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spending time with God - 8/9/2008 9:50:15 PM
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al4jc
Posts: 251
Joined: 4/17/2005
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Hello everyone,
I have made a decision this week to start spending more time with God every morning. I desire to grow in Him and to love Him more. Unfortunately, as I'm sure we all do, I get easily distracted when trying to spend time with Him. Its not just what is physically going on around me, but my mind starts wandering and then I feel convicted for not keeping my focus on God. I feel like the disciples in the garden when Jesus got by Himself to pray and after a while He found them sleeping and Jesus scolded them for not staying awake and praying.
My question is how do you "quiet yourself" before the Lord? What works for you in getting rid of thoughts that come up and how do you keep your minds from wandering?
God Bless!
_____________________________
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.
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RE: spending time with God - 8/9/2008 10:02:48 PM
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colliefan
Posts: 2789
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Raleigh, NC
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In the form of the HS, God is always with us. There are many ways to avoid distractions in bible study and prayer. Find a quiet place with as little distractions as possible. In reading through a scripture passage, read through it slowly and let each word speak to you. After this read through the passage again, this time for study and application
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RE: spending time with God - 8/9/2008 10:12:52 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1919
Status: offline
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quote:
My question is how do you "quiet yourself" before the Lord? What works for you in getting rid of thoughts that come up and how do you keep your minds from wandering?
One of the best ways to stay focused is to pray God's word. I use the psalms and pray a psalm each day. For example, read it. Then sit quietly, letting the word sink in. When distracting thoughts come, say, "I love You, Jesus" or Thank You, Father" or something like that to get your mind back on the Lord. Then take the psalm verse by verse and pray it. For example, Psalm 1 begins How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. Thank the Lord for His blessing on your life. It is His desire to bless you---live, receive, and walk in that blessing. Thank Him for showing you how to walk, for giving you the Holy Spirit to live His life in you. Thank Him for being the counselor that gives ONLY good and wise counsel. And on and on. . . and you can pray those things for others as well.
If you come to a thought or a verse you don't understand, just speak it and be honest and say, "Lord, I don't know what this means or how it applies to me but it is true, it is Your word, and You will accomplish all for me. So I ask You to accomplish this too in my life. I trust You. I love You. I believe You."
When you are done with the psalm you have not only put God's word in your heart and in your mind but you have prayed His will for you and anyone else who He led you to pray for.
Hope that helps.  LL
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RE: spending time with God - 8/9/2008 10:23:36 PM
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LCannon
Posts: 1260
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
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Try this:
1. Commit yourself for a only a week.
2. Paul's letter to the Ephesians has six chapters, one per day. Read a chapter a day, aloud,(reading aloud tends to make me concentrate and doesn't allow my mind to wander as much)with the emphasis on obedience.
3. Rest a day(Sunday?), commit yourself to another week, Ephesians again, aloud, again but the next week's emphasis is unity with the Holy Spirit and the church, local and universal.
Since you have read Ephesians twice in two week your ready to memorizing!
< Message edited by LCannon -- 8/9/2008 10:31:24 PM >
_____________________________
"It may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God they play
only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille they
play Mozart and then too our dear Lord listens with special pleasure."(Karl Barth)
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RE: spending time with God - 8/9/2008 10:31:32 PM
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al4jc
Posts: 251
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline
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Liveloved:
Thanks for sharing! I never really thought about praying God's word back to Him. It does make sense though. I love how we can even pray for others using the word!
Probably one of my biggest stumbling blocks is thinking I have to read so many chapters a day and pray for a certain amt of time each day. It helps that I don't have to feel rushed, that even reading a small portion of scripture and meditating on it can be fruitful and pleasing to God.
God Bless
_____________________________
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.
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RE: spending time with God - 8/9/2008 10:33:31 PM
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al4jc
Posts: 251
Joined: 4/17/2005
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Lcannon
that sounds exciting! I can't wait to start that this week!
God Bless!
_____________________________
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.
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RE: spending time with God - 8/10/2008 2:20:33 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1919
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quote:
Liveloved:
Thanks for sharing! I never really thought about praying God's word back to Him. It does make sense though. I love how we can even pray for others using the word!
Probably one of my biggest stumbling blocks is thinking I have to read so many chapters a day and pray for a certain amt of time each day. It helps that I don't have to feel rushed, that even reading a small portion of scripture and meditating on it can be fruitful and pleasing to God.
God Bless
I know the stumbling blocks. We need breadth in our relationship with God which means we do need to read the whole of scripture---that's why many read the entire Bible each year. But we also need depth which you get by taking just a shorter passage and letting God work out that specific word in you. Bless you. Hope these things others are sharing with you are helpful as you draw close to Him, LL
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RE: spending time with God - 8/10/2008 8:06:17 PM
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Lufia
Posts: 187
Joined: 5/25/2008
From: Canada, quebec province
Status: offline
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Well for me the best place is while kayaking! I stopped in a quiet place ( always alone), not moving and then i stand still in my mind. It's completely silent ( sometime birds singing) I listen to God, talk to Him and praise Him. Lakes are the best cathedrals believe me
It's awesome
_____________________________
Give your life to Jesus and enjoy the ride!
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RE: spending time with God - 8/10/2008 9:11:44 PM
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Cloak
Posts: 4692
Joined: 1/4/2008
From: Canada
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Eliminate all distractions as much as possible, don't answer the phone or the doorbell. Preserve this time between God and you preciously no matter what. Purchase a daily devotional and start your day by reading one page for every day. I find the early morning hour is the best time to connect with God and speak with Him.
Blessings to you as you seek Him!
_____________________________
Blessings!
And My God shall meet ALL Your Needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 19)
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