November 17, 2015
The secret to life is the secret time spent in solitude. And not just solitude for the sake of solitude, but for the purpose of prayer and communion with our Creator Father. If it was important enough for Jesus, it ought to be for us as well.
"In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there." (Mark 1:35)
It’s not as though Jesus had enjoyed a relaxing day, with sufficient cat naps to be rested and ready to arise early. Mark 1 provides the profile of a busy man, even working late into the night: “When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.” (Mark 1.32-34)
After a very busy day, the immediate outcome of Jesus’ time of solitude with His Father was a redirecting of His activity: “He said to them, ‘Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.’ ”(Mark 1.38) It appears that prayer helped Jesus remain focused on His work with the gospel of the kingdom to the towns and villages of Israel.
An often stated excuse for not praying is busyness. Lest that be our excuse, Mark 1 gives us the poignant example of a Man too busy NOT to pray. As well as providing Him with nourishing and refreshing in His Father’s presence, it gave clarity and direction to His life work. Could there be any greater or better incentive for us to spend time in prayer as well?
The secret to lives of effectiveness, as our Father intends and desires of us, are the secret times spent with HIm. Following the pattern of Jesus, we will be blessed and fruitful through our secret times. May we get away today for some much needed secret time with our Father, and with Jesus our Lord.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
"In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there." (Mark 1:35)
It’s not as though Jesus had enjoyed a relaxing day, with sufficient cat naps to be rested and ready to arise early. Mark 1 provides the profile of a busy man, even working late into the night: “When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.” (Mark 1.32-34)
After a very busy day, the immediate outcome of Jesus’ time of solitude with His Father was a redirecting of His activity: “He said to them, ‘Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.’ ”(Mark 1.38) It appears that prayer helped Jesus remain focused on His work with the gospel of the kingdom to the towns and villages of Israel.
An often stated excuse for not praying is busyness. Lest that be our excuse, Mark 1 gives us the poignant example of a Man too busy NOT to pray. As well as providing Him with nourishing and refreshing in His Father’s presence, it gave clarity and direction to His life work. Could there be any greater or better incentive for us to spend time in prayer as well?
The secret to lives of effectiveness, as our Father intends and desires of us, are the secret times spent with HIm. Following the pattern of Jesus, we will be blessed and fruitful through our secret times. May we get away today for some much needed secret time with our Father, and with Jesus our Lord.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 7:50 AM
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