“My Quiet Time”

Do you have a quite time? A place to rest if only for 5 minutes. A place to study God’s word and spend time with him. If one doesn’t stop to rest then you will end up ]n a early grave and miss out on ao much around you. Life won’t end if you are not booked 24/7 on the calendar. Reflect on the blessings God has given you. You must find rest to recharge. This isn’t sleep I am speaking of this is a down time to pause from the face pace of life. I encourage you to find 5 minutes a day to rest and recharge. Your discover you have more energy when you find rest.

Awaken by Priscilla Shirer

Day 1 of 3: Note this is only 3 days and the days mentioned below are from the book, Awaken by Priscilla Shirer.

— Day 3 —

Come and Rest

He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31

Rest is becoming a lost art in our modern culture. We’ve exchanged its old-fashioned value for a hectic, fast-paced, breakneck speed of life, which has slowly disintegrated our fervor and passion while simultaneously elevating our blood pressure. Packed within each twenty-four-hour time span is an unsustainable number of tasks we’ve placed upon ourselves, as well as demands we’ve allowed others to deem urgent enough to place upon us as well.

And based on our fatigue and frustration, we’d give anything to offload the burden.

But rest doesn’t seem like a viable option anymore. Have we forever passed up any kind of reality that dares to include rest as part of a typical day? Or week? Or . . . month? (Or . . . year?)

When Jesus sent His disciples off on a specific ministry assignment in Mark 6:7–11, He didn’t shield them from the fact that their journey would not be particularly easy. People would refuse to listen to them, much less give them hospitality. Any cause for excitement would be counterbalanced by any number of legitimate reasons for quitting and discouragement. They would be empowered to preach, heal, and spread the news of the kingdom, yes, but would also be exhausted on every front— physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And even after finally coming back home from their tiring journey, people would still be “coming and going,” enough that the disciples “did not even have time to eat” (v. 31).

So as their first order of business upon returning, Jesus greeted them with clear instructions: “Come . . . rest a while.”

It wasn’t a request. It wasn’t a friendly suggestion. It was Jesus’ command. Here’s what you’re going to do, guys. They’d been through a lot. And much more remained to be done. But for now . . . rest . . . come and rest. At least for a little while.

Do you ever feel guilty for taking time away to regroup and recharge? Are you saddled with a sense of wasted opportunity if every space on your calendar is not filled? Are you afraid your world would stop turning if you disengaged for even a few moments? Are you concerned about losing your competitive advantage if you’re not converting every moment into maximum achievement and efficiency?

Then hear the voice of your Savior welcoming you into a place where grace flows, where the Spirit refuels, and where mercy fixes what’s been strained and stressed by the accumulation of life’s pressures. This is the space where priorities and relationships that have been pushed out of alignment and are in need of repair get patched up and recalibrated.

Quiet time is not an excuse for the lazy but a wise investment for the diligent. It is for those who are committed to being active servants and followers of Jesus Christ instead of slaves to the tyranny of urgent busyness and activity. By prioritizing rest for ourselves and those we love, we may just rediscover the joy we thought had been lost forever.

Mark 6:31 King James Version

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

The Passion Easter Devotional

Day 1 of 7:

“The Last Supper” Devotional – The Passion

“When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, ‘I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.’” (Luke 22:14-16, NLT)

Twelve men who had left their families, homes and livelihoods to follow Jesus sat around the table that day. Not all of them would be faithful in the future, but all of them had been faithful in the past. And suddenly, after three years of traveling and witnessing miracles, they were here. At the table. With Jesus.

He had unexpectedly washed their feet, and He was dropping hints left and right that one of them was going to betray Him. They could hardly believe it. Who among them would betray this man they had spent the past three years resolutely following?

And then He broke the bread.

“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” (Luke 22:19)

And then He poured the wine.

“After supper he took another cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and His people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.’” (Luke 22:20)

The brittleness of the bread and the crimson of the wine foreshadowed the sacrifice that was to come. Yet, none of The Twelve could comprehend what was about to transpire, nor could they imagine the betrayal that was right around the corner. But for now, they had been given the sweetest of parting gifts—real communion with Jesus.

Today, communion is taken in churches all over the world and remains a holy sacrament to remind us of the sacrifice of our Savior. However, it also serves as a gift to all who belong to Christ. When we take the bread and the cup, for just a few moments, the noise of the world fades away, and we get to remember. 

Can you imagine all that the disciples must have reflected on in that moment? Living life with Jesus had been an adventure, and they were certainly recalling all He had done.

In the same way, that rare moment of solitude gives us the chance to think about the ways God has worked in our own lives. Communion quiets our souls and stills our hearts. It reminds us of His sacrifice, yes, but it also reminds us that He’s here with us. At the table.

Luke 22:14-16 King James Version

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

Luke 22:19 King James Version

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Luke 22:20 King James Version

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

The Cross & Easter with Tony Evans

Day 7 of 7:

“His Love Held Him There”

Have you ever been bullied? When I was in the sixth grade, we had a student in our class who had obviously failed a few grades already. Most of us were still skinny and scrawny, but this guy looked like a prize fighter, towering over us with an intimidating scowl. 

Nobody likes to be pushed, shoved, mocked or chased by a bully! On one occasion, this bully chased me all the way home after school. I ran up the steep steps to our row house, opened the door, and quickly shut it behind me. I could feel my heart beating in my mouth. 

Fortunately I grew up and got bigger. After the sixth grade, I don’t remember ever experiencing a bully again. But that was enough for me to taste how bitter bullies really are. 

It’s bad enough to be bullied by someone you don’t really know or particularly care for. But to be mocked and jeered by those you love, that’s a far deeper pain.

Jesus came to bring salvation to His own, yet they rejected him. They stripped Him, robed Him in purple, stuck a crown of thorns on His head, knelt down before Him, mocked and spat on Him. In their mockery, they stuck a reed in his right hand as if it were a king’s scepter, then took it and beat Him with it. 

And yet He said nothing in return. They led Him as a sheep to the slaughter even though He was the true King. 

I can’t imagine saying nothing when you possess power and refuse to use it. I know what it’s like to run from the bully in the sixth grade. But bullies didn’t put Christ on the cross, and nails didn’t hold Him there. His love for us held Him there.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, forgive me. Nails didn’t hold You to the cross, but your love for me did. Forgive me for downplaying the gravity of Your great act of love. Keep my eyes focused on You and the hope I have in You because of Your love for me. In Christ’s name, amen. 

Seek Him, Serve Others

Post something today on social media or send an email, text or write a note to encourage those who are being bullied. You don’t need to name anyone – just remind them how Christ responded on the Cross and the Father exalted Him in honor and dignity.

Are you enjoying this devotional reading? Discover more about Jesus in Tony Evans’ sermon download “Knowing Jesus Intimately.” Just click this link. 

Acts 4:11-12 King James Version

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The Cross & Easter with Tony Evans

Day 6 of 7:

“His Great Love for Us”

The story is told of a young boy named Timothy whose sister was sick. She suffered from an ailment Timothy once had but overcame. The doctor explained to the parents that their daughter’s sickness had progressed further than Timothy’s and they held little hope for her recovery. Her only chance for survival would be if she could get a blood transfusion.

The young girl shared a rare blood type with her brother and because he had overcome the same sickness and had immunities to it, he was the ideal donor. His parents agreed to use a blood transfusion from Timothy.

The doctor asked, “Would you give your blood to help save your sister?” At first, Timothy hesitated. His chin began to quiver as he fought back tears. Then with a solemn strength he said, “Yes, I’ll do it.”

They wheeled both children into the transfusion room and inserted the needles. Timothy watched quietly as the blood flow out of his arm and into the tubes. He finally asked, “Doctor, when do I die?”

That’s when the doctor realized Timothy thought giving his blood for his sister meant he would have to give all his blood. Timothy was willingly offering the greatest sacrifice out of love for his sister.

That story isn’t true, but what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross is true. The One through whom all things were created willingly gave Himself up out of His great love for us.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, my heart is full of praise and thanksgiving for the sacrifice of love that the cross revealed. May I never forget or neglect to thank You for this gift of Christ’s life in exchange for my eternal destiny. In Christ’s name, amen.

Seek Him, Serve Others

Jesus offered the greatest sacrifice when He gave His life for ours. Let the life He redeemed be an instrument of His grace to those you come into contact with. Consider giving up your lunch hour today to assist a family member, neighbor or co-worker with tasks they need help on. Let them know why you are doing it – out of appreciation for Christ’s gift to you.

Philippians 2:5-9 King James Version

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: