HOW TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PERSONAL WORSHIP TIME

Dr. George Bannister. Ph.D., D.Min., Th.M., M.Div.

Woodville Baptist Church

Pastor’s Bible Study Class • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago • Presented just now

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I. HOW TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PERSONAL WORSHIP TIME

A. THE PROBLEM OF DISCIPLINE (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

Your first problem in establishing a quiet time will face you the moment you wake up each morning: Am I going to get out of bed?

("The Battle of the Blanket")

Suggestions:

1. Go to bed ON TIME.

2. Get up IMMEDIATELY.

3. Be aware of quiet time ROBBERS.

4. Fall asleep thinking SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS. (Psalm 63:6)

Psalm 63:6 (NLT)

6 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.

B. THE PROBLEM OF DISTRACTIONS (Romans 8:6)

Romans 8:6 (NLT)

6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Satan will try to use anything to get your mind to wander during a quiet time.

(“The Battle of Focus”)

Suggestions:

• Get out of BED

• Get thoroughly AWAKE

• Read and pray ALOUD

• WALK during your prayer time.

• Keep a NOTEBOOK OR JOURNAL NEARBY.

C. THE PROBLEM OF DRYNESS (Psalm 63:1)

Psalm 63:1 (NLT)

1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

Sometimes you will feel like you're not getting anything out of your quiet time.

("The Battle of the Blahs")

Never judge your quiet time by your FEELINGS.

Possible Causes of Spiritual Dryness:

1. Your physical condition

2. Disobedience to God (Isaiah 59:2)

Isaiah 59:2 (NLT)

2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

3. Rushing your quiet time

4. Getting in a rut

5. Not sharing insights with others

D. THE PROBLEM OF DILIGENCE (Proverbs 21:5)

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT)

5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

(2 Timothy 2:15)

2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

Your greatest problem will be your struggle to stay consistent. I find Satan fights nothing harder than my PERSONAL WORSHIP (quiet) time.

(“The Battle of hit-and-miss”)

Suggestions:

1. Make a covenant or vow to God.

2. Schedule it on your daily calendar.

3. Be prepared for Satan's excuses.

4. Leave your Bible open at night to the passage for the next day!

What if I miss a day?

• Don't GET ON A GUILT TRIP

• Don't GET LEGALISTIC

• Don't GIVE UP

It takes 3 weeks for you to become familiar with a new task. Then it takes another 3 weeks before it becomes a comfortable discipline.

(Gal. 6:9)

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

A PRAYER COMMITMENT

Father, I realize that I was created to have fellowship with you. Thank you for making this privilege possible through Jesus's death. I know that daily fellowship with You is to be the most important thing in my life. I now want to commit myself to spending at least some time every day with you in a quiet time of Bible reading and prayer. I'm trusting in your strength to help me be consistent.

In Jesus's name, Amen."

A WEEKLY LOG

MONDAY ________ Relax! Read:________

Reflect: What God Said to me:

______________________________________________________________________________