quiet time | Thoughts About God

Finding the Time

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:03:15 +0000

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:6-9 (ESV)

Sometimes it is difficult to make the time. Sometimes I cannot be bothered to make the time. Sometimes I cannot face making the time. So, I will do anything to allow time to consume me – in doing anything other than making the time, for the task I know I should be doing. I call it displacement theory: I displace the essential task with the secondary or ordinary.

Until this October, I have been able to attend our mid-week communion service that is presently held here at the university campus where I work. However, with the latest tabled changes in personnel I am not available to attend. I have to endure instead, the imposition of being placed on an inquiry desk until past the communion finish time.

Today, because of temporary staffing arrangements I have managed, for once, to get my lunch earlier, in time for the communion service. It was great to be able to attend and enjoy being in the presence of God and those few from my fellow believers who have made the effort and are based here.

It made me rather rueful for the times in the past when I occasionally did not go because something had come up and I had not made the time to attend. It has made me more appreciative of the opportunity I have had today to attend the service that I previously have taken for granted!

As we sit down today, why don’t we read our Bibles, and take the time to pray and ask the question: What have I taken for granted as a given today, such as my health, breath, faith and sanity that may not be so obvious a given tomorrow!

PRAYER: LORD, I thank you that you came into the world to spend time with us, to set us free from sin and from dissipation into the world. We rejoice that no matter what our circumstances are, You are always with us, even when we apparently cannot find the time, You do. Thanks LORD. Amen.

by Rod Marshall
Used by Permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

Quiet Time with God

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How to Have a Quiet Time with God

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Spiritual Exercise

Thoughts_About_God — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:06:21 +0000

“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.” I Timothy 4:8

A recent article in the Washington Post caught my eye. It was entitled: Exercise Could Slow Aging. It was an interesting read. It seems that active people have cells that look younger on a molecular level than those of couch potatoes. The bottom line was that there is strong evidence to show that exercise may stave off aging. People who exercise regularly look and feel younger and actually live longer.

Paul spoke of physical training in his first letter to Timothy and noted that while physical training has some value, godliness is of even greater value. He was talking about the exercise of being close to God through prayer and the study of the Word.

Pastors talk about church growth, and usually are referring to numerical growth, getting more members for the church. But, I believe that when the Bible talks about ‘church growth’ it refers to ‘spiritual growth’. We are directed to grow in our knowledge and faith. The task of adding more believers to the church belongs to God. Our church growth task is to grow in our relationship with Jesus.

Our individual task of growth with Jesus comes through the daily discipline of quiet time, Bible reading and study and concentrated prayer. It is a program of spiritual exercise. I once heard of a book entitled Working Out with the Word of God. We all need a daily workout with God.

In today’s world, there is so much emphasis on being physically fit. Perhaps many of you have been influenced by the drive to “get into shape.” The benefits of entering into a physical fitness program are many. You will have a healthier body and probably live longer. You will have more stamina. You will look better, feel better about yourself, and be able to relate to others with more confidence.

While it is good to be concerned with physical training, it is even better to be concerned with spiritual training. We are not only “physical” beings, but we also have a spiritual dimension to our lives.

Yes, with good physical fitness, we will live longer and ultimately die with a healthier body, but spiritual fitness goes beyond the grave. Are you committed to the daily discipline of getting and being spiritually fit?

by John Grant
used by permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney.

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A Ride on the Quiet Car

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 07:03:45 +0000

“Be Still and Know That I Am God.” Psalm 46:10

Hastily, I finished my last appointment on Capitol Hill and made a mad dash for Union Station and not a minute too early, as I arrived one minute before the Acila Express left for New York. I presented my ticket and walked at a fast pace down to Track 15, where I jumped aboard the first Business Class car available. After stowing my luggage I settled in my seat just as the train slowly pulled out of the station. My cell phone rang and just as soon as I began the conversation a lady a couple of rows forward turned to me with her finger to her lips and pointing to the sign overhead which read “Quiet Car.”

The sign explained the rules of the Quiet Car: no talking, no cell phones, no standing in the aisles. In other words, that translates to be quiet and be still, so reluctantly, I did. Where I would normally pull out my lap top, do mail and make phone calls, now about all I could do was sit, read, watch and listen, and I did a little of each.

First, I took out my Encounter devotional and my Bible and proceeded to pour through the scriptures. I just sat back and listened. Listened to God and listened to my inner self. I spent a lot of time looking out the window. A record snowfall had turned the countryside in to a winter wonderland. What a sight as the train picked up speed and we traversed the countryside of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I saw God’s majestic hand in the beautiful ice formations and in the drifts of snow. It was as if I could see God himself. It was an awesome quiet time and when the train pulled into Penn Station, I got off a rejuvenated man, all because I had jumped on the Quiet Car.

The experience on the train last week has given me a lot to think about, He is asking: “How are you with your quiet time?” I was again reminded of the need for a quiet time just yesterday as I checked into a hotel. When I got off the elevator, a large sign greeted me informing that I had entered a “Quiet Zone“, where no children, leisure groups or circus animals will be assigned. It further instructed that in this area there would be no loud TV, no slamming of doors and no loud singing in the shower.

God’s quiet time formula is much like His stewardship formula: “The more you give, the more you receive.” I have found that when I do carve out a time for God, preferably at the beginning of the day, though at first my schedule says I don’t have time, I have to respond and make time. And. When I do, somehow God always stretches my schedule and I am more productive than ever.

This is my busiest season of the year and so easy to shut God out of the schedule, but all the more reason for the Master to gently remind me, whether through a sign on a train or in a hotel, every day we need to be reminded to spend time with Him and then pull apart before you fall apart. I highly recommend a ride on the Quiet Car, actually or symbolically every day in every life.

by John Grant
used by permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney. He is an active writer and frequent speaker. He can be reached by e-mail at [John.Grant@johngrant.net]

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Come Away

Devotionals — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 07:03:50 +0000

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

Thought

“Come away.” We need to withdraw, not just once-in-a-while, but often, daily! What is incredible is that Jesus invites his disciples (today that’s us!) to withdraw with him to a quiet place and rest with him. The little childhood prayer is appropriate here: “Now I lay me down to sleep and pray the Lord my soul to keep.” Only this isn’t just about a good night’s sleep; it’s about taking time in the middle of our wild and crazy days to join him for a few moments of grace, rest, and refreshment. Let’s make these daily stops in God’s Word more than quick e-mail viewing; let’s let it be a time to withdraw with the Savior and take a few minutes of rest!

Prayer

Holy and gentle Shepherd of my soul, thank you for your constant care and loving faithfulness. Please touch my heart as I try to be more disciplined in my rest times with you. Please keep my soul, but even more, please restore my soul as I withdraw to spend time with your Son and my Savior Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

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Quiet Time with God

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 07:06:03 +0000

“I’m a new Christian who is trying to figure out how to grow closer to God. Friends tell me I need to have a quiet time with God each day, but I can’t figure out exactly what to do.”

My wife, Denalyn, and I like to go to the same restaurants over and over again. You could call our dates predictable, but for us they are special. We like the food. We like the servers. We like the atmosphere. When we’re there, we remember special moments we’ve shared before. Our hearts open up . . . we lose track of time . . . because we’re comfortable in that place. We talk to each other, listen to each other, laugh, and cry. I love those times!

A quiet time with God is very similar to a date. Here are some tools to help you keep your very special date with God.

Decide on a regular time and place. Select a slot in your schedule and a corner of your world, and claim it for God. A familiar place will remind you of similar feelings you experienced before with God. You need to get comfortable.

How much time should you take? As much as you need. Value quality over quantity. Your time with God should last long enough for you to say what you want and for God to say what he wants.

You should bring on your date an open Bible—God’s Word, his love letter to you. You won’t necessarily hear God speak out loud, but you can hear what he has to say through his eternal dialogue with humanity.

You also need a listening heart. Don’t forget the admonition from James:

“The man who looks into the perfect mirror of God’s law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who sees and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness” ( James 1:25 PHILLIPS).

Listen to the lover of your soul. Don’t just nod your head, pretending to hear. Your date knows when you’re engaged.

So does God. Just as you wouldn’t miss your date with a loved one, claiming you were too busy, make sure your date with God is on the calendar, and do everything in your power to keep it special.

by Max Lucado
used by permission

From: MAX ON LIFE:
Answers and Insights to your Most Important Questions
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

How to Have a Quiet Time with God author unknown

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Refuge and Strength

Thoughts_About_God — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 09:01:48 +0000

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Thoughts

Where can we go when all the walls fall and all the armies crumble and all hope is lost? To the eternal God, who is our Father. He preserved Israel through the most difficult of times, protected the Bible from those who would eradicate it, and has led his Church through troubles and triumphs through the centuries. He will do the same with us until he brings us home to himself.

Prayer:

My Rock, My Hope, and My Protector, I thank you for preserving my life. I thank you for hearing my cries for help and healing. I thank you for guiding my feet into ways that have been a blessing. Please, O God, stay close by as I face the stresses and challenges in my life. Through your Spirit, enable me to grow and be an example to others as I pass through life’s storm. Through Jesus I ask it. Amen.

By Phil Ware
used with permission.

You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

Be Still

Thoughts_About_God — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 09:01:05 +0000

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

Technology may be one of the biggest enemies to our prayer lives.

That’s right! Professor David Levy of University of Washington’s School of Information warns us. Today’s flood of technology is destroying our ability to engage in any kind of contemplation – we used to call that “quiet time.”

The Bible says to “Be still and know that I am God.” But ˜being still” is difficult when the cell phone rings, or text messages are incoming or emails land on your desktop. The temptation is to respond immediately.

Friend, interruptions in your spiritual conversation with God are dangerous. Look for a quiet place for prayer and then turn off all distractions. Prepare to hear what God has to say to you in His Word.

Start by “being still.” Then you will get to know God.

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

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