Quiet Time

Have you ever needed time away from everyone? Have you needed quiet time to think? Is it sometimes a challenge to get the alone time you need? Where do you go when you need to get away from the hustle and bustle? Is there a designated place or are there multiple places?

We all need to have time alone to think at times in our lives. We may be facing a difficult decision. We may have received bad news. We may simply have had an extremely busy week filled with meetings and to-dos. Regardless, we need some down time.

There are times when we must put off getting the quiet time we need. It can be very frustrating. We may think no one understands. We may wallow in self-pity. We may even blow up and yell at a loved one. But there is someone who does understand, who went through it Himself.

Jesus had been busy. He had heard troubling news. He had planned to get away and spend some time in prayer with the Father. His plan was interrupted by a very large crowd. He healed their sick. He fed thousands of them. Though He needed to spend quiet time in prayer, He continued to serve others. Finally, He sent the disciples away in a boat and got His quiet time.

Jesus went up on a mountain to spend time in prayer, conversing with the Father. We may not have a mountain to go up, but we can find a place to spend time in prayer. It may be a room in our house. It may be a park. It may be getting up early, before anyone else to have a little quiet time. Spending quiet time in prayer is important for us, whether we acknowledge it or not. Just as Jesus spent time in prayer, we need time to do so as well. Sometimes, we need more than just five minutes. Sometimes, we need several hours, just as Jesus did.

I pray we all set aside time to spend with God. I pray we take time to go to a place of seclusion. I pray each one of us has time to get away from the busyness of life to meditate and pray. Set aside time for prayer. Step out of the busyness. Be quiet. Get to know God. Renew your mind.

Matthew 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

How Will They Hear?

Yesterday, I stated we cannot put our faith in someone we do not know. What does that mean for us? If we are attending worship services, we have heard about Jesus and put our faith in Him. How did we hear about Him? Did we grow up in the church? Did we hear about Him later in life?

Do we wonder why church membership is diminishing? The answer is simple, yet hard for us to hear—we have stopped executing the mission Jesus gave us. We are no longer telling others about Him. We have stopped spreading the good news.

Some of you may think this is bold and brazen statement, and you may think it is false. However, simply do some research to see what people say when asked about who Jesus is. Even more depressing is to see what they say when asked who Moses, Abraham, Esther, Ruth, Joseph, Jacob, Paul, Peter, or any other Bible character. Even if the question is prefaced by stating they are a Bible character, the answers would be laughable if it wasn’t so sad.

The church grew because it was missional, it was telling others about a Savior. Despite popular belief, telling others about Jesus does not mean we are to stand on a street corner on step stool with a Bible in our hand. It doesn’t require us to go around the neighborhood knocking on doors and handing out tracts. It doesn’t even require us to fight for Christian rights within our government.

The most effective way to spread the Word is through normal conversation with our family, friends, and co-workers. Isn’t that also the best way to increase a business? Word of mouth is always more effective than flashy advertising. That is not to say advertising cannot be effective, but to say people are more likely to check out something a friend recommends. Our mission is far from over. We must go about our day bragging on Jesus the way we brag about a new restaurant if we are going to be effective in bringing people to faith. When the majority of our society has come to faith, we will see a change in our world.

I pray we all spread the good news to people we know. I pray we tell others about Jesus in our normal conversations. I pray each one of us will be in mission, bringing people to faith. Be in mission. Tell others about Jesus. Spread the good news. Bring people to faith. Our world needs Him now as much at it ever has.

Romans 10:14-15 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

It Is Simple

Are you confused by the complexity of requirements in various aspects of life? Do you quickly become frustrated by all the hoops you must jump through to abide by the rules? Do you wish things were simpler? What would you say if there was something very simple in life?

We live in a complex world. There are processes, requirements, and systems with what seems to be a million steps we must follow. Job applications can be several pages long. Tax returns ask more questions than a five-year old. And getting a home loan requires a reem of paper.

Living in a complex world can wear us down. Our jobs have become more demanding and more complex. We become mentally fatigued. We may even come to the point of just throwing our hands in the air and wanting to give up. It seems few things in life are simple. But there are simple things in life if we will take time to identify them and enjoy them.

One simple thing we can enjoy is being saved by Jesus Christ. Despite passed down heritage and man-made rules, it really is quite simple. The Apostle Paul puts it in its simplest terms when he writes to the church in Rome. We merely need to believe and confess our faith. The requirements some like to put on us are asked so they are convinced that we believe. They will not change what is in our heart.

Our faith in Jesus justifies us before God. That is our part, faith. God does all the rest. He forgives. He sheds his grace on us. He shows mercy to us. When we confess our faith, we are saved, not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done. Quite simply, we cannot earn it, nor can we change God’s requirements. All we can do it is put our faith in Jesus. Of course, we cannot put our faith in someone we do not know. We will cover that tomorrow.

I pray we all accept the simple requirement of God. I pray we put our faith in Jesus Christ. I pray each one of us take a moment to step out of the complexity of the world and into the simpleness of God. Put your faith in Jesus. Confess your faith. Be justified. Be saved.

Romans 10:10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.

One Step At A Time

Do you wonder how things will turn out? Are you thinking there must be something greater than what you see going on? Are you wondering where you will be years down the road? Are you hoping for a brighter future? Is today a day of slugging through the trough?

There are days we wonder if we will make it through. Some are simply long days at work when it seems as though time is standing still. Others are days of trials and testing that drive us to our limit. Days like that are challenging and cause us to wonder where the good is.

I’m sure Joseph had some of those same thoughts. He had been sold into to slavery. He rose to be the servant in charge of an important household. He was falsely accused and thrown into prison. He provided a magnificent revelation for a couple of his fellow prisoners only to be forgotten. He was finally released and put in charge of a nation-saving plan. Finally, he realized he was put right where God wanted him to save his family.

I’m betting many of you did not realize Joseph’s story was summarized in Psalm 105. Don’t worry, most of us miss it unless we are looking for it. His story is mixed in with the story of Israel. But Joseph did not know God’s master plan when he was going through it. He did not know how it would all end. Yet, he continued to believe God was in control.

We, too, can believe that God is in control. When things are going badly, reflect on the story of Joseph. When we feel like we can take it no more, we should remember Joseph’s trials and testing. When we just want to give up, we need to remember that God is in control and has a better plan for us, just as he did for Joseph.

I pray we all trust that God is in control. I pray we reflect on Joseph’s story when times are tough. I pray each one of us will hold on to our faith and lean on Jesus during our trials. Remember Joseph. Remember his faith. Remember that God is in control. Trust God has a plan for you. Lean on Jesus to help you through trials.

Psalm 105:16-17

When he summoned famine against the land,

and broke every staff of bread, 

he had sent a man ahead of them, 

Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

Be A Reuben

Have you ever gotten carried away? Have you started thinking negatively and allowed those negative thoughts to gain momentum and get out of control? Have you been caught up in a mob mentality by a group of people? Was there someone who talked you down?

We have all seen it, even if from a distance. We may have gotten caught up in it. Someone suggests doing something, another agrees and goes a step further, and the next thing we know it has gotten out of control. People have gotten worked up and ready to act with a fury.

Once a mob mentality begins, it is hard telling where it will end. Sometimes, the best we can hope for is someone will have a little sense and pull the reins to keep the group from doing something egregious. Each group needs someone with a little restraint and some common sense to pour a little water on the flames.

Reuben was the eldest and the one who squelched the flames of his brothers. They were so upset with Joseph they were plotting to kill him. Reuben talked them back from the ledge. He convinced them to merely throw Joseph into a pit. His intent was to rescue Joseph and return him to his father, Jacob. His brothers followed his advice, but not his full intent. Joseph ends up being sold into slavery.

Perhaps the question for us is, are we the voice of reason? Are we Reuben’s when we see or hear things getting out of hand? Being the one who speaks up is not easy to do. Being the one who can convince others to back down is difficult. In fact, it is not typically the random person who can do so. It requires someone who has the respect of others. It takes someone with gumption. It is easier to be that someone when we fully trust in and lean on God to guide us.

I pray we all become someone people respect. I pray we seek to trust and lean on God. I pray each one of us will be the voice of reason when things start to get out of control. Be a Reuben. Be the voice of reason. Be someone others respect. Trust God in all situations. Lean on God to guide you.

Genesis 37:18, 21 They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him… But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.”

Snitch

Do you like tattle tells? Have you been a tattle tell? Do you like snitches? Have you been a snitch? Are there some things people do or intentions we hear that we should speak up about? Are there others we should simply stay quiet about? Do all things concern us?

As children, we might have had someone tell our parents about something we did that we shouldn’t. We may have done that regarding one of our siblings. Typically, no one likes to have their faults or something they intended to be kept secret revealed.

As adults, we do not call them tattle tells anymore, we call them snitches. There are certain groups who take an extreme disliking to snitches, but many of us do not like to have our secrets nor some of our actions revealed to a larger audience.

Joseph snitched on his brothers. Was it something he should have revealed or something he could have left alone? We do not know. We do know his brothers did not like Joseph telling their father about what they had done. They would later decide to take matters into their own hands.

What can we learn from this? First and foremost, God is always there and will always use whatever happens for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Second, rather than acting rash, we might be better off to think before we act. This applies to both Joseph and his brothers. If we do not want people to state bad things about us, we probably shouldn’t do them. If we do not want people to be upset for us saying something about them, we should consider whether it is something we truly need to reveal.

I pray we all know that God will work all things to our good, if we love him. I pray we take time to consider what we plan to do before we act. I pray we evaluate what we plan to say before we say it. Trust God in all things. Know that he will work all things for your good. Love him with all your heart. Think before you act. Think before you speak.

Genesis 37:2b Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.

Filled by Jesus

Are you feeling empty? Do you desire sustenance? Are you looking for physical, emotional, or spiritual nourishment? Would you like to be filled? Have you turned to the One who can fill you?

We have a variety of needs. We need physical nourishment that comes from food and water. We know the healthier we eat, the better the chance we will have good physical health. We seek emotional nourishment through relationships with others. The better those relationships, the better our mental health.

Spiritual nourishment is often overlooked or discarded in our culture. We may eat right and exercise for good physical health. We may discard bad relationships in favor of good ones to improve our emotional health. But we do not always seek to fill our spiritual needs. Even if we do, we only cursorily seek them on Sunday morning.

Folks, let’s be honest. Spending one hour a week in worship is not going to fill us spiritually. Just as we eat multiple times a day, we need to spend multiple times per day with God. Just as we interact with our family and friends throughout the day, we need to interact with God throughout the day.

Neglecting our spiritual well-being is tantamount to neglecting feeding our bodies with energy producing food. Until we recognize the absolute need to fill ourselves spiritually, we will continue to be hungry and thirsty. Our souls crave a healthy relationship with God.

I pray we all seek to have a good relationship with God. I pray we recognize the need to fill ourselves spiritually. I pray each one of us will commit to spending more time with God. Seek spiritual fulfillment. Spend time each day with God. Interact with God continually. Ask Jesus to fill you.

Matthew 14:20-21 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Ask Jesus

Have you ever been short on cash? Have you ordered your food at a restaurant then noticed you did not have enough money to pay for it? Have you ever been to a potluck dinner and thought there was no way there was enough food?

Many of us have experienced not having enough money at one point or another in our lives. It may have been an embarrassing moment, or it may have been one you simply caught and kept to yourself. Not having enough money can be embarrassing for us.

Maybe you have witnessed it and maybe you have not, but I have witnessed what appeared to be a miracle of food going much further than I thought. When I still lived in Virginia, we used to have a monthly potluck at the church following the last Sunday’s worship service. There were a couple of times when it appeared we were woefully short on food. But just like the stories of Jesus with the loaves and fish, we have plenty left over and everyone was full.

Sometimes we are just like the disciples. We look at what we have, feel it is inadequate, and sorrowfully bow our heads. We attempt to pass the responsibility on to someone else. We may try to pass it off on to those who are depending on us to provide. We may simply come to Jesus with our hat in hand and ask Him to fulfill the need and, honestly, not really expect much.

If it wasn’t for the fact it could become repetitive and ignored, I’m sure Jesus could say, “Ye of little faith.” We rightfully deserve to hear those words far too often. But Jesus had compassion for His disciples just like He had compassion on the people earlier in the passage. He simply has them bring what they have to Him and He uses it in a miraculous way.

I pray we all bring our needs to Jesus. I pray we trust Him to do what only He can do. I pray each one of us seek to do what we can and ask Jesus to fill in the gaps. Bring your needs to Jesus. Trust Him to handle it. Do what you can do. Ask Jesus to provide what you cannot.

Matthew 14:16-17 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”

Active Compassion

What are you doing for those in need? Do you have compassion for them? Does your compassion motivate you to action? Are you in need? Do you desire someone to have compassion for you? Have you turned to Jesus?

We often people say they feel sorry for someone in a bad situation or ill. That is how we express our compassion. Yet, many times that expression is as far as it goes. Far too few of us put our compassion into action. We assume someone else will take care of it.

Compassion without action is almost assuredly empty. At a minimum, it is not Christ-like. If we follow the example of Jesus, we put our compassion into action. Jesus had compassion and healed the sick. He had compassion and fed the hungry. He had compassion and forgave the sinful. He continues to have compassion on each one of us. Will we choose to be like Him?

When we are in need, we desire compassion. We long for someone to heal us. We hope someone will feed us. We ask for forgiveness, even if only secretly. Again, Jesus has compassion on us. If we will turn to Him, He will do all of that and much, much more.

Jesus had had a very busy couple of days. He had heard how Herod had treated John the Baptist. He was distraught and seeking a place of isolation to spend some quiet time with the Father. The crowds found out where He was going and met Him there. There were in need. Jesus was likely tired. Yet, He took time to heal the sick among them. His compassion drove Him to address their needs.

There are times when we are tired, and someone comes to us with a need. Will we demonstrate compassion or simply say “I am sorry.” We may feel as though we have nothing left to give, but God provides for us as we are willing to give for his name’s sake. We are to allow God’s compassion for us to flow through us to others.

I pray we all strive to follow Jesus’ example. I pray we put our compassion into action, just as Jesus did. I pray each one of us experiences compassion from someone else when we are in need. Follow Jesus’ example. Put your compassion into action. Allow God’s compassion to flow through you. 

Matthew 14:14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.

Disruptions Happen

Have you ever been distraught and sought a quiet place to reflect, grieve, or reenergize yourself? Have you had your quiet time disrupted by others who were seeking your attention? Are you going through such a time now? Did you know Jesus experienced a time like that?

We will all experience times when we desire to be alone in a quiet place. A loved one may have recently died. We may have lost a job unexpectedly. Perhaps a relationship has finally disintegrated to the point of separation. Then interruptions occur.

For many of us, family or friends disrupt our quiet time. They have no ill intent. In fact, if they recognize our grief or depression, they likely just want to help. Yet, sometimes, we simply need space, we need quiet time to think, and work through it in our own minds. We need time to pray and ask God to help us through the situation or make sense of what is happening.

Jesus had a time such as this. John the Baptist had been beheaded and Herod thought Jesus was John raised from the dead. Jesus knew of Herod’s acts. He wanted time to think through what was happening. He likely knew it was another key indicator and reminder of what He was to experience on the cross.

Perhaps the closest we can relate to Jesus’ situation is having a good friend have a disease that took their life and we have been diagnosed with the same disease. Knowing what someone else has experienced and believing that is going to be our future experience can take time to process and prepare ourselves for.

Jesus’s planned quiet time was interrupted by crowds of people who wanted something from Him. Our families and friends can be in need or want of something from us. We must rely on the short bit of quiet time we have with God to strengthen us until we can get a little more quiet time. We may need to look for a few moments of quiet time to continually tap into God’s strength. Finding those moments can be precious.

I pray we all recognize we need God’s strength. I pray we understand there will be disruptions. I pray each one of us will seek moments of quiet time to spend with God and use them when they occur. Ask God for strength. Seek God’s wisdom. Take advantage of quiet moments. Know there will be disruptions.

Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.