Part 5: Quiet time with God


thought I would write a series called "Keeper of the home for busy ladies", in particular for those, like me, who work outside the house either full-time or part-time.  However, we are all busy ladies and we all need as much encouragement as possible to get through the week in one piece.

Part one, two, three, four

Part 5: Quiet time with God

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 
Psalm 119:105


No matter how busy the day is, a quiet time with God is as important as a good nights sleep.  It is essential to our lives - we can't live without it. It should be our top priority - the first thing we read in the morning and the last thing we do before bed. However it isn't for so many. Other priorities, our busy lives get in the way and before we know it, we are too busy to read God's Word or even stop to talk with God through prayer.  

This is when we need to have a plan - a devotional plan - it sets aside a time each day, a quiet time to read Gods word and gain our nourishment that we need to keep going. Everyone does this slightly differently, this is how I do mine. 

I gather together the following:
  • A Bible - I use an e-Bible for study as I find it easier
  • A bunch of coloured pens which I keep in a tin
  • A pretty notebook
  • The book I am reading
  • A Quiet Place
My study usually involves some form of Christian literature - this can vary considerably depending on the topic I wish to focus on - I read a chapter of each night and often select a verse or chapter from the Bible that revolves around what I am reading.  At the moment I am reading Quiet Moments Alone with God by Emilie Barnes and on many occasions I find I am reading a verse that really matches with the day - it can be strange at times! I also read "Our Daily Bread" each morning whilst eating breakfast and if I come across a message I really want to keep, I will make note of it and write it up in my notebook in the evening.  Some nights my study will revolve around what I am writing on my blog.

My tin of pens, lots of different colours and my notebook - I bought one that was pretty as it makes it more encouraging to write in.
I don't write heaps in my notebook, just a verse or two that I want to remember and some thoughts I have on those words.  I may also include a hymn that has significances to me on the day or poem or quote. Things that I will got back and re-read, especially when I am having a bad day.  It is a very personal notebook so I tend to make it look pretty and add some art work, a favourite picture or some stickers.
My notebook, each page is dedicate to a topic eg "be content", "Gods Forgiveness" etc.. I include a verse and some thoughts. I tend to decorate my pages as you can see - I like to add some artwork or stickers. It makes it personal!
The amount of time varies depending on how much I have to read - therefore it may be as short as 15 minutes or as long as a couple of hours.

Many of you are married to Christian men, therefore your Bible study will also involve your husbands, my husband is not a believer so my study is done on my own. However, I have never felt alone as God is always with me during my studies, looking and listening to what I am are doing and providing just that little extra guidance that we don't get from our husbands.  He understands our situation. 

This quiet time should not be arduous or boring, but uplifting and provide "food for thought".  If you are struggling perhaps change your plan, talk to others and see what they are do or perhaps select a book covering a topic of interesting eg inmodesty, being a wife and mother - this will focus your studies in areas that you are living.  But most of all PRAY - its amazing what happens next:)

No one should be too busy for a quiet time with God.

It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' 
Matthew 4:4

Comments

  1. hi dear friend its tuesday again...wanted to invited everyone on the tuesday's musings we are all busy people but sharing our faith is nice ..feel free to join...thanks if you do blessing for you all

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    1. I will pop over shortly:) thanks for dropping by.

      Have a lovely week.

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  2. This is so important, and I like your way of having quiet time... I would like to have a notebook like that, but I've never gotten there yet! Maybe one of these days!! I do write notes sometimes - they sometimes turn into devotional blog posts - but most of the time I just read the Bible and discuss with Dan if there's something I don't understand or want to talk about (that is for my own personal quiet time)... I go through phases of reading a devotional book/Christian literature, and phases when I just read the Bible.
    We're all so different in what we do - and no-one way is right or wrong... (But I have to say, I *really* like your way!!!!! :) )

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    1. We all do this differently and it would be interesting to hear how others carry out their quiet time. I like my little note book as I like to re-visit it and read some of my favourite verses and I have to admit, I am a bit of a girly girl that likes stickers and drawing pictures and I will draw things around some of the verses!! Done it all my life. :)

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  3. Wonderful post! I, too, keep a journal of my records while I have my quiet time with the Lord. It is a joy to review and look back on!

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    1. Its it the reviewing that I really enjoy - going back and re-reading my thoughts and the verses etc.. it just keeps these things in one place.

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  4. Your notebook is beautiful! What a lovely idea. I love to read Our Daily Bread too but sometimes I find it hard to only read one and not skip ahead. It's even better now that there is an app for it on the iPhone. I can read it while I am up at night feeding my baby girl. It even links up with the scripture and I can read that on my phone too. Gotta love technology!

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    1. I use the app on both my iPhone and iPad and love it. Not only can I read it, I can use the audio and have it read to me and I love that. Its also great that the bible verses are all their with commentary. I do love this technology I have to say:)

      And yes, I do skip ahead as well!!!!

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  5. I feel like this message has been coming at me from all directions this week. I love that the Daily Bread has the devotionals on their website. When my alarm goes off in the morning (on my cell phone), I just flip over to their website and get my dose of daily bread. I have recently started using a journal more and it has been so great. Writing things down really helps them stay in the front of your mind. Thanks for the great post!
    ~Kristen @ Trial & Error Homemaking

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. I agree, it is an excellent website - do you notice that the messages often match up really well with what is happening in your life. Todays was about unexpected turns and that was so appropriate!

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  6. Jo I often have trouble with blogger on my pc and it stops me commenting, very frustrating! so sorry if I dont comment always but I do read your blog always!
    anyway, I read this a couple of days ago and couldnt comment.
    I love your notebook:) I have one that I write in very randomly but its not as pretty as yours:)

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    1. I selected a very pretty notebook as it makes it more encouraging to write in. The other reason for spending just a little more when buying the notebook - it makes the notebook more special and I think God's words needs to be kept in a special place - which is why I go that extra bit.

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