The Right Attitudes for a Quiet Time

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES What On Earth Am I Here For?

The Right Attitudes for a Quiet Time By Rick Warren — Sep 21, 2015 “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV) You may understand that a daily quiet time is necessary for spiritual growth and be motivated to do it, but how do you go about having one? You have to start with the proper attitudes. In God’s eyes, why you do something is far more important than what you do. On one occasion God told Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV). It is quite possible to do the right thing but with the wrong attitude. When you come to meet with God in a quiet time, you should have these proper attitudes: Expectancy: Come before God with anticipation and eagerness. Expect to have a good time of fellowship with him and receive a blessing from your time together. That was what David expected: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you” (Psalm 63:1). Reverence: Don’t rush into God’s presence, but prepare your heart by being still before him and letting the quietness clear away the thoughts of the world. Listen to the prophet Habakkuk: “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him” (Habakkuk 2:20; see also Psalm 89:7). Coming into the presence of the Lord is not like going to a football game or some other form of entertainment. Alertness: Get wide-awake first. Remember that you are meeting with the Creator, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the Redeemer of men. Be thoroughly rested and alert. The best preparation for a quiet time in the morning begins the night before. Get to bed early so you will be in good shape to meet God in the morning; he deserves your full attention. Willingness to obey: You don’t come to your quiet time to choose what you will do or not do but with the purpose of doing anything and everything that God wants you to do. Jesus said, “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17). So come to meet the Lord having already chosen to do his will, no matter what. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over If you were really eager to have a quiet time, what would change about how often and how much you spend time with God? What is the best time and place for you to be reverent and alert before God? How do you find out what God’s will is and what he wants you to do? Our Gift: The Purpose Driven Life, Expanded Edition Hardback Book PLUS 3 What Is the Purpose of My Life? booklets Since its release The Purpose Driven Life has been translated into 85 different languages and has become the “Bestselling non-fiction hardback book in history” according to Publishers Weekly, all because of the Christ centered approach the book takes to answering life’s most fundamental question: What on Earth Am I Here For? LEARN MORE Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes all complete sermons from the Rick Warren What On Earth Am I Here For? teaching series. LEARN MORE Series Summary Message 1: The Call Is For You Message 2: ​​​​Called To Be Loved Message 3: ​​​​You Are Called To Belong Message 4: ​​​You Are Called To Become Message 5: You Are Called To Bless Message 6: I'm Called To Be Sent Message 7: Why God Made You! PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at rickwarren.org. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2015 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe