Scripture for Today:  Mark 1:35  “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.”

Among the many pastimes possible when one finds oneself alone is the game, “Solitaire.”  Any tabletop game played alone qualifies.  The term can refer to games played with tiles, pegs, stones or cards.  I am most familiar with the card version.  It is a game of luck and the probability of winning is low.  The British call this game, “Patience,” for good reason!  I admit that I get impatient with the cards and to end the game will rearrange the cards to win!  My reasoning is that there are usually better things to do with my “alone time.”

During the short three years of Christ’s ministry, alone times were rare and precious.  The context of today’s verse describes a time when Jesus was surrounded by people needing healing.  In fact, the whole town gathered at the door of Peter’s home well into the evening.  The next morning, when one would think about sleeping in after such a busy day, Jesus got up early to be alone and to pray.

It is when I am alone and the house is quiet that I am most likely to hear His voice.  When there are no distractions I can open my heart to Him.  Sometimes that time of precious communion has no words but is rather a time of being still.  Other times my prayers are a torrent of worries and questions.  In any case, He meets me where I am and reassures me of His presence.  If Jesus needed alone time with the Father, how much more do I!

Help me Lord, to find that sweet solitary place with You.

Scripture for Today: Mark 9:7 “Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!'”

This Echo Dot speaker is connected to the voice-activated personal assistant, Alexa.  It can perform a number of tasks including: weather and news reports, music, alarms and timers, shopping lists and to-do lists,, reminders from the calendar, access to Wikipedia and more.  Other skills are constantly being added.  But all requests start with a trigger word or wake-up word.  It can be Alexa, Amazon, Echo, or Computer.  However, it can be disconcerting that in the default mode, Echo is always listening for the wake-up word to be spoken.

Today’s verse describes in part the scene when Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James and John.  The Jesus they thought they knew was transformed, wearing dazzling white and speaking to Moses and Elijah. Rather than shocking Peter into respectful silence and an attitude of listening, this miracle loosened Peter’s tongue.  In his excitement and fear, he made some suggestions to Jesus.  Just before things returned to normal, God’s voice told them to “Listen to Him.”

This command to Peter is just as much for me today.  I need to simply listen to Him.  There are so many distractions in my life, even good ones. that pull my attention away from hearing what He wants to say.  His message can be heard through good preaching, through devotionals and through wonderful Christian articles.  But He wants to talk to me personally with that morsel of truth that needs to be applied to my life today!  He wants to impress on me the truth needed for this moment.  I cannot discern His voice unless I am quiet and actively listening.

Wake me up, Lord, to listen to You.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:33-34  “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.  Give me understanding, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.”

Today is a day of new beginnings.  This day gives one the opportunity to start over.  The New Year is full of potential for good things to happen.  It is like a present waiting to be opened.  What will it hold?

For some, it is with a sigh of relief to see the old year come to a close.  After going through huge difficulties, a New Year brings hope that things can only get better.  For others, a New Year is approached with trepidation, questions and what ifs.  But for believers, though the future is unknown, we can know the One who controls that future.

Often, the New Year is a moment to re-evaluate one’s life and decide on some changes.  It is the moment to make resolutions.  New resolve is somehow found concerning exercise, diet, or some other kind of discipline.  For me, I cannot think of a better resolution than to be more diligent to know and follow His Word.

In today’s verse, this is also the desire the psalmist.  Not only does he want to know and follow what God wants, but he wants to be wholly committed with all of his heart.  This is my deepest desire as well, although so often I am distracted with other priorities.  It is also my desire for any one near and dear to me.  Blessing comes with carrying out this resolution!

Happy New Year, Lord.  May I know You, obey You and love You more in this new year!