Here’s a "backstage pass" to my daily time with God.
For my daily journal, I use an inexpensive spiral notebook (my current one is 70-page, wide-ruled). Each day, my goal is to (a) talk to God and (b) hear from God. Pretty simple.
I have used all types of personal plans over the years. But every successful plan I had shared the same 3 characteristics: consistent time, consistent place, and consistent plan. What’s my current plan?
- Consistent Time — Right now, I try to finish showering, dressing, eating, travel, etc. to start meeting with God at 7 am. Same time every day. Same time, every day. Same time, every day. (It’s MUCH easier that way for me to make it a lifestyle.)
- Consistent Place — Right now, it’s at the small, round conference table across the room from my desk. My desk is for work. My daily task list, email, and duties are like the Greek Sirens. Like Odysseus, I lash myself to the table and not travel to my desk, no matter how much my soul begs to check an item off my list. 🙂
- Consistent Plan — Same plan, every day, for 6 days/week. I "rest" on Sunday, if you can call it rest. 🙂
- Opening Prayer — I ask God to quiet my spirit, open my eyes and ears, and speak to me about today, this week, my life, my character, situations around me, etc., through our prayer time and Bible reading.
- Bible Reading & Journaling — I read through my Bible (i.e. front to back; 9 pages per day) and journal about what spoke to my heart. I literally count out 9 pages from the chapter I ended yesterday, and find the closest chapter to 9 pages. (For example, today I read Numbers 11-18 and was struck by how much whining, moaning, and complaining Moses had to deal with from everybody around him. I thanked God I wasn’t him! It gives a little context –not justification– to him blowing his stack during "the rock incident" in Numbers 20.) I’ll write down questions I have, words to look up, comments, things I need to change, prayers to God…whatever!
- Talking to God — I might talk out loud to God. I might write a letter to God that starts, "Dear God…" I might list the major requests I have. But I try to make sure I (a) thank God for some stuff and (b) pray for some stuff.
So that’s it. That’s my current plan. Ask me in a few months, I will have totally revamped my plan again to keep it fresh. But I always need a plan or I never meet with God.
If you don’t have a plan for meeting with God, at a consistent time, in a consistent place, with a consistent plan every day, you probably don’t meet with God consistently. (P.S. If you want to adapt my plan, just make it 1-3 chapters/day, set your time and place, and get started today!)
So, post a comment & let me know your plan! I’ll probably steal it "in Jesus’ name" when I make my next change. 🙂
Yep. Pretty much the same plan. I use a cheap spiral, lined journal. I read my passage, depending on the Bible I’m using (almost always in Spanish. Right now I am reading La Biblia para Todos, a modern translation. It helps me to vary the version I read to see things I may have otherwise overlooked.)
Depending on the season of my life and the version I am using, I will read through the Bible in three to twelve months.
Then, I write down what God speaks to me and I also write out my specific petitions and date them when He answers.
Three keys to daily time with God: 1) consistency. 2) Pretty much like the first — consistency. 3) Very close to the first two — consistency.
I am responding in regard to “my daily plan” in meeting with the Lord. My summer plan has consisted of rising early (w/o alarm). I appreciate the gift of waking independent of the clock. I jump start my morning on the deck with a short devotional reading from one of my favorite authors. I begin my prayer time exalting God and telling him how great he is. (I really believe he likes this part of our time.) I spend time seeking forgiveness of my sins. I ask for clarity of mind regarding my transgressions and for him to bring to mind anything not yet rendered to him so that my time of petitioning for others and self is not hindered by unconfessed sin. Like you, I offer thanks and praises to him for his abundant blessings. I try not to generalize, but am specific with his blessings. The last part of my prayer time is devoted to petitioning for the many needs of others (including our nation, leadership, & church), family, and self. This is a very special tiime as I have experienced and witnessed the effects of these supplications.
The last part of my time is spent reading, studying, recording, and memorizing scripture. I must admit I have a brain deficit in memorizing scripture. It is difficult for me, but I keep at it because I know the importance of it. I have different resources at fingertip, and also refer to http://www.blueletterbible.com when I have questions. I stay in some type of Bible study year round. This keeps me hungry and growing.
My time each morning is very precious and I treasure it. It has taken years for me to get to this place of obedience, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I truly desire His fellowship. We are indeed a blessed nation to have the freedom that we do.