Good Morning Ladies! Yesterday we talked about having and needing solitude. Todays chapter talks about when we don't seem to have time for quiet time. Women Living Well Chapter 2: No Time for a Quiet Time. "The discipline to rise early is not as difficult as the discipline of going to bed. This did not used to be so. Before electricity and radio and television and the internet, going to bed soon after dark was not so difficult. There was not much to do. Today the strongest allurements to stay up and be entertained are against us. Therefore, the battle against weariness, which makes us drowsy as soon as we open our Bible in the morning, has to be fought in the evening, not just in the morning"-John Piper, When I Don't Desire God.
Things are always changing in our lives. We graduate high school or college, we get married, have kids, get a new job, etc. In all of Life's Changing Seasons, we are searching for ways to have solitude. You can wake up before your kids to find that time with God. If you have to travel for you job by bus, train or plane, take that time to be with God. If your kids are in school during the day and you are a sahm use that time to be with God. There are so many ways to find that solitude. It may not be easy at first because you are used to doing other things when you are alone but once you start spending that time reading Gods word it will become like second nature.
Meditate On Gods Word
Some days a scheduled quiet time just can't happen. It would be wrong for us to put pressure on ourselves to always create a perfect scenario and push our children's needs aside. So what is the solution? We need to learn how to meditate on God's Word. "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it."-Joshua 1:8.
Meditating is essentially soaking in God's Word. Like a sponge, sit and linger over God's Word. Take in the living water and be refreshed. Meditating goes hand in hand with memorization. If you are memorizing, then most likely you are also meditating. However, it is possible to meditate and not memorize.
A BUSY MOM'S GUIDE TO MEDITATING ON A PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE:
1. Choose a passage of Scripture for the week. Some favorites passages are from Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Gospels. There are also reading plans offered at GoodMorningGirls.org.
2. Write the passage on a note card and slip it in your pocket. Pull it out often and read it over. You can also keep it in your purse.
3. Open your Bible to that passage, and place it on the kitchen counter. When you walk through the kitchen, pause, read the passage and then move on.
4. Read the passage out loud. You can read it to yourself or even read it to your kids so that they are hearing God's word as well.
5. Read the passage first thing in the morning. Read the passage as soon as you get out of bed.
6. Read the passage before you go to bed at night.
7. Write the verses at the top of your to-do list. This way, every time you look over your to-do list, you can read the Scripture passage.
Meditate on God's Word day and night and you will soon find your life transformed by the renewing of your mind!
If You Fail To Plan, You're Planning To Fail
If you don't plan for dinner, most likely you will be scrambling for something edible at the last minute. Bible study is the same way. Planning makes all the difference. So what could we plan that would make the discipline of quiet time easier?
Plan When:
Choose when you will have your quiet time each day. We are creatures of habit so select a time that works best in your season of life. When your children are little, there are many times in the afternoon when they take naps. You could schedule your quiet time for then. There were many Christian heroes of the faith that had early morning quiet times. David was one (Psalm 5:3). Daniel was one (Daniel 6:10). In Mark 1:35, Jesus spent time with His Father in the morning: "And rising very early in the morning, while it is still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place and there he prayed." We should "beat our family up" meaning to rise before them.
Plan Where:
You should plan where you will have your solitary place. Matthew 6:6 says "When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Your room could be in your bedroom, your kitchen, living room or even the bathroom.
Plan How:
Plan how you will have your quiet time. There are many ways to study God's Word. Here are a few suggestions.
-Follow the ideas meditation we've already discussed. Write out your verses of the week on a card or keep your Bible open in the kitchen.
-Follow a yearly Bible reading plan.
-There are thirty-one chapters in Proverbs. Read a proverb a day for each day of the month.
-Use colored pencils and a symbol system to mark favorite passages, favorite words, etc in the Bible.
-Use a notebook to journal what you are learning.
-Use the SOAP method to study a book of the Bible.
S-Write out the Scripture passage for the day.
0-Write down one or two observations from the passage.
A-Write down one or two applications from the passage.
P-Pray over what you learned from today's passage.
-Do a word study. Ask yourself what you want to learn more about from God's Word. It may be something you struggle with, anger, worry, fear, joy or forgiving others. It may be a theological area you'd like to study, grace, faith, sanctification or the return of Jesus. Maybe you want to look into family matters, what God says about children, marriage or homemaking. Whatever it is you are searching for, write it down in your journal. You can also check out BibleGateway.com and research the topic you want to. It will then pull up verses for that specific topic. Write down the verses you want to read from the list and find them in your Bible. Write down what you observe and how you can apply what God is saying. Memorize the verse that speaks most strongly to your heart.
Memorize Scripture:
Pick a passage that's meaningful to you. Meditate on it-studyit-ingest it! Write it down on cards or sticky notes and place them anywhere you would see them. You can also get the family involved in memorizing scriptures. Practice, Practice, Practice. The more times you write it and say it, the more you will know it.
Purchase a Bible Study Book:
If you want to read the Bible with someone guiding you through your study, there are many resources available both online and at all Christian bookstores.
Too Busy To Sit Still
The reality is we live in a busy culture where it is hard to simply sit still at the feet of Jesus. When your children get older they do not want to be snuggled or just sit still long enough for you to hold them. Sometimes we act this way with God. He desires to spend time alone with us. He wants us to be still and enjoy Him. He wants to tell us how much He loves us and guide us by His Word. He wants us to talk to Him about our day, our struggles and our needs. He wants us to be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)
It seems as mothers and as parents we have to fight for alone time. We need that alone time with God so we do not lose our sanity. Your Bible will sit calling out to you, "Come drink this cup of living water, for only this will satisfy your thirst." This is why we meet with God. He loves us so much He hung on a cross for us so we could be forgiven of all our heinous sins. Certainly we can set aside a few minutes a day to walk with the King.
What has been your experience with having a regular time of meeting with God each day?
When did you first hear about it? When did you first try it? Do you have such a time currently? Describe your experience in this area of life.
Read Luke 5:12-16. What do we find Jesus doing in the beginning of this passage in verses 12-15? List out specific things the Lord did here:
How does a busy wife and mom’s daily agenda mirror some of the same activities we see Jesus doing these verses? Write down what you do similarly in your life as a wife and mom:
What do we find Jesus doing in verse 16?
What do you learn from the Lord’s actions immediately after he spent time listening to requests from people, working with His hands, serving, touching, healing, and giving instructions? How should we as busy moms follow His example?
On a separate piece of paper, a note card, or a notes app on your phone, write out a prayer of commitment to the Lord about spending time connecting with Him each day. If the Lord Himself needed time alone, we do too!
Things are always changing in our lives. We graduate high school or college, we get married, have kids, get a new job, etc. In all of Life's Changing Seasons, we are searching for ways to have solitude. You can wake up before your kids to find that time with God. If you have to travel for you job by bus, train or plane, take that time to be with God. If your kids are in school during the day and you are a sahm use that time to be with God. There are so many ways to find that solitude. It may not be easy at first because you are used to doing other things when you are alone but once you start spending that time reading Gods word it will become like second nature.
Meditate On Gods Word
Some days a scheduled quiet time just can't happen. It would be wrong for us to put pressure on ourselves to always create a perfect scenario and push our children's needs aside. So what is the solution? We need to learn how to meditate on God's Word. "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it."-Joshua 1:8.
Meditating is essentially soaking in God's Word. Like a sponge, sit and linger over God's Word. Take in the living water and be refreshed. Meditating goes hand in hand with memorization. If you are memorizing, then most likely you are also meditating. However, it is possible to meditate and not memorize.
A BUSY MOM'S GUIDE TO MEDITATING ON A PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE:
1. Choose a passage of Scripture for the week. Some favorites passages are from Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Gospels. There are also reading plans offered at GoodMorningGirls.org.
2. Write the passage on a note card and slip it in your pocket. Pull it out often and read it over. You can also keep it in your purse.
3. Open your Bible to that passage, and place it on the kitchen counter. When you walk through the kitchen, pause, read the passage and then move on.
4. Read the passage out loud. You can read it to yourself or even read it to your kids so that they are hearing God's word as well.
5. Read the passage first thing in the morning. Read the passage as soon as you get out of bed.
6. Read the passage before you go to bed at night.
7. Write the verses at the top of your to-do list. This way, every time you look over your to-do list, you can read the Scripture passage.
Meditate on God's Word day and night and you will soon find your life transformed by the renewing of your mind!
If You Fail To Plan, You're Planning To Fail
If you don't plan for dinner, most likely you will be scrambling for something edible at the last minute. Bible study is the same way. Planning makes all the difference. So what could we plan that would make the discipline of quiet time easier?
Plan When:
Choose when you will have your quiet time each day. We are creatures of habit so select a time that works best in your season of life. When your children are little, there are many times in the afternoon when they take naps. You could schedule your quiet time for then. There were many Christian heroes of the faith that had early morning quiet times. David was one (Psalm 5:3). Daniel was one (Daniel 6:10). In Mark 1:35, Jesus spent time with His Father in the morning: "And rising very early in the morning, while it is still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place and there he prayed." We should "beat our family up" meaning to rise before them.
Plan Where:
You should plan where you will have your solitary place. Matthew 6:6 says "When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Your room could be in your bedroom, your kitchen, living room or even the bathroom.
Plan How:
Plan how you will have your quiet time. There are many ways to study God's Word. Here are a few suggestions.
-Follow the ideas meditation we've already discussed. Write out your verses of the week on a card or keep your Bible open in the kitchen.
-Follow a yearly Bible reading plan.
-There are thirty-one chapters in Proverbs. Read a proverb a day for each day of the month.
-Use colored pencils and a symbol system to mark favorite passages, favorite words, etc in the Bible.
-Use a notebook to journal what you are learning.
-Use the SOAP method to study a book of the Bible.
S-Write out the Scripture passage for the day.
0-Write down one or two observations from the passage.
A-Write down one or two applications from the passage.
P-Pray over what you learned from today's passage.
-Do a word study. Ask yourself what you want to learn more about from God's Word. It may be something you struggle with, anger, worry, fear, joy or forgiving others. It may be a theological area you'd like to study, grace, faith, sanctification or the return of Jesus. Maybe you want to look into family matters, what God says about children, marriage or homemaking. Whatever it is you are searching for, write it down in your journal. You can also check out BibleGateway.com and research the topic you want to. It will then pull up verses for that specific topic. Write down the verses you want to read from the list and find them in your Bible. Write down what you observe and how you can apply what God is saying. Memorize the verse that speaks most strongly to your heart.
Memorize Scripture:
Pick a passage that's meaningful to you. Meditate on it-studyit-ingest it! Write it down on cards or sticky notes and place them anywhere you would see them. You can also get the family involved in memorizing scriptures. Practice, Practice, Practice. The more times you write it and say it, the more you will know it.
Purchase a Bible Study Book:
If you want to read the Bible with someone guiding you through your study, there are many resources available both online and at all Christian bookstores.
Too Busy To Sit Still
The reality is we live in a busy culture where it is hard to simply sit still at the feet of Jesus. When your children get older they do not want to be snuggled or just sit still long enough for you to hold them. Sometimes we act this way with God. He desires to spend time alone with us. He wants us to be still and enjoy Him. He wants to tell us how much He loves us and guide us by His Word. He wants us to talk to Him about our day, our struggles and our needs. He wants us to be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)
It seems as mothers and as parents we have to fight for alone time. We need that alone time with God so we do not lose our sanity. Your Bible will sit calling out to you, "Come drink this cup of living water, for only this will satisfy your thirst." This is why we meet with God. He loves us so much He hung on a cross for us so we could be forgiven of all our heinous sins. Certainly we can set aside a few minutes a day to walk with the King.
What has been your experience with having a regular time of meeting with God each day?
When did you first hear about it? When did you first try it? Do you have such a time currently? Describe your experience in this area of life.
Read Luke 5:12-16. What do we find Jesus doing in the beginning of this passage in verses 12-15? List out specific things the Lord did here:
How does a busy wife and mom’s daily agenda mirror some of the same activities we see Jesus doing these verses? Write down what you do similarly in your life as a wife and mom:
What do we find Jesus doing in verse 16?
What do you learn from the Lord’s actions immediately after he spent time listening to requests from people, working with His hands, serving, touching, healing, and giving instructions? How should we as busy moms follow His example?
On a separate piece of paper, a note card, or a notes app on your phone, write out a prayer of commitment to the Lord about spending time connecting with Him each day. If the Lord Himself needed time alone, we do too!