Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Morning Service April 10, 2016:
Scripture: Daniel 6:1-10
Supporting Scripture: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 5:3; Mark 1:35
Opening Statement:
Time with God, meeting with Him for Bible reading, prayer, meditation and worship is a time like no other
Reasons this Time is Like No Other:
1. Because of who you are meeting with
- Creator and sustainer of the universe
- Your Lord
2. Because of the opposition to this time
- Because the devil knows this time is like no other, he will try to thwart our efforts to focus on and spend time with God
3. Because of the results of this time
A. You keep short accounts with God and others
- There is direct accountability with God as you meet with Him
- Becomes difficult to live with unresolved sin issues when you meet with God on a regular basis
- Knowing that you will be meeting with God becomes a strong motivation to keep sins confessed and sinful habits forsaken
B. Your will is conformed to His
C. Your character is changed
- You become like those you spend time with!
D. Your trust in God is strengthened and our faith is increased
E. Wisdom and direction are provided
F. Intimacy is developed
- You get to know the Word of God and the God of the Word
- Time with God moves us from a religion approach to God to a relational approach
- As in any relationship communication with God is the key to knowing Him better
- Time with God is essential to building a love relationship with Him
Important Aspects of this Time:
1. Having a time
Why mornings are good:
- You haven’t heard a thing
- First hour can set the pace and focus for the day
- The battle is before us – we need to be ready
Out of the 24 hours God gives me, how much time do I give Him in a day?
2. Having a place
- A quiet place
- A private place
- A place with no distractions
3. Having a mind-set
- Devotions / Quiet time – Time with God
- Time with God: Giving God your undivided attention for an amount of time for the purpose of worship, talking to and listening to Him
- Think of your time with God as your personal appointment time with Him
Be prepared to meet with God:
- Awake, alert – Don’t drag before Him
- Quiet yourself before God
4. Incorporation of the following:
A. Bible Reading
B. Prayer
- Our way of communicating with God by talking to Him
C. Listening
As we pray and read the Word of God, we need to learn to be still for a while to see if He has anything to say to our hearts
- God’s voice is always consistent with His Word
- His voice for the most part is quiet (He speaks to our hearts through His Holy Spirit in an inaudible but compelling way)
- The Lord speaks clearly
D. Meditation
To think deeply and continuously about something
- Contemplating God (triggers worship)
E. Worship
- Ascribing worth to God, being consumed and occupied with the person of God