Fixed Seasons
Having fixed seasons of devotion throughout the day helps to mould our character to God's pattern and loses the sting of little frailties and worries.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of trusting in God at all times, encouraging people to pour out their hearts before Him as He is a refuge for us. She emphasizes the significance of seeking God's presence and smile to make every burden light, turning to Him in moments of tedious toil and anxious care. Tileston also highlights the value of having fixed seasons for lifting up the heart to God, incorporating momentary acts of prayer throughout daily activities to align one's character with God's pattern and diminish self-focus.
Text
Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
PSALMS 62:8
FROM tedious toil, from anxious care,
Dear Lord, I turn again to Thee;
Thy presence and Thy smile to share
Makes every burden light to me.
RAY PALMER
IT is a good thing to have fixed seasons for lifting up the heart to God, not merely the appointed hours of prayer, but a momentary act before and after meals, beginning any occupation, entering into society, leaving the house, etc. Especially it is a help to make such brief acts after having said or done anything either wrong or foolish, after any trifling vexation or disappointment, when the spirit feels, it may be, wounded and desolate, or when one's vanity is annoyed at having been guilty of some little folly or unseemliness. Sometimes we are more really troubled and sore at trifles of this sort than at far weightier things. But if all such things were met with a momentary uplifting of the heart to God, all these little frailties and worries would tend to mould the character more and more to God's pattern, and they would assuredly lose their sting; for he who thinks much of God will daily think less of himself.
H. L. SIDNEY LEAR
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Trusting in God
- The Value of Fixed Seasons
- Overcoming Little Frustrations
- Meeting troubles with a momentary uplifting of the heart to God
- Losing the sting of little frailties and worries
Key Quotes
“Thy presence and Thy smile to share Makes every burden light to me.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“He who thinks much of God will daily think less of himself.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“It is a good thing to have fixed seasons for lifting up the heart to God” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Incorporate brief acts of devotion into your daily routine to mould your character to God's pattern.
- Meet troubles with a momentary uplifting of the heart to God to lose the sting of little frailties and worries.
- Think much of God daily to think less of yourself.