Verse:
“But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.”
Thought:
It is something share, yet personal, sacred but open, honest and
fresh, it is what we do as we honor God for what He has done in our life and
what we hope, what we have faith He will do in the days to come. Our eyes
venture upward, maybe they close. Our heart beats a little differently.
We begin to listen in a different way, from a place we often times forget about.
This is worship. This is the time when we share who we are with God.
Our singing may not be on the level of a musical artist, but what God hears
makes angels weep with love. Our prayers may not be something for the
literary giants of this world to marvel at, but the message touches God's heart.
If is such a powerful moment, such a meaningful opportunity, why then is it
difficult to find the time or the place to take part in this? Why is it
churches struggle to find their place in worship, why is it that people struggle
to find a place to lift up their honor to God?
Hear the Good News, as is all around us, leading and surrounding
our life, we are called to respond to God with honesty, with integrity and
love. Each day, Jesus set a part of the day aside to be with God.
What He said could and probably does fire debates. One thing is for
certain, Jesus spoke. Another thing, Jesus listened. There was a
sharing that took place. More than that, it was a sharing where the
focus was solely on God. Sure there were the distractions of the world,
the issues and the immediate problems of Jesus' time, but when He went to be
with God, He Was With God. He did this daily. Maybe it is the
churches fault for only asking us to be in church or worship once a week,
maybe what we need something more regular than that. What if y decided
you were going to spend time each day, devoted time, each day to connecting
with God, thanking Him, honoring Him, sharing your gifts, as meager as they
are, with Him. My singing, though it might make dogs cry, might just
bring a tear to God, not because it is the best, but because it is from me.
Wow..
Prayer:
Gracious God, Forgive me for the way I have treated and regarded our time together, taking it for granted and cheapening it by just going through the motions. Help me to come back to that place where I met you for the first time, stripped of the things which hold me and freed for a living encounter with Christ. Let me get back to You. I thank You for all You have done in my life and all You will continue to do, for I come to You through Jesus Christ, my Lord, my Savior! Amen.
Grace & Peace
David Banks
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