A Personal Quiet Time with the Lord. That’s today’s topic on Titus 2 Tuesday.

T2T is where we answer a question submitted by a reader from Facebook. One of my BPF’s and fellow bloggers Lisa Appelo has dropped by to share her thoughts.

Quiet Time. The Meaning.

But before Lisa shares…for those who aren’t familiar with the term “Quiet Time,” it’s simply referring to the time you personally spend reading the Bible. You may also hear this described as “devotional time.” This is important in your spiritual journey of knowing God more deeply. Quiet times consist of Bible study and prayer – time spent talking with the Lord about His Word and your heart.

Lisa Appelo. mom to seven.writer. teacher. mentor. friend.

Lisa Appelo. mom to seven.writer. teacher. mentor. friend.

and now, my friends, here’s Lisa…(Isn’t she beautiful?)

When do you fit in your quiet time every day? Is it before the kids get up or during the day so the kids see you in the Word?

This is a great question and a case could easily be made for either. I sometimes do my quiet time before my kids are up but more often after. I’m not a morning person so it’s usually after they are up. I go out to the only place where I can be completely undistracted – my car. My kids are usually inside starting on their own quiet time or schoolwork.

But this is now, in my current season. I can tell you, my quiet time hasn’t always looked like this! I’ve been a working mom, stay at home mom, work at home mom, mom of many, mom of kids in school and preschool, mom of all littles and mom of olders. It will likely look different for different women depending on the season of life.

Titus 2 Tuesday. Lisa’s Bible

Titus 2 Tuesday. Lisa’s Bible

Two Foundational Principles to Guide Daily Quiet Time.

Regardless of the season, though, there are two foundational principles that I try to have guide my daily quiet time.

First, give God the first portion of your day. I’d much rather have Him speak to me and take my thoughts captive to His truth before my day gets going than just before I drift off to sleep at night.  And I just feel farther from God when I haven’t met Him in the morning. Plus, it’s a tithe of our time.  God orders our steps when we give Him the first part. Even on my busiest days, when I’m tempted to put it off until later but instead dig down and do my quiet time first, God somehow takes care of the full to-do list.

Now, honestly, there was a time when my older five children were 7-years-old and under and I despaired of a bathroom break to myself. I had crack-of-dawn risers and a baby that kept me up through the night. Shallow sleep just kind of ran into rising sun. I couldn’t have consistently gotten up earlier than my kids if I tried. I did vow, though, not to read anything until I had read the Word for the day. Nothing online, no magazines, no mail. And in that crazy season, where no day looked like another, I was actually able to have some good Bible study.

The second principle that guides my quiet time is to go to God, not to men. Devotionals are inspiring and books are insightful but they are no substitute for the very word of God. It’s amazing to consider that the all-powerful God who rules the seen and unseen of our universe would speak to us. On any page of scripture, in whatever book of the Bible you are reading, God will speak a personal – and often very practical – word right into your life and right into your day.

Quiet time should always include the Word of God. Some devotional books will incorporate this; some won’t. Only the Word is living, only the Word is power, only the Word is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart (ouch).

One last thing, for the one who knows but hasn’t been able to consistently get in the Word. First, I’ve been there. But let me use this analogy: what if I could take you on a trip to a place you’d never been, where you saw sights and tasted foods and had such rich experiences that you could never be satisfied living out the rest of your days in a lazy boy. You’d tasted; you’d seen.That is daily time in the Word of God.

God says in Psalm 81:10: “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” That’s making me hungry for the Word of God just thinking about it.

Lisa having her devotional time with the Lord by reading the Bible and capturing thoughts in her journal.

Lisa having her devotional time with the Lord by reading the Bible and capturing thoughts in her journal.

Thank you, Lisa for sharing your insight for today’s Titus 2 Tuesday.

Lisa, may your writing and speaking impact many at your church, in your city, and across the globe as you seek to praise His name and show His faithfulness in your blog, True and Faithful.You can read more about Lisa’s family Bible time here. Lisa has been a widow for three years, and I have watched her faithfully and fervently seek the Lord in all things. Shown below are all of her children (including her daughter-in-law) at her oldest son’s White Coat Ceremony. woot woot! Can somebody say, “Paging Dr. Ben Appelo.” This will come in handy when all the nieces and nephews need medical care at a good savings.

Lisa and her family celebrating with her oldest son at his White Coat Ceremony.

Lisa and her family celebrating with her oldest son at his White Coat Ceremony.

Rhonda whenandwheredoyouhaveyourquiettime? ellis

16 Comments
  1. peggy hamrick

    What great reminders from Lisa. Love the car idea – wish I had thought of that years ago when the house was full of activity early in the morning!

    • I cracked up when I read that. But, hey, I agree with you, Peggy. That would have been awesome to know when we had little ones in every room of the house and couldn’t find quiet. I love learning from others!

      • Peggy – a mom’s got to get creative! Not recommended for a mom of all littles. 🙂

  2. Christy Keyton

    I have a desk in the corner of my bedroom that is my favorite spot. I have started the practice of going there right after I get Hannah on the bus in the morning while the other kids are rising and getting chores done in preparation for school. I love what she says in the article about going to God and not men. So many women just read the writings of a women’s devotional book. I teach the principle of pick a book of the Bible and read five verses a day proceeding through the book and journaling what you see in those verses. Simple, but keeps you consistently in the Word of God.

    • Thanks for sharing, Christy. I love seeing how different women go to the Word. I appreciate you sharing about reading and journaling about five verses a day consistently. So helpful. I’m about to start a small Bible study next week where we do that very concept. We will be reading Luke. I’ve never done it like that before, and I’m so excited about it. Love you, Christy!!

      • That’s a great approach Christy! At 5 verses a day, you must really be able to dig in deep. Thanks for the comment!

  3. Mel

    LOVE this! Thank you for writing, Lisa!

  4. Thank you Mel! Hope your school year is off to a great start. 🙂

  5. Patti

    Feeling more motivated ladies! Thanks 🙂
    Would also like to add that paraphrasing verses into my journal in my own words helps keep me focused and makes me figure and and dig for meaning in unclear passages.

    • Great idea, Patti. Thanks so much for sharing.

  6. That’s a great way to approach it Patti. I’m going to try that!

  7. Laura

    Really appreciated this! I found myself in my closet yesterday just trying to read through a chapter of Proverbs while two littles didn’t want to nap. Thanks so much for the guidance and encouragement. Definitely challenging about seeking the Word first before reading “other” material.

    • Laura, I was challenged by that too. And, on another note…I’m so glad you’re in my life. Love you!

  8. Laura, I so remember those days! Pulled in every direction and needed by everyone (at once!). Good for you for guarding time in the Word. Keep sowing in these precious years.

    • Lisa, see how your sweet words have encouraged so many of us. Thanks so much for sharing.

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