I thought I'd give you a snapshot into my time with God today.
In my daily reading this morning, I read through Isaiah 43-48. My current plan is to read 8 pages/day, every day except Sunday. I don't get to it every day, but that's the plan. What jumped out to me today was the repeated counsel from God to "Fear not!" (Isaiah 43:1, 5, 44:2)
Then for my prayer time today, I did a good chunk of journaling. I don't write a letter to God every day, but it's still a HUGE part of my prayer life with God. For me, it's the best way to lay the weightier times & topics before the Lord and leave them at His feet. Here's the bulk of what I wrote today:
"Dear Lord,
In my daily reading, the command 'Fear not' jumped out at me 3 times. Then you reassured me that your enemies will fear.
Lord, I seek You. I'm trusting you & your promise of James 1:
(1) I'm counting this trial all joy (v.2). This is a joy to be able to be a part of a situation beyond your control; to cling to you in faith & lift it up in prayer; and watch you do what only you can do. This is all joy (Acts 5:41).
(2) I know you are trying to grow me (v.3). Specifically, when you test my faith, you are trying to grow patience in me –> the ability to wait on you & watch for you & rest in you until the situation is resolved in your timeframe. Tough times are designed by you to grow me internally…the inner man (2Cor 4:16).
(3) I need to not short-circuit the process of spiritual growth (v.4). Lord, it would be so easy for me to just try to fix situations in my own strength; or run; or do whatever it takes to stop having to wait on you. But I need to let you work on me…and that takes time (1 Peter 5:10).
(4) I know you will give me direction if I pray in faith (v.5). You already know what you want to happen. In fact, since you are outside of time (existing in the past, present, & future all at once), you are already there in the future & know what will happen. Lord, give me your wisdom. Lord, give me your direction, give me your plan. All I want is to be your follower & you to be pleased with me. I am yours (1Cor 4:3-4). direction.
Love, Tim."
Hi Tim,
I soo appreciate your honesty in your writing. It is a joy to know you care enough about your people, and those of us who love to follow a man reaching after God, to write about your thoughts towards God in an honest way.
Tim,
Thanks for sharing your daily time with God. Coming off of the recent Extraordinary Prayer series has changed the way I view my time with God. I accepted Christ as my savior in December of 1994. I have studied the Word, participated in Bible studies, hosted and was a leader in small groups. Only over the last month have I really noticed that my personal relationship with God has changed. I have been moved in a direction that I really never thought I would. And that has come through prayer. Sure, I have prayed before but NEVER with the intention that I have over the last month. I never considered myself to be a “prayer warrior.” I may never be. But I have devoted this time of day to prayer. For the last 25 days I have had first-fruit of the day prayer. Since the beginning of the prayer challenge (which over the years have been presented to me in one form or another) I have been committed to the 8 prayers in my prayer journal. Not only have I prayed every morning (with the exception of 2) but I have also committed to write the praises. WOW! is all I can say. God is AWESOME! Don’t get me wrong. He has not answered YES to all of my prayers. Yet, I see Him at work in every single thought. I see movement. I see Him taking control and allowing me to let go. I also am very aware of how He is speaking to me through this time. Some of the things He has said include:
– Imperfection is a blessing. Without it we don’t know how much we need Christ
– Treasure the moments that matter and trash the ones that don’t
– Why don’t I know if a friend or family member knows you?
– Be thankful for your parents that they raised you imperfectly…it’s a blessing!
– Trust my wife’s intuition as the mother of our children
– That HE is the ultimate example of a loving parent
– That my kids must know that we love them first
– Leave more room in your prayer journal for praises! : )
When I was a teenager and even into my early to mid twenties I never wore a seatbelt. Then, when the laws started changing across the states, begrudgingly I started wearing a seatbelt. At first it was uncomfortable and I would forget to buckle it. As I started making it a habit (maybe because I found myself sneakingly buckling it one time before the officer could approach the car!) it became easier to use and just part of the driving experience. Now, if I don’t buckle up I feel naked! Exposed to the dangers that come from not wearing a seatbelt. As I mentioned earlier I have been 100% committed to prayer since the beginning of this series but not 100% compliant. I have missed a couple of days. Yesterday was one of those days. I felt naked. I felt exposed. I felt vulnerable to the worlds challenges and dangers. I felt like I didn’t have my “God-belt” on, driving around all day without protection. And just like I know that I will not likely get in an accident the next time I get in the car, I also know God is always watching over us whether we are doing it ourselves or not. But the world is out there and things happen. Accidents happen. Life happens. But knowing I am “buckling in” first thing in the morning has changed my perspective and my relationship with God. Seeing the praises I have recorded just after 25 days is amazing. I may not be a prayer warrior but I have become a strong believer in power of daily and specific prayer and prayer journal that lists your <10 prayers and lots of room to record praises. I would venture to say that nearly everyone in Johnson County uses their seatbelt these days. Think of what would happen if nearly everyone buckled up with God everyday?