Getting Closer to Jesus
Luke 22:39-40 (TPT) Jesus left the upper room with his disciples and, as was his habit, went to the Mount of Olives, his place of secret prayer. There he told the apostles, “Keep praying for strength to be spared from the severe test of your faith that is about to come.”
Jesus made it a habit to go to his secret place of prayer, He knew it was imperative to remain strong in the faith in order to withstand the tests and trials that were to come. He put in a lot of time with His Father and we have that same opportunity available to us today. If we desire to be closer to God then we must spend more time with Him. Just as we would with a spouse or our children, we want to know them more so we spend more time together. The more we pray and spend time with God, the stronger our faith and the more we learn His heart. This is the same as exercise, the more time spent working out and eating properly, the stronger we become and the more we know what our bodies can handle and withstand.
Matthew 14:22-23 (TPT) As soon as the people were fed, Jesus told his disciples to get into their boat and to go to the other side of the lake while he stayed behind to dismiss the people. After the crowds dispersed, Jesus went up into the hills to pray. And as night fell he was there praying alone with God.
Mark 1:35 (TPT) The next morning, Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer.
Notice the importance of being alone with God, what you do in private through prayer is the fuel and fire for what will occur publicly. If you desire to see miracles and help the hurting, you must be on your face before God in private and really get to know Him so you have no doubt His desire to heal and bless those you encounter. As you begin to get a revelation of the love of God and His desires become your desires, the doors of opportunity will be wide open for great manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Be diligent in your time with Jesus and put nothing before Him, I promise that once you realize how much He loves you and wants the best for you, you will yearn for more of Him.
Matthew 6:6 (NLT) But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
