Ears To Hear # 3

BLOCKS OF TIME
EXPANDED

    

         After writing this Fresh Bread for those who have ears to hear, I picked up a book beside my bed and realized again, that I know “nothing” compared to what there is yet to learn.
         Reviewing the book Practicing His Presence by Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach I felt the original message the Lord gave me was so insufficient. Oh, Lord, I wish everyone could eat the meat in this book. Don’t confuse this book with others presently on the market about practicing the presence of God. They are good, but this one is true meat. It’s where I believe, all those who have ‘ears to hear’, are headed. We’re all headed somewhere and from time to time, it’s just good to know where.
         Brother Lawrence wrote his letters in the 1600’s. That was a very long time before the Lord was able to reveal some of the same truths to those who chose to spend time with Him today.
         So who is this message for, Lord? This message You took so long in giving me this morning?

         “It’s for the Lambs.”, He said.
         “Okay. I understand. Thanks, Lord.”

IF YOU LOVE ME
FEED MY LAMBS!
(Bring them up to the High Places)

               

           So, to God’s precious lambs, I pray that your Block of Time so expands that the day comes where you find yourself walking more in the Spirit than the natural. When the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace.
         Please receive this expansion as God reveals it to you.
         This morning as I was praying for my loved ones and spiritual children, I asked God how they could possibly enjoy what I am enjoying in my special Block of Time with Him. Their lives are so busy. I remember well when my life was just like theirs. I didn’t have a special block of time for You, Lord. I didn’t know that You wanted one. I couldn’t understand how to fit You in. I didn’t understand how important this time was or all the mysteries You had prepared to share with me.
         It was like a Waiting Place for You, Lord. You were waiting for me.  Waiting until I desired You as much as You desired me.
         “What did you do, Gwen, when your eyes were opened and you began to hunger for more of Me?”, the Lord asked.
         Immediately, the Holy Spirit brought back a scene from KingwoodHigh School where I was teaching and coaching. I saw myself carrying the small devotional book that had a scripture and inspirational thought for each day of the year. It was called Daily Light. I have forgotten how many of these books I bought and gave to my family and others.
         But the scene that is being replayed in my mind right now is…of me running with the little book from the teachers’ lounge where friends had wanted to read what the book had to say for their day. Running up a short flight of stairs to the custodian’s lounge/workroom, where I shared the book or left it there for them to read during the day.
         Teachers would come to me saying, “Where’s the book, Gwen? I’ve got to read it real quick. Where is it?”
         “It’s on the table in the custodians’ work room.” I would answer.
         And they would fly off to find the book.
         Fast Pace! Fast Pace! All of us were running faster than our feet could carry us, just to keep ahead of the times and demands of the students. This was our profession. At the end of the day, tired and frazzled, we had spent all our natural energy trying to keep ahead of life as it seemed to be handed to us.
         Even though we desired to spend more private time with the Lord, getting to know Him and His ways better, we didn’t know how to FIT HIM IN.  Our lesson plans and schedules for our family were already filled to overflowing.
         No, there was just no way to schedule in a Block of Time for the Lord.
         But, Praise God. He saw our hearts and He opened a small block of time for us.  He used the little book to open a tiny door for His Block of Time.  He scheduled us in when we didn’t know how to schedule Him in.
         Through the years this short block of time has expanded for most of us. It may have seemed slow, but God is faithful even when we don’t know how to be.
         Psalms 91:1 refers to the Secret Place of the Most High. Lovers will always find a way to steal off to that secret rendezvous with their lover.
         When God’s children learn of the many treasures of wisdom that our Lord desires to share with us in His Secret Place…His Block of Time, reserved for us individually, we will find a way to Block Out the world and Block Him in, to the FIRST PLACE in our lives.
         For me, the best time is in the morning. Even if it’s nothing more than saying, “Good morning, Father. Good morning, Jesus. Good morning, Holy Spirit. This is the day that You have made, what would you have me do today?” Then put on our armor prayer before we leave the room, our bed, or our quiet place.

DON’T SQUEEZE:
BLOCK!

         If you truly want to BLOCK HIM IN on your schedule, rather than SQUEEZE HIM IN, He will show you personally “how” if you will ASK. So, whether it’s early in the day or late, I pray that each of my children will have a specific time set aside to hear from God…as the Holy Spirit directs them where to go and what to do daily.
         A BLOCK is BEST…But a “Squeeze” is better than nothing and can be a beginning. So, if you are only squeezing God into your schedule, I see Him smiling, and Patiently waiting for the day you will have a set time for Him every day of your life.
         Not just when you are in trouble, but when you want to fellowship with Him and be His friend.
         Yes, He smiles and waits…. Waits to bless you in ways the world will never understand. He has much to teach you that man cannot.
         Yes, He is Patient. He is Love. And God’s Word says that Love (God) is patient and kind, long suffering. (I Corinthians 13:4-7).
         “And there-fore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you….” (Isaiah 30:18a). Instead of us seeing ourselves as “waiting on the Lord, perhaps we should see Him as waiting for us.” With my vivid imagination I can picture Him sitting with His arms folder and a smile on His face…waiting Patiently.
         I sincerely believe that if each young parent and all others who have many calls on their life, will alot at least 5 minutes of private time with the Lord each day…that He will supernaturally EXPAND IT. May I encourage you to get your family in the habit of understanding that you will not be interrupted at this time. If children are old enough to have a Bible, they too can take advantage of their quiet time. Spouses can take turns with the children if necessary. 5 Minutes! We can do it. Many people have heard from the Lord in their bathrooms. It may be your only safe place to begin. I just pray that you will Block Him In for a special time. Not SQUEEZE Him in or even pencil Him in which is so subject to change. But dedicate a definite FIVE MINUTES to Him, beginning today. 5 Minutes! We can do it.
         This lesson as been more for the Lambs in Training. As they come up to higher relationship with their Lord. I believe Brother Lawrence is speaking to very mature sheep. The ones whose Block of Time has been expanded. In a twenty four hour period, if my math is correct, our Father gives us His complete attention for 1,440 minutes. Surely we can give Him 5. Not condemnation; just encouragement to receive a grand prize and allow our Father to expand our 5 minutes for us.