I wrote most of this a few years ago, but it came to mind as I was preparing to speak at church.

God’s desire is that you have a life of joy and purpose. He wants that for you more than you want that for you! We find that joy and purpose as we embrace a life of abiding with Him. Part of the abiding life is making sure that we have consistent, intentional and meaningful time with Him.

A few summers ago I was having great conversations with one of my kids about spiritual things, We had set aside a time every week for the two of us to get away and just talk. In an attempt to help my kids, I decided to type out what my daily time with God involves. As I told them, this is just a guide not THE way it has to be done. As they are spending time with God they will discover rhythms that work for them.

Below is what I gave them. It’s nothing innovative, It is just what I normally do.

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD

Time with God is about nurturing your relationship with Him so that you can love Him and others more fully. Never forget the greatest commandment, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.: – Matthew 22:36-39

Getting Ready:

::Set a time and place. (Most of the time for me it is right when I wake up and in my den)

::Have your Bible and Pen: I HIGHLY recommend a physical Bible, not the Bible on your phone.

::Remove things that you know will distract you.

::I like to have a journal/pad of paper to write down any thoughts.

::Know what you will read. I suggest starting with the Gospel of John or Psalms. 

Pray:

• I always ask God to help me have a clear mind so I can focus.  
• I ask God to help me spend time with Him.
• I confess any sins that I know I’ve done.  I am very specific.  I ask for forgiveness and help.
• I also ask for His help in allowing Him to have control of my life.
• I typically thank Him for how much He loves and tell Him that I love Him.
• If there are any things I am worried about, things I need, etc. I just talk to Him about it and ask for His help.
• I usually pray for everyone in our family and a couple of specific people each day as well.

Read: Reading the BIble is NOT about figuring everything out.  It is about listening to God. It is totally normal to have questions and not have answers about what things mean. Your job is not to master the Bible but to submit to it and listen so that you can get to know God better and grow as a disciple. He loves being with you! He loves speaking to you! He loves hearing you speak!

• When I read, I go slow. Sometimes I read the passage twice. Sometimes I will read only one verse. Sometimes I will read an entire chapter.
• If a verse or thought really sticks out to me I will stop and just think about it and ask God to help me understand what He is trying to say.
• I ask God to help me understand and live by His word.

THREE GUIDING QUESTIONS – I have three basic questions I am asking when I read the Bible

1. What is God (Father, Son , Holy Spirit) saying about Himself?
2. What is God saying about people?
3. How do I need to respond to what He is saying?

After I have read, I think for just a minute about what I’ve read and ask God to help me remember it throughout the day. I ask that He would show me clearly how to apply it to my life.

Always remember that spending time with God is about building the relationship.  He is with you.  You are with Him.