The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 10:11-12 (NLT)
11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 40:1 (NLT)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:10 (NLT)
10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Mark 6:30-33 (HCSB)
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught.
31 He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while." For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
32 So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place,
33 but many saw them leaving and recognized them. People ran there by land from all the towns and arrived ahead of them.
Mark 6:45-46 (HCSB)
45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd.
46 After He said good-bye to them, He went away to the mountain to pray.
My observation:
Jesus during his earthly ministry took time out from meeting the needs of others to take care of his physical and spiritual needs. We would do well to follow his example by taking time out from our work to rest and to pray.
You cannot prevent the interruptions that will come, but you can be better prepared if you take occasional vacations from your labor to rest. However, Jesus found that rest was not enough; he also needed to get away and pray.
You don't have to worry about who will take care of the people while you are resting and praying. That is the work that the Lord is doing for his people constantly. He never takes a vacation, and he is always praying for his people.
Hebrews 7:25 (HCSB)
25 Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the example that you have left for us of the necessity for the servant of God to rest and pray. Father, help me to remember not to neglect these two important disciplines. Surely if they enhanced and empowered the ministry of Jesus, they are needful for our ministry.
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Mark 4:20 (ESV)
20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."
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