Christian Basics – Time Alone With God, Mark 1:35

Introduction

Bob Freeborn was my age, but I looked up to him

Fun, spiritual, encouraging, boundless energy, availabl, made all feel good

I had never seen him anything but happy

One day walk to class, I noticed he was down, discouraged, I asked Why...

He said 8 words to me that I still hear, and that changed my life

‘Fred, I missed my quiet time this morning.’

I didn’t know what to say, I knew what a QT was, but I had no answer

I made the first lifetime covenant w God I have made, only two

Never miss a QT the rest of my life – July 4, 1974

This AM Christian Basics Series – Time Alone w God, QT, morning watch, devo

Many said, the single most import thing U can do to grow as a Christian. I agree.

What Is Time Alone With God?

Time – part of your day, 5, 15, 30, 60 minutes

Alone – you and God, quiet no music-interruptions, alone w/o interruption, still

time Ps46:10

With God – God made us in His image Gn1:26, communion possible w God

The Lord God – creator of the universe, I am who I am, El Shaddai, God

who sees, hears, knows, God who is knowable

How To Have Time Alone With God

Three essentials, you may add more.

  1. Preparing to Meet God – decision, resolution, commitment, appointment, desire, matter of your will, seeking

Dt 4:29

Psalm 27:4,842:263:173:25-28

Jer 29:13

Preparation necessary so that TAWG not become mechanical

2. Listening to God – Hearing His Word, reading His Word

Lk 10:38-42 Martha, Mary and Jesus

Mary wanted to listen to Jesus, more important than anything

1Pt 2:2 pure milk of the word that by it U may grow in salvation

Co 3:2 – set your mind on things above, not on things of this earth

Dt 8:3 cited by Jesus when being tempted man not live on bread alone but

on every word proceed fm the mouth of God, nourishment for your

soul

Joshua 1:7-9 meditate on this book of the law,

Psalm 1:2 in His law he meditates day and night

Hb 4:12 word of God is living, alive, still speaks to us fresh today

Tozer sd in Pursuit of God: I think a new world will arise out of thereligious mists when we

approach our Bible with the idea that it is notonly a book which was once spoken but a book which

is now speaking

Martha Thatcher sd we are listening for something not someone, we are trying to hearthe voice of

God not the voice of God. We need the right focus listen to God

3. Praying to God –speaking with Him in a way appropriate to Him

Lk 11:1 Disciples wanted Jesus to teach them to pray, hear JS pray

Mk 1:35 – JS custom was to go off by Himself early and pray

Mt 6:5 – pray alone

Ps 5:1-3

Daniel 6:10 – Daniels custom was to pray

Practical Helps To Improve Your Time Alone With God

1. different Bible Translation2. smaller or larger section3 journal

4. devotional5. sing, hymnal6. Psalms7. focus onChrist

8.daily habit