Daily Devotions
Mark
2 Peter 1:1 "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Day 145 – Mark 6
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:1
THE CONCEPT OF A “SPIRITUAL RETREAT”
Jesus had many more things to teach His disciples. The following text describes a concept that Jesus taught His disciples.
“And He said to them,
‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place
and rest a while.'”
MARK 6:31a
1. Ministries must be carefully mastered
Ministries that are not well mastered could prove the undoing of the most zealous of servants of God!
a) Plans for a very full and active Ministry
Jesus had His ministry carefully planned:-
i) There was personal ministry that met the needs for the present moment.
ii) There was the ministry of discipling that would meet needs for the future.
iii) Jesus developed a teaching/preaching circuit (Mark 6:6).
b) Plans also for spiritual retreats
i) Jesus Himself practised this principle.
ii) He would from time to time withdraw from the multitudes (Cf. Mark 4:36).
iii) He now formally told His disciples they must take time to rest up.
2. What are “spiritual retreats?”
Three features may be highlighted:-
a) It is a time set aside for actual physical rest (health could be badly affected otherwise).
b) It is a time set aside for reflection/discussion about the ministry (with Jesus).
c) It is a time for the soul to be refreshed through communion with God in prayer.
SPIRITUAL RETREATS ARE NOT A LUXURY
Retreats must be seen as a very necessary spiritual discipline. If planned well, it will prevent spiritual “burnt out” problems!