Category Archives: Character of God

Church / Body of Christ, Courage / Fear, His Ways Are Not Our Ways

Bravery, Courage, Warriors and the Ability to Wage War… These Are All Good Things

Some people seem to get confused and associate all soldiers and all war with murder and act as if soldiers of war are bad. This is quite frankly not the case. The ability to wage war as a nation is very important for maintaining peace. The wicked will come on those who they perceive can not well defend themselves. This philosophy today is called peace through strength. Who wants to attack someone who has a better and stronger military than they do? Nobody with their wits about them.

In 1 Chronicles 12 we see David’s brave and powerful soldiers called out for their abilities to fight. They are portrayed rightly in glory and honor for their gifts. It is not the army or the ability to wage war that is bad, but only if some wage war for the wrong purposes. In that regard waging war is much like having a knife. If you use it as a cutting tool or, if necessary to defend yourself, then it is a valuable tool. If you use it to murder someone, than you, and not the knife, have sinned.

David’s Supporters in Ziklag

      1Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still restricted because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. 2They were equipped with bows, using both the right hand and the left to sling stones and to shoot arrows from the bow; they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin. 3The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah and Jehu the Anathothite, 4and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty. Then Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, 5Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, 6Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, the Korahites, 7and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

      8From the Gadites there came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains. 9Ezer was the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, 10Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 11Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 13Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh. 14These of the sons of Gad were captains of the army; he who was least was equal to a hundred and the greatest to a thousand. 15These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks and they put to flight all those in the valleys, both to the east and to the west.

      16Then some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. 17David went out to meet them, and said to them, “If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.”

18Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was the chief of the thirty, and he said,
“We are yours, O David,
And with you, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace to you,
And peace to him who helps you;
Indeed, your God helps you!”
Then David received them and made them captains of the band.

      19From Manasseh also some defected to David when he was about to go to battle with the Philistines against Saul. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines after consultation sent him away, saying, “At the cost of our heads he may defect to his master Saul.” 20As he went to Ziklag there defected to him from Manasseh: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, captains of thousands who belonged to Manasseh. 21They helped David against the band of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army. 22For day by day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army like the army of God.

Supporters Gathered at Hebron

      23Now these are the numbers of the divisions equipped for war, who came to David at Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD. 24The sons of Judah who bore shield and spear were 6,800, equipped for war. 25Of the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor for war, 7,100. 26Of the sons of Levi 4,600. 27Now Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron, and with him were 3,700, 28also Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father’s house twenty-two captains. 29Of the sons of Benjamin, Saul’s kinsmen, 3,000; for until now the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. 30Of the sons of Ephraim 20,800, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers’ households. 31Of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000, who were designated by name to come and make David king. 32Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command. 33Of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army, who could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war and helped David with an undivided heart. 34Of Naphtali there were 1,000 captains, and with them 37,000 with shield and spear. 35Of the Danites who could draw up in battle formation, there were 28,600. 36Of Asher there were 40,000 who went out in the army to draw up in battle formation. 37From the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites and the Gadites and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 with all kinds of weapons of war for the battle.

      38All these, being men of war who could draw up in battle formation, came to Hebron with a perfect heart to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one mind to make David king. 39They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their kinsmen had prepared for them. 40Moreover those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought food on donkeys, camels, mules and on oxen, great quantities of flour cakes, fig cakes and bunches of raisins, wine, oil, oxen and sheep. There was joy indeed in Israel.

Today also “manliness” is under attack in many ways. There are many who want to push men and women to be more and more alike, instead of celebrating their differences.  Many want to discourage men from being the type of rough, tough, and brave men described in 1 Chronicles 12. Instead they want to encourage much more tame versions of men, that are more concerned with offending someone  who is very easy to offend than with embracing what God made them to be. There will always be someone who is offended, especially when we live for Yahweh. We must use discernment in how we let that affect our choices and attitudes. Yeshua offended many, and so did His disciples and the prophets. Offending someone can not be our measuring stick for godliness.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please open people’s eyes to Your word and Your truth. Let them not be confused on what is good and bad by the incorrect teachings of men. Help Your people focus on what is in Your word and give us insight to guide us. Deliver back to us a righteous nation and lift up the righteous. Help us to appreciate those soldiers and leaders who are part of a strong military so we do not have to fight to defend our nation. Help them to have courage and to embrace righteousness. Open their eyes to Your wonderful ways. Also, please help strengthen in our culture Your vision of what men should strive to become. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Discerning / Judging, Healer, Miracles, Miracles, Purposeful / Intentional, Submitted / Servant

Focus on the Father’s Mission Even When Criticized By Others

Great multitudes were following Yeshua. He went up on a mountain with the twelve disciples, trying to escape the crowds somewhat who were pursuing Him for healing. When he returned home, the crowd was so relentless that Yeshua and His disciples could not even eat a meal. People did not understand Him attending to the crowds as much as He did, so they started imagining that He lost His senses or worse.

Likewise, if we go “all in” for the Father, many people, even those who claim to believe in and follow Christ, will not understand. They will try to guide us to do things the way they expect or may mock us. We should take care not listen to godly counsel, but not to be pulled away from the Father’s mission for us by others who do not understand what it means to be fully invested in and submitted to the LORD.

Mark 3:20-27

      20And He came home, and the crowd gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. 21When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.” 22The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.” 23And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25“If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26“If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! 27“But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

We see today as we see in scripture, that the way people are willing to stretch beyond logic to rationalize their view when they see something they do not understand is amazing. What sense would it make for Satan to use his power to cast out demons through someone? Similarly today we could ask, what sense does it make that everything in this universe sprang into existence by itself with no creator from literally nothing, a void. I don’t care how many millions of years someone imagines, if I have nothing it can not become something, let alone organize and evolve on its own. It requires a divine creator.

I invite you to pray:

Father, please lead and guide me and help me to focus on You and the mission You have chosen for me. Help me to have wise and godly counsel and courage and discernment to stand firm when others, even those claiming to follow You, try to stop me or change my full submission to You and Your work. Help open the eyes of the people to see and understand Your glory and turn from cultural norms to Your ways. Help the people fully submit to You. Amen.

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Guide, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

What an Honor to be Chosen, Let Us Answer the Call

Do not assume that all of us are called with the same authority and purpose as the twelve. However, it is an honor to be called by our LORD no matter what our mission may be.  Let us seek to joyfully and consistently answer when He calls us.

Mark 3:13-19

The Twelve Are Chosen

      13And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15and to have authority to cast out the demons. 16And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), 17and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”); 18and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.

It helps me to remember that He does call me to change my life and to follow Him. I am called to seek Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I am called to put Him first in my life. I am called to be a light to others to lead them to Him. I am not just called to continue living my life the way I was before He called me and squeeze time with Him in once a week for an hour or two. I am to be transformed over time to His image more and more.

The rest of the details may vary for each of us based on what gifts and abilities and specific mission He has called us to pursue, but we all have a common mission identified above.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for calling me and thank You for Your Spirit and Your written word that guide me. Help me to be a good and faithful servant, focused on joyfully carrying out whatever mission You choose for me. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Guide, Healer, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Miracles, Miracles, Teachable

Did Yeshua Really Heal Everyone Who Came to Him?

It is interesting to pause and reflect on Yeshua’s ministry, that it was very demanding on Him. We don’t usually think of it that way, because He is God. However, He was also man. He slept, ate, drank, got tired, rested, etc.

As Yeshua healed people, His reputation spread and people came from farther and farther around. To be clear, it appears that most of these came for selfish reasons, for personal healing or healing of friends or family. They did not come seeking to hear His teaching. The miracles brought them in and then He was able to teach them while they were with Him.

Mark 3:7-12

      7Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and also from Judea, 8and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a great number of people heard of all that He was doing and came to Him. 9And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him; 10for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him. 11Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!” 12And He earnestly warned them not to tell who He was.

This scripture also sheds light on the incorrect understanding that Yeshua came to heal everyone or healed everyone who came to Him. Some people take this to mean God wants everyone to be healed of all illness. It is not the case. Yeshua wanted to be able to get on a boat to keep distance from the crowds pressing in to touch Him and be healed. It is not that He did not have compassion, but rather that He was there to teach and guide people. He was not there to heal everyone. They were crowding so tightly they were impacting His teaching ministry.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to fully appreciate the tireless and difficult work that Yeshua did during His earthly ministry. Let me not take for granted the physical and emotional demands on Him personally. Help me in my life to seek You through Yeshua for who You are and what You teach and not just for my own personal healing or that of those around me. That said, thank you also that You invite us to come before You with our requests or personal needs and wants, including healing. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassion, Compassionate, Healer, Kindness / Gentleness, Loving / Kind, Slow to Anger, Teachable

Do Not Grieve Yeshua With the Hardness of Your Heart

Sometimes we can get very focused on certain ways of dong things. We can be sure we are right. In fact, we may be so sure we are right, that we lose track of what is most important. We may miss Yeshua working through or in someone we do not expect. We may look past miracles or the opportunity to help someone, because we are so focused on following the rules.

In fact, if the rules in question are Yahweh’s commands, we may indeed be right to want to follow them. However, we still need to take care that we don’t get so focused on someone obeying the rules that we let our hearts grow hard and miss out on something that may be even more important. Mark 3 records an example we should pay attention to. Think beyond the miracle and beyond the perspective of the man who is healed. Focus for today on Yeshua’s anger at the hardness of their hearts in focusing more on “getting” Yeshua and less on a man being healed.

Mark 3:1-6

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

      1He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. 2They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” 4And He said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me have a love of obeying Your commands, but also help me to keep focused on loving others and helping them. Let not my heart grow hard. Help me to be loving and kind.  Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Let Us Neither Seek Nor Define Greatness On Our Own

David served Yahweh and Yahweh established David as king over Israel. David became greater and greater because the LORD was with him.  We should seek a similar approach. Seek first the kingdom of Yahweh. If we are serving Him, then He is more than capable of establishing us and helping us achieve what He calls us to do. We should take caution not to try to do it all on our own, in our own power and control, though clearly action is required on our part.

1 Chronicles 11:1-9

David Made King over All Israel

      1Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2“In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.’” 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

Jerusalem, Capital City

      4Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. 5The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” Nevertheless David captured the stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David). 6Now David had said, “Whoever strikes down a Jebusite first shall be chief and commander.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. 7Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. 8He built the city all around, from the Millo even to the surrounding area; and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to focus on You first, above all things. Lead me to submit to You and Your will over my own. Help me to seek Your help in whatever I achieve and to seek to achieve whatever You call me to do. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Arrogance, Consequences of Sin, Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Fear / Reverence for God, Fortune Telling, Protector / Deliverer, Purposeful / Intentional, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

What Caused the Fall of Saul, Chosen By Yahweh as King?

Saul was once God’s chosen to lead Israel when they asked for a king. What did he do that he was brought down to defeat, by God’s will? This is worthwhile to explore as we should all seek to avoid a fate like his. Do not assume just because you are have once (or currently) have a good relationship with Yahweh that you can “coast” and stop pursuing Him. We must continuously seek to know, love, and serve our LORD to continue on the right path with Him.

1 Chronicles 10

Defeat and Death of Saul and His Sons

      1Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2The Philistines closely pursued Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3The battle became heavy against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was wounded by the archers. 4Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and abuse me.” But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it. 5When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword and died. 6Thus Saul died with his three sons, and all those of his house died together.

      7When all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them.

      8It came about the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9So they stripped him and took his head and his armor and sent messengers around the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. 10They put his armor in the house of their gods and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.

Jabesh-gilead’s Tribute to Saul

      11When all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh, and they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

      13So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the word of the LORD which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, 14and did not inquire of the LORD. Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

Yahweh defeated Saul and gave his kingdom to David because Saul did not keep the word of the LORD. Additionally he asked counsel of a medium rather than Yahweh.

We should all recognize the potential that we can drift or outright turn away from Yahweh and we should be diligent to avoid it. Do not get complacent, arrogant, or too self reliant. Always remember that Yahweh is our provider and father. Remain humble and submitted, looking always to Him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me remain humble and devoted to You. Let me not drift away from focusing on You and relying on myself. Help me to always seek to know You, love You, and serve You. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discerning / Judging, Grace / Forgiveness, His Ways Are Not Our Ways

The LORD Uses Unexpected People; You May Be One of Them

Matthew was not a popular person. No Jewish person liked the tax collector who was collecting for the Romans, and often taking more than they should so they had some profit for themselves as well. It has not changed all that much even today. When I do business with most, I get a name. When the IRS sends me something they do not give a contact name but some sort of code or ID. I presume they are shielding their people’s identity because they know most people do not like what they do even today.

Yeshua chose Matthew. He saw something in Him. Matthew immediately followed and left behind what he was doing. Do not miss both of these facts. If Yeshua can use Matthew, He can also use a lot of unexpected people, and you and I may be some of them. Answer quickly when He calls.

Mark 2:13-17

Levi (Matthew) Called

      14As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.

Do not overlook that Matthew was likely turning away from a good personal financial situation to follow Yeshua. It was not simply convenient for him to drop everything and follow Yeshua. I also conclude that Matthew had heard of Yeshua or even heard Him directly, and was aware of the miracles. It was not as if a stranger came and called Him.

I suppose we can also keep in mind when we see others coming in the name of Yeshua, some of them may have unexpected background and we may be tempted to reject some on their personal history. Take care not to do this to readily. They may be one more unexpected person responding to the call of Yeshua to share the gospel. Test them on what they teach and the fruit they bear, not solely on their past mistakes or lifestyle.

Similarly, do not exclude the possibility that He will choose to use you because of your past either. Be ready to answer the call.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have discernment to test others not by their past mistakes alone but by their fruit and what they teach and how they live.  Please help me be prepared to answer quickly when You call. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Healer, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Share the Good News, Thankfulness

Share Joyfully What the LORD Does For You

Yeshua was certainly not like so many teachers and pastors today, looking for attention all the time. He actually tried to downplay how widely those He healed would tell others, so He could enter the city publicly and teach. However, sometimes the ones whose lives He transformed were so joyful they could not seem to contain themselves.

Mark 1:40-45

    40And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. 43And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.

When is the last time you found yourself filled with joy that the LORD has helped or healed you, or even the basic promise and hope of salvation through Christ?  I find I am often caught up in the day to day and may be at risk of taking salvation for granted. I should be filled constantly with the kind of joy that the leper in Mark 1 was filled with, unable to contain myself from sharing with others.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please fill me with joy and thankfulness for Your offer of salvation and hope. Thank You for mercy and grace. Thank You for how often You help me in my life. Please forgive me for not always reacting as I should. Please help me to live joyfully and share all You do for me and have already done for me with others. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Am I on the path?, Compassionate, Demons, Healer, Help / Serve Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Loving / Kind

Yeshua Made Time With the Father a Priority

Yeshua set an example for us in so many different ways. We do well to search them out in scripture and ask the Spirit to enlighten us and guide us in understanding and applying it in our lives.

How often might we say we want to have time to pray or study the word, but then we get busy and don’t follow through, or not as much as we know we should? There is an excellent example in Mark 1, where Yeshua was having a busy evening. Many ill and demon possessed people were brought to Him as sun set, ending Shabbat. It is written that the whole city had gathered at the door.

Mark 1:32-39

  32When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34And 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.

      35In 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. 36Simon and his companions searched for Him; 37they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38He 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.” 39And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.

We do not need much imagination to realize it was a busy evening for Yeshua. In fact, even in the morning people were still looking for Him. In the midst of this busy time, and busy with very meaningful time spent healing people and casting out demons, Yeshua woke up early, while it was still dark, to go to a secluded place and pray.

He did not take the day off to rest, but rather got up to go and preach throughout Galilee. It is also interesting that He did not stay to help everyone who came to Him from the one location before leaving. He knew that He had come to preach across many towns, not just one or a few. He did not stay and heal every person. They were still looking for Him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for sending Yeshua as an example for us as well as a Savior. Thank You for the written word and Your Spirit to lead and guide us. Help me to see others through Your eyes, with compassion and patience. Help me to put Your work and Your purpose ahead of my own comfort and rest. Encourage me to make time to pray and spend time with You rather than to make excuses why I can not. There is nothing I am doing that is more important that what Yeshua did when He was here in the flesh for a short, three year ministry. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.