The 15-Minute Breakthrough
with Robert Morris
"Surely I have stilled myself, just as a small child is quiet with its
mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me." (Psalm 131:2)
Years
ago, I suffered with severe headaches. After a series of tests, the
doctor said, "There is nothing physically wrong with you. You have
headaches because you are stressed out.” I knew stress was ruining my
life, but I didn't know what to do.
When
I asked the Lord for help, He told me I needed time with Him every day.
I told him, "I have tried, but I don’t know how to have a quiet time.”
The
Lord said He would teach me. I was surprised when His instructions
didn’t begin with time requirements. He didn’t say that He closes at 7
A.M. so we could only meet together from 4 to 6 A.M. He also didn’t
demand I spend three hours or write long, scripture-like entries in my
journal. He showed me that we have an ongoing relationship and “quiet
time” was my opportunity to cast all my cares upon Him.
Stress
is like a snowball going down a hill. It gets bigger and bigger,
gaining size and weight with the momentum. Jesus told us, “Each day has
enough trouble of its own,” (Matthew 6:34b) so our burdens must be
unloaded on Him each day or they get carried over to the next day until
the weight is too much for us.
The minute I sat down with God to unload those burdens, a mental battle began. Don't forget to pick up the cleaning. Don't forget your appointment and the bills that need to be paid.
David
wrote, “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from
Him.” (Psalm 62:5) To get to that peaceful state of mind, I had to tell
the distracting thoughts to leave in the power and authority of Jesus
to make that part of my soul be quiet. Then I sat there for a few
minutes until I could feel my heart rate and breathing slow down.
Once
my mind was still before the Lord, He asked me to focus my mind by
singing to Him. I reminded Him that I am not a singer and He assured me
that He listens to my heart. When I asked what I should sing, He said,
“The song you woke up with.” I never thought about it, but usually
within the first few minutes of the day, a song will come to me. I have
also learned that God will give me a song if I ask and listen for it.
Often that song will stay in my heart all day. God showed me that
special song is a key to entering the Holy Place where I commune with
Him.
I
learned that I must pray what is on my heart and mind in my fifteen
minute breakthrough. I don't have to pray about world peace unless
world peace is on my heart. I don't have to pray for the government or
the economy unless I feel burdened. I also learned it is not selfish to
pray about our weaknesses and temptations. God wants us to have an
honest conversation about what concerns us the most.
Philippians
4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing.” How can you be anxious for nothing?
The next phrase explains. “In everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the
peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The
last part of my quiet time is used renewing my mind with the Word of
God. “I beseech you, therefore, brethren by the mercies of God that you
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable service. And don't be conformed to this world
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what
is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
“For
the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints
and marrow and is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God divides between the soul and the
spirit -- between what we think and what God thinks. God's word helps
me to get His perspective daily.
Going
to a new level in your relationship with God only takes 15 minutes.
Quiet your mind and sing to Him. Then focus your mind and pray what is
on your heart. Lastly, renew your mind with His Word. You will never
know the breakthrough He is waiting to give you until you decide that
it is worth your time to come to Him, get to know Him and let Him work
in your life. There are days I spend more time in every phase of my
quiet time, but this is the starting place to move into more intimate
levels of relationship with the Lord.
This Week
Will you miss out on what God has for you in the days ahead because you are too busy to give Him 15 minutes a day?
Prayer
“Lord,
I desire this spiritual breakthrough. Help me set aside time to clear
my mind of distractions, get into Your presence with song, pour out my
heart to you in prayer and let you mold me and shape me by Your Word.”
Hope you enjoyed this story.
God Bless!
Marion