While you MEDITATE, you may want to
withdraw to a quiet place and pray.
But despite Jesus' instructions, the report
of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to
be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for
prayer. Luke 5:15-16
But…weren’t the people listening to Him. The man He healed right before this was a leper. He healed him and then said…Don’t tell. But—there’s that word again…the leper couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Would you have been able to not tell anyone if you’d lived with that horrible “unclean” disease and then been cured? Leprosy is a dreaded debilitating disease that required lepers to keep away from healthy folks—maintaining at least six feet distance and shouting “unclean” as they walked down a public street. I’m sure this fellow was dancing for joy and blabbing his mouth off. “Look at me. I’m not unclean any longer!”
In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with
an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to
the ground, begging to be healed. "Lord," he said, "if you are
willing, you can heal me and make me clean." Jesus reached out and touched
him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly
the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had
happened. He said, "Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along
the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of
leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed."
Luke 5:12-14
The disobedience to His request would be
enough to drive anyone to see a quiet place to be alone…and talk to their Dad.
That is just what Jesus did. But He
withdrew to the wilderness—a quiet place where He could pray and get way
from the crowds of people. Power likely drained out of Jesus as He healed this
leper, so praying would refresh and renew Him.
Lone Tree in the Wilderness of Israel
What do you do to refresh yourself
spiritually? Prayer is the best answer. God will renew your spirit and your
mind if you ask Him. David asked the Lord…
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a
loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Consider these words that Paul wrote to the
church at Ephesus.
Since you have heard about Jesus and have
learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and
your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let
the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature,
created to be like God--truly righteous and holy. - Ephesians 4:21-24
(Underlined for emphasis.)
Pray. If you sincerely want to change…to
renew your thoughts and attitudes there is no better place to begin that by
asking the Holy Spirit to do just that.
Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, As I draw away for this quiet time of prayer with You, renew and refresh my mind—beginning with my thoughts and attitudes. I want a clean heart that is pleasing to You, Lord God.
Verses of Salvation ~ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10
Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table
Camping is a fun way to get away…and to get
back to nature…to commune alone with God in a quiet place. What do you eat when
you go camping?
Hot dogs, beans and s’mores are probably high on the menu list. Have you tried Indian Fry Bread? We made some when we lived and camped in New Mexico years ago. Then one of my sister-in-laws, who was part Indian, made some with my kids when we were camping here in Washington. I was thinking that would be a good group activity sometime soon, not necessarily when we’re camping. The easiest way is just to use some frozen bread dough. Let it thaw and rise. Then divide the dough into 8-10 pieces and roll it out to about ¼ inch thick 6-8 inch circles. Fry the bread over a campfire or on the stove in a little vegetable oil. You can use peanut oil which is good for frying anything. When the dough bubbles up and browns a little, turn it over and brown the other side. Fold the bread in half and fill with seasoned taco meat, grated cheese, chopped tomatoes and onions, sliced avocado, sour cream, jalapenos and whatever you normally put into tacos. It makes sort of an Indian taco. Enjoy eating these sitting around the campfire. Maybe someone will get inspired and do an Indian dance.
If you don’t want to do the easy yeast
bread fry bread, give this recipe a try. It’s pretty easy, too. Life is too
short to try to make food difficult to prepare when you want to relax out in
the wilderness.
3 cups
flour
1
tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon
salt
1 cup
hot water
Hot oil
(canola or peanut) for frying – about 1” deep in a frying pan
Fill with favorite taco style meats and vegetables. Also good with some butter and cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on it.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blb.org
Follow And Like "Banquet With The King" on Facebook. 👍
Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional
for Building Character book available
at Amazon.com
No comments:
Post a Comment