In my last post I explored Tip #6 Use a Prayer List. Making a list is one way we can be
intentional in our prayer life. It is a
simple way to keep a prayer and devotional time focused.
Keep
on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will
find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (NLT)
Prayer changes our perspective and helps
us to focus on the Lord—the one who meets our deepest needs.
us to focus on the Lord—the one who meets our deepest needs.
Tip
#7 Be Creative with Your Quiet Time
#7 Be Creative with Your Quiet Time
One evening we were eating dinner when my son Benjamin
announced that he wanted to attend Harvard law school and become a lawyer. Emily piped up not missing a beat and said
“Not me! I’m going to community college!”
announced that he wanted to attend Harvard law school and become a lawyer. Emily piped up not missing a beat and said
“Not me! I’m going to community college!”
If you knew Benjamin or Emily you wouldn’t be surprised at
either of their responses. Ben has a life plan that is pretty ambitious for a child. Emily changes from week-to-week, ranging
anywhere from becoming a performer of some kind, to a nurse, a mother, or a
designer, or her most recent “plan,” a Marine.
Her main goal right now is to be different from Ben. No matter what path my children choose I know
that along the way their lives will be interrupted with unexpected joys and
difficulties that will form who they become.
Each of their lives will be unique.
either of their responses. Ben has a life plan that is pretty ambitious for a child. Emily changes from week-to-week, ranging
anywhere from becoming a performer of some kind, to a nurse, a mother, or a
designer, or her most recent “plan,” a Marine.
Her main goal right now is to be different from Ben. No matter what path my children choose I know
that along the way their lives will be interrupted with unexpected joys and
difficulties that will form who they become.
Each of their lives will be unique.
God does not use cookie cutters when forming His
children. He is creative! He is more than okay with our individuality
and He is well-aware of our differences.
The same principle applies to our relationship with God. My relationship doesn’t need to look like yours
and vice versa.
children. He is creative! He is more than okay with our individuality
and He is well-aware of our differences.
The same principle applies to our relationship with God. My relationship doesn’t need to look like yours
and vice versa.
If you feel like your devotional time has become
monotonous, maybe it is time to break the mold!
Don’t settle for doing things the same way you have always done them. It makes sense that as we grow and change as
individuals our time with God would change as well. Here are a few ideas for adding creativity to
your devotional life:
monotonous, maybe it is time to break the mold!
Don’t settle for doing things the same way you have always done them. It makes sense that as we grow and change as
individuals our time with God would change as well. Here are a few ideas for adding creativity to
your devotional life:
Ideas
for a Creative Devotional Time
for a Creative Devotional Time
·
Set aside your lunch break at work to spend
time with the Lord.
Set aside your lunch break at work to spend
time with the Lord.
·
Listen to an audio Bible in the car as you
drive.
Listen to an audio Bible in the car as you
drive.
·
Have a daily devotion or blog automatically
sent to your email.
Have a daily devotion or blog automatically
sent to your email.
·
Get away from home and find a beautiful
location to spend time with God.
Get away from home and find a beautiful
location to spend time with God.
·
Set aside time for a “Half Day of Prayer.” (Ideas for this can be found in At the Feet of Jesus)
Set aside time for a “Half Day of Prayer.” (Ideas for this can be found in At the Feet of Jesus)
·
Go to your church and pray.
Go to your church and pray.
·
Go for a walk with the Lord.
Go for a walk with the Lord.
·
Read a different version of the Bible
Read a different version of the Bible
Having a fulfilling devotional time comes down to making a
decision: Will you be intentional? Will you invest in a friendship with
God? He is waiting.
decision: Will you be intentional? Will you invest in a friendship with
God? He is waiting.
So I
run with purpose in every step. 1
Corinthians 9:26 (NLT)
run with purpose in every step. 1
Corinthians 9:26 (NLT)
What steps will you take today to be intentional and
creative in your quiet time?
creative in your quiet time?
SPECIAL
NOTE ABOUT WEBCAST: On
November 8thJoanna and I had the joy of connecting with many of you
through a live webcast about the launch of the new devotional At the Feet of
Jesus. For those
of you who were unable to join us you can view it here.
NOTE ABOUT WEBCAST: On
November 8thJoanna and I had the joy of connecting with many of you
through a live webcast about the launch of the new devotional At the Feet of
Jesus. For those
of you who were unable to join us you can view it here.
Angela is an
inspirational and educational speaker who teaches the hard truths of God’s Word
in a fun and relevant way. She is also a writing assistant to Joanna Weaver,
author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Whatever she is doing, she has
a passion to see spiritual growth and an increased sense of purpose in people’s
lives. Angela and her husband Michael graduated from Northwest University in
1997 and have been married for 17 years and have 2 children. They currently live
in Washington State.
You can follow her on her blog at No Ordinary Days