SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE THROUGH QUIET TIME

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ur primary responsibility as believers is to seek the Lord’s presence daily, it may sound somehow but that’s it. Being in His presence is more important than any work we do either for ourselves or for the Lord. As we draw close to the second advent of Christ, we need to give serious attention to His presence and how we relate with Him. If you want to see growth in your Christian life, you must commit yourself to seeking God’s presence through quiet time.

Quiet time: is the time spent with God alone in a conducive atmosphere. It’s a love relationship with God built on a daily appointment with Him. It involves reading and meditating on scriptures, capped with prayers. Quiet time I not a family devotion neither it is corporate devotion. One of the most important spiritual discipline one can have is to set aside a fixed time for seeking and communing with the Lord daily. Quiet time is that time you commune with God through His word, prayer and songs.

The bible is filled with examples of men that made seeking God’s presence through quiet time their predominant-occupation. Moses, David, Daniel, Samuel, Elijah and eve Adam before the fall had quiet times with God. Jesus our savior and perfect example; the Bible says this concerning Him "Mark 1:35-37 [35]And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.[36]And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.[37]And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee."

In this generation there are many people who do have their quiet time on daily basis while there are also some who have it occasionally, but the fact is that we do not see the result of having quiet time in their lives most atimes. Person like Moses had quiet time and the Israelites were not able to look at his face because of the glory he draws from seeking God. Jesus had quiet time and all men were seeking him.

What we are focusing attention on this chapter is the discipline of seeking God's presence daily through an effective quiet time that I'd capable of producing tangible, measurable and quantifiable results in our daily lives. People took note of Peter and John that they had been with Jesus; 

Acts 4 [13]"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus".

What do people see when they come in contact with you? His presence?

WHY DO WE NEED TO SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE DAILY?

1. It's in His presence we get out daily manna.

2. It's an expression of our total dependence on him, our love for him and out exaltation of him as number one in our lives. Psalms 63:1-2.

3.its a moment of receiving spiritual strength, power and revival on daily basis: every child of God need to draw spiritual strength from the Lord's presence. Moment of quiet time is moment of impartation of power from the omnipotent. (Isaiah 40:31.)

4. It's a moment of daily transformation: transformation does not take place in public glare. When eagles want to transform and renew they go away to a lonely and high mountain. Moses was on the mountain for 40days and when he came down his face was radiated with glory. Jesus and His 3 disciples were transfigured on the mountain alone. It's only in the Lord's presence we can experience genuine transformation. The reason why most have not changed much in the church is the matter of seeking God through quiet time. 

2 Corinthians 3 [18]But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

As we behold him daily in the secret place we are changed to be like him 

5. It's a moment of refreshing and receiving divine direction. Psalms 119: 105.

6. It's a moment of obtaining Mercy and Grace. Hebrews 4 [16]Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

THE GOAL OF SEEKING GOD'S PRESENCE THROUGH QUIET TIME.

John 17 [3]And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

The goal of setting aside a regular time and place to seek the face of the Lord daily vid primarily to get to know Him, become more like Him, and to love Him more and more. Knowing the Lord Jesus is life eternal. If this is not your goal, it will not profit you. You may end up just with a religious activity instead of transformation.  

My goal is not to be known as ", mighty prayer warrior", I want to be transformed and changed from glory to glory, I want to be like Jesus and to know his plans for my life. Beloved what's your goal of seeking God's presence?

HOW CAN I EFFECTIVELY SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE THROUGH QUIET TIME?

Recognize that without Him you can do nothing, then ask for help from the Holy Spirit.

1. Consciously make time to be with the Lord daily: don't try to find time, make time and make it a priority. Your life in eternity depends on your preparation now, find the right time, give it the best of your time, don't give God the leftover of your day. It's advisable to be early in the morning.

2. Find a proper place where you can focus: Jesus told us in Mt 6:6 to enter into our closet and pray in secret, out place of quiet time should be conducive, Jesus sought out places where he can be alone and so should you, find place where you can be alone and where there's no disturbance.

3. Get the right provisions for your meeting: as much as it depends on you get yourself a good study Bible, w note book and pen to write down your orsyer points, messages and assignment you will get from the Lord. You also need a hymn book and musical instrument if possible.

4. Prepare for the meeting: moment of quiet time is a moment of fellowship with a Holy God therefore preparation is very vital. If you regards iniquity in your heart the Lord will not hear you and it's useless to have quiet time that the Lord will not be present or hear. Therefore it's paramount to come before God asking Him to shine His light upon our lives.

5. Study and meditate on the Word of God: be still and know that He is God. Spend time to study and meditate on the word of God, dont rush. Diligently considering these; is there a command to obey? A sin to confess or avoid? Is there a lesson to learn and a truth to carry with you? Jot them down. 

6. Pray over the revelations you received: 

7. Obey what God tells you: the most important aspect of quiet time is to learn to obey what God tells you. Lack of obedience makes you dry and unable to continue in His presence, it stops the flow and dries up the well of fellowship which will eventually result to barrenness. When we fail to obey received truth out quiet time will soon because a normal religious routine without life and no growth. Remember "whatever that is fruitless is worthless".

HINDRANCES TO SEEKING GOD'S PRESENCE THROUGH QUIET TIME.

1. The devil 😈

2. Sin( lawlessness)

3. Slothfulness

4. Lack of discipline

5. Unforgiveness

6. Complacency

7. Pride.

Beloved, I want us to ponder on these questions faithfully:

. Is your quiet time producing result?

Are you being transformed?

Are there character flaws you need to deal with?

Are you battling to have consistent time with the Lord?

You cannot be coming daily to Him without daily deposits for transformation, what is wrong?

Is it the matter of discipline and disobedience?

Can we go to Him afresh to help us?

NB: our lives and eternity depend on how we seek God's presence daily, let's pray for fresh outpouring of fire upon our personal prayer altars for seeking His presence daily.