Scheduling Time with God
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It’s check-in day!! For those of you reading along in our #bibleinayear Bible Reading Challenge, we’re checking in on Friday to just say “I’m still reading” or “I had to take a break but I’m catching up.” Mostly we just want to encourage one another to stay in God’s Word and draw closer in relationship with Him. So comments are open! I have to tell you that I believe the weekends have been the hardest for me. I haven’t mastered a plan just yet due to our busy household (my tribe in the side column, in case you missed it. 😉 ) But I have been stubborn determined to keep on and have been so very blessed by God and all of you!
Scheduling time with God is one of those subjects that many Christians really want to master, but because we are human, it simply gets tough. Busyness takes over and we allow it to be an excuse. Much of the scheduling is just like anything else- how badly do we really WANT to do it? And I’ve found that if I really desire to have the time to do something badly enough, then I find time to do it.
Time management in general must be considered on an individual basis because we are all individual people. But to get our thoughts moving in the right direction for wise time usage, here are three practical tips for scheduling your time with God.
1.Be at your best when you have time with God.
If you are morning person who wakes up refreshed and ready to go, then that is when you are prepared to give God your best time. And if you are a night owl who wakes up at 10 pm, then your best time to give to God would be 10 pm. Maybe you are neither and high noon is your best time to give God. You know yourself- what time of day are you most awake and fully engaged? I can honestly tell you that I enjoy mornings, but I’m not at my very best right away. So I pray as soon as I wake up, but I don’t typically read my Bible until I’ve been awake about an hour or so.
2. Be sure to give God isolated time every day.
I love my husband like crazy. We text each other and talk to each other as much as we can each day. But we have a busy household and not all of our communication can occur in the midst of caring for our family. We need time for just the two of us. The same is true for our time with God. If we really love Him, we will be praying and listening to Him throughout our day. But real relationship with Him needs time for just the two of us.
3. Be still when you are having time with God.
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 56:10
Give God your mind, heart, spirit, every ounce of your being when you are with Him. Let the distractions of the world fade into the background. Perhaps you have a favorite place to quiet your heart and mind and simply be still before the Creator. He loves you and wants to commune with you!
What tips do you have for having quiet time with God?
I’d love to read them in the comments below.
Today I’ve written a post, 4 Ways to Freshen Your Spiritual Wardrobe at The Better Mom. (link live Friday morning!) Sure hope you’ll stop by!
And don’t forget to check in Bible challenge readers! I’m looking for ya! 🙂 Have a great day!
When I first saw your post of reading the bible in a year, I knew I wanted to take the challenge! Unfortunately for me, I thought I would get too confused reading four different books at the same time, so I found a different schedule for reading the bible in a year, starting with the old testament. I am currently a few days ahead of my schedule, and have been loving reading my bible each day! I have yet to get a schedule down, but I know it is something I need to do! Thank you for this post and for the encouragement. God bless!
Still on track and loving the schedule. I have never followed a reading plan before and this was just what I needed! I read at night after kiddos are all tucked into bed. My husband works second shift so this is the best time for me to have completely to myself and God. Blessings to everyone!
My hubby used to work second and I did the same thing for those ten years. Blessings to you Lacy!
Got behind, but PTL just got caught up 🙂 I REFUSE to give up on this! Every time I read God speaks to me in different ways. Love it’
YAY!! 😉
I got a late start but I have caught up and have been able to keep at it!!
way to go!
I also tend to fall behind on the weekend and play catch-up during the week… 🙂
My husband and I get up really early (far ahead of our toddlers) to read and enjoy a cup of coffee together.
I’m still reading! Determined. Lord help me in my determined resolve to continue this challenge.
Fridays are busy from the moment I wake til going to bed. Seems to be my toughest day of week. I’m at my best in morning hours with a cup of coffee and my Bible!
Have a very blessed weekend! Stay warm!
YAY! Keep going. I do love the cup of coffee with my reading. 🙂
I’ve finally gotten all caught up again! Something that has helped me to schedule and keep my time with God is Hello Mornings.
yes- love those gals! Awesome, Veronica!
Still staying on track. Sorry I didn’t check in last week – we had guests, and I wasn’t on the computer last Friday. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the reading!
woohoo! So glad to see you Sara. Funny how long ago our paths first crossed- God connections are the best. Let’s keep going! 🙂
I am still at it! Morning and night 🙂
woohoo!
I’m on track! Actually I must confess I’m ahead. I started before January 1, and when I started reading Esther, I couldn’t stop reading 🙂
Weekends are really busy for us too, and I’ve found it hard to find quiet time to read & pray. I’ve made time the rest of the week; still trying to work out the weekends.
Esther is SUCH an intriguing book to me as well. 🙂 Blessings!
I’m still reading! And don’t want to quit!
love it!
Still on track!! Super excited! I’ve been making my time with the Lord right before I go to bed. My kids are asleep and my husband is unwinding too. It’s uninterrupted time with the Lord. I’ve found that the readings soothe me so and I’m actually falling asleep easier.
Loving this reading plan 🙂 Enjoying having 2 chapters from the OT and the NT to read each day for a change of pace this year!
Still on track! I am loving this! I stay on track by reading at the same time each night! My mind is way to busy in the morning and I lose focus so fast! By reading at night I am able to focus and have been sleeping much better! No more restless mind for me at night! Loving this! Thank-you!
Still on track! Not necessarily following the way it is mapped out, but getting it done.
25 days and still on track Praise the Lord, I couldn’t do it without Him. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I would like to share with all of you, last Friday God, Our Heavenly Father made me laugh, he filled my heart with joy and laughter, the best medicine, is laughter. When it comes from God its even better, everytime I think about it, I smile. It doesn’t matter what happened before or what led up to it the important thing is that God made me laugh, He is with us, always and you never know when He will surprise you with His presence. I so love our God and long to be with Him. May the Lord Bless all of you this week.
I am loving the daily Bible reading. I love the way it is broken into four different books.
Awesome, Stacey! Not everyone loves this kind of plan, but I enjoy it. Prevents having a lull, if that makes sense. Thanks for checking in!
Thanks for being such a blessing! Started a little late in Jan, catching up a bit at a time. This is great!
YAY! Glad you have joined in. You have plenty of time to catch up. Just two extra readings a month would still accomplish the goal at this point, right? 🙂
I am still on track! 30 days make a habit, right????
I’m still on track! Thank you, this is just what I needed this year!
woohoo!
I need to catch up, but it’s not about the quantity I read, but the quality time I spend with the Lord and what he wants to teach me. I would also agree that weekends are my hardest. Thanks for the scheduling time with God…that is a big help!
YES on the quality! Always have quality over quantity. 🙂 Bless you Girl! Keep going.
still going strong and enjoyin it more and more everyday
me too!! 🙂 🙂 Blessings Mia!
weekends are hard for me too, i work a 24 hour weekend shift so my off duty awake time is limited- i go to church and i sit and stare at the tv – could use that time for alone time with God but i’m comatose ! no excuses, God is patiently waiting for me.
oh Marie! My hubby worked nightshift for 20 years. I know what you are talking about. I don’t see how he ever did it, but he never missed church for being tired. Though he did sit there comatose just like you mentioned. I wouldn’t have even functioned. Bless you!!
I made it! I got behind after a trip but am all caught up, truly loving this!
Way to go!! 🙂
I’m still on track, praise God! Last year was the first time I ever stuck with and read my Bible all the way through. I found the best for me is to make sure that I try to have my reading, praying, and studying time at the same time everyday. For me it’s the morning. I’m actually not a morning person, but if I don’t get it done first thing, it wouldn’t get done. I’m blessed in that none of my 5 boys are early risers so I don’t have to get up super early or anything.
Thanks for keeping us motivated, Rachel! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I admit I got a little behind but was able to catch up. Standing, knowing He will bless my faithfulness!