Time for God

 

Dear friends,

I was asked to write a short devotion for a Women’s ministry devotional book that will be given to those in attendance at our annual retreat.

I thought it would be nice to share it with you also.

I hope you enjoy it and more importantly, that it brings you closer to our Lord and Savior.

 

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

John 15:4 NASB

 

As a young Christian I thought time alone with the Lord was a requirement, something to check off of my Christian to-do list. Read a few lines in the Bible…check. Listen to worship music…check. Read a devotional…check. Pray…check. Go to Church…check.

The older I get, and the more meaningful my relationship with the Lord becomes, the more I realize just how sad that viewpoint was. I was going about my new found faith in all the wrong ways.

I’ve since learned so much more about God’s true requirements of me. The Lord has shown me that a daily, hourly, moment to moment relationship is what He wants with me. He still wants me to complete my list, not because I must but because I, too, want a very personal relationship with Him.

Our heavenly Father is with us each and every moment of each and every day. We, for some reason forget He is with us and go about our days as if we are alone. The good news is we are not. The Lord of all creation is waiting for us at every breath; waiting for us to simply acknowledge His presence. If we truly want to live in His presence, our time with Him must be as natural as breathing.

Does it amaze you, as it does me, that the Creator of the universe actually wants time with you?

What keeps you from going deeper in your relationship with the One who loves you so?

Remember, if satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy; too busy for time with the One who loves you so very much.

At this very moment, close your eyes, breathe slowly and focus on the One who loves you so much. Breathe Jesus in knowing He is with you. Focus on the cross; focus on the unconditional love our Lord has for you. Don’t pray for anything other than an intimate relationship with Him. Ask Him to truly abide with you and you with Him for all the rest of your days. Thank Him for all He has done and will continue to do in assisting you to become the man or woman of faith He has called you to be. As you continue to breathe ever so peacefully, thank Him for His incredible love and generosity.

Father God, thank You for who You are in my life. Forgive me for ever thinking my faith was based on a to-do list. Thank You for loving me so very much and for wanting to spend time with me. Your love amazes me!! Please help me to feel Your presence with my every breath. I love You more than words can say. In the matchless name of Jesus, my Lord, Savior and Friend, amen.

Any thoughts? If you have something on your heart that you feel comfortable sharing in a public forum, then please share by clicking the comment link below.

I’d love to hear from you. ☺

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In His embrace,

Toni

2 comments to Time for God

  • Sheila  says:

    Toni~
    Another great word my friend! As an administrator whose job is a “To Do” list everyday, it is a great reminder that being in His presence doesn’t mean being part of the list. As you stated our relationship should be as natural as breathing 🙂 This truly is where I have to have that wall of seperation because sometimes it is easy to let our jobs or people define us rather than being who God created us to be. So in my calendar at work I have put a gentle reminder for every day at various times throughout my day…” In His Presence” to create an awareness in my heart of where I need to be at all times and to refuel my heart for the days which seem daunting…Stop and spend time ‘In His Presence”
    Thanks for always challenging and inspiring!
    Love you Friend!
    Sheila

    • Toni  says:

      Sheila,
      So glad you were blessed by these thoughts. Don’t we always feel more at peace when we are in His presence? Awww yes, no better place to be. Praying for you to have the time to relax in His embrace.

      Love you too friend!!

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