In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 KJV)
d the inward witness of the Holy Spirit surprises you. Like a little feather-light touch on a warm summer day, your attention is drawn to something you hadn’t noticed before or hadn’t seen in the same way. Sometimes God speaks to us in stronger ways, such as through the Word, preaching, a word from a friend, a prophetic word, visions, or dreams. But often, that “still, small voice” simply points something out. Here is a verse that caught my attention:
When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. (Matthew 8:1 KJV)
ly brought to mind another sentence I heard recently, although I can’t recall the source: “You can’t feed the sheep if you haven’t feasted on the Word.”
When we spend time “up on the mountain” with God, we are refreshed and “filled up” with His Spirit. Then, when we come down from that mountain, we can pour out what God has given us into the lives of those around us. Pouring into people without taking time to be refilled can become a bad habit that eventually leaves us drained and ineffective in ministry.
Holy God,
From the beginning, You were, You are, and You always will be. Thank You for that simple truth and for the simple truth that we, Your people, need You.
Pull us away from the cares and responsibilities of this life so we can go away to our “mountain” and spend time with You, our Father. Pull us into Your arms of love, minister to our spirits, and refresh us with Your Word and Spirit.
Pour into us so we can pour into others. And when we return from the “mountain,” may we be prepared to impact the multitudes around us with Your mercy, grace, justice, compassion, and love.
AMEN.