Are You Too Busy to Meet with Jesus?

Dec 9, 2014 Are You Too Busy to Meet with Jesus? by Rick Warren “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.” (Psalm 37:7 NLT) The reason why most people never hear God speak to them is that they never slow down enough to let God talk to them. Hurry is the death of prayer! You’ve got to slow down. You’ve got to be quiet. And, you’ve got to wait expectantly. Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act” (NLT). The only way you’re going to be able to do this is if you get up earlier, which means you’re going to have to go to bed 30 minutes earlier. So the decision comes down to this: Who do you want to spend time with, Jesus or Conan? That’s your choice! Because you’re going to have to get up earlier so you’re not rushed and able to spend some time and start your day with God. There is nothing on nighttime TV that will change your life. Nothing! Spending those 30 minutes in the morning with God, however, will change your life. If I told you that tomorrow morning at 4 a.m. the queen of England, the president of the U.S., and the pope all wanted to meet with you privately, you probably wouldn’t even go to bed tonight. You’d take a bath — you’d probably take two baths! You’d go find an all-night barber or beauty salon, get a new suit, and get spiffed up. You’d be at the meeting 30 minutes early. The Creator of the universe wants to meet with you tomorrow morning! You don’t even have to get dressed. You can be in your PJs. You don’t even have to leave your home. But you do have to plan an appointment. That means you have to stop doing something so you can start doing what God wants. If you’re burning the candle at both ends, you’re not as bright as you think you are. You’ve got to decide what’s more important to you: another 30 minutes of late night TV or time with God every morning. One day God’s going to ask you, “Which one did you choose?” Talk It Over What difference have you noticed in your life when you have a consistent, meaningful quiet time? Who or what have you chosen over your time with God? What changes do you need to make in your schedule and priorities so that you choose time with God over everything else?

Receive Grace

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“It is through Him that we have received grace (God’s unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the nations.”

(Romans 1:5 AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do you want to see more of God’s favor in your life? Receive His grace. Grace is God’s favor, but it’s also His supernatural empowerment. When you have God’s grace and favor, it enables you to accomplish more and be more effective both in your own life and in building the kingdom of God. This verse says that God’s grace enables us to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples among all nations. Maybe you can’t go to all nations today, but you can make a difference in the lives of the people around you. You can “promote faith” by being an example to others. God wants to empower you with His grace so that you can show love and encourage the people in your life — your coworkers, your family, your friends. Receive His grace today by simply opening your heart and thanking Him for it. Thank Him for His grace that empowers you. Thank Him for a gift of faith in your life. Let Him empower you to walk forward in the favor and blessing He has prepared!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your promise of grace in my life. Thank You for unmerited favor. I receive Your grace and power right now and invite Your love to flow through me today in Jesus’ name. Amen. ​PS...​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agymbruj-2c