30 for 30 RESET – Day 26

Gatheringplace   -   September 26, 2024

Life on earth can get incredibly chaotic. Not just globally, or nationally, but also in your own life. There are days, months, and seasons where it seems the hits just won’t stop coming, right? So, what can you do during chaotic seasons to live from a place of victory rather than from a place of victimization?

Jesus gives us a solution to chaos – the presence of God.

There is never any chaos in God’s presence. Did you know that? I believe that this is one of the main reasons Jesus, when He lived in our chaotic world, retreated to the presence of God so often.

“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 NKJ

Another translation says,

“But Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.” Luke 5:16 NCV

Slipping away, even for just a few minutes, when you are in a chaotic situation, to get alone with God is such a powerful thing. It centers you. It enables you to feel His calming presence so you can go back out into the chaos and remain peaceful. Jeus did it all the time.

“The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So, he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” Mark 1:33-38 NIV

Notice how Jesus was not moved by the needs of the crowd. Clearly everyone from the night before, seeing the healings and deliverance, spread the news and even more people came to be helped.

But Jesus said it was time to move on. WOW!

By being in God’s presence, Jesus was able to let God fill His calendar, not others. It will be the same with you.

When you spend time in God’s presence you end up living offensively, not defensively. The noise quiets down when you are alone with God, worshiping Him, sitting silent with Him, and it is from there that He imparts peace, strength, wisdom, and direction to you.

Jesus’ habit of spending time alone with God is all over the Gospels. It is how He began His ministry (Mark 1:12), made important decisions (Luke 6:12-13), dealt with grief (Matthew 14:13), handled the demands of ministry (Mark 1:35), taught His disciples (Luke 9:18), and even prepared for His death (Mark 14:32).

If Jesus needed to spend so much time alone with God, how much more do you think you need to?

John

QUICK TIP ON HOW TO SPEND 30 MINUTES WITH GOD (REMEMBER: This 30 for 30 is a tool to help you, not a rule to shame you. Just do your best and let God do the rest.)

“Upward, Inward, and Outward”

  1. Upward: Get quiet. Settle down. Begin to thank God for Who He is – patient, kind, merciful. A God Who forgives sins – Who has forgiven your sins. A God Who cares, Who listens to your prayers, a miracle-working God. (There are many other attributes you can thank Him for. Go HERE for a prayer guide as well as a list of God’s names that will help you thank Him for Who He is)
  2. Inward: Read a chapter in the Bible. I would suggest one Psalm per day. Start with Psalm 1 and go from there. Or read one chapter of Proverbs per day. Start with Proverbs 1 and go from there. And as you read, stop, and think about what it is saying. Take your time (even if you do not get through an entire chapter – it is okay!). Ask God to speak to you through it.

A deeper dive: For those of you who would like to read the Bible in a year, here is a fantastic way to do it. It will take more than 30 minutes per day, but it will be well worth it. It not only gives you a reading plan but each day there is a short, very well-produced video explaining what you are about to read. Go HERE for your one year through the Bible reading plan.

  1. Outward: Ask God to show you how He can use you to reach those around you. Then begin to pray specifically for individuals. Pray for your family members, your boss, co-workers, classmates, friends, your church, its members, its mission, and its leadership. Pray for our city and our nation – that God would rule and reign in every mountain of influence, raising up leaders who fear Him: Church, Family, Government, Education, Media, Entertainment/Arts, and Business. You will not be able to get to everything in 30 minutes, but that is okay, just pick an area or two per day.

PRAYER POINTS

Personal:

  • Closeness with God
  • Deeper devotion to Christ
  • Renewed vision
  • Renewed passion
  • Strength
  • Joy
  • A profound commitment to act as Jesus would during this election year.

Church:

  • And increase of God’s manifest presence.
  • To see more CHANGED LIVES!
  • An increase in Miracles
  • Salvation for those far from God (make a list and pray for them every day)
  • More young people joining the vision at GPC.
  • New building for GPC

World:

  • A mighty harvest in our city and nation.
  • That godly men and women will fill the seats of government at local, city, state, and national levels.
  • For our missionaries (Use the bookmark handed out at church, or go to our website and check out our Missions page HERE)