Morning Devotional

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. —Mark 6:45-46  

As I spent many hours alone, phone turned off , no tv a few weeks ago it gave me time to simply sit in the quietness of God. Reflect upon the good, the blessings and His presence. Like Jesus who would pull away from everything going on to focus exclusively on His relationship with the Father. My surgeries forced  me this opportunity.  I believe if He had a smartphone it would have been turned off, put on Do Not Disturb. His choice to pull away to spend time with the Father refreshed and energized Him to love and serve others with His whole life. Jesus did this because He knew the power of relationships, especially that of God the Father. How frequently do you do the same? Where do you need God’s refreshment in your heart, head, hands, and habits? Unlike Jesus, I was forced to stop and I am blessed because of it. We need to stop, turn everything off and be refreshed or energized. It is worth the time.

Father God, Thank you for getting through these past few weeks. Thank you for sitting with me and helping me see better where I need to give You full access to my life and leadership. Remind me in the years to come to put the world on Do Not Disturb and spend time with You. I ask you to send Your Spirit to refresh and re energize me to love, lead, live, and serve like Jesus, in whose name I pray, Father, I pray for those I am called to teach that they too take quality time to talk and listen, to read and discern Your Word. Father I, we live in a hectic world that tells us faster, and yet in Your wisdom you say stop. May each of us listen as we turn to you through Your Son. Amen.