By Brother Gary Wheeler

Recently, I spent six days in the hospital while suffering from abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. I lost more than a dozen pounds in the process; probably not the best way to lose weight!

Three times a day, someone came to my room to ask me what I wanted for my meal. I’ll be honest with you; a few of times, I wanted nothing to do with eating. Even after my discharge, I’ve skipped quite a few meals. But most times I ate, not because I was hungry, but because I knew I needed it. In my weakened condition, I needed food.

The other day, I was reading Mark 1 where the Gospel writer recorded, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (v. 35). Jesus spent time with the Father in prayer. Why? Because He needed it!

The arrogance we humans have to think that we, mere mortals, do not need to go to the Lord daily, is mind-boggling to me, but it’s an attitude I have had many times in my life. And do you think Jesus read a verse from the Bible or a short devotional and called it quits? Jesus prayed, really prayed, to the Father.

It was Corrie Ten Boom who asked, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” I am afraid for too many of us it is the spare tire, the source we look to only when our journey has ground to a halt, but really, it ought to be our steering wheel, and Jesus teaches us that.

During August, these devotions will look at the importance of Bible Study (individual and corporate), accountability, fellowship, and prayer. They will encourage us to become involved in groups that will engage them in these areas, while also growing in their personal devotion time.

I wonder as tomorrow dawns, will you take time with the Lord? Will you enter your prayer closet? Will you get alone with Jesus? Will you start the day with God?