Why Take Time With God?

Is time with God really that important?  The following devotional was presented to our board by Linda Wiens, and is a powerful reminder of God's invitation to meet with Him!

Mark 1:35-38  "Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons."

This is one of the passages that tell us that Jesus would leave the crowd and go off by himself to get with his father.  How did He know it was time to move on?  Where did He get the wisdom, the direction for His day.  Where did He get his to-do list for the day?  He got it during that time alone with His heavenly Father.  I just want to encourage & remind us today to make a devotional life a priority.  The Christmas holidays are barely over and our boat is being tossed around already and there are pressures and things to get done.  What are the purposes of a devotional life?

1.  Communion with God, actual fellowship, friendship with God and getting to know God-developing a relationship with Him

2.  Purification of my heart and my life-this is where God’s word shines the light on the real me, where we ask Him to search the hidden places of our hearts and where we confess our sins.

3. Restoration of my soul during those times when we are discouraged and distracted and distressed

4.  We receive instruction in the ways of God

5.  A time for saying  Your will be done Lord, not mine

6.  Direction for my life, my relationships, my responsibilities

7.  Intercession on behalf of the needs of others.

8.  Transformation into the likeness of Jesus

We can all agree that its easy to talk about having devotions but making it happen can be another story.  There are distractions and demands on our time, but being determined and realizing the benefits of time spent with our Saviour make it easier.  It’s wonderful when we can come away with a truth that we can meditate on all day long.  Like His grace is enough for me today, or strength will rise as I wait upon the Lord, or the enemy has been defeated and death couldn’t hold Him down. 

Something that I have added to my devotional time and has encouraged me is music.  Singing praises to God from a hymn book or listening to a CD.  I find the words stay in my mind and are repeated throughout the day-words of hope and encouragement that make me stop and remember my awesome God. 

Ask God to help you get some time alone with Him, He wants to meet with you too.

Linda Wiens