Daily Devotional: Friday, August 30 – Time Alone with God

“I’m the vine; you’re the branches. In case you stay in me and I in you, you’ll bear a lot fruit; other than me you are able to do nothing.” — John 15:5

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I grew up in a small city exterior of Pittsburgh, enjoying tag with my youthful brothers and mates. We’d play “it” tag, “freeze” tag, and even “bike” tag. As I consider that phrase “tag,” I’m reminded of the acronym T.A.G., which stands for Time Alone with God.

Coaches, athletes, leaders, husbands and wives: Spend time alone with God. Carve out some intentional time to focus in your relationship with Him. This may very well be early within the morning, later within the night, and even in the course of the afternoon. The precise time just isn’t as essential as is the every day behavior of connecting with God.

This intentional time may very well be studying some key verses or a particular chapter present in God’s Phrase, studying a devotional, having a time of prayer, or writing in a journal. This targeted alone time with God might contain listening to reward and worship or an encouraging podcast or sermon, or incorporating a gratitude or prayer stroll.

I’m studying the significance of sitting nonetheless at Jesus’ ft. I’m asking God to take away any distractions, busyness or actions to give attention to being in His presence. Too many instances I’ve had the “Martha mentality” of doing reasonably than sitting like her sister, Mary, and being (Luke 10:38-42). We’re all human beings, not human doings. I’m studying after I’m in His presence, I can hear Him communicate. I’m really shut sufficient and quiet sufficient to listen to His whisper. The whispers of affection, encouragement and being reassured that He’s received me, has known as me, says I’m sufficient, I’m His, He loves me and died for me, and He’s pleased with me.

Proximity and focus issues to God. Many instances we’re too busy doing reasonably than being. I used to be simply reminded that each Christian ought to spend at the very least half-hour a day in prayer. Until they’re actually busy, then they want an hour. You might have heard the saying, “In case you are too busy to hope, then you might be too busy.” Focusing our consideration on God and having this intentional quiet time of connection permits us to humble and quiet our hearts to listen to His.

My encouragement is that this: Try to attach every day with God so you possibly can love, serve, influence, encourage and finally dwell like Jesus. Could we reply as Samuel did within the Previous Testomony: “Communicate, Lord, to your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:7-11).

Prayer: Pricey God, my coronary heart’s want is to spend high quality time with You. Could I’ve a starvation and want to develop in my stroll with You by studying Your Phrase and being extra intentional in my prayer time. Amen.

— Jim Good

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