Spending Time With God

What Really Matters

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Are you looking to grow closer in your relationship with God? Has this been a desire in your life, but something you’ve struggled making a habit?

What is the reason for this desire? Don’t become faithful and adoring to the habit, but to Jesus. Do it for the right reason. Don’t do it to check it off your list or because other people do it. Do it because God has given us this invaluable gift to meet with Him.

I believe one of the most important relationships I have is with the One who created me, who died for me… who loves me.

If I were to pick one thing in my life that has made the biggest difference, I would say spending time with God has made the biggest difference in my life, more than anything else that I do. I’ve come to realize that all growth is spiritual. Our physical lives, emotional/mental lives, relational lives and spiritual lives work as a whole. It’s all connected. But, our growth on the spiritual level serves as a compass, it’s our True North. It will help us prioritize our life and guide us to what really matters.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. “ 1 Timothy 4:8

To me, spending time with God on a regular basis is the most important thing I do, it’s what really matters.

I’ll be very honest… I don’t always feel like it. And most days, I don’t have extravagant feelings, emotions or even see something extraordinary. But, I know in my heart I’m meeting with the One who is extraordinary. How awesome it is that we have that privilege.

As I encourage my own children to spend time with God, I often hear the question, how?

Let me tell you what I tell them.

I don’t think there is a specific way it should be done. Every relationship is different and God created you uniquely. How you spend time with Him might look very different than how I do it. And that’s ok.

When I first started spending time with God I asked Him what He wanted our time together to look like. I asked Him to show me and guide me so I could learn to honor Him with this time. I encourage you to pray that if you’re uncertain about what it should look like for you. He will show you.

The cool thing is, the Bible has given us some direction as well.

Here are 2 things that will help you along the way!!

1. Make time to be alone with God.

We see several instances where Jesus leaves the crowd to be alone and makes time to pray with His Father (we should be just like Jesus). “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Mark 1:35

“Jesus went out to a mountain side to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him.” (Luke 6:12-13. See also Mark 3:13)

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 Jesus went to be alone with the Father and prayed. He made time away from the busy crowds. Now, I know that is not always possible depending on your current situation or season of life. Maybe you’re a new mama with a baby and little toddlers running around. Getting alone or making time isn’t something you can easily do. But God knows that. I think whatever you do in your season is going to please Him. * I would often rock my baby and listen to praise music, pray, and worship Him in those little quiet moments of the day. I know that God knew that was all I could give. I read an account by Susanna Wesley where she would simply put her apron up over her head and then she prayed. Her children had been instructed not to interrupt her if they saw her like that. She had 19 children.

* If you work, you could spend your quiet time in your car. Or late at night when the house is quiet or the children go to bed. I really don’t think God cares what time of day you go and meet with Him. Some people like to do it in the morning because they desire to give God their first fruit of their lives, including their time.

“And the first of all the firstfruits of all kinds, and every offering of all kinds from all your offerings, shall belong to the priests. You shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, that a blessing may rest on your house.” Ezekiel 44:30

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

However, I don’t think it matters when, just as long as you’re spending time with Him. As a parent, I don’t mind when my children come to me to spend time with me. And God loves us like that. I don’t think He minds when you come, just come. 

One of my very dear friends spends time with God at the very end of her day. After the kids are tucked in and her home is picked up, she’ll sneak away to be with the Lord. I know she is walking in the Lord’s favor just by hearing all God is doing for her.

The important thing is being with God and being intentional about it. And because Jesus did it often, we should too.

2. What do you do? 

• Pray

When Jesus got away, He prayed. The disciples asked Jesus how to pray and this is what Jesus said:

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:9-13

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:5-8

Talk to God how just like you would a very good friend. He wants to hear from you, He wants to hear all about what’s important to you, and He desires a relationship with you. 

• Read the scriptures

This is very powerful for me. I like to read right out of the Bible. I’m not against devotional books, and if that helps you, go for it. But, Gods word is God talking. It is alive and active, it’s Him speaking to us. And if you have the Holy Spirit living within you, you have everything you need to discern what God is saying.   “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John1:14

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

As I progressed on this journey of spending time with God, I’ve added some things that I enjoy doing during this time. I journal, memorize scripture, and worship. However, you be you. The more you spend time with Him the more you will grow to become all that He wants for you and your time with Him will evolve into exactly what it should be for you and Him. And that is good!

Spending time with God builds a relationship with Him and I can’t think of anything better.

Blooming Challenge: I encourage you to spend time with God. However that looks like for you. Don’t just think about doing it. Be intentional with making a plan and carving out some time with the Lord on regular basis, because of who He is.

Comment below and share what you’re doing.

"True, lasting, MEANINGFUL health begins in God's word. It doesn't start in the gym, a new book or some high-intensity training scheme. Not easy for any of us, but true for all of us. Fact is, it doesn't matter if we "build the temple" if our heart isn't a sanctuary. Less sculpture, more clay. Mold us, Lord. This is what we pray."   - Jimmy Peña