— DAY 3 —
Wednesday 31 January, 2024
JESUS SPENT TIME WITH GOD
Luke 5:16 (NIV)
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Matthew 14:23 (NIV)
…he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was alone.
Mark 1:35 (MSG)
While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed.
COMMENT
I have a really busy job. I’m wrecked when I get home. I’m just flat out, don’t know where I’d find the time. I really can’t be bothered. I’ll do it tomorrow. Perhaps you can relate to one or more of these reasons for not spending intimate time with God, or maybe you have other reasons. Some things that keep us from spending time with God may be perfectly legitimate, others maybe not so much.
Let’s look to Jesus, the one who lived the perfect life, for some help. We know from scripture that nothing stopped Jesus from being with his father! He wasn’t too absorbed with his ministry, healing people or discipling his disciples. Jesus understood that he was too busy not to spend time praying. He didn’t let other things rob him of this time, he was very purposeful about spending time with his Dad. It was regular and predictable. He didn’t wait until there was a crisis, it was a part of his lifestyle, part of his routine, part of the rhythm of his life. This intentionality empowered him to face everything that he had to face.
We don’t spend time with God out of obligation but out of a desire for relationship. You need to know today that the creator of the universe has a burning desire to have deep connection and relationship with you and he has gone to great lengths to make it possible! How amazing is that?
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How often do you withdraw to lonely places to spend time with God?
What would you need to change to spend more alone time with God?
Why do you think alone time with God is important for you?
PERSONAL CHALLENGE
Today, spend 15-30min alone with God…no noise, no distractions, just you and Him in a quiet place.
MAIN QUESTION (SELF REFLECTION)
What is God speaking to you about through this passage?
Encourage others by sharing your revelation in the group chat!
This is a self-reflection about what God is speaking directly to you about in YOUR life.
Words like “I” and “Me” are encouraged, “we” and “us” less so.
(On the Messages tab in Church Center)
PERSONAL PRAYER STARTER
Lord, I desire your presence above all else. Speak to me about my schedule and what I may need to change to get more time with you.
14 DAYS OF PRAYER (Corporate Prayer)
We are praying for PRIMARY AGED CHILDREN.
Possible prayer areas: That they encounter God and develop a strong foundation in His word.