Get alone with God (2)

Dr. Stephen Olford said, “I want to hear the voice of God before I hear anyone else’s in the morning, and His is the last voice I want to hear at night.” Whatever time you set, morning or evening, be consistent. Make an appointment with God like you would with anyone else. And keep it. Don’t stand Him up! “How much time should I spend?” you ask. (1) Begin with a few minutes and let it grow. Don’t start with a two-hour quiet time, or you will get discouraged. You will create memories of failure rather than memories of success. You must grow in this relationship like you do in any other one. (2) Don’t take your watch with you. That can ruin your quiet time faster than anything else. Decide what amount of time you can give to God’s Word and prayer – then do it! Sometimes you will spend longer than you have set aside, and other times it will be shorter. Remember, you’re talking to the God of eternity; don’t insult Him by continually looking at your watch. With God, quality is more important than quantity. It’s what you do while you’re with Him that’s important, regardless if it’s ten minutes or one hour. (3) Have a special place. “The next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the Lord” (Genesis 19:27 NIV). Your special place should be somewhere you can pray aloud without embarrassment, somewhere you’re comfortable. Just don’t do it in bed – that’s too comfortable! As time goes by, your special place will come to mean everything to you because of all the wonderful times you have there with the Lord.