January is our time at Ruby’s Gift Store to focus on the topic of Quiet Time, a very essential part of the life of a Christian. Today I would like to share a few tips for an effective Quiet Time.
LET'S GET RIGHT INTO IT…
- A Bible. The Bible is the Word of God, how God speaks to us. If we are looking to know God’s mind on anything, the place to go is the Bible. One of the beautiful things about the Bible is how timeless it is; it never gets updated or revised but it remains relevant to every human being that reads it, from one generation to the next. Allow God to communicate to you through His word. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
- A Journal & pen. God helps us to understand His word through the Holy Spirit. When that happens, it is important to take note of what you have learnt as you read and meditated on God’s word through your quiet time. Was there a lesson, a warning, a challenge, a truth? Take note of those things so that you can always refer back to them and remember them. Psalm 103:2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
- An Open Heart. Always approach God with an open and humble heart. Sometimes what God asks of us might seem unrealistic or undesirable to us. Naturally, we want to do things our own way but we need to remember that God knows best and we can trust Him. Ask God for the grace to obey His word and follow His lead. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. Psalm 25:9
- Set aside time for your quiet time. Aim for quality over quantity. If you feel that there is so much going on in your life and say you can only allocate 15minutes for your quiet time, do that. The important thing is to know that that particular time is for that purpose and stick to it. Don’t try to do it when you get time but rather first set the time aside. Jesus knew the importance of spending time with God and often did it and so should we. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
- A plan. Make a plan for how you will do your quiet time. Will you study a specific book of the bible chapter by chapter? Will you work through a devotional, bible ready plan or bible study? Will you pray at the beginning, at the end, both and for how long? Where will you have your quiet time, for how long and at what particular time? A good plan will enable you have an effective Quiet time session where you can create the right atmosphere for God to speak to you and for you to listen to Him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. Ezra 7:10
Please share in the comments how you are able to have an effective quiet time and which of these tips has been helpful to you.
