How can I spend time with God?
Experts say that it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Since there are 21 chapters in the book of John, it is a great book of the Bible to begin reading in.

Journaling
There is a revolutionary, but simple way of using a journal or blank sheet of paper to be a tool to merge many spiritual disciplines. The key is to be consistent with scripture and focus on quality, not quantity. God is probably more pleased by only get getting through three verses, if we discover the big idea of a truth and apply it to our lives today.

Why journal?
1. We need to hear from God daily.
2. Journaling is a tool to combine several spritual disciplines. It includes the following: Bible reading, mediation, prayer and silence.
3. We need to feed ourselves.

Here is a glimpse of what our pastor uses. Usually he balks at formulaic methods, but this gives us a great skeleton to build on. It is called the S.O.A.P. method.

S-cripture
Choose a book in the Bible like John and focus on it for a week or even a month. Focus on quality not quantity. Take time reading a chapter and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O-bservation
What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words, in your journal.

A-pplication
Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P-rayer
This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.

Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

We recommend closing your time with God in prayer by using the following acronym to help you remember how you can pray.

P.R.A.Y.E.R.
Praise
Repent
Ask for others
Yourself
Express Thanks
Reflect