Guided Quiet Time
Occasionally I experience what I call the "jerked rug" phenomenon. It happens when I am feeling pretty good about myself, a bit too good. When the rug gets pulled and I stumble, I find that I am not quite as clever or as wise as I thought. As I am forced to face my limitations, I experience anew the wonderful grace of a God who is there to give security far beyond my own capacity.
Approach
Ever have a closet so full of clutter that you were afraid to open it? Often our hearts are like closets into which we throw unwanted feelings and unsatisfied desires. We avoid opening the door because everything will come tumbling out. If our hearts are similarly cluttered, the spiritual and emotional dimension of life is lost. Take some time now to open up your heart. Allow things to fall out. Over the course of this study you will be asking God to help you clean them up. Write down what desires, hurts and concerns you may find. After you have done that, sit in quiet anticipation of what God will do.
Study
1. Read Psalm 30:6–12. How do verses 6 and 7 describe David's sense of dependence on God?
2. What reasons does David present to God in favor of his deliverance (vv. 9–10)?
3. Look over the entire psalm. How would you describe David's relationship with God?
Reflect
1. Difficult circumstances can cause us to reflect on the character of God. How have the circumstances of your life affected your relationship with God?
2. David expresses some of the ups and downs of his life. Consider the last six to twelve months of your life and then chart your ups and downs.
3. Meditate through the ups and downs, picturing the Lord with you through each phase. Once you have done that, write down your insights and emotions.
Pray
Ask God to give you the courage to face the unpleasant experiences of life that may be important but unresolved.
Ask God to give the members of your church the courage to face unresolved conflicts.
Ask God to bring the nations to face the unpleasant experiences of life that produce conflict.
[Taken from day 2 of Waiting on the Lord by Stephen D. and Jacalyn Eyre, InterVarsity Press, 1994.]
Eyre, S. D. (1995). Drawing close to God: the essentials of a dynamic quiet time: a lifeguide resource. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
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Regards,
Ryan Chia
Occasionally I experience what I call the "jerked rug" phenomenon. It happens when I am feeling pretty good about myself, a bit too good. When the rug gets pulled and I stumble, I find that I am not quite as clever or as wise as I thought. As I am forced to face my limitations, I experience anew the wonderful grace of a God who is there to give security far beyond my own capacity.
Approach
Ever have a closet so full of clutter that you were afraid to open it? Often our hearts are like closets into which we throw unwanted feelings and unsatisfied desires. We avoid opening the door because everything will come tumbling out. If our hearts are similarly cluttered, the spiritual and emotional dimension of life is lost. Take some time now to open up your heart. Allow things to fall out. Over the course of this study you will be asking God to help you clean them up. Write down what desires, hurts and concerns you may find. After you have done that, sit in quiet anticipation of what God will do.
Study
1. Read Psalm 30:6–12. How do verses 6 and 7 describe David's sense of dependence on God?
2. What reasons does David present to God in favor of his deliverance (vv. 9–10)?
3. Look over the entire psalm. How would you describe David's relationship with God?
Reflect
1. Difficult circumstances can cause us to reflect on the character of God. How have the circumstances of your life affected your relationship with God?
2. David expresses some of the ups and downs of his life. Consider the last six to twelve months of your life and then chart your ups and downs.
3. Meditate through the ups and downs, picturing the Lord with you through each phase. Once you have done that, write down your insights and emotions.
Pray
Ask God to give you the courage to face the unpleasant experiences of life that may be important but unresolved.
Ask God to give the members of your church the courage to face unresolved conflicts.
Ask God to bring the nations to face the unpleasant experiences of life that produce conflict.
[Taken from day 2 of Waiting on the Lord by Stephen D. and Jacalyn Eyre, InterVarsity Press, 1994.]
Eyre, S. D. (1995). Drawing close to God: the essentials of a dynamic quiet time: a lifeguide resource. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
--
Regards,
Ryan Chia
It is not so much the case that God has a mission for his church in the world,
as that God has a church for his mission in the world.
Mission was not made for the church; the church was made for mission—God's mission.
From The Mission of God by Chris Wright
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