Beauty For The Heart®

Three Tips to Organize your Quiet Time with God

Welcome to Organizing your Heart and Home 2011!

Each Monday in January we’re Organizing something in theHeart and the in the Home.

Today my sister, Traci at Beneath my Heart will be organizing her craft closet so make sure you hop over and check it out!

I’m Organizing your Heart and today we’re going to work on our Quiet Time.

As I thought about this post my heart has been heavy as I listened to the news coverage on the shootings in Arizona.

I have been praying for the families that have been affected and I’m reminded how quickly………..

Life can change……

and we need to be prepared.

Having a consistent Quiet Time can make a difference in how we handle this journey we’re on.

What can we do to make sure we spend time in God’s word every day?

Colossians 3:22 reminds us, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Here are three tips to help Organize your Quiet Time and set your mind on things above:

1. Pick a Time and Place to study His Word.

Cyndi Spivey

I like to do my quiet time first thing in the morning before anyone else wakes up. Pick a time that works best for you and then stick with it.

As I make my coffee (a must for me, the Lord doesn’t even want to talk to me before I’ve had my coffee!) I’m reminded that the Lord is inviting me to spend time with Him.

So before I do anything I head to my dining room. I like a bright room and my dining room has a large window (although right now it’s still dark outside. Come on Summer!)

I also have plenty of room to spread my stuff out. Find a place that you can get comfortable and meet with Him there every day.

2. Use the Right Resources.

1.The Bible-this is a given. I use the New International Version most of the time but you find the version that works best for you.

2. A Journal-Keep a journal of what you’re learning as you read the scripture. I also journal my prayer requests but we’ll talk more about that next week.

3. A Reading Plan-There are many resources to help you read through the Bible. The main thing is have a plan. This year I’m going to read through the New Testament. I also have a devotional book I use everyday……….Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

4. A Calendar-I recently read this and thought it was a great idea! As you’re spending time reading scripture you’re going to think of something you need to do that day such as, pick up the laundry, go to the grocery etc. Don’t let it be a distraction! Write it down and then go right back to your quiet time. If you don’t have a calendar just write it on a piece of paper.

3. Keep it Simple.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Study, Journal and Pray. This is not a to-do list to be checked off. This is a special time to grow in your relationship with Christ. Enjoy it!!


*Now for the Giveaway!!*

Because I love my devotional book, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, I want you to have one. So I’m giving one away!!!

Enter to win: (required entry)

  • Leave a comment and tell me anything!

2 Bonus Entries:

  • Subscribe to my blog, or become a google follower and leave me a comment. If you’re already a subscriber or follower (thank you!) simply leave a comment and tell me.
  • Tweet about this giveaway and come back and tell me about it in a separate comment.

This giveaway will end on Thursday (1/13) at 9 PM EST. The winner will be drawn at random, and notified via email.

Thanks for stopping by and make sure you visit Beneath my Heart and get that closet Organized!

leave a comment...

  1. I’d love to win this. I am a new christian, having been raised as a Hindu, and I am looking for any material to help me and my daughter enrich our relationship with God and Jesus
    angiewattie@yahoo.com

  2. The Lord doesn’t want to talk to me before coffee either!

    Last year I read the Bible in 90 days and it got me completely hooked on a daily quiet time. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

    And Jesus Calling is a favorite read at our breakfast table. If I should win, pass it to the next person.

  6. Your tips are great! I want to start a prayer journal and I hope you don’t mind, I copied your haircut, because I love it!

  10. I’m asamed to admit that my quiet time has slipped. I’m excited to get back on track. Thanks for the giveaway. I’m excited to read more of this series!

  13. Great post! My quiet time is not quiet at this season of my life, but I do read a lot of excerpt and quick devotions every time I sit down to eat. Bible time is during my 5 minutes of hot coffee. Sigh. I miss the days of daily long breaks with God, doing great Bible studies… but to every thing there is a season. This one shall pass, and I will have more quiet than I want, I am sure!

  15. Thanks for the tips. I love this series that you and Traci are doing. I can’t wait to read more next week. Thank you for the chance to win and for always sharing your heart with all of us.

  17. From what I have read so far I find your blog to be inspiring. I stumbled on you and your sisters blogs by chance or by God’s intervention, I look forward to implementing this weeks quiet time and finding more out next week, thank you for sharing your time with others God Bless

  18. Hi Cyndi,

    Am going to get your book tomorrow if I can find it. Am also looking for Made to Crave. My daughter and her friend ordered it and I read a sample of it on the computer. I also had that thought of reading the new Testament but never thought of Journaling about. Thanks for the tip. I don’t think I would ever get through the Old Testment just to hard to understand for me.
    Thanks for your inspiration.

    Anne

  19. Hello! I have followed Tracey’s blog for awhile but it is nice to meet you! I am following you on Facebook and am following your blog. I am excited about following your Heart plan. In fact, I have told my husband about it and he seems excited about it too!

  20. LOVE Jesus Calling! Don’t enter me in the giveaway…I have two copies myself (; )) and plan on doing a giveaway, too…but I had to say that I do love it. What’s so great is that the kids’ version of it is just as good. My Kiddo loves his copy. He told me the first night he started (the first day of the year!) that it was exactly what he needed to read, and it really helped him in a struggle he was facing. I love that it has Scriptures to reference back to…they usually lead me to others that deal with the same thing, and more often than not, each day deals with an issue that I need help with right then! Funny how the Lord planned that. : )

  21. Cyndi – This is a fabulous book. WHen Blake got baptized recently, a dear friend gave him the kids’ version. We read it every night before he goes to bed. I love this organization series you and Traci are doing!
    CB

  23. I would love to win that devotional. Thank you so much for you and your sister helping us get orgasnized, inside and out. I need it!

  26. What a great start to the New Year! I just started a daily reading through Bible Gateway that I can do on my mobile phone. No excuses. I am still working through a Beth Moore study as well. He is always faithful to speak to me through His word. Just what I need.

    Blessings!

    janna

  32. Hi,
    Discovered your blog through your sisters. My neighbor who is struggling with cancer recommended this book to me. I am facing one if the scarriest times in my life as I await test results to hear if I have MS. If you think of it, you can pray for good test results for me. This has definitely reminded me of how life can change in an instant, and made me realize I need to get my priorities straight and carve out time to spend with God each day. Thanks Cyndi.
    Trisha

  35. Love the idea about the calendar. That seems to distract so many of us, just the things going through our heads while we’re trying to be quiet.

    I, too, would love to get up, have a quiet time in the morning and do it before my children get up. But unfortunately, this isn’t the season for that. It just doesn’t work for me right now.

  36. Thank you for doing this. I follow your sisters blog, but being a great keeper of your home (which I CONSTANTLY am striving for with 3 boys) isn’t where it stops. I love that it is a two part series!! If I want my home to be peaceful, it is just not my laundry and closets that need to feel in place- it is my heart and attitude! God has been showing me that over the last year. Thank you again for doing this with your sister, what a blessing!!

  39. Wow, you and your sister have been such a Godly inspiration for me…I am going to set up my devotional corner first thing tomorrow morning…you make it sound so easy to take the time with God each day…my intentions are good, but you just made it so do-able! I put your button on my blog tonite!
    Thank you to your Mom for inspiring you and your sister!

  45. Thank you for hosting such a wonderful giveaway. Lately I feel as if God is speaking to me about my time w/him and helping me find ways to do it. My search lead me to your blog. I am inspired by your devotion and know that your openness, thoughts and ideas will help me in my journey.

    Thank you for sharing and God Bless – B

  46. Thank you for taking the time to encourage others! I found you blog by way of Traci. May God bless both of you!

  48. I really need to start making time to be with God I can feel how my spirit is just craving time with him. I love your blog and how it reminds me what I need to put first.
    Holly

  50. Thank you so much for sharing these ideas. Though I know most all of these tips, I do not do them. I love the idea to pick the same time and place. I love the calendar idea. And I love having the journal handy as I study. Thank you! I will have to try to put these tips into practice!!

  52. Loved this post. I have heard about this book and have wanted to get it. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  53. Hi Cyndi, this is the first time I visit your blog. I visit your sister’s blog all the time and just love how it reflects her God’s love in it. I have just subiscribed to your blog and I am looking forward to your posts. It has been awhile since I have had a devotional on my own and I am looking forward to it. I love your calendar idea and your tips on keeping it Simple. Blessings,

  55. Thanks for the chance to win. I would love to win a copy of Jesus Calling. I have heard such great things about it and have had it, and the kids version, on my amazon wish list for about a month now.

    I have been following Traci’s blog for months now and will be following yours now too. I am looking forward to this series!

    I have a journal but I don’t use it very often. When I look back I realize there is a lot missing that I want in there. I have a hard time writing down what is really in my heart.

  56. I’m reading the bible for the first time, and am din ding it wonderful.
    And I thought I was a subscriber, but didn’t get this post until I checked your blog- so I’ll subscribe again!

  59. I just found your site today through your sister’s. You are both such beautiful, inspiring women. Thank you for being you!

  60. Thanks Cyndi for encouraging us all to get committed to reading God’s Word and praying. This book sounds like it would be helpful.

  62. Hi Cyndi!

    What an inspiring site! I found you through Twitter and I love your concept of spending time with God to organize your heart. My heart is having a tough time these days as my sister is very ill with cervical cancer and I lost my brother this past spring. I organize my heart by writing a blog about my journey with my sister as we battle this horrible disease together. Without the Lord, I don’t know how I would get through all of this. My blog address is: http://cjhasek.wordpress.com and I would love to read the Jesus Calling book…have seen it but never picked it up. Blessings to you! Cathy

  64. Thanks for sharing your quiet time with us. I, too, follow a similar routine, but sit with a basket on the coffee table, while I curl up in a blanket on the couch. I’m going to spend my organizational time this week weeding out the basket and updating my prayer notebook. Thanks for the little nudge to get it done.

  66. Have never entered a blog give away before, but that book looks great! So enjoy you and your sis’s blog!

  69. Cyndi-
    I am so glad that I found your blog through your sister, Traci! This is actually one of my new years resolutions! I have been trying to set aside time everyday for prayer, worship, & reading my bible. I am still not doing it everyday like I should be, but I am definitely doing it more than I ever have before! I will keep coming back to your blog for the inspiration & motivation that I need! Thank you!

  71. Cyndi, I love your tips!

    One area I’ve been struggling with is remembering to faithfully continue praying in response to prayer requests. So, I just decided, thanks to your post, I am going to make a prayer request journal so I can keep track of prayer requests and have that book at my side each morning during quiet time.

    I have “Jesus Calling”, I got it at the Relevant Blogger Conference and I absolutely love it. I’ve found so far that each and every day the devotion is EXACTLY what I need! How GREAT is our God?!

    Whoever wins the book is going to love it!

    Have a great day, Cyndi 🙂

  75. What a wonderful giveaway, I am in need of a new devotional book so I will have to get a copy (unless I win 🙂 ). I am thrilled to find your blog!

  77. I am continually searching for new decotionals that will hold my interest and hold me accountable (a bit, anyway). I’ve heard great things about this book and would love a copy for my own. 😉 I also loved your ideas about daily devotional time. Thanks for sharing and for offering the giveaway!!

  78. Wonderful tips! We just found a new home church and are excited by the prospect of a good place to share with our kids. I find journaling to be incredibly helpful and with two toddlers I will have to use the calendar tip–thank you!

  79. Great idea! I do my quiet time first thing in the morning before anyone is up, at the dining table, and with my Bible and journal. I will have to try the calendar one.

    Sweet Blessings~
    Jenifer

  82. I need to get back into devotional readings and personal bible studies. It hasn’t been easy the last three years and I’ve fallen out of my habits. I need to get back into them…

  85. I would love a chance to win this devotional. I’ve heard some good comments about it lately. Happy Mondy Cyndi! Thanks for the tips!

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