Mark 1:29-39
I don’t believe we have even begun to understand the wonderful power there is in being still. We are in such a hurry, always doing, that we are in danger of not allowing God the opportunity to work. You may be sure that God will never say to us, “Stand still,” “Sit still,” or “Be still,” unless He is going to do something. This is our problem regarding the Christian life: we want to do something to be Christians, instead of allowing Him to work in us.
Think of how still you stand when your picture is being taken, as the photographer captures your likeness on film. God has one eternal purpose for us: that we should be “conformed to the likeness of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). But in order for that to happen, we must stand still. We hear so much today about being active, but maybe we need to learn what it means to be quiet, especially when our lives are so busy, just as Jesus’ life was busy when he was here on earth.
Listen to today’s message from Mark 1:29-39:
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.
He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.
And the whole city was gathered around the door.
And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.
And Simon and his companions hunted for him.
When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Jesus wanted to set an example for having time alone with the heavenly Father first thing in the morning. Even though Jesus kept a busy schedule He always put communion with His heavenly Father first as the #1 priority in everything in His day. The first reason why this is so important to us is explained in Colossians 3:1-3 : “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is…set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth…” When we put God first in the morning He then programs our thinking towards thing above rather than the cares of this earth. We don’t worry as much about the day-to-day stresses of living that, in the end, won’t matter much.
Henry Ward Beecher once said, “The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.” Make a note of how you spend the first hour of your day and see if it doesn’t guide the remainder of the day. If you are rushed, traffic will annoy you, your work will seem like it is on a deadline. But spend that first hour in some quiet time, perhaps with a cup of coffee or tea, gazing out a window, add some prayer and praise to our Lord and Savior, and see if that peace that passes all understanding doesn’t follow you out the door into the busy-ness of your day.
The second reason for beginning our day in this way is written in the beautiful words of Isaiah: “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Listen to me in silence…” (Isaiah 40:31-41:1b)
Now, you may have to get up earlier than you normally do, and you may be thinking, I’d rather sleep. But note that in the scripture I read to you, Jesus himself got up while it was still dark, before daybreak, because He wanted to avoid the distractions that would come from people, events and his duties. Unless we are willing to make sacrifices in getting to bed early and rising early, we will not show evidence of a lifestyle that is fully yielded to the Lord. Give God the rights to your schedule and He will help you maximize your contributions in all areas of your relationships, activities and ministries.
Note also that Jesus did not mind the criticism that He got from people who did not understand what He was doing in the quietness of the morning. The disciples said, "Everyone is looking for you." Jesus didn’t give into the sense of urgency that others wanted to project on to Him. He focused on the Father and accomplishing God’s will. When we are focused on the Father and His will, then we will not fear what people think of us.
Jesus gained reassurance, acceptance and sense of belonging from the Father through morning devotions. When we devote ourselves to the Lord and His word every morning He really does restore our souls. He helps us to walk in the paths of righteousness through the sweet whispers of His Spirit in our ears when we devote ourselves to Him.
The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 4:8 to “train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Ask the Lord to give you the ability to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.
I would like to give you some quiet time right now. After all, church should be a perfect place where we can meet Jesus and be with him and experience his love. So I’d like to lead you in a meditation of quiet. Please close your eyes and breathe deeply. Breathe into your belly, make it expand. Bring God’s life-giving air into your body. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
Share with God what you are thankful for this morning, tell Him how much and why you love Him….
Empty your mind once again by breathing deeply into your belly…Breathe…Breathe…
As you sit in silence, ask God to show you where you have sinned this week and ask for forgiveness for those sins…
Breathe…Breathe….Breathe…
Pray for others, whoever comes to your mind through the Holy Spirit living within you…
Breathe…Breathe…Breathe…
Now open your eyes and read the following scripture verse: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Repeat that verse in your mind, ask God to reveal what he wishes to teach you today and through the Word He has chosen for you, which is written on that paper…
Breathe…breathe…breathe…
Close your prayer with the words of a song or whatever comes to mind. Open your eyes whenever you are finished…
“The only way to find the source of direction, inspiration and courage to do what is essential is from close communion times with the Lord. One of my favorite devotional authors is Henri Nouwen, who says “the solitude that really counts is the solitude of the heart; it is an inner quality or attitude that does not depend on physical isolation. While isolation is necessary to develop the solitude of heart, it would be sad if we considered this essential aspect of the spiritual life only as a privilege of monks and hermits.
He wrote, “It seems more important than ever to stress that solitude is one of the human capacities that can exist, be maintained and developed in the center of a big city, in the middle of a large crowd and in the context of a very active and productive life. A man or woman who has developed this solitude of heart is no longer pulled apart by the most divergent stimuli of the surrounding world but is able to perceive and understand this world from a quiet inner center.” (Henri Nouwen, Reaching Out (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1975), 25.)
When we recall all of the resources we have in our inventory we can go forward in the day with great power, confidence and a willingness to serve others. LET’S NOT MAJOR IN THE MINOR THINGS OF LIFE.
The man whispered, "God, speak to me" And a meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.
So the man yelled "God, speak to me"
And the thunder & lightning rolled across the sky.
But the man did not listen.The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you."
And a star shined brightly. But the man did not see.And, the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle"
And a life was born. But the man did not notice.So, the man cried out in despair,
"Touch me, God, and let me know you are here"Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted. .even in our electronic age . . . so I would like to add one more: The man cried "God, I need your help" . . . and an e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement.
But the man deleted it and continued crying..... The good news is that you are loved. Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.
Expect the unexpected....
