Mark 1
May 2, 2022
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’” (v35-38)
At a point of great popularity, Jesus gets away from the crowds to pray. He does this because his identity is not in the people “looking for Him” (v37), but in the Father’s “love for Him” (v11). Even though he is the Son of God, Jesus still gets up early in the morning to pray, so that he can stay attuned to the Father’s agenda for his life (v38) - versus everyone else’s agenda for his life.
Father, I praise You this morning. You are worthy of me getting up early to spend time with You. Jesus, I thank You for modeling the priority of prayer in your life and ministry. And Spirit, I ask You for help to remember that my identity is in the Father’s love, not in people’s expectations. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may I stay attuned to You and Your agenda for me, finding joy in living this day for You.
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
