Spiritual Prescription THE SOURCE OF JESUS' POWER
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35.
When we consider the importance of spending time in personal communion and fellowship with God, we have Jesus' own example during His life here on earth. Did He spend time alone with His Father? We are told that often the early-morning hours found Him on the mountainside alone with God.
"It was in hours of solitary prayer that Jesus in His earth life received wisdom and power. Let...[us] follow His example in finding at dawn and twilight a quiet season for communion with our Father in heaven."--Education, p. 259. "Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, He must commune with God....Thus He showed His disciples where His strength lay. Without this daily communion with God, no human being can gain power."--Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 323. "From hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men."--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 139.
If Jesus needed this communication with His Father in order to live the life of faith, how much more do we need it? Genuine faith comes only through the relationship with God, studying His Word, and in prayer. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Without the ongoing relationship with God, we will not grow in grace. The relationship with God is an absolute necessity.
I used to think that the way to be a Christian was to try hard to live a good life. Then, if I had any time left over, I was to read the Bible and pray a little bit. But in order to have an ongoing, vibrant, healthy Christian life, we must take time for fellowship with Christ. It's that simple. This is where we must put our effort. It is not an option in the Christian life, but the vital basis.
When we come to God initially and accept the offer of his righteousness in exchange for our sins, our spiritual life begins. With the daily renewing of our acceptance, with time spent daily in beholding Him, we keep the reality of our acceptance with Him, and spiritual life continues.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35.
When we consider the importance of spending time in personal communion and fellowship with God, we have Jesus' own example during His life here on earth. Did He spend time alone with His Father? We are told that often the early-morning hours found Him on the mountainside alone with God.
"It was in hours of solitary prayer that Jesus in His earth life received wisdom and power. Let...[us] follow His example in finding at dawn and twilight a quiet season for communion with our Father in heaven."--Education, p. 259. "Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, He must commune with God....Thus He showed His disciples where His strength lay. Without this daily communion with God, no human being can gain power."--Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 323. "From hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men."--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 139.
If Jesus needed this communication with His Father in order to live the life of faith, how much more do we need it? Genuine faith comes only through the relationship with God, studying His Word, and in prayer. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Without the ongoing relationship with God, we will not grow in grace. The relationship with God is an absolute necessity.
I used to think that the way to be a Christian was to try hard to live a good life. Then, if I had any time left over, I was to read the Bible and pray a little bit. But in order to have an ongoing, vibrant, healthy Christian life, we must take time for fellowship with Christ. It's that simple. This is where we must put our effort. It is not an option in the Christian life, but the vital basis.
When we come to God initially and accept the offer of his righteousness in exchange for our sins, our spiritual life begins. With the daily renewing of our acceptance, with time spent daily in beholding Him, we keep the reality of our acceptance with Him, and spiritual life continues.
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