before God Speaks, Decide to Say “Yes”

In review of Luke 8:15 it says, “The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit” (GNT).

Today’s verse comes from the same passage in Luke 8:9-15, that I looked at yesterday. In it Jesus explains to his disciples his parable of the four seeds. In the parable, the seed is God's word. Seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the enemy come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. Seeds on the rock represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when the face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all to quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasure of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. All the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently product a huge harvest.

"Footpath" people, like many of the religious leaders, refuse to believe God's message. "Rocky soil" people, like many in the crows who followed Jesus, believe his message but never get around to doing anything about it. "Thorn patch" People, overcome by worries and the lure of materialism, leave no room in their lives for God, "Good soil" people, in contrast to all the other groups, follow Jesus not matter what the cost.

What I’m learning is that God speaks to those who decide they’re going to do what he tells them to do, even before he tells them. It’s saying, “God, if you want me to move, I’ll move. If you want me to leave this job, I’ll leave this job. Before you even tell me, my answer is ‘yes.’ Whatever you want me to do, I will do it.”  

Luke 8:15 says, “The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit” (GNT).

While this parable talks about four kinds of people: those who are resistant, those who are shallow, those who are busy, and those who are good.

This parable also represents four attitudes. Interestingly enough, I can have all four attitudes in the same day! One moment I’m saying, “God, I don’t want to hear you, because I know what you’re going to say.” And the next moment I say, “Lord, tell me quickly.” Then I hear it and think it’s good, but I don’t do anything about it. Then the fruit starts to appear, but then I get busy with work, and the weeds grow up. Then other times I may say, “God, do whatever you want. I’m totally open to you.”

God wants me to have an attitude of obedience so that I can bear fruit, which is the biblical term for being successful. God wants me to be fruitful in my, family, friendships, relationship with God, relationships with others, and my health.

I’ve just learned that one of the best ways to bear fruit when God tells me something, is to pass it on. When God tells me something, the quickest way to let it bear fruit in my life is to tell somebody else what I’ve just learned.

Another version of Luke 8:15 says, “They listen to God’s words and cling to them and steadily spread them to others who also soon believe” (TLB). God wants me to pass on to others what I learn.

Bottom Line:

Retain what you learn with a good and obedient hear. Persist, follow and do.

What this means to me:

I need to take and retain what I hear / learn with an obedient heart. Then be ready to do whatever it is, no matter what it might cost me.

In order for me to develop a “yes, God” attitude, I need to make it a habit to put into practice what I learn. I can also ask God to help remind and guide me via the Holy Spirit to speak to me and remind me when I’m not in a “yes” mode. I also need to reach out to those around me and explain what I’ve just learned or been told. Let them know what I should do and how I’m reacting to it.

This morning Father, I pray that I will be open to hearing from you and making immediate application of it, no matter what it may cost me. Also I should not be afraid to explain to others what I’ve learned and what I’m doing as a result of it.

Developing Spiritual Roots

In review of Luke 8:13 it says, “The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don’t have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up” (CEV).

In Luke 8:9-15, Jesus explains to his disciples his parable of the four seeds. In the parable, the seed is God's word. Seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the enemy come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. Seeds on the rock represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when the face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all to quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasure of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. All the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently product a huge harvest.

"Footpath" people, like many of the religious leaders, refuse to believe God's message. "Rocky soil" people, like many in the crows who followed Jesus, believe his message but never get around to doing anything about it."Thorn patch" people, overcome by worries and the lure of materialism, leave no room in their lives for God "Good soil" people, in contrast to all the other groups, follow Jesus not matter what the cost.

During the springtime, all the grass in California turns green, the wildflowers bloom, and it’s really pretty. But once the rains stop, everything turn brown again. This is because the grass has no roots. It can’t go down deep enough to get water from the springs that are deep beneath the ground. When there are no roots and a plant is in shallow soil, it may initially sprout and look good, but it doesn’t last. The plant withers quickly because it doesn’t have roots.

Luke 8:13 says, “The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don’t have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up” (CEV).

There are times when I hear God’s Word and get excited about it, but then I don’t allow it to change me. I act superficially. I react emotionally. I’m moved impulsively. But I don’t take the time to really let it sink in.

I’d really rather be a person with deep spiritual roots so that when recession comes and lasts several years, I’ll be able to keep bearing fruit. This way when the rough winds come and somebody in my family gets sick or a close friend dies, the trial doesn’t blow me away, because I’ve got roots.

To develop spiritual roots I need to continue having a daily time with God and add in a weekly small group time with other believers. I’ve got to spend time alone with God, and I’ve got to spend time with other believers.

If I don’t spend time with God on a daily basis, I’ll dry up and blow away when the pressure is on. I won’t be able to handle it. Therefore it’s important for me to make time to listen during a daily time with God. I have to sit and be quiet. I need to read the Bible, talk to God and journal. I need to do Whatever it takes to keep the focus on God.

I also need a weekly small group. Nobody has a complete perspective on life. Everyone wears blinders. The people in my small group can see things in your life I can’t see. That’s why we need each other! I’ll learn from the people in my small group as I encourage others.

Bottom Line:

Regardless of what’s going on, don’t give up, but apply what your hearing.

What this means to me:

It doesn’t do me any good to hear a good message that I agree with, but because of life’s circumstances not apply it. Work to apply what I hear regardless of what’s going on around me.

In my own life, I’ve done pretty well with having a weekday quiet time. While I read, study and journal, I do not spend much time being quiet or just talking with God. I need to include this in my morning routine. Also today I received another important reminder to be part of a small group. Being part of small group will just a more conscience effort on my part to leave work earlier, put up with more traffic just so that I can spend time, or give up sleeping in on Saturday’s and join the men’s group that meets then.  Today, I pray Father that you will help me free up my schedule and give me the extra push of motivation to re-join a small group. I also pray Father that you will help me conduct my day in peace and not get upset about work requests and demands that come in today. Lastly I ask for your guidance in how I handle work tasks and interactions with others.