Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- August 9, 2012
“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12
Appointments with God honor God. When He is scheduled daily it shows He is your priority. Some people clamor to get on a celebrities’ calendar, yet Christ is accessible 24/7. Indeed, Jesus, the iconic person of all time is available to engage any interested individual at anytime. Almighty God has no handlers or gatekeepers—He is easily reachable by faith. So, why are we reluctant to schedule time with Eternity? Are we really too busy to pray?
In life we have appointments for activities that really matter to us: haircuts, exercise, doctors, dentists, mechanics, job interviews, breakfasts, lunches, dinners and dates. Why not schedule time with our Savior, so we feel accountable to meet with Him? We would certainly not miss an appointment with Jesus any more than we would stand up our hair stylist. Previously calendared time makes it easier to say, “I have another commitment.”
“This is what the LORD says to Israel: “Seek me and live.” Amos 5:4
We set appointments with the Lord because He is the ultimate expert for living. He is your relational therapist, He is the minister of your soul, He is the psychiatrist of your emotions and the physician of your body. God is your eternal expert for how to do life meaningfully and abundantly. So, you go to God to learn how to go forward in amazing faith-filled living. Your appointments with the Almighty teach you how to live life well.
What is keeping you from calendaring Christ? Time? He has given you enough time to do His will. Fatigue? Rest is the result of resting in the arms of your heavenly Father. Faith? When you show up, He shows up and helps your unbelief. Feelings? Eventually your emotions will catch up with your obedience to be with Jesus. God appointments work.
Perhaps you start with calendaring five minutes a day with Christ, with a goal to increase it to an hour a day. Just as you turn off your phone and give full focus to those with whom you meet, do the same for your Savior. Give Him your undivided attention with no multitasking or distractions. Create a calm place to be quiet before your Lord. Begin the day by feeding your soul and then your fullness of faith will feed other starving souls.
“They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening.” 1 Chronicles 23:30
Prayer: Heavenly Father, my heart’s desire is to meet you at a daily appointed time.
Related Readings: 1 Samuel 1:19a; Psalm 5:3; Zephaniah 2:3; Mark 1:35
Post/Tweet this today: Eventually our emotions catch up with our obedience to Jesus. #emotions #obedience
Click on the free download “How to Have a Quiet Time”… http://bit.ly/KWDrkJ
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Dear Br. Bailey,
Great article – I try to always start my morning with Wisdom Hunters.
One line this morning got me to thinking. It is: “When you show up, He shows up and helps your unbelief. “ How true, but is He not already there, just waiting for us? In other words, when we show up, He is there! It may be s subtle difference, but when is He not everywhere…
God Bless
Forrest Walker, from Tapestry c.c.
Appointments with God, words cannot express how I felt reading this devotional. It brought tears to my eyes and just want I needed to jump start my day.
It is so easy to get caught up with time, we think we don’t have enough, being pulled in every direction by everyone. Just as I ask for “me time” from my family, God is asking for the same & how can I NOT give it to Him.
Thank you Lord for never cancelling Your appointments. I will read this daily to keep me in spiritual-check
Be Blessed!
It is better than coffee! Although I have them both….i usually forget about that coffee while having my TWG, it is still there when I get done being refreshed with his new wine!
Forrest you are right, Jesus said he is with us always… “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b.
A servant for Jesus,
Boyd