The devotion comes from
Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
some of the surrounding text
29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
some of the surrounding text
29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
My Thoughts
Jesus had just finished an exhausting time of work. He's been out being tempted, calling in his disciples, healing lots of people, and controlling demons. After a time of rest, he got up early (while it was still dark) and went out and prayed.
Of course I read that and I think oh... yeah, I didn't pray this morning yet. So let me spend a moment here. You know, it's SO very easy to forget to talk to God. it's so easy to just open up his word and read it and gain insight, but the best insight is ALWAYS gained after talking with God first (at least I find that for my own devotional time). It's just so easy to think.. okay, let's get on with this, and then if I do remember to take a moment to pray what do I do? I start hearing the insects, the birds, and I start thinking of everything I need to get done. It's ridiculous sometimes. What is it about prayer that heightens my ability to be distracted?
I learned LONG ago that closing my eyes makes that distraction worse, covering them with a hand is better.
But what is it that makes me more distracted? I've never quite figured it out.
I have learned though over the years, that the best time for me to spend quiet time with God is first thing in the morning. Just like here with Jesus getting up early to spend time with his Dad. He got up early, while it was still dark, to simply pray. He was gone long enough that his disciples were concerned about him and went looking for him. He didn't explain to them what he was doing but simply gave them instructions and off they went.
This tells me that he didn't wake anyone up to tell them what he was doing, he simply got up quietly and left to pray. He was talking to God in privacy. He didn't make the details of his prayer public he just did it.
Tells me what I need to do to eh?
1. continue my habit of devotions in the morning, but more importantly .. to simply TALK with God. I need to make that my first priority when I spend time with him.
2. doing it alone is not a bad thing. :)
3. I don't need to tell anyone else that I prayed for them, or even what I prayed about. It's a thing between me and God. Though sometimes telling people that you prayed for them is a good t
Of course I read that and I think oh... yeah, I didn't pray this morning yet. So let me spend a moment here. You know, it's SO very easy to forget to talk to God. it's so easy to just open up his word and read it and gain insight, but the best insight is ALWAYS gained after talking with God first (at least I find that for my own devotional time). It's just so easy to think.. okay, let's get on with this, and then if I do remember to take a moment to pray what do I do? I start hearing the insects, the birds, and I start thinking of everything I need to get done. It's ridiculous sometimes. What is it about prayer that heightens my ability to be distracted?
I learned LONG ago that closing my eyes makes that distraction worse, covering them with a hand is better.
But what is it that makes me more distracted? I've never quite figured it out.
I have learned though over the years, that the best time for me to spend quiet time with God is first thing in the morning. Just like here with Jesus getting up early to spend time with his Dad. He got up early, while it was still dark, to simply pray. He was gone long enough that his disciples were concerned about him and went looking for him. He didn't explain to them what he was doing but simply gave them instructions and off they went.
This tells me that he didn't wake anyone up to tell them what he was doing, he simply got up quietly and left to pray. He was talking to God in privacy. He didn't make the details of his prayer public he just did it.
Tells me what I need to do to eh?
1. continue my habit of devotions in the morning, but more importantly .. to simply TALK with God. I need to make that my first priority when I spend time with him.
2. doing it alone is not a bad thing. :)
3. I don't need to tell anyone else that I prayed for them, or even what I prayed about. It's a thing between me and God. Though sometimes telling people that you prayed for them is a good t
In the Email
Jesus had been up late the night before, concluding a long, intense day of ministry. People were clamoring for His attention; desperate needs pressed in on Him endlessly, as word spread of His supernatural power over demons and disease.
Yet at the break of day, our Savior was found in a quiet place, away from the crowds, seeking and enjoying fellowship with His heavenly Father. This was not something He “had” to do—it was His supreme delight.
By comparison, many believers I’ve known approach their “quiet time” with a sense of obligation; they dutifully go through the routine but have little sense of actually meeting with God. Others struggle with consistency; they’ve failed so many times, they’re tempted to give up—or already have. Still others have no personal devotional life at all, and have no idea what they are missing.
And then there are those few whose lives evidence the sweet, rich fruit of meeting with God on a consistent basis. The fragrance of their lives makes me long to know Him in a deeper way.
You see, more than a duty of the Christian life, a daily devotional habit is an incredible opportunity to know the God of the universe.
Amazingly, He has issued to you and me an invitation to draw near to Him, to walk humbly and confidently into the Holy of Holies, to enter into a growing love relationship with Him.
Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37). This is for thirsty souls. It is an invitation to come to Him. So come and drink deeply. Let Him quench your thirst, day after day. And then watch as rivers of living water flow out through you to quench the thirst of those around you.
Do you think of a daily devotional life as a duty or a delight? Ask God to make you thirsty—to increase your desire to enjoy daily communion with the Lover of your soul.
Yet at the break of day, our Savior was found in a quiet place, away from the crowds, seeking and enjoying fellowship with His heavenly Father. This was not something He “had” to do—it was His supreme delight.
By comparison, many believers I’ve known approach their “quiet time” with a sense of obligation; they dutifully go through the routine but have little sense of actually meeting with God. Others struggle with consistency; they’ve failed so many times, they’re tempted to give up—or already have. Still others have no personal devotional life at all, and have no idea what they are missing.
And then there are those few whose lives evidence the sweet, rich fruit of meeting with God on a consistent basis. The fragrance of their lives makes me long to know Him in a deeper way.
You see, more than a duty of the Christian life, a daily devotional habit is an incredible opportunity to know the God of the universe.
Amazingly, He has issued to you and me an invitation to draw near to Him, to walk humbly and confidently into the Holy of Holies, to enter into a growing love relationship with Him.
Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37). This is for thirsty souls. It is an invitation to come to Him. So come and drink deeply. Let Him quench your thirst, day after day. And then watch as rivers of living water flow out through you to quench the thirst of those around you.
Do you think of a daily devotional life as a duty or a delight? Ask God to make you thirsty—to increase your desire to enjoy daily communion with the Lover of your soul.
So, what are your thoughts?
I'd be delighted to hear. :)
I'd be delighted to hear. :)
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