Spending Time With God

This evening my family and I went to Barnes and Noble to find a good devotional to use each morning. I have a strong desire to spend time with God each day, but I never know where to start.

We looked through so many different devotionals from various different authors. I was saddened by some that I came across. There was one that read "one minute devotions to begin each day". Has the world become so busy that we can only give God one minute of our time a day? I believe that no matter how busy a child of God is, that they should make time to sit down and really spend time in prayer and in His word. I, myself, am guilty of not giving much time to spend with God.

In Psalm 42 verses 1 and 2, it says: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My sould thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God.

How many believers thirst after God like that, or desire to have a close relationship with him? How many of God's children actually take time to spend with Him so they can truly know Him and have a relationship with Him?

As I was going through all those devotionals, I was thinking a lot about myself and my relationship with the Lord. In the past thirteen years, since I got saved, how much have I really done for God? How much time have I actually spent getting to know MY Saviour? In the business of the day it is so easy to put other things before the Lord. We get tied up in work or in school . . . housework, and other daily chores or errands. I realize, though, that it is so important to spend time in God's word. The more time we spend with God, the closer our relationship with Him gets, the more we become like Him, and the stronger we are in Him.

Psalm 1:1-3 ~ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Joshua 1:8 ~ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

My prayer is that I can do more for Christ and be more like him. I know I will never be perfect, but I can do my best and strive for it. I want the enthusiasm and extreme joy that a new-born believer has! It has been so long since I got saved, and I was pretty young, so I'm not sure about having had that kind of zeal for Christ . . . I may not have -- who knows . . . but one thing for sure is . . . I want that passion now!

Psalm 119:97-105 ~ O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.