35 The next morning, Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer. 36 Later, Simon and his friends searched for him, 37 and when they finally tracked him down, they told him, “Everyone is looking for you—they want you!”
38 Jesus replied, “We have to go on to the surrounding villages so that I can give my message to the people there, for that is my mission.” 39 So he went throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the Jewish synagogues and casting out demons.
40 On one occasion, a leper came and threw himself down in front of Jesus, pleading for his healing, saying, “You have the power to heal me right now if only you really want to!” 41 Being deeply moved with tender compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the skin of the leper and told him, “Of course I want you to be healed—so now, be cleansed!” 42 Instantly his leprous sores completely disappeared and his skin became smooth! 43 Jesus sent him away with a very stern warning, 44 saying, “Don’t say anything to anyone about what just happened, but go find a priest and show him that you’ve been healed. Then bring the offering that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a living testimony to everyone.”
45 But no sooner did the man leave than he began to proclaim his healing publicly and spread the story everywhere of his healing.
Jesus’ growing fame prevented him from entering the villages openly, which forced him to remain in isolated places. Even so, a steady stream of people flocked to him from everywhere.
Terrie's Comments:
Jesus saw devoting time to pray important. He got up long before anyone else did and then left the house and went away to pray. If we are hoping to live in victory and be effective in ministry we need to see prayer time as important and essential! Where is prayer on my priority list? Would I get up long before day break to make time for prayer so I am in tune with what my marching orders are for the day?
Tori's Comments:
I used to really struggle with the concept of a "quiet time" because I didn't really understand what it should look like. Jesus considered it to be essential, and for him it meant going to a secluded place, I think some places say on a mountain, and praying to God! While mountains are a bit hard to find in Saskatchewan [:)], it simply means getting alone with God!
Day 9
- Read Luke 1:1-17
- Make a countdown poster with shepherds, adding a cotton ball sheep each day.
- Donate used books
- Buy socks for a homeless shelter
- Wrap presents and place them under the tree
We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-)
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
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Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)