Refuel or You Will run Empty

**fennywest** Thu 29 Apr 2010, 7:35 am

M'r:1:32: And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

M'r:1:33: And all the city was gathered together at the door.

M'r:1:34: And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

M'r:1:35: And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

M'r:1:36: And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

M'r:1:37: And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

M'r:1:38: And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

M'r:1:39: And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

Lessons

1. All-encompassing Gospel

The Gospel we preach is for the salvation of the whole man- Spirit , soul, and body. Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father by taking our sin away (John1:29, 2 Cor.5:17) His was also anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power and He went about healing all those that were oppressed of the devil as we see in the passage. We also know that He fed the hungry (Mark 6:30-44,-8:1-10). The gospel we preach should be all-encompassing. We may not be individually gifted to do all the works that He did but as the Body of Christ we are adequately endowed to do the works that He did and greater works, just like He said. We just need to acknowledge that it is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Living God.

2. Many were healed

Whereas on some occasion all that came to Jesus were healed, on this occasion we are told that many were healed. When people come for healing, we should not be surprised if all of them are not healed. Healing depends on many factors or combination of factors. There are also hindrances to healing which we must take into consideration. When Jesus went to His hometown, unbelief short-circuited the power of God and there He could not do as do miracles as in other places because of their unbelief. (Mark6:1-6)

Healing can occur by faith – when you draw the power or healing virtue out of Him or when the healing anointing operates where your faith is irrelevant. However on most occasions your faith is important. This is why many times in the scripture we hear: ‘your faith has made you whole.’ (Mark10:52)

3. Don’t be a crowd pleaser

When your ministry is accompanied by signs and wonders you will be a crowd-puller as is evidenced in the ministry of Reinhard Bonnke, ( Christ for all Nations), Benny Hinn. It is also important to know that that there are counterfeits about that lure those who seek signs and wonders into bondage.

For this reason we should ‘seek His Face of God and not His Hand ‘ otherwise, we would fall into the wrong hands.

M'r:1:36: And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

M'r:1:37: And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

4. Learn to refuel

Jesus knew the importance of refuelling

We have just seen Him with the people healing and delivering those demon -possessed but we see in V35 that He rose up early the following day, went to a solitary place to pray. What a lesson! This is the Son of God, co-equal with the Father, who had the fullness of God dwelling in him bodily, had the anointing without measure, yet he rose up early to refuel what was depleted the previous day while he healed and delivered people. He did not take things for granted. How much more should we realise our need for refuelling after doing spiritual warfare?

5. Morning devotion

Besides, this appears to be His habit- rising up early to commune with the Father. The first part of His day belonged to His Father. It is like the tithe (the first tenth). How vibrant, spiritually alert and attuned we would be if we would also cultivate this habit of giving the first part of the day to the Lord.

M'r:1:35: And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

6. Whole-heartedness essential for discipleship

You can be around Jesus and yet not catch His Spirit unless you are there whole-heartedly. The disciples were there yet they did not cultivate the habit. They rather took people along with them to look for Jesus.

7. Distractions will come

Let’s avoid distraction when we commune with the Lord. You can be sure there will be many distractions and temptations as we see in this passage. Let us resist them so that we can refuel properly. ‘First things, first.’

M'r:1:36: And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

M'r:1:37: And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

8. Jesus knew his purpose and mission and so should we.

M'r:1:38: And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

M'r:1:39: And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.