“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”
–2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

Have you ever had a nightmare like this? I’ve had this type of dream several times. You arrive at school on a seemingly typical day, and you head to class. Once you get there, you realize with horror that today is final exam day, and for some reason you haven’t studied any of the coursework.

This is a very extreme example of putting everything off until the last minute (or the last second, in this case). To one degree or another, we’ve all done this in our lives. I can’t tell you how many times I stayed up all night finishing a paper that was due in school the next day, or studying for a big test in the morning.

Unfortunately, due to our tendency to constantly rush around and get everything done, you may tend to put off worshipping God in your daily life. Our loving Father has promised never to leave you or forsake you, so He’ll be there to help you through all the stressful twists and turns of life. But He would also love to spend a little quiet time with you each day. I’d like to suggest a few ways to do this, even if you don’t have too much quiet time to spend.

First, it’s important to really get to know God for yourself. The best way to do this is by reading and studying God’s Word. God really wants us to worship Him together, so it’s important for you to attend regular church services, if you don’t already do this.

You can always read God’s word on your own as well. There are lots of Bible apps you can download on your mobile device, and the Bible is available for free on many websites. (Our favorite is www.biblegateway.com.)

It’s also a great idea to start each day with scripture. For several months, I used a devotional app on my phone which sent me a Bible verse each morning. I’m currently following a few Twitter accounts which will regularly send out quotations from the Bible. I’m sure there are lots of email lists and Facebook accounts out there which do the same thing. Christian music is filled with references to scripture, so consider listening to your local Christian station or an Internet station. These are all great ways to insert reminders of God’s love and His promises into your daily life.

Once you’ve begun to learn about God’s Word, it’s time to start talking to Him. If you haven’t dedicated your life to Him, find a couple minutes and humbly ask Him to enter your heart and take control. Then you can pray to God anytime and place all of your worries and stressful thoughts at His feet. Whenever I pray during a tough situation, I have always felt a sudden peace within my heart, and soon I feel encouraged to keep going. Life may be difficult or stormy for you right now, but God has promised He will help you endure the tough times.

Finally, it’s very important to take the time to pray for others. Consider joining a regular prayer meeting. If that isn’t an option for you. try to set aside a few minutes for prayer. You could pray for yourself, your family, friends and relatives, or our country. There are always plenty of people in need of prayer, and God really wants each of us to pray on their behalf.

Even in the thick of our lives in this world, God is begging us to spend some time in worship with Him. Whether we’re studying His word, talking with Him or praying for others, we can give some attention to our Father, who sent His son to die for us. I know how stressful and difficult life may seem, but our loving God doesn’t deserve to be put aside until the last minute. Take the time to commune with God today!

Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 377 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 260, Placentia, CA 92870. Finally, check out our online store at www.amway.com/burdicksbargains. In order to support us, please register for free on our store website before purchasing anything. Thank you!

If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 641-715-3900, ext. 874157.