HOW TO BEGIN AND DEVLOP A DAILY PERSONAL WORSHIP (QUIET) TIME

INTRODUCTION:

RECAP OF LAST WEEK:

II. THE PURPOSE OF A DAILY PERSONAL WORSHIP TIME

A. TO GIVE DEVOTION TO GOD.

Definition:

Devotion: love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.

(Oxford Dictionary)

(Ps. 29:2) (2 Ch. 31:21)

• God deserves our devotion! (Rev. 4:11)

• God desires our devotion! (John 4:23)

B. TO GET DIRECTION FROM GOD.

(Ps. 25:4)

2 Things To Do In A PERSONAL WORSHIP Time

• Consider your way:

(Pr. 4:26) (Prov. 3:5-6)

• Commit your day:

(Ps. 37:5)

Jesus prayed to seek the Father’s direction.

(Luke 6:12-13)

C. TO GAIN DELIGHT IN GOD.

To “delight,” says Webster's Dictionary, is to “take pleasure” or “to give keen enjoyment” or to “give joy or satisfaction to.”

Therefore, to delight in God's Law/Word is to “take pleasure in the Word of God.” In simple words, it means we enjoy the Word. It is like your favorite desert or food.

(Ps. 37:4) (Ps. 16:11)

FACT: The better I get to know Christ, the more I LOVE HIM .

The objective of your Quiet Time is not to study about Christ, but to actually spend time with him!

D. TO GROW DAILY TO BE LIKE GOD.

(2 Peter 1:3-4) (II Corinthians 3:18)

III. HOW TO BEGIN AND DEVLOP A DAILY PERSONAL WORSHIP (QUIET) TIME

A- SELECT A SPECIFIC TIME (Mark 1:35)

Mark 1:35 (NLT)

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

1- The best time to have a quiet time is when I am AT MY BEST.

Reasons for considering an early morning quiet time:

• The example of Bible characters.

(Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Hannah, Job, Hezekiah, David, Daniel, Jesus, etc.)

(Psalm 5:3)

Psalm 5:3 (NLT)

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.

Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

(Isaiah 26:9)

Isaiah 26:9 (NLT)

In the night I search for you;

in the morning I earnestly seek you.

For only when you come to judge the earth

will people learn what is right.

• It seems logical to begin the day with it.

"The best time to tune your instrument is before you play the concert, not after!"

• It demonstrates that meeting with God is your first priority. You give Him the first part of your day.

• You are likely to be more rested, your mind is less cluttered, and it's often the quietest time!

Whatever time you set, BE CONSISTENT.

(Daniel 6:10)

Daniel 6:10 (NLT)

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

HOW LONG SHOULD A QUIET TIME BE?

3 Guidelines

• Start with 15 minutes and let it grow.

• Don't watch the clock!

• Emphasize quality, not quantity!

B- CHOOSE A SPECIAL PLACE

(Luke 22:39)

Luke 22:39 (NLT)

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives.

(Mark 1:35)

Mark 1:35 (NLT)

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

C- GATHER THE RESOURCES YOU'LL NEED

(2 Tim. 4:13)

2 Timothy 4:13 (NLT)

When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.

(Hebrews 4:12-13)

Hebrews 4:12–13 (NLT)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

A Bible with readable print

Can be a physical Bible

Can be on a tablet, computer or phone

A Notebook - to write down what the Lord speaks to you about, and to keep your prayer list.

Can be a physical notebook or journal (but should be set aside for that purpose)

Can be electronic

Can be one note, or any note-taking app

A Songbook or worship music- to help you refocus!

(Psalm 9:1-2)

Psalm 9:1–2 (NLT)

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

I will be filled with joy because of you.

I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Can be a physical songbook

Can be a song playlist or youtube playlist

D- BEGIN WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDES

• REVERENCE

(Ps. 46:10)

Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

“Be still, and know that I am God!

I will be honored by every nation.

I will be honored throughout the world.”

• EXPECTANCY

(Ps. 119:19)

Psalm 119:19 (NLT)

I am only a foreigner in the land.

Don’t hide your commands from me!

• WILLINGNESS TO OBEY

(John 7:17)

John 7:17 (NLT)

Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

E- FOLLOW A SIMPLE PLAN

(A Plan to Get Your Started)

REFOCUS.

(HEBREWS 12:1-2)

Hebrews 12:1–2 (NLT)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

1) Listen to or sing one or two worship songs that will help you to turn your attention to the Lord and His presence.

2) Spend some time asking the Lord to make you aware of His presence, His person, and His power.

* Focusing on His attributes or names can help with this.

RELAX.

Be still and be quiet! Slow down! Prepare your heart. Take a few deep breaths and wait on God.

(Psalm 46:10)

Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

“Be still, and know that I am God!

I will be honored by every nation.

I will be honored throughout the world.”

READ.

(PSALM 119:105)

Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

(PSALM 119:133)

Psalm 119:133 (NLT)

133 Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Follow a systematic plan for your Bible Reading. Begin reading where you left off the day before. Read until you feel God has told you something. Then stop and think about it.

REFLECT.

You may use the S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S as a method of meditation. Think about what the passage means to your life. Write down your thoughts. Part of reflecting is memorizing verses that speak to you in a special way.

S - Is there a Sin to confess? As I'm looking at this passage of scripture do I see a sin here that I need to confess from my own life. Almost always -- God is so good to show us sins that need to be confessed. I never can come away from the Word without finding something in my life that I need to confess to the Lord.

(1 John 1:9)

1 John 1:9 (NLT)

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

P - Is there a Promise to claim? The scriptures are full of promises to those who love and follow the Lord.

(2 Peter 1:3-4)

2 Peter 1:3–4 (NLT)

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

A - Is there an Attitude to change? Again, God is so faithful to show me attitudes of mine that are to totally out of line with his way of thinking and I need to change.

(Philippians 2:5)

Philippians 2:5 (NLT)

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

C – Is there a Command to Obey? Is there a command to obey? God does not give us options in His Word. He does not say, "Would you please love each other if you're having a nice day and everything's going ok." God just says, "Love each other from the heart. You've been cleansed from sin, now love each other." Much of what God gives to us are flat out commands that we are to obey whether we feel like it or not.

(Luke 6:46)

Luke 6:46 (NLT)

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

E – Is there an Example to follow? Is there an example to follow in this scripture? Think of Paul in prison, feet and hands bound, there fore years. But what was Paul's attitude? To whine and complain? Paul's attitude was joyous. That tells me there's an example that I need to follow. In the difficult circumstances of my life instead of responding with whining and complaining, I'm to respond like Paul did. With rejoicing.

(1 Corinthians 10:11)

1 Corinthians 10:11 (NLT)

These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.

P – Is there a Prayer to Pray? This is also one of the specific ways to meditate but you can also use it in this SPACEPETS step of finding a prayer as you go along and pray it back to the Lord.

(Colossians 1:9-12)

Colossians 1:9–12 (NLT)

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

E - Is there an Error to Avoid? Do you remember Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts. They did a real stupid thing. They lied to God. Because they lied to God, God killed them on the spot. That tells me that is an error to avoid! I do not want to lie to God. There are consequences. So when we come to Scriptures like that, write it down. There's an error to avoid. I don't want to be like that person. I don't want to follow what they did.

(2 Peter 3:17)

2 Peter 3:17 (NLT)

You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.

T – Is there a Truth to believe? The same as with commands to obey, there are some difficult truths in scripture. We have the obligation and responsibility to believe them whether we understand them or not. If you come across some passage of scripture and think, "This does not make sense at all" rather than arguing with God about it, rather than saying, "Until I understand it I'm not going to obey it," you just say, "God, this is a truth You've said. I'm going to believe it and trust that in the days and years to come, You will make it clear to me what You meant by this."

(2 Timothy 3:16)

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

S – Is there Something to thank God for? There is always something in Scripture that you can praise the Lord for. It's either about Him, His character, something He's done for you or someone else. Cultivate that heart of gratitude as you read through scripture and meditate.

(Colossians 4:2)

Colossians 4:2 (NLT)

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

RECORD.

Write down the date and the scripture passage or passages you read. Write out a personal application statement that is practical, possible and measurable.

"Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and the fingertips."

(Revelation 21:5)

Revelation 21:5 (NLT)

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

REQUEST.

Conclude your Personal Worship Time by talking to God about what He has shown you and making your requests from your prayer list. Journal new requests in your prayer list or journal. Be sure to date the request.

(PHILIPPIANS 4:6)

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

REJOICE.

(1 Peter 1:8)

1 Peter 1:8 (NLT)

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

Take a look back into your prayer journal or list and rejoice over the prayers that God has answered and ways He has worked in your life. Listen to a worship song that praises God for who He is, expresses thanks for His blessings, or expresses joy for the relationship Jesus has made possible.

or make use of a “ThankTimer.”

CONCLUSION: