THE QUIET TIME

text- Gen. 19:27

Introduction:  Christians who fail in Quiet Time soon grow cold and backslide.  D. E. Hoste noted that he did not know which missionary candidates would succeed in the years to come but they would fail if they would not guard their Quiet Time.  The Christian who preserves in the Quiet Time grows steadily day by day with the Lord.

            Abraham is an excellent example for the morning Quiet Time.  There are four important truths in the life of Abraham's Quiet Time.

1.  He got up early in the morning.

2.  He had a special place to meet God.

3.  He did this daily, not spasmodically.

4.  He stood before the Lord, waiting for Him to speak.

The paramount task for a Christian is to grow.  2 Peter 3:18

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and

Saviour"

For plants to grow, thy require air, sunshine and food to grow.

Our bodies require food, sunshine and exercise.  Our spiritual lives need nourishment, not spasmodically, but every day of our Christian lives.                                           Psa. 5:3

Jesus not only prayed in the morning but some times all night long.                                                              Luke 6:12

                                                                        Mt. 14:23

Jesus' example and the experience of older Christians become our authority for observing a daily Quiet Time with the Lord and His precious Word.

I.       PURPOSE OF THE QUIET TIME

            A.         Basic purpose of the Quiet Time is fellowship with

                        God.  He desires this communion even more than we do.  Our Heavenly Father desires our daily worship.

            B.         Strength for the Day.  The Christian life is a battle

                        against sin, the world, and the devil; the unholy

                        trinity.                          Eph. 6:12

            C.         The Quiet Time affords us the opportunity for a

                        systematic Bible Study and prayer.

II.      PREPARATION FOR THE QUIET TIME

            A.         Go to bed on time.  Avoid late nights and strong coffee if it keeps you awake.  Maintain a stern discipline here and God will bless us abundantly for it.

            B.         Get wide awake before reading and praying. Wash your face in cold water or take a hot drink.

            C.         If you get sleepy on your knees, change your position.  Remember that Abraham stood.  You can walk and pray out loud if that helps you to concentrate.

            D.        In reading the Scriptures put away distracting objects such as letters, mail and pictures.

            E.         Don't do all the talking in your devotions.

                                                                        Psa. 46:11                                                                                            Job 2:13

                        This is a lost art in today's society.  We must stop

                        talking and listen to His voice.

            F.         Seek the leading, guidance and blessing of the Holy

                        Spirit in our Quiet Time.

            G.        Be willing to obey that which you read in the Bible.

                                                                        John 2:5

            H.        Come before Him with a cleansed heart.

                                                                        Psa. 51:17

III.     PARTICULARS FOR THE QUIET TIME.

            A.         Bible (Of course a King James Bible)  Make time for

                        regular Bible reading in your Quiet Time.  It is my

                        experience a good Bible for devotion is plain Bible

                        without notes and references.  Claim a quiet place for reading and meditating.  Expect His presence.  Let your heart be still.  Have an object in view- not  sermons but devotions.  Read your Bible faithfully according to a plan.  (Fail to plan and plan to fail)

            B.         A notebook and pen to record something from the Word.

            C.         A book with prayer requests and space the answers.

IV.     THE PROJECTION FOR QUIET TIME

             After you read your Bible, record the answers to these

            questions in your notebook.

            A.         What new truth have I learned today?

            B.         Is there a command for me to obey?

            C.         Is there an example for me to follow?

            D.        Is there an error for me to avoid?

            E.         Is there a sin for me to forsake?

            F.         Is there a promise for me to claim?

            G.        Is there a new thought about God Himself?

V.      A PLAN FOR THE QUIET TIME

            A.         Try to prevent your Quiet Time from becoming mechanical.      Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  Avoid ruts and ridiculous changes, though.

            B.         Have your Quiet Time at the same time if possible.

            C.         Aim at a systemic plan, half reading and half praying.

            D.        Don't be rigid.  If the Spirit of prayer descends,

                        continue in prayer.  If the Word shines with new light, read on in His blessed Book and be filled.

            E.         A suggested order:  A brief prayer, Bible reading and

                        then prayer.  This prevents the prayer time from being the same every day.  Learn to pray out the Scriptures passage that you had just read.

            F.         Use the Word of God as a basis for praise and petition.

VI.     PRAYER IN THE QUIET TIME

            A.         Real prayer cost.  It requires much time and discipline.  Perseverance day by day is the real test.   By perseverance the snail made it to the Ark.

            B.         Check your prayer list booklet and notice God answers prayer.  Don't forget to thank the Lord for answering prayer.                   Psa. 50:15

                        Do this by praising the Lord.

            C.         In praying let the prayer be simple but sincere.  Just talk the Father as a child to his Father.

            D.        Let your prayer have these four elements.  (ACTS)

                        1.  Adoration- praise and worship of the soul to God.

                                                                        Psa. 95:6

                        2.  Confession- repentance and turning from every

                             known sin.              Psa. 32:5

                                                                        Psa. 66:18

                        3.  Thanksgiving- thankful for everything,  anything, joys and sorrows.   

                                                                        Phil. 4:6

                                                                        1 Thess. 5:18

                        4.  Supplication- intercession on behalf of others,

                             petitions, requests and desires.

                                                                        1 Tim. 2:1

VII.    PROBLEMS OF THE QUIET TIME

            A.         Satan will see to it that you Quiet Time is opposed

                        every day.  It will be a daily BATTLE.

            B.         If you miss a morning it is not necessarily a failure.

                        Confess the error and be forgiven the moment the Holy Spirit reminds you of your inconsistency.

            C.         Concentration is a real problem.  Quiet Time is a battle for your mind.    Eph. 6:12

                        To get victory meditate on the cross, the Blood and the mighty power of the resurrection.

            D.        Small child present a problem so parents will need to work out a plan so both can have their own Quiet Time.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1.         What is the major secret to a successful Christian life?

2.         Give the four good lessons we learn from Abraham and Quiet Time?

3.         Give the 3 purposes of Quiet Time.

4.         Give some hints in preparation of Quiet Time.

5.         Give the 3 pieces of equipment do you need for Quiet Time.

6.         Give a sample of the division of time for Quiet Time.

7.         What is the greatest hindrance to your Quiet Time?

            QUIET TIME

            The dog wants in, the cat wants out,

            There's someone at the door;

            I thought it was my quiet time-

            It's really more like war.

            I study hard, but other things

            For my attention vie:

            The reasons they weren't there before,

            I really don't know why.

 

            Yet now my Bible pages turn:

            Isaiah twenty-six;

            Perhaps within the prophet's words

            My soul can find a fix.

 

            The first two verses struggle by,

            But then I read verse three:

            "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

            Whose mind is stayed on Thee."

 

                                                            -Robert Barrell

Thank You for visiting this site. If we can be of help in any way, please do not hesitate to ask. Much Blessings on you and yours, Dr. Joseph A.Carson Northland Baptist Ministries