Quiet time is an opportunity for a new beginning each day. Paul said, "Forgetting what lies behind, and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal" (Philippians 3:13-14). The psalmist said, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24 NIV). But how do you restore your fellowship with God through your quiet time? What can you do to "shake up" your quiet time by making dramatic changes to your routine?

• Find a new devotional book. Search for a devotional reading book that will challenge your ideas, attitudes, and thought processes.
• Change your Bible reading plan. Focus on your specific trial, tribulation, or transition. If your faith is being tested, find a Bible study on faith. If you are facing serious illness, search for a study on hope. If you lose your favorite quiet place because of a major transition, find a study on peace.
• Join a new Bible study group. Meet new friends who will encourage you in your time of change.
• Write out Scripture. Immerse yourself in the Psalms. Compare and contrast multiple translations, word for word, in your journal.
• Memorize Scripture. Absorb Philippians or another book of the Bible. Recite the Scripture to yourself throughout the day.
• Be extravagant with God's Word. Go overboard with a new Bible study tool, such as a commentary or concordance, and live in a passage.
• Dedicate daily journal and prayer pages. Focus entirely on your present situation.
• Sing in your quiet time. Get a hymnal or Christian songbook and begin singing out loud. Write your own psalm and sing it to the Lord.
• Embrace intentional devotion by faith. Intentionally pursue time with the Lord in spite of your trial, tribulation, and transition. Give yourself a quiet time break.
• Pray about your quiet time. Expect Him to answer!

Many years ago, the Duke of Wellington led English forces against Napoleon in a critical battle near Waterloo, Belgium. All of England waited eagerly for the first news from the returning warships. Atop Winchester Cathedral, signal flags began to spell out the eagerly awaited message. A dense fog rolled into London just as the words "Wellington defeated" were completed. The heartbreaking news of Wellington's defeat spread throughout London. Before long, the fog lifted and the signal flags atop the cathedral became visible, this time spelling out the complete message: "Wellington defeated the enemy." What a great lesson! Don't be so quick to judge trials, tribulations, and transitions in your life as doom and gloom. Don't allow the dense fog of change to keep you from spending time with the Lord. And don't allow adverse circumstances to prevent you from seeing God's message to you: "For I know the plans that I have for you…plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). Give God time and let the fog lift, and you will see great reason to hope again.

Key Verse

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope'" (Jeremiah 29:11).

For Further Thought

• In what way do you need to shake up your quiet time?
• What idea would you like to implement in your time with the Lord that will change the way you spend time with Him?

Blessings ♡ Grace