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Matthew 14:23 - Time to Pray.

Matthew 14:23 (NKJV) And when He had sent 
the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain 
by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He 
was alone there.  

Matthew 14:23 (NLT) After sending them home, 
he went up into the hills by himself to pray. 
Night fell while he was there alone.  

Matthew 14:23 (MSG) With the crowd 
dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by 
himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into 
the night.  

   When I go out to eat with friends or 
family, they know what I'll be doing while we wait 
for our order. Collecting the paper that came 
off the straws and the slips of paper wrapped 
around the napkins holding the utensils. I like to 
twist it, fold it, and maybe shape it into 
something. Yep, I'm one of those people who have to 
keep their hands busy. Years ago I learned 
cross-stitching, needlepoint, and knitting so I could be 
doing something while visiting family or watching 
television with my husband. As the sticker on my thread 
box says, "Busy hands, happy heart." 
   I often meditate on all that Jesus 
accomplished with His hands. I visualize Him methodically 
breaking apart the small loaves and fish to feed the 
famished crowd of thousands. Mixing mud to spread on 
blind eyes and restore sight. And mercifully 
taking the hand of a dead child to bring her back 
to life. How many lives were transformed by 
those strong carpenter's hands? 
   Just as important are the times those 
hands were still. Several Scriptures show that 
despite His busy schedule, Jesus often went to a 
private place to pray. These extended times of 
talking with His Heavenly Father sustained Him 
during periods of testing, reenergized Him, and 
strengthened Him for the suffering to come. 
   Using our hands to serve others is 
important, but we can't afford to neglect quiet times 
of stillness and prayer. Busy hands may make 
for a happy heart, but hands folded in prayer 
guarantee the most joyful heart and spirit. by Dianne 
Neal Matthews 
   Faith Step: Read the story of the famous 
painting called Praying Hands (Albrecht Drer). Let 
this image remind you that prayer is important 
work. [Mornings With Jesus 2018 Devotional by 
Guideposts and Zondervan] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE


http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190819-0859.html 

EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF 
JESUS 

1st of 28: Divine Dining: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY 
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ 
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4 
4th of 28: Cared For: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds 
5th of 28: Saved: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI 
6th of 28: You Can Change: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo 
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc 
8th of 28 Our Holy Father: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XabXLEXsxbY 
9th of 28 Gifts of Service: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuGZviodkA 
10th of 28 The Holy Spirit: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in89XVs4cGo 
11th of 28 The Law of God: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Q601HjogI 
Live ongoing series in progress.

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs