A Place of Quiet Rest

Recently I pulled out "A Place of Quiet Rest" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. My mother had sent this to me one time when I was in Hawaii, at the time I was not a believer but paraded around like I was one. I read it and really did not take a single thing from it. I read it again about a year ago to spice up my quiet time. I really struggle with it becoming, not really a duty, but rather a habit to me. I hate that my sinful flesh causes that hunger for His Word to wax and wane. It is written like a devotional with a chapter and then a Making it Personal section, which includes questions and activities to implement in your life.

I pulled it out again because once again I am there and found that I am not really taking anything with me from my quiet time. I pray that as I read it this time I can put all the concepts into practice and make my time with Him a delight. I do praise God that I am at least getting into His Word every day, before I just could not do it, but just reading is not enough, I must soak up every Word because it was spoken and recorded to bring me closer to my Master, Maker, and Lover.

Today I am starting the first chapter, "A Day in the Life of the Lord". She uses Mark 1 to explain how busy and harried Christ's day's were. I know many people even I have plead I am so busy. But that also reveals the priorities in your heart. What you hold highest will be what you spend the most time on or desire to spend the most time on. When every thing we do should be to bring glory and honor to God. Our life can be a day spent entirely with the Lord if we allowed it. The stage must be set. That stage is set for my by waking up at 5:30 to have my quiet time with the Lord. I need to start my day with Him and like Ms. Anne preaches give my day to Him before I even get out of bed.

Although I am sure Jesus needed sleep and His body probably called for it, Mark 1:35 says, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Nancy states, "This is precisely where you and I so often miss out on all that God has for us. Unlike Jesus, we attempt to live life in our own energy. We think we can keep giving out without getting replenished."

Take stock of your current time with God in the Word, praise and prayer. What words describe your spirit when your schedule is full or a lot is demanded of you? How did Jesus respond to pressure according to Mark 1? My prayer is God will speak to me through this study and make me more like Him. I pray this for you too.