Faith Comes by Hearing - Time alone with God

Note: This is the 6th post in a series on Grace that should be read in the following order:

1 Purpose of this Blog
2 Grace Defined - Part One
3 Grace Defined - Part Two
4 Grace operates through Faith - Faith Defined
5 Faith comes by hearing
6 Faith comes by hearing - Time alone with God
7 ...and hearing by the Word of God - Part One
8 ...and hearing by the Word of God - Part Two



It had been my intention to spend the next few posts elaborating on the Word of God. However, the Spirit has strongly impressed me to first discuss regular time alone with God as a pre-requisite to hearing Him.

Please take a moment right now and ask the Lord to speak to you through this post. I believe that this subject is nearer and dearer to God's heart than any other as regarding our Christian walk.

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he (Jesus) went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. "
(Mark 1:35)

"And when he had sent them away, he (Jesus) departed into a mountain to pray. "
(Mark 6:46)

"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he (Jesus) was there alone."
(Matthew 14:23)

"And it came to pass in those days, that he (Jesus) went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. "
(Luke 6:12)

Our Lord Jesus Christ held quiet communion alone with the Father at a premium. For although He was God the Son, come in the flesh, full of Grace and Truth, yet He needed and desired time alone with God the Father. Even though His communication with the Father was continual (Jn. 14:10-11), yet it was time alone with God that Jesus cherished and made a point of having whether it was all night long or early in the morning before the sun came up, getting alone with God came first.

What did Jesus tell us about prayer?

"But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. "
(Mat 6:6 MKJV)

How often do we speak of doing our "devotions" where we might spend 10-15 minutes reading a daily devotional and then off we go to work or to start on our todo list? How often do we leave Jesus sitting there on the sofa saying, "Don't you want to spend a little time talking with me before you go?"

Jesus said,

"Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. "
(Matthew 11:28-29 MKJV)

"And as they went, it happened that He entered into a certain village. And a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she came to Him and said, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.

And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.

But one thing is needful, and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. "
(Luke 10:38-42 MKJV)

Martha was busy with ministry, but Mary had chosen the one needful thing:

To sit at Jesus' feet and hear His Word!

Dear brother or sister in Christ. There is NOTHING that God desires more than for you to SIT AT HIS FEET and HEAR HIS WORD. He has so much He wants to share with you. So very much. AND, He wants to listen to you pour out your heart to Him! He is your Abba (daddy) Father. Run up to Him, jump on His lap, rest your head on His chest and find rest for you soul!

"And he (Jesus) called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 18:2-4 ASV)

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: "
(Romans 8:14-16)

It does not matter if you preach in His name, or prophesy in His name, or cast out demons in His name, or do many mighty works in His name, if He never knew you. And how can He know you if you never give Him the time of day?

"Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me..."
(Matthew 7:21-23a MKJV)

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. "
(John 17:3)

Faith comes by hearing.

How can you hear if you are not taking the time to listen?

Turn off the computer.

Turn off the phone.

Turn off the TV.

Turn off the Radio.

Shut the door.

Or, go for a walk.

Or, go for a drive...just you and Jesus.

NOTHING is more important to your walk with God than this.

NOTHING.

Not Church.

Not fellowship with other believers.

Not ministry.

Not working to support your family.

Take time for HIM.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Is Jesus your treasure?

Could a stranger tell this by how you spend your time?

"Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."
(Proverbs 3:9-10)

Normally this verse is quoted in regards to financial giving. I want you to look at it differently. Instead of giving of your first financial increase to the Lord, give of the first of your time.

Put time with God first. Now read verse ten as regards to the work of the Spirit of Grace in your life. Spend time with the Lord first, and your cup shall be running over with the new wine of the Spirit of God.

I love the words of a song by Third Day: "Who is this King of Glory, who pursues me with His love?" (Ps 24)

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. "
(2 Chronicles 16:9a)

The Lord is searching for those whose hearts are perfect towards Him. The Jewish Publication Society Bible translates perfect as whole.

Is your heart wholly for God?

He is pursuing you with His love!

He wants to "show himself strong" on your behalf.

That is grace.

Is your heart perfect towards Him?

Please, please, please take time with God every day. (If you believe in tithing that would be 2.4 hours or 144 minutes every day. I only use this as an example, not to be legalistic.)

I will leave you with these verses.

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."
(Lamentations 3:21-26)

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD:
(Jeremiah 29:11-14a)

"For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. "
(Isaiah 30:15-21 partial)

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. "
(Isaiah 55:1-3)

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."
(Psalms 46:10-11)