Hebrews 4:10-13

10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God
did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no
one will fall by following their example of disobedience.  12For the word of God
is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes
of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is
uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

MEDITATION
1. Most of us believe that God’s word is important.  But if we are honest,
reading the Bible sometimes feels like a chore – less than enjoyable.  Now,
think about how important the Scripture is to me.  What if I were unable to
read or hear anything from the Bible for a year?  Would I miss it?  Why or
why not?  What does “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight”
mean to me?  In what ways have I experienced God’s Word to be precise and
powerful, “sharper than any double-edged sword”?
2. Start praying by thanking God for the gift of His Word.  Ask Him to give me
more passion and desire for it.  Give God permission to let His Word to make
me “uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him” in the days and weeks
ahead.
3. Memorize vv12-13 and use them as my prayer regularly as a way of asking
God to make Scripture increasingly important in my life.

Personal Note:
God's Word judges and show me who I am.  There is nothing hidden before God.  He knows all my thoughts including my hidden thoughts.  God knows what I am going through and the Word has been timely.

Mark 6:30-34

 30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done
and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they
did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves
to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32So they went away by themselves in a boat
to a solitary place. 33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran
on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When Jesus landed
and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like
sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Meditation
1. When the disciple came back after they finished their assignment, Jesus
took them away “to a quiet place and get some rest”. This is for them to find
spiritual resources to continue effective ministry. The Spiritual Formation
Bible has the definition for “Solitude”: the creation of an open, empty space
in our lives by purposefully abstaining from interaction with other human
beings, so that, freed from competing loyalties, we can be found by God.
2. Have I arranged “solitude” into my regular routine schedule? How can I “be
found by God” in my busy life?
3. Open my agenda to next week or next month. Try to carve out a time (half
an hour, or half a day or a whole day). Go to a park, a deserted place, or
an indoor place without being disturbed. Stay quiet and alone, and then
converse with God.

Personal Note:
When I read through the Gospel, one of the repeated activity that Jesus Christ engaged in was withdrawing to the wilderness and pray.  We as followers of Jesus Christ are to do the same thing.  This is especially important to me personally as a pastor.  It is necessary to pull back from all the demands from ministry and sit back and receive spiritual resources and rest.  After spending time alone in God's presence, my passion is renewed and strengthen to obey and do God's will.