“‘The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray.’

I’ve always loved Mark 1:35. It motivates me to seek God early in the morning. But I never fully appreciated it until I examined the phrase: ‘the next morning.’ So what happened the day before? The context is the key to this text. Jesus had a long day the day before. He preached a sermon. He cast out a demon. And he healed a multitude of people. As a pastor, I know how exhausting it is to simply preach an anointed sermon. It’s a tremendous expenditure of physical, spiritual, and emotional energy. Can you imagine how much spiritual energy it took to cast out a demon or heal the sick. Jesus had to be absolutely exhausted. But ‘the next morning’ he got up early to pray.”

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Here’s the bottom line: when God uses you in a powerful way, you better get up even earlier to seek Him. When God blesses you, you better pray even more. And any measure of success God gives you better result in seeking Him even more.

(Via The Batterson Blog – Thoughts on Life and Leadership.)

One Whisper: “‘A gentle and quiet whisper.’ I Kings 19

Is anything more important than obeying the whispers of the Holy Spirit? Whether it’s the Spirit of God whispering through Scripture or a prompting of the Holy Spirit, one whisper can change the trajectory of your life. One whisper can make life make sense. One whisper can change your entire perspective on life.”

(Via The Batterson Blog – Thoughts on Life and Leadership.)

Spiritual Hunger: “God reveals Himself the most to those who want to know Him the most.”

(Via The Batterson Blog – Thoughts on Life and Leadership.)