Spending time with God

**arapahoepark** · December-21st-2011, 12:24 PM

Hey guys!
I am just wondering how I can spend time with God? I haven't been lately, and I know it's something I and others desperately need to do. How do I do this and grow?
Thanks!

**soundingthealarm** · December-21st-2011, 12:41 PM

Spending time with God is an intentional decision to "get away" from everything else. It's not about ritual or form but just trusting His word that says "behold I stand at the door and knock and to Him who opens I will come in and dine with them and they with me" (Fellowship)

It's very similar to when my wife says "you want to go out on the deck and talk?" It's an invitation to spend time with her

and God who created us had no greater intention for us than for us to "Know Him" and that just comes from dedicated time of seeking to "know Him"

I personally always have my Bible in hand and just sit down or kneel or as God stirs in my heart to respond to His Prodding, sometimes I just go and sit on my deck and just share what is on my heart and ask what is on His?

This is a beautiful topic and I'm sure there will be some great replies that I too look forward to reading

Prayer is the heartbeat of our faith, it's what we were saved too!! "Abba Father"

**Meg** · December-21st-2011, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by soundingthealarm

Spending time with God is an intentional decision to "get away" from everything else. It's not about ritual or form but just trusting His word that says "behold I stand at the door and knock and to Him who opens I will come in and dine with them and they with me" (Fellowship)

Exactly, exactly, exactly. Serious mature Christians recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes per day for Bible reading and prayer even if that means getting up early. I prefer one hour minimum myself. Some people prefer less structure, but I stand by the daily time dedicated to Scripture and prayer. My personal time has always been first thing in the morning with my coffee, and it is still the most important time of my day.

**Robert** · December-21st-2011, 06:28 PM

I pray and read scripture in the evenings, when I can focus and keep my mind clear. I've found this works better for me than in the mornings, and I retain more scripture that way.

**myinnuendo999** · December-21st-2011, 07:22 PM

many great answers.

I usually pray and be honest and intentional. It's not automatic it's something usually God presses on your heart. It's not easy many times but I'd ask God to grant you eyes to see His precious SON Jesus and how he treats you and how he is so merciful and faithful and patient with you. If you are unfamiliar or rusty in remembering how Jesus walked and talked then read the Gospels.

Sometimes it comes so powerfully and so easy to spend time with the Lord and other times it's a battle and it's a fight with the flesh and Satan especially prayer. Ask God to create in you a heart that desires holy affections and always be honest with him and tell him when you just don't "feel" like spending time with him or that you don't know what to say but you really are willing to learn by taking Jesus by the hand. He honors our sincere honest hearts. He doesn't love you or men any less. Remember we are FREE in Christ. WE are just missing out on a good time is all. We are blinded by our pride and arrogance is why and that is a huge hindrance in being solicitous in his presence. Remember Jesus always loves us as he should and always will because His love is not based on our performance but on His finished work at the cross. He loves us with an everlasting love....

Ask Him to show you hidden sins and he will. He will be gentle with you as He always is. Read God's word which is especially important to stir us into learning the attributes of God and his character. The MOST important part of spending time with God is getting to know who He is, is patience, his faithfulness, His unfailing love etc...

ruminate on a passage and ask questions to the Lord of what it really means. Maybe ponder on one word like Hope and why is it best to hope in the Lord? Why does proverbs say "let love and faithfulness never leave you bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart?" Ask questions to stimulate your thinking with the Lord and he will answer when we are sincere.

We are creatures of habit and there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself

Sometimes though those habits become trite or become automatic platitudes we recite and then we have to ask God for a fresh new touch. Remember He is the Creator not us and no matter how hard we try and be pious or humble we cannot be genuine unless our source is remaining in the true Vine Jesus Christ. WE CANNOT truly learn unless we spend time with Jesus. Apart from Jesus we have absolutely nothing....Remember we are pursuing a relationship with Christ and cultivating that relationship is like cultivating a relationship with a human being. Ask Him also to grant you eyes to see His mercies in your life. Moses said-Psa 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Remember things God has done.. Moses did this in Psalm 77. Psa 77:11 "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." Psa 77:12 "I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."

the book of Hebrews urges us to take our eyes off the present darkness and confidently "cultivate" intimacy with God. You MUST understand the sufficiency of what Christ accomplished on our behalf. He is ALL we need

Hope this helps some

**livin_in_the_Son** · December-22nd-2011, 04:48 PM

I have personally tried to have my quiet times early in the morning, and also late at night, but neither one was a good fit for me because of having little ones with unexpected and unplanned needs. I found that early evening (after homework and before dinner) is best for me. I can sit usually for 30 minutes and read my bible. I pray all different times of the day, and sometimes I sing, or will write a verse and what it means to me in a journal.

I was once told to not catalog bible reading though...just flipping through picking and choosing different verses to read, but to intentionally read page by page one book after the other in order to increase my understanding. I also have a notebook that I'll write notes, questions, or passages that confuse me. Once a week I go back thru and using my concordance, dictionary, and the internet, I look up explanations.

I think the most important thing is to just start doing it. Starting is the hardest part, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes, and next thing you know you have your own routine and time with God.

**mattfivefour** · December-22nd-2011, 11:03 PM

These are ALL good answers arapahoe.

Whatever works for you. But you DO have to find a time and then discipline yourself to it.

**nillapoet** · December-23rd-2011, 12:05 AM

Get anxiety then you'll find yourself praying all the time.

Actually I find that my anxiety is being used to change my character and keep me in a constant state of prayer. Even saying a simple prayer like thanks for yada yada blessing all the time seems to help me put everything in God's hands.

I also have a notebook that I use while reading scripture. When I come across something that stands out, I'll write it down and then meditate on it.

**Meg** · December-23rd-2011, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by myinnuendo999

many great answers.

I usually pray and be honest and intentional. It's not automatic it's something usually God presses on your heart. It's not easy many times but I'd ask God to grant you eyes to see His precious SON Jesus and how he treats you and how he is so merciful and faithful and patient with you. If you are unfamiliar or rusty in remembering how Jesus walked and talked then read the Gospels.

Sometimes it comes so powerfully and so easy to spend time with the Lord and other times it's a battle and it's a fight with the flesh and Satan especially prayer. Ask God to create in you a heart that desires holy affections and always be honest with him and tell him when you just don't "feel" like spending time with him or that you don't know what to say but you really are willing to learn by taking Jesus by the hand. He honors our sincere honest hearts. He doesn't love you or men any less. Remember we are FREE in Christ. WE are just missing out on a good time is all. We are blinded by our pride and arrogance is why and that is a huge hindrance in being solicitous in his presence. Remember Jesus always loves us as he should and always will because His love is not based on our performance but on His finished work at the cross. He loves us with an everlasting love....

Ask Him to show you hidden sins and he will. He will be gentle with you as He always is. Read God's word which is especially important to stir us into learning the attributes of God and his character. The MOST important part of spending time with God is getting to know who He is, is patience, his faithfulness, His unfailing love etc...

ruminate on a passage and ask questions to the Lord of what it really means. Maybe ponder on one word like Hope and why is it best to hope in the Lord? Why does proverbs say "let love and faithfulness never leave you bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart?" Ask questions to stimulate your thinking with the Lord and he will answer when we are sincere.

We are creatures of habit and there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself

Sometimes though those habits become trite or become automatic platitudes we recite and then we have to ask God for a fresh new touch. Remember He is the Creator not us and no matter how hard we try and be pious or humble we cannot be genuine unless our source is remaining in the true Vine Jesus Christ. WE CANNOT truly learn unless we spend time with Jesus. Apart from Jesus we have absolutely nothing....Remember we are pursuing a relationship with Christ and cultivating that relationship is like cultivating a relationship with a human being. Ask Him also to grant you eyes to see His mercies in your life. Moses said-Psa 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Remember things God has done.. Moses did this in Psalm 77. Psa 77:11 "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." Psa 77:12 "I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."

the book of Hebrews urges us to take our eyes off the present darkness and confidently "cultivate" intimacy with God. You MUST understand the sufficiency of what Christ accomplished on our behalf. He is ALL we need

Hope this helps some

Truly awesome reply, Myinnuendo!

**mattfivefour** · December-23rd-2011, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by myinnuendo999

many great answers.

I usually pray and be honest and intentional. It's not automatic it's something usually God presses on your heart. It's not easy many times but I'd ask God to grant you eyes to see His precious SON Jesus and how he treats you and how he is so merciful and faithful and patient with you. If you are unfamiliar or rusty in remembering how Jesus walked and talked then read the Gospels.

Sometimes it comes so powerfully and so easy to spend time with the Lord and other times it's a battle and it's a fight with the flesh and Satan especially prayer. Ask God to create in you a heart that desires holy affections and always be honest with him and tell him when you just don't "feel" like spending time with him or that you don't know what to say but you really are willing to learn by taking Jesus by the hand. He honors our sincere honest hearts. He doesn't love you or men any less. Remember we are FREE in Christ. WE are just missing out on a good time is all. We are blinded by our pride and arrogance is why and that is a huge hindrance in being solicitous in his presence. Remember Jesus always loves us as he should and always will because His love is not based on our performance but on His finished work at the cross. He loves us with an everlasting love....

Ask Him to show you hidden sins and he will. He will be gentle with you as He always is. Read God's word which is especially important to stir us into learning the attributes of God and his character. The MOST important part of spending time with God is getting to know who He is, is patience, his faithfulness, His unfailing love etc...

ruminate on a passage and ask questions to the Lord of what it really means. Maybe ponder on one word like Hope and why is it best to hope in the Lord? Why does proverbs say "let love and faithfulness never leave you bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart?" Ask questions to stimulate your thinking with the Lord and he will answer when we are sincere.

We are creatures of habit and there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself

Sometimes though those habits become trite or become automatic platitudes we recite and then we have to ask God for a fresh new touch. Remember He is the Creator not us and no matter how hard we try and be pious or humble we cannot be genuine unless our source is remaining in the true Vine Jesus Christ. WE CANNOT truly learn unless we spend time with Jesus. Apart from Jesus we have absolutely nothing....Remember we are pursuing a relationship with Christ and cultivating that relationship is like cultivating a relationship with a human being. Ask Him also to grant you eyes to see His mercies in your life. Moses said-Psa 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Remember things God has done.. Moses did this in Psalm 77. Psa 77:11 "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." Psa 77:12 "I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."

the book of Hebrews urges us to take our eyes off the present darkness and confidently "cultivate" intimacy with God. You MUST understand the sufficiency of what Christ accomplished on our behalf. He is ALL we need

Hope this helps some

Arapahoe, please re-read this post. There is much wisdom here!