2024 Quiet times

[sampa]

So I've been kind of been thinking sort of praying what maybe my contributions can be here on CF. I made a New year resolution for a quiet time one time a week for 2024. Inspired by @SarahsKnight and @DragonFox91 threads on scripture, I thought about starting my own. I'm not expecting much interaction on this thread. This will provide accountability for myself.

I welcome anyone to share their quiet times here also.

Isaiah 55:11 NKJV​

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

 

[sampa]

From Seeking Him Experiencing the joy of personal revival by Nancy DeMoss Wolfemuth and Tim Grissom.

Grace lesson 5
Memory verse "Let's then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16

" The more you understand the magnitude of God's grace, the more accurate will be your view of the depth of your unrighteousness; and the more you understand the depth of your own righteousness, the more you will appreciate the magnitude of God's gift of grace" - Paul David Tripp

 

[sampa]

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance and every good deed;" 2 Corinthians 9:8

- NASB

 

[DragonFox91]

I was slacking first part of January but am getting back into it! Always be praying for a revival in your soul!

 

[sampa]

In reference to the above verse, 2 Corinthians 9:8, the study I'm doing talks about how God is fully aware that we are incapable of godly living in spite of our best intentions or efforts. His grace is his supernatural supply for all that we lack. He promises to equip and empower us to do whatever he requires of us.

The study asked me to circle the words all out around each time they appear. And ask how this verse encourages me.

Well... It's not partial, but all. God is a God of making a way fully and not partially. And in that full way he overflows the cup so that it is a bounding (abundant). More than you'd expect.

 

[sampa]

Suffering Grace

1 Peter 5:10 "after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you"

Tonight's study shared a story of the suffering of a husband seeing his wife deteriorating with a disease, eventually dying and leaving him with 4 kids to raise. Yet when he was asked after how he was, he felt God was escorting them through the pain and protect them from being mortally wounded by it.

Alls I have to say is WOW after I read that. There's sooooo many things I can think of that has brought suffering in my life, but I need to think of how Paul responded in 2 Corinthians 12 8-9. He boasted after God said his grace is sufficient.

I have to remember it is only for a little while before we will be restored, confirmed and strengthened. I am weak Lord, but in you I am strong

 

[sampa]

The intention was there, I got distracted and not long after my folks came back from the pool at the hotel. Ugh I really need to make it priority.

 

[High Fidelity]

The intention was there, I got distracted and not long after my folks came back from the pool at the hotel. Ugh I really need to make it priority.View attachment 342273

ESV study bible? Great resource

 

[sampa]

Psalm 84:11 says, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" James 4:6

Grace is really hard for me to explain to a child or wrap my head around. But in my 2 hour drive/ride quiet time this what I got

Athough I had sinful thoughts this morning...maybe not sure...God still continues to bless me as His child.

MY last dream this morning while sleeping at a hotel was a bunch of cooks singing praise songs in the kitchen and then allowing me to be with them. I saw youth outside.
After I woke and went to breakfast, it hit me that the dream was about the cooks at the hotel. I had a fresh perspective.

Yesterday when we went to the restaurant I selected for my birthday, it was a library that had been renovated into a restaurant. What surprised me was they had contemporary Christian music in the background and the service was outstanding. Chic fila a as a bookish restaurant.

ANd on our trip, my stepdad really needed to use the restroom and Google was saying the next was a 13 min drive. Well he saw one not listed at a exit. We got there and they said they were locked out but a security person was coming. They came within 2 minutes. The place was dark, meaning they had been waiting outside for a very long time. God's timing!

So I bring up these examples because so many times I go through life busy in worldly thoughts not in time with what God is doing and that my identity is a child of God. I deserve souch worse as I fail soooo often, but God blessed and provides.

 

[LoveDivine]

I've been trying to read a little bit of Scripture daily. My goal for this year was to spend time in the morning before work or to read it on my lunch break if the morning was busy. I started with Proverbs in January, and now I've been reading Ecclesiastes. I'm really enjoying this routine and I've been meditating a lot on wisdom and seeking God. It's been so helpful and a very encouraging start to my day. I find it's been a great way to help me cope with the stress of work.

 

[sampa]

started with Proverbs in January, and now I've been reading Ecclesiastes

That's great that you have a routine. It sounds like it's been encouraging you, especially with stress. Proverbs is wonderful. I know one of the first times I did in't have raining of Ecclesiastes, it really brought me down. I pray you are able to continue that discipline.

 

[LoveDivine]

That's great that you have a routine. It sounds like it's been encouraging you, especially with stress. Proverbs is wonderful. I know one of the first times I did in't have raining of Ecclesiastes, it really brought me down. I pray you are able to continue that discipline.

Maybe some of us here would like to pick a book of the Bible to read daily. We could post our reflections in a specific thread for that. It might help give everyone motivation to stick to a routine.

 

[sampa]

Maybe some of us here would like to pick a book of the Bible to read daily. We could post our reflections in a specific thread for that. It might help give everyone motivation to stick to a routine.

That's a great idea. Right now I'm going to stick with what I committed to for the year. One time a week trying to finish this study book. After I finish that commitment, maybe I can move on to a book of the Bible. Baby steps for me. I will support anyone who chooses a book of the Bible though.