Time alone with God

Silence is loud.

This morning I led students to take a few moments before God to experience quiet time with Him. I discovered that for me its a learned habit. I wonder if students know what to do. So I will include what I outlined for them. If you have any links or insights about your time with God, then please post a comment.

First, wait on the Lord. Realize God's presence with you by taking 2 minutes of quiet. The Bible says that God the Holy Spirit indwells each believer. The God who created all that there is abides in you. He tabernacles in you. So get quiet and listen for his still, small voice. Invite God to speak to you. Ask Him to tell you what he thinks of your life. Say this short prayer, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." The young man Samuel heard God speak. You can read his experience in I Samuel. So wait on God's presence and His whispering voice in the silence.

Next, Pray for yourself. Ask God what He wants you to do. Say, "God, what do you want me to do?" You will get leadings, promptings, impressions within your mind. Jot them down. Then reflect on them. Is that leading truly from God?

Pastor Bill Hybels shares a warning that Satan, the evil one, is capable of both issuing his own leadings for destructive purposes and undermining God's leadings in your life (II Timothy 4:1). These lying spirits may appear to be channels of God's power. Jesus predicted that false Christs and false prophets would perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that we possible (Matthew 24:24); to deceive those who follow God. False impressions or misguided leadings are hard to distinguish for "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14)." It is very important to know the origin of the leadings coming into your mind.

For example, Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 followed a leading to increase their knowledge by eating an attractive fruit and they plunged the human race into darkness and separation from God! So know the origin of your leadings before following them.

A leading that is probably from God must remain consistent with God's truth found in the Bible, must remain consistent with who God made you to be, and require some act of service for others or sacrifice of yourself made in faith. If a leading violates what the Bible says, then question it. If a leading contradicts who God made you to be, then question it. If you have certain gifts and abilities and you feel you need to go outside of your gifts and abilities in a totally unrelated field, then question it. If a leading is self-promoting or self-serving, then question it as a counterfeit leading. Use discernment in understanding what the Lord's will is "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is (Ephesians 5:17)."

As you pray for yourself and what God wants you to do, things will pop into your mind. Jot each one down. Collect them for future reference, pray about them, and plan how you can take care of them and when.

My summary of my time with God this morning with students. I heard God say that I need to spend more consistent time with Him. He wants me to meditate, to marinate my mind in His truth. He promises success and wisdom. He truly loves me and wants me to succeed. But that means I need to turn off the noise of my busy life and get quiet to hear from Him. That's what God said to me. I wonder what He says to you. Take the challenge and spend quiet time with God.

Pastor D