by David Brenneman
"In 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. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He 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.” Mark 1:35-38.
'Jesus was up at the sacred work of prayer. The more work we have to do with people for God, the longer we ought to be at work with God for them. If we plead with people, we cannot hope to prevail unless we first plead with God. And inasmuch as our Lord had great success the day before, it teaches us that greatest success does not release us from the necessity of still waiting on God in prayer.' - Alistair Begg.
"We thank Thee each morning for a new born day
Where we may work the fields of new mown hay
We thank Thee for the sunshine and the air that we breathe
Oh Lord, we thank Thee
Thank Thee for the rivers that run all day
Thank Thee for the little birds that sing along the way
Thank Thee for the trees and the deep blue sea
Oh Lord, we thank Thee
Oh yes, we thank Thee, Lord, for every flower that blooms
Birds that sing, fish that swim and the light of the moon
We thank Thee every day as we kneel and pray
That we were born with eyes to see these things
Thank Thee for the fields where the clover is grown
Thank Thee for the pastures where cattle may roam
Thank Thee for Thy love so pure and free
Oh Lord, we thank Thee
Oh yes, we thank Thee, Lord, for every flower that blooms
Birds that sing, fish that swim and the light of the moon
We thank Thee every day as we kneel and pray
That we were born with eyes to see these things"
- Jim Reeves "We Thank Thee".
I've quoted this before and it bears repeating "God does nothing but by the prayers of His people". Probably attributed to John Wesley.
"How long has it been since you talked with the Lord
And told him your heart's hidden secrets
How long since you prayed how long since you stayed
On your knees till the light shone through
How long has it been since your mind felt at ease
How long since your heart knew no burden
Can you call him your friend how long has it been since you knew that he cared for you
How long has it been since you knelt by your bed and prayed to the Lord up in heaven
How long since you knew that he'd answer you
And would keep you the long night through
How long has it been since you woke with the dawn and felt that the day's worth the living
Can you call him your friend how long has it been since you knew that he cared for you?"
-Jim Reeves "How Long Has it Been?"
It's not at all that I was grasping for material to write this morning. These songs and Jesus's example are why I get up so early in the mornings. To meet with Jesus and write what He would have me say. Persistence in my evenings in reading can oftentimes lead to less sleep from that end of my day as well. But it's worth it.
If Jesus is really truly important to you then you really truly shouldn't have any problems with meeting with Him.
Can be over coffee, tea, etc. Can be in a quiet place in your home or in a Cafe. The solitude of your car. Maybe your backyard. Pick any place and I guarantee Jesus will show up.
For many they waver between it being optional or not. Is breathing optional for you? Is feeding your body optional for your existence? These are probably pretty important in living life beyond at least 6 minutes for breathing. The human body can go farther without food.
But to grow in Christ requires the conversations that ought to be there between ourselves and our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
It is highly probable that as Jesus said many will barely have anything to offer back to Jesus when their lives are reviewed before Him concerning what they did for Him.
Are you going to be one of those?
How thankful are you really for the roof over your head, the bed you get to sleep on, the food on your table?
How grateful are you for what He gives you to be doing each day?
Here's where the denial of guilt comes in...is He your friend or in truthful reality have you been considering Jesus more as an acquaintance instead? You've never truly invested in your relationship with Jesus. You came to Christ for salvation yet aren't lifting a finger at the transformation that He's wanting to do in your life. Those things that He has been prompting you to give up or leave behind you keep giving excuses to keep ahold of.
King David was known as a man after God's own heart.
Abraham was known as a friend of God.
Someone once said that if something is important enough you make the time for it.
Are you good at managing your time? Are giving Jesus as much of your heart as you think you are? Reading Jesus's response to a few people...Are you loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit?
This relationship you claim is real between you and Jesus...are you really investing in it?
Are the excuses there as to why you maybe haven't been?
If your relationship is to go anywhere you have to invest in it.
Do you literally mindlessly repeat the same thing every time you pray? Is your heart involved in what you pray and why you pray? We looked the other day at praying expectantly. Is there any expectation in your heart that Jesus is literally giving you His undivided attention? He is the omnipotent Savior who can give everyone His undivided attention at all times.
A very powerful reminder of the true depths we must consider is found in this song by Phillips, Craig and Dean "How Deep the Father’s Love"
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
How much stock are you putting into your relationship with Jesus?
What you put into it is what becomes of it.
Your prayers won't have much motion to them without applying your faith to your words and actions.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.
Do you? Do you really? Trust Him that is.
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Are you really or has this been extremely optional for you?
You asked Jesus to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life...but are you really investing in that decision to follow Jesus?
Are you really putting your wants before His wants for you?
Praying with the right heart attitude is a must as well. Some only think they tried but gave up because they didn't get what they wanted.
We don't pray to get everything we want. We pray first to give back some of what He first gave us. We pray for to show our gratitude for all He's done for us.
Truth is on the table.
My Dear Reader if Jesus really gave you everything you have ever asked of Him...you would be eventually upset that He did!
It's to be His will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
ACTS
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication
It's about our relationship with Jesus growing as we go through the day-to-day life.
It's not to be treating prayer like calling Customer Service to rant over your problems then hanging up.
Take a good look at your prayer life and your attitude towards it. It's never going to be in motion if you aren't treating it with the respect the privilege of doing so is due to it.
Jesus's resurrection opened the door between God and man for this wonderful opportunity to be able to talk to our living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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