REST, RENEW AND REFRESH
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
Mark 6:30-31 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Jesus modeled in His earthly ministry the importance of controlling our time to reduce stress in our lives. He took time to get away from the masses of people wanting a piece of Him.
From the life of Jesus, we can learn some important thoughts on how to reduce the stress in our lives. First, Jesus knew Who He was. There are at least eighteen times in the gospels that Jesus identified Himself with the phrase, “I am….” Jesus was fully aware of Who He was and what His purpose was on earth. We need to have enough self-awareness that we know who we are and why we are on the earth.
Jesus also knew Who He wanted to please. Jesus said, “I carry out the will of the one who sent me.” (John 5:30). Jesus made pleasing His Heavenly Father the top priority of His life.
Jesus did not try to do everything Himself. He chose twelve men to be His disciples and delegated the work to them. (Mark 3:14). We can’t accomplish God’s work in our lives by ourselves, we need others to accomplish the task for which we are on earth.
Jesus had clear goals for His life. Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going” (John 8:14). We need to have goals in our lives. I like to set daily, weekly, monthly, and annual goals.
Jesus marked His life with a habit of prayer. Jesus often withdrew from the crowds for private times of prayer. (Mark 1:35) We must be people who are marked by consistency in our habit of prayer. Prayer is not just a fire escape we run to in an emergency. Prayer must be a way of life.
Finally, Jesus took time to enjoy life. In our passage today Jesus took the disciples away from the crowds to rest. It is important to have times for rest, renewal, and refreshing.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to make good choices so that I can reduce the stress of my life. Help me model my life after Jesus.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
In all things I want Jesus to show over my life . I want Others to see the God in me.