Running Out Of Gas

What could be more embarassing than running out of gas?

One year the New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena was delayed because one of the floats ran out gas and had to wait for gas to be brought. More embarassing than that was the fact that the sponsor's name was boldly written on the side of the float for all to see . . . Standard Oil!

We run out of gas, too, in our spiritual lives when we fail to keep our spiritual tanks full by regularly spending quality time with our heavenly Father in His presence. We can learn from Jesus as we watch Him taking time from His busy days to draw aside for this kind of quality time. Quality time is relationship building time not request making time . . . notice Jesus in Mark 1:35-39.

1. QUALITY TIME ALONE WITH THE FATHER WAS A PRIORITY FOR JESUS
A. He prayed early
B. He prayed away from the activity/busyness
C. He prayed alone (“left…went away…”)
D. it was His habit (cf. Luke 22:39 “he proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives”;
cf. Mark 6:31)
2. QUALITY TIME ALONE WITH THE FATHER WAS THE PLAN OF JESUS
-this didn’t happen by accident . . . it wasn’t something done in his “spare time . . .
it was INTENTIONAL!!
3. QUALITY TIME ALONE WITH THE FATHER HAD A PURPOSE FOR JESUS
A. because of a relationship-- **E Stanley Jones: Prayer is like a time exposure to God
B. not because of a need to get something

Let's not be like that Standard Oil float!

Running out of gas is not only embarassing, it is dangerous.