Quiet Time. What is It Anyway?

As I was exploring my blog, I accidentally came across an AI assistant that gives you blog post ideas you can edit or use as your own post and publish to your blog. It creates the blog based on your blog theme, or what AI thinks is your blog theme. I read through one idea about spending time with God and was not impressed by its robotic content and tone.   Besides, who would want information about spending time with God from a computer?  Only real people can hear from the Holy Spirit; anything else is like getting advice or encouragement from a rock; it is an “idol,”  and it means nothing.

But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.  Psalms 115:4-8 NIV

Heartfelt, no AI version of "Spending Time with God."

Do I make time for God? Nowadays, I ask myself two questions. How do I not make space and time for God? And what is my life like without knowing Him, hearing Him, and being in His presence?  I have not spent my life just knowing how to spend time with God. As I have grown older, I know by experience that I cannot get through this life on my own efforts or merits, apart from God. I have tried. I accomplished so little that is worthy of giving my King Glory. As a believer in Jesus Christ, to follow, seek, and worship Him is simply life. Some of you who know me may say, "I didn't know that about you." Well, neither did I.  It is just something I learned about myself being in the presence of the Almighty.

What is "Quiet Time" with God?  It is a “secret place” where we, as His children, go to talk with Him, sit with Him, get to know Him, and are hidden or covered by Him.  Scripture tells us about the secret place.

Psalm 91:1 '1He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 

Matthew 6:6 ''But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy chamber, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father who sees in secret shall reward thee openly.

Without my secret times, my life quickly turns topsy-turvy. I give myself two to three days max before the enemy has fully blown my thinking, my prayers, and my direction all to hell. I become in my mind’s eye what the enemy tells me I am: unlovable, unworthy, selfish, useless, etc. He is the accuser of the brethren, and he is good at it. Satan knows the old me very well and is positioned, waiting and ready for me to turn away from Jesus, and he pounces. He not only waits for me, but he also entices me through my own thought life.

Don't get it twisted, there are times when I allow myself to be led astray, or "distracted". And there are times when the Lord will allow the enemy to trouble me, to reveal some hidden sin. But when I do get distracted and stray from my home base, I know that the only way out and back home is on my knees. On my knees, seeking my Father’s face, my Abba Father in that secret place where He can be found. And that takes time, intention, and effort.  Which I struggled to accomplish for many years.

Even though I am beyond the age of an earthly child, I fall as a child into Abba’s arms of comfort, peace, and reassurance. I have grown to know that He is working and developing in me all that He has created me to be by His grace and love through His Son, Jesus. No matter how old or young you are, we will always have our Father in Heaven who is eternal...the Ancient of Days.

Why and How I Made Time for God

I do not have a formula for you, or a ten-point bullet point with steps to follow; I just have my journey, my own testimony. I only have what God has done for me and how he has led me and walked me down this faith walk to where I am today.

I was saved at the age of 18 (another story), and it has taken decades for God to build a solid relationship with me.  In the past, I thought an hour a day was impossible to set aside for time with God.  Oh, I read all the how-to books and step-by-step devotionals, and I scheduled it into my day. I was never very good at staying committed or truly realizing the extreme importance of spending time with God.  I just knew I should do it because I needed God, and He loved me.

 Most of my time talking with God was on the go, or when I needed something, or felt sad or worried. Or when at church in a prayer group, you know, church stuff. Quiet time with God seemed mostly about me. Me telling God what I wanted, what I needed, who He needed to change, and help make my life better. I would “prayer journal” for a while, then stop for long periods. I occasionally had a prayer list of others that I prayed for, but nothing I committed to or stayed with for any real amount of time.

 I was immature, carnal, and self-focused. I had many bad habits and strongholds in my mind and life that needed removing before I understood how important time with God would be for me. God knew this about me, and even if I was not faithful, He was.

So, let me fast-forward to today. The timing of prayer moved from sporadic prayer and Church stuff to an hour a day, then to hours a day. And into learning how to fast and pray involving days and weeks. I now love being in the presence of Abba.  I love hearing his Word and listening to what he has to say. Know that this did not happen overnight; it has taken decades of struggle and many sporadic, failed attempts along the way.  I just kept talking to God, and eventually I understood and believed what he said about me, and who He was, and we reasoned together. I had a lot of growing to do, and he was faithful in correction, discipline, instruction, and wisdom, as a good Father should be.    

As a lost and broken young woman, I had a great need for the washing of the blood and the Holy Spirit's transforming power. Looking back, I know God had me then as He does now. He has never, ever, ever let go of me. He found me in the midst of my mess and patiently and graciously walked me out of my darkest places. 

Looking back, I remember feeding my spirit on secondhand knowledge of God, which was good for renewing the mind. I listened to a lot of preaching and teachings from others. From many different sources and places. I read the Bible as much as I could, and I attended churches, a lot of churches.   One of my favorite teachers of the word at the time was Joyce Meyers. I was a young mother of three and had much difficulty navigating marriage, career, and parenting.  I had her books, tapes, cassettes, etc. I also adjusted my music preferences and had a mixture of worship music; CeCe Winans was my favorite, mixed with some of my favorite jazz and secular artists.

I was seeking God through many different sources, people, and places. But one thing I did not have was a consistent personal revelatory relationship with my Creator, my God. Oh, I knew God, knew of God, worshiped God, studied God’s Word, talked to God, talked about God, knew Scripture, etc.   However, I was not a good hearer or listener of God. Until I got sick and tired of being sick and tired.  Sick and tired of me, my life, my work, and always running into dead ends with people, places, and things.

Little did I know that all those obstacles, dead ends, tried-and-failed people, places, and things were all God trying to get my attention. I know this now, but as I went through all these trials and tribulations, I had no idea that God was nudging me, setting up barriers to break down my spiritual strongholds and set me free from the bondage I was in. I had a lot of mental strongholds in my life due to my childhood and family dynamics, as many of us do. And the only way to break down these strongholds is through spiritual warfare, through a real relationship with our Heavenly Father. Why? Because the battle is His, saith the Lord.  And guess what?  Jesus gave us access to the throne room with His death on the cross and His resurrection.

I spent a large portion of my walk with God believing lies about myself and others that the enemy of God fed me for the first 18+ years of my life. Sometimes, I still struggle not to believe those lies. My mind had to be renewed and washed by the Word of God.  And this, my dear ones, is a process. Oh, I was saved, but I was yet to be freed.  My belief systems and my heart posture had to change. God had to help me put off the old woman; all things had to be made new.  I can now say I am not the woman I used to be, not because of what I did, not because of the habits I formed, but because of what Christ did in me, for me, and through me by the power of the Holy Spirit.  There is still more God must accomplish in my life; He ain’t done with me yet.

God Produced Habits That Counted and Made a Difference

My personal habit of seeking God regularly eventually developed. But the habits were born and established out of my sheer desperation.  My desperate need for peace, guidance, and comfort.  I was being ruled by my thoughts, feelings, and emotions; my carnal self was controlling and leading my life, not God. I remember Joyce Meyers saying, "We take counsel with ourselves, 'me, myself, and I, not with God."   I was miserable, lost, broken, and in need of everything.

I was self-condemning, with shame-based actions and feelings, tormented with mental tornadoes in my thinking and mind processes, with control issues based in fear. The package may have looked good, but the inner woman was a mess.  Although I was a spirit-filled, born-again Christian, the devil had me at the precipice of hell contemplating ending it all, and not just a few times.  Throughout this journey, the enemy has desired my life. So, believe me when I say, I understand this is a spiritual battle for our souls. Occasionally, I would hear from God, and sometimes God would use me to speak words of encouragement to others. I would have visions of encouragement and discernment for loved ones and friends. However, I was still in a lot of bondage mentally and spiritually. And at times, it would come out in very unpleasant ways.

The quiet-time habits that stuck, really stuck, were not formed by what I should be doing as a good Christian.  And not from knowing the right thing to do, like following a plan or step-by-step program to get to know God. My personal habits were formed out of a very raw, unfiltered, desperate need for real help, real change, real peace. I truly was tired of being sick and tired and sick and tired of trying to find answers when Jesus was supposed to be all that.  And what I was doing up until about 2012 was feeding my spirit milk, and not meat. I needed to hear from God for myself, not through others, not from how-to programs, but clearly in my heart and in my spirit, just Him and me.

From my desperate need to hear from God, and knowing I could not continue to walk this walk alone. Knowing the devil roamed about seeking to devour me at every turn, step, and byway.  I got up before my Father daily, every morning. When I started, I had lost a job and was home for a few months, and there was another disappointment.  I had one purpose on my mind.  I wanted to hear from God.  I set my heart, mind, and soul toward seeking His face until I heard Him speak to me. I desperately needed Him, and He alone was my only true and real answer.

 I was so desperate that I did not start my day until I sat before God and released my thoughts and mind to Him. I got up, went to my daughter’s old room, and sat at a small desk with an iPad to type on.  I started by reading Sara Young’s book, “Jesus Calling,” each day, then reflecting on what God said to her, and reading and rereading Scripture.  I poured out my heart, writing each thought and word that came to my mind and spirit. And then I waited. Just sat and waited, anticipating and believing I would hear God's voice.

I believe it took me about a month to get out of God's way. My writing was simple: some praise and worship, some lamenting, some complaining, and repenting.  Just whatever I wanted to talk about.   I eventually had to stop talking and listen to that still small voice inside, and that is when God showed up in a very powerful, loving, and comforting way.

 I wrote and meditated on His Word through that daily commitment. Being in God’s presence brought me back for more of Him every day. Once you taste and know that the Lord is good, you desire nothing else. Many times, I would write down my thoughts, wait for the Lord to speak, and record His words.   Most of what has come out of my quiet time with God, I have compiled in a book, “Wild Weed to Flower”, specifically for my children.  Since then, with the Lord's leading, I have shared some excerpts of that content on this blog for your edification.

My secret place habits were formed from my great and desperate need for the presence of my Holy Abba Father. Nowadays, I still very much yearn for God's presence. But unlike in the past, I know where my help comes from.  I am still a very desperate woman; the closer I get to God, the more I know I need Him, and the more I discover how much I don’t know. I will only be perfect as Christ who lives in me is perfect. I am only whole because of Christ who lives in me.

As I reflect on this journey, the scripture that the Lord brings to my remembrance is found in John chapter 15.   Each pruning along my walk with the Lord produced more fruit to the Glory of the Father, vs 8.  Amen.

I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he shall take away; and every one that bears fruit, he shall purge that they may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I AM the vine, ye are the branches: he that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. He who does not abide in me shall be cast forth as an unsound branch and shall wither, and they are gathered and cast into the fire and are burned. If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8In this is my Father clarified, in that ye bear much fruit; and in this manner ye shall be my disciples.  As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. ' John 15:1-9 JUB.  See John 15, the full chapter

Conclusion

My desperation preceded my prayer habits, my habits established my relationship with God, and my relationship with God has guaranteed my freedom. Did I really make time for God?  Or did he give me reason to sit at His feet? I don't think you will find an AI-generated post that captures the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in a person's life. No AI Here!

Through Jesus Christ. King Yeshua Ha Mashiach, All Glory and Honor Belong to the Lord!!  King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Soon To Come.

The Lord has taken me from Wild Weed to Flower!  Amen!

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'In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  ' John 14:2 KJV

'until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. ' Daniel 7:22 NIV

'Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. ' Revelation 12:10 NIV

'And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ' Matthew 18:3 NIV

'Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ' Hebrews 12:7 NIV

'Do not fear for I am with thee; do not be dismayed, for I am thy God, who strengthens thee; I will help thee always; I will always uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. ' Isaiah 41:10 JUB

'The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. ' Psalms 34:17 NIV

'Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. '   

ames 1:2-4 NIV

'So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ' Galatians 5:16-17 NIV

'The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” ' Exodus 14:14 NIV

'Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. ' Zechariah 4: KJV

'But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ' 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

'And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ Abba, Father.” '

Romans 8:11,14-15 NIV

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.   

Isaiah 1:18 NIV

Desperate

Disclaimer: Please understand that this was my journey; yours may be very different. You may have established a quiet time in your secret place via how-to books, pastor-directed devotionals, etc. Every believer has their own unique journey. I encourage you all to get to know your God! In our Father’s House are Many Mansions, and Jesus has prepared a place for all that are His.