I would be in bad shape if my only communication with God came through other people. If I had to depend on others to get a Rhema word—utterances from the Lord specifically for me, or relying on them to do all my praying, I would be missing out on some of the best times of my life, one-on-one with the Holy Spirit. I can only describe those times as absolutely scrumptious.
It’s great if you have daily family prayer; by all means, please continue. But don’t think that will take the place for meeting with the Spirit alone. If Jesus had to set time apart to be with the Father, so do we.
Doesn’t God deserve our full attention—Prime time?
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he [Jesus] went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed (Mark 1:35).
Twenty years ago, I learned the value of meeting with God one-on-one when I started working in a hard-pressed school as an assistant principal/disciplinarian and later becoming the principal. The only way I survived those trying times was through those daily private meetings with the Holy Spirit. As I look back, I know He gave me that job because He knew I would run to Him.
Later God inspired me to write a book: Traveling Under Concealed Orders—A School Almost Left Behind, which detailed that life-changing experience. Please visit my online bookstore if you would like to purchase a copy.
Meet until it becomes a habit.
Now that I’m retired, those one-on-one meetings have become a habit that I love and look forward to each morning. When trouble strikes, I automatically take myself straight to the Father. He has proven to me over and over again how faithful He is to meet my needs. Through His comforting arms, I have hope. Under His wings, I’m protected, and by His wisdom, I find the right answers. I want those who don’t have the God habit to discover this awesome privilege to come before the Almighty.
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears (Psalm 18:6).
When we are in trouble, we’ll find all kinds of time to get before God. How would that make you feel if a person only found time to be with you when they wanted something; how genuine is that relationship? We need to be in hot pursuit of the Holy Spirit in the good and challenging times. Meeting God on our sunny days grows our faith when we need to trust Him during stormy times.
There’s no need to feel intimidated if you are not in eager pursuit of God; ask Him to put that desire and passion into your spirit. Ask Him to put a spiritual hunger and thirst in you that only He can satisfy. You don’t have to entertain the Holy Spirit with fancy words; you can be silent and just listen to what He has to say. The key is consistency.
And please don’t let the enemy deceive you into believing these meetings aren’t necessary. These daily one-on-one meetings with God are vital, and the devil knows it.
If you haven’t already, schedule your one-on-one meetings. © 2021
Traveling Under Concealed Order is an intriguing account of how God miraculously called six women from different walks of life together to pray fervently for a very troubled inner-city school. Click here to get your copy today
