November 30, 2022 — Private time with Jesus

“Do you spend much private time with Jesus?” Stan asked me one morning while we were having breakfast.

“Private time with Jesus?” I responded. “Well, yeah, I think so. Why do you ask?”

“I was looking at Mark’s gospel earlier this morning,” Stan replied, “and I was reminded of the importance of having such time by something Mark wrote concerning some of the disciples.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a simple statement in the thirteenth chapter,” Stan replied, “where it says that Peter, James, John, and Andrew questioned Jesus privately. And I think the same thing is to apply to me and my faith walk.”

“Why privately?” I asked.

“Let me give you an example,” Stan replied. “There have been many times when I was in a crowd and someone was speaking. I may have had a question for the speaker but I was reluctant to ask. However, if I got alone with that person I felt free to ask whatever I wanted. Same thing with getting alone with God.”

“What same thing?” I asked.

“When I get alone with God,” Stan said, “when I’m in private with Him, I feel totally free to ask  whatever questions I may have for Him. Why would I want to wonder about something and be reluctant to ask when He’s available for me for a private discussion?”

“Oh,” I said. “Come to Him in private. Spend time alone with Him, asking whatever may be on my mind and my heart. Is that it?”

“That’s it,” Stan replied. “Whatever is on my mind and heart, so He can show and tell me what’s on His!”

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Bible verses to consider:

And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately. Mark 13:3.

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. Matthew 6:6.

Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:22.

Sitting at Jesus’ feet — the story of Martha and Mary. Luke 10:38-42.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you allow me to come before you in prayer to tell you what’s on my mind and my heart, and to discover what’s on yours. I confess that too often I do not take the time to be with you in private, away from the crowd, so I can hear all you have to say to me. Please forgive the foolishness of that. And please help me follow every step of your lead so I am never reluctant to be alone with you so I express to you what’s on my mind and discover what’s on yours. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious gift of life eternally with Him when it’s time so you can have a personal relationship with Him on this side of eternity? If no, why? If you have, how are you doing with spending private time with God? Do you sense the desire to have an ever-deepening relationship with Him so you can share all that’s on your heart and mind, knowing that God will share with you what’s on His? If you would like that, how is it going to happen?