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Transcript

God Speaks in Solitude · First15 Devotional

• 0:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: In today's verse 15, we're going to look at the value of solitude in making space to hear from God.
• 0:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: In all the noise of our world, solitude is more important now than ever.
• 0:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: We need quiet to tune our ears to the still small voice of God.
• 0:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: We need the type of peace that only comes from quieting our hearts and minds.
• 0:30
  [SPEAKER_00]: We need the type of relationship with God that can only be formed in solitude.
• 0:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: May God empower us to quiet ourselves today in His presence.
• 0:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast.
• 0:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: Our scripture for today comes from Psalm 46, verse 10, be still and know that I am God.
• 1:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: solitude.
• 1:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: A time set apart where the rush, noise, and anxiety of the world fall mute on the ears and heart of a child of God completely lost in the peace and presence of the Creator.
• 1:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: solitude is a time to be with your Heavenly Father, free from the distractions the world offers us at seemingly every moment.
• 1:56
  [SPEAKER_00]: We are made for a consistent time spent in solitude.
• 2:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: CS Lewis wrote in the weight of glory, we live in fact in a world-starved for solitude, silence, and private, and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.
• 2:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: Most of us have grown accustomed to what truly does amount to being starved for solitude,
• 2:26
  [SPEAKER_00]: We never fully realize how great our need is to be alone with our sustainer.
• 2:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: Let's take some time today to recognize our need for solitude, and then learn how to best practice solitude on a daily basis.
• 2:44
  [SPEAKER_00]: You can know that you need solitude for one reason.
• 2:47
  [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus needed it.
• 2:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: all over the New Testament.
• 2:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: We see examples of Jesus going off on his own to pray.
• 2:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: One example in Mark 135 tells us that Jesus rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, departed and went out to a desolate place and there he prayed.
• 3:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus, who practiced perfect communion with His Heavenly Father while here on earth, still needed to spend time and solitude.
• 3:22
  [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus, who loved parties, loved people, and was God and man simultaneously needed time alone.
• 3:32
  [SPEAKER_00]: If He needed it, you and I can be sure we need it.
• 3:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: When God incarnate was up against his hardest task, the crucifixion, he didn't just toughen up and get through it.
• 3:47
  [SPEAKER_00]: He spent time alone in the garden of Gassemony in conversation with his Heavenly Father.
• 3:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: He needed solitude to accomplish his purpose here on earth, and so do you and I.
• 4:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: Solitude is life-giving.
• 4:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: It's necessary to the Christian spiritual life.
• 4:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: Richard J.
• 4:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: Foster said, loneliness is inner emptiness.
• 4:14
  [SPEAKER_00]: Solitude is inner fulfillment.
• 4:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: Solitude is one of the most important and life-giving spiritual disciplines.
• 4:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you want to hear God, you must practice solitude.
• 4:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you want fortitude in your life, a steadfastness that surpasses your circumstances, you must practice solitude.
• 4:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: You are designed for time spent in the quiet, simply being with your Heavenly Father.
• 4:48
  [SPEAKER_00]: So, how can you best practice solitude?
• 4:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: The first step is finding a place where you can spend time with God free from distractions.
• 4:59
  [SPEAKER_00]: Find a place where you know you won't be interrupted.
• 5:03
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you live with others, find a time when they will not be around or awake.
• 5:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you live alone, designate a place in time that you will spend in solitude free from any distractions.
• 5:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Second, give yourself an amount of time to spend with God just being in solitude.
• 5:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: It could be ten minutes or an hour.
• 5:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: Spend this time free from reading, free from worship or prayer, unless solitude leads you to those things.
• 5:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: Madeline Langell said, deepest communion with God is beyond words on the other side of silence.
• 5:44
  [SPEAKER_00]: Solitude is a point of deep communion where words aren't required in the light of God's glorious nearness.
• 5:53
  [SPEAKER_00]: Take some time today to practice the incredible discipline of solitude.
• 5:59
  [SPEAKER_00]: Be patient with yourself.
• 6:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: Be patient with God.
• 6:03
  [SPEAKER_00]: Fill the emptiness of silence with the satisfaction of God's presence.
• 6:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: Your Heavenly Father loves just simply spending time with you, enjoying deep communion with His crown of creation.
• 6:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: You are His child.
• 6:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: Climb into the comforting and sustaining arms of your Heavenly Father today, as you enter into a time of solitude.
• 6:38
  [UNKNOWN]: Thank you.
• 7:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: as we begin.
• 7:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: Find a place free from distractions.
• 7:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Spirit to calm your heart in mind and help you to spend time in deep communion with God.
• 8:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: next.
• 8:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: Spend a few moments simply resting with God and solitude.
• 8:08
  [SPEAKER_00]: Mark chapter 1 verse 35 says, in rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a
• 9:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: and last.
• 9:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: Reflect on how solitude made you feel.
• 9:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you felt uncomfortable or frustrated, it's alright.
• 9:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Solitude and silence is something most of us have never practiced.
• 9:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Have patience with yourself.
• 9:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: Solitude is a practice.
• 10:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: The more you do it, the better and more fulfilling it will become.
• 10:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: Once you connect with God's heart, free of words and just look at Him face to face, His gaze will become one of the most important parts of your life.
• 10:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Knowing experientially that your heavenly Father sees you and loves you is meant to be at the foundation of everything you do.
• 10:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: Commit yourself to spend time and solitude with God and learn what it is to be a child simply enjoyed by the Father.
• 10:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for listening to today's podcast, God Speaks, and Solitude.
• 11:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with First15.
• 11:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: Tomorrow, we're wrapping up our week by looking at how we can receive God's Word through action.
• 11:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: I really believe our time together tomorrow will round this series out in an important way.
• 11:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day today, and may God bless you as you see Kim.