Verse of the Day 2/13
23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
Last week we considered Isaiah 30:15 which stated that "in returning and rest you shall be saved." We need to take time to step back, find that quiet time with God to help keep us grounded, constant remnders of whose we are and how we are to live our lives.
We think that we live in a fast paced society (and we do), yet we would be hard pressed to compare our ives and the demands that were put upon Jesus. No matter where He went He was always being pressed, sought out and faced confrontations. If Jesus felt the need to withdraw and pray we should to.
One of my favorite Christian authors and pastors from the 20th century was A.W. Tozer, in regards to this he writes, "The thoughtful soul to solitude retires," said the poet of other and quieter times; but where is the solitude to which we can retire today? Science, which has provided men with certain material comforts, has robbed them of their souls by surrounding them with a world hostile to their existence. "Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still" is a wise and healing counsel, but how can it be followed in this day of the newspaper, the telephone, the radio and the television? These modern playthings, like pet tiger cubs, have grown so large and dangerous that they threaten to devour us all. What was intended to be a blessing has become a positive curse. No spot is now safe from the world's intrusion. Of God and Men, 125.
Tozer wrote of this about 75 years ago when he did not have social media, the internet, cell phones and Apple play in our cars to deal with. The verse should serve as a reminder for us to take time to put down our phones, turn off the radio or Pandora, and pray. In the passage Jesus had just fed the 5000 and had plenty of things coming up, starting with walking on the water. Prayer, communion with the Father was something that He saw as vital as evidenced by today's verse. May it be so with us.
I'll finish with the words to "Take Time to Be Holy", the focus being the "speaking" with the Lord, spending time alone with Him as He did with the Father. In taking time, we will be better prepared to face the day.
1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
Blessings,
Mike
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
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