I'd like to start with how we can spend more time in God's Word. It seems like I'd rather pick up a secular magazine, rather than meditate on God's Word. I've been praying lately that I would desire His Word, more than anything else, and that I could take the time to learn what I need to know for each day. These tips below are from another blog I read, and I've posted the link before, but find them fitting for this topic, so will post them again.
"Here are some practical tips on creating space to hear from the Lord:
1. First, think through the last 48 hrs. Any time-stealers come to mind? Facebook, Twitter, TV, email, Internet, phone calls, or texts? Make sure the enemy isn't robbing you of God-moments by offering a "harmless" substitute.
2. Time with the Lord takes intentional planning when you have a full, noisy, busy house. Some days, gather your kids around and read a passage to them. If you can make it interesting to listen to, you might get through several verses. Write a few verses out and leave them in the kitchen, laundry room, or car so you can contemplate as you cook, fold, or wait for your kids.
3. Place Bibles in several spots around your house so anytime you do get to sit down you can snatch a verse or two to ponder.
4. Use the first few minutes of nap time to get rest for your spirit. You probably won't be reading chapters or books at one sitting, but the Lord can use even snippets to instruct and encourage your heart. If you have kids who no longer nap, make a quiet zone where they can read or color while the little ones sleep and you get refreshed. Occasionally, this will actually work!!
5. Escape for a few minutes if you can after your husband gets home or right after dinner. I have had quiet times on picnic tables at the park, in my car at Sonic, on my driveway sitting in my car, and in my laundry room or closet.
6. Practice God's presence "in the midst" of your crazy days. He doesn't leave because your life is hectic. He can minister grace to your heart as you comfort that child or chop veggies for dinner or sort dirty socks. Christ knew what it was like to wash dirty feet. He is not absent when we are surrounded by lots of them! Remember that the Lord had many moments when He sought to draw apart to seek the Father. Sometimes that happened, sometimes He was moved with compassion and returned to the multitudes. His heart was to do the will of His Father every moment of every day, but He didn't live apart, He lived in the midst.
7. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment as you discover what will work for your family. Since it is God's will for you to know Him, ask Him to enable you to creatively pursue that in this season of your life. God's Word is eternal. The lives of those who come to know Him are eternal. Houses, stuff, and even time will all pass away. We won't regret time invested in His Word and in raising our kids to love Christ."
http://www.whispersofjoy.com/1/post/2009/11/article-from-revive-our-hearts.html
I especially like #3. So easy to do, but how often I forget. A typical sermon is only from a few verses, and what a wealth we can glean from it. How much more can God speak to us, even if we only have the mental ability to retain one verse. If we can do this several times a day, how much better will our day run? I've also been having my kids hold me accountable to read the Bible to them each day. We also listen to chapters on mp3 while we do our chores in the morning. We listen to the same book over for two weeks, and that solidifies it in our minds to memory (a tip I learned from my aunt who homeschooled her son). I find certain verses repeating back to me over and over through the day, which is encouraging and helpful in many situations.
Greg and I had lots of time to visit and evaluate different aspects of our life on our "6 days on the road" trip recently, so I'll be sharing more as it comes back to mind. I recommend everyone get in the car and go for a drive, as it clears your head, and realigns balance. The drive has to be at least 2 hours long though, as thoughts usually don't start flowing before that (at least in this house!). Cell phones off too!
3. Place Bibles in several spots around your house so anytime you do get to sit down you can snatch a verse or two to ponder.
4. Use the first few minutes of nap time to get rest for your spirit. You probably won't be reading chapters or books at one sitting, but the Lord can use even snippets to instruct and encourage your heart. If you have kids who no longer nap, make a quiet zone where they can read or color while the little ones sleep and you get refreshed. Occasionally, this will actually work!!
5. Escape for a few minutes if you can after your husband gets home or right after dinner. I have had quiet times on picnic tables at the park, in my car at Sonic, on my driveway sitting in my car, and in my laundry room or closet.
6. Practice God's presence "in the midst" of your crazy days. He doesn't leave because your life is hectic. He can minister grace to your heart as you comfort that child or chop veggies for dinner or sort dirty socks. Christ knew what it was like to wash dirty feet. He is not absent when we are surrounded by lots of them! Remember that the Lord had many moments when He sought to draw apart to seek the Father. Sometimes that happened, sometimes He was moved with compassion and returned to the multitudes. His heart was to do the will of His Father every moment of every day, but He didn't live apart, He lived in the midst.
7. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment as you discover what will work for your family. Since it is God's will for you to know Him, ask Him to enable you to creatively pursue that in this season of your life. God's Word is eternal. The lives of those who come to know Him are eternal. Houses, stuff, and even time will all pass away. We won't regret time invested in His Word and in raising our kids to love Christ."
http://www.whispersofjoy.com/1/post/2009/11/article-from-revive-our-hearts.html
I especially like #3. So easy to do, but how often I forget. A typical sermon is only from a few verses, and what a wealth we can glean from it. How much more can God speak to us, even if we only have the mental ability to retain one verse. If we can do this several times a day, how much better will our day run? I've also been having my kids hold me accountable to read the Bible to them each day. We also listen to chapters on mp3 while we do our chores in the morning. We listen to the same book over for two weeks, and that solidifies it in our minds to memory (a tip I learned from my aunt who homeschooled her son). I find certain verses repeating back to me over and over through the day, which is encouraging and helpful in many situations.
Prayerfully we can hold God's Word in our hearts, and profess His truths when the need arises. I share this information only to encourage you, because I realize how easy it is for me to get complacent and then wonder why my faith is weak and my days are more negative than joyful.
Greg and I had lots of time to visit and evaluate different aspects of our life on our "6 days on the road" trip recently, so I'll be sharing more as it comes back to mind. I recommend everyone get in the car and go for a drive, as it clears your head, and realigns balance. The drive has to be at least 2 hours long though, as thoughts usually don't start flowing before that (at least in this house!). Cell phones off too!
