SCRIPTURE:^“Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance." (Mark 8:1b-3, NIV)

Observations:
What statements does Jesus make to the disciples?

1. I have compassion for these people.

2. They have already been with me three days.

3. They have nothing to eat.

4. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way.

5. They have come a long distance.

I decided to look at statement 2 today:

Interpretations:
Why do you think the people were with Jesus for three days?
I believe they were on a retreat with Jesus to be taught by Jesus, led by Jesus, and known by Jesus.

Interpretations:
What does it tell us about Jesus?
Jesus is all about spending time with people and helping them to grow in Him. Not only that but Jesus is keenly aware of what they are going through outside of the spiritual realm too.

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. I learned that the crowd was with Jesus for three days having a retreat with Jesus being known by Jesus, taught by Jesus, and led by Jesus. After reading this passage, it made me want to have a 3-day retreat of my own with Jesus in a community setting to know Jesus, to be taught by Jesus, and to be led by Him.

There can be no better feeling than spending time with Jesus and allowing Jesus to guide the daily aspects of our lives. And I have realized through my years of 3-day retreats with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the impact retreats that are focused on Christ and growing in Him can have.

I ask you now dear friend, what place do you give a retreat in your life?
Dear friend, I am not talking about retreating from situations or problems. In the hectic schedules of our lives, we can be so bogged down with everything we have to do that we miss the point of the rejuvenation a retreat with the Lord can do for our lives. And when it is in the company of other like-minded believers in Christ it becomes that much more powerful. We come to grow in Christ together, be led and taught by Christ through the power of His Word.

It can be so helpful to at least have a retreat with the Lord once a year for starters if you have never taken time of to go away with other believers from city life and enjoy God's creation at camp settings, etc.

I never realized that the same people were with Jesus for 3 days listening to Him and being taught by Him. I want to have that experience and I pray you would want it too.

A retreat with the Lord will also show us our own shortcomings and issues we have to deal with. Many times the right kind of retreat will address issues of our heart that we never imagined could be there. I have been to retreats that dealt frankly and openly in the love of Christ dealing with issues such as prejudice, racism, etc.

When we are in a retreat with Jesus in a community setting with other believers and followers of Christ, we cannot but be transformed and challenged on the issues we have.

The Lord Jesus did not just spend three days with the crowds to have a social time gathering but God in the flesh was interested with the heart of mankind. Jesus ministered to them to help them experience the Kingdom of God. Jesus wanted the crowds to repent and turn to God.

Jesus was all about the Gospel and everything else was secondary. When I have spent time in retreats, I came away changed and transformed in different areas.

One of the 3-days retreats impacted me so much that I had a nudging in my heart that whatever I learn in my Quiet Times, I should take a portion of it and share it with hundreds of students. I have done that through the years and have seen my own life impacted by the Gospel and seen lives of those around me changed.

A student was on cocaine and gave up on church life but one day she wrote to me how much the devotionals I was sending her impacted her and wanted to go to church with me before she left Pitt. It was not anything of my doing that ministered to her or changed her thinking but it was the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that ministered to her through the Word the Lord helped me proclaim.

We all need Jesus and retreats are one way to help us grow in the Lord but not the only way. I do hope if you have opportunities to go on a 3-day retreat that you would take it.

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship has awesome retreats in the Fall semester called 'Harvest'. One of the tracks deals with 'Following Jesus' what that means and its implications for our lives. I have been through that track and it utilizes the Gospel of Mark 1 and the importance of the cross for our own Christian adventure. If you are interested in going in the fall term, please email me at reddy4HisGlory2004@yahoo.com to let me know so that I can get you contact information.

There are other fellowships to such as Asian Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade for Christ, Cornerstone, etc that have wonderful retreats that are focused on Christ and growing in Him.

In retreats focused on the Lord, we will come away realizing how weak we are and what a relief to know that in our weaknesses, Christ's loving strength is shown in our lives. In our weaknesses we realize that there is nothing we can do to attain Salvation in Christ on our own but thanks be to God that it is the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that justifies us, saves us, and sanctifies us.

A lot of people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Personal Savior at retreats because of that special time used to share Christ's love for a fallen world for people like you and me. We don't have it all together but Christ does and when we allow Him to work in our lives wanting to be obedient to Him, He will take care of the rest.

May you find time to have a retreat with Jesus to know Him, be taught by Him, and be led by Jesus.

"Retreat Enjoy Three-day Remembering Emmanuel Almighty's Teachings!"/What place do you give a R.E.T.R.E.A.T in your life?"

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am so touched that you spent three days with the crowds and am so happy to read that the crowds were with you for three days. This reminds me of retreats to be taught by you through your Word, led by you through your Spirit, and known by you. Oh Lord, please help me make a time once a year atleast to have that 3-day retreat with you away from the noise of city life. Help me to be in a community of believers where we can have a retreat together too. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you so much for loving me as I am. Thank you for saving me from the bondage of sin as I yield to you. Thank you I can be transformed by you. I turn this time to thee Lord and ask thee for all thine help. Thank you so much Jesus! Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!!

Make this your prayer. Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking you need all the answers before coming to Christ. Let me just assure you though you may not have all the answers right now before coming to Jesus, He will answer them slowly. Yes, He will for I know our Redeemer will! Amen!

Prayer:
Jesus, I thank you for being the Bread of Life. You are the Living Bread of my life. Thank you for coming from Heaven and giving your life for the life of the world. You sacrificed yourself for humanity. Thank you Lord when we eat of you symbolically making you part of our life, digesting what you teach us by following you, we can be living Eternally, and the fruit that comes will reflect and resemble your life. I want that Father God. I want that Lord Jesus! I want that Holy Spirit! I know of a lot of people who partake of Holy Communion where the bread represents your body broken for their sin and the juice represents your blood shed for their sin. When we partake of Holy Communion, we are reminded that we are remembering you. I want to remember you always Lord Jesus. But for me to remember you always, I need to know you and acknowledge everything you said you are. So right now I acknowledge that you are my Lord and Personal Savior who died and rose again to give me life from sin. So right now, I come to you and say how sorry I am for my sin and living a life on my own. I repent of my sin and ask you to forgive me of my sin with your cleansing blood which I accept. Wash me and I will be clean from this infection of sin. Come Lord Jesus and please become part of my life as you live in me and I will live for you. I thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I do need your Spirit to reside in me and work in me and through me so I surrender all that I am and will be to you. Whatever your will is for me, please give me the strength and willingness to bear it and rejoice in you. Thank you so much Jesus. I thank you Jesus for becoming my Lord and Personal Savior. I thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and have answered me. I thank you that I am your child Oh God. I thank you for becoming my only Way to Eternal Life. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through. Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in Bible Live Eternally!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-720-4579

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

Express Your View

.Click picture to read my dad's memoriam:

' I AM ' Series Archives:

What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13, 07, 10:09 a.m.)

Gospel of Mark Archives:

Mark 1:1: "What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan 15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)

Mark 1:1-4: "How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan 12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)

Mark 1:5-8: "Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08, 8:48 a.m.)

Mark 1:9: How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08, 11:21 a.m.)

Mark 1:9-11: "How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08, 8:53 a.m.)

Mark 1:12-13: "How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19, 08, 12:27 p.m.)

Mark 1:14-15: How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan 21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)

Mark 1:16-18: "What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan 26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)

Mark 1:19-20: "Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?" (Jan 29, 08, 10:44 a.m.)

Mark 1:20-22: "How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan 30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)

Mark 1:20-22: "Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan 31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)

Mark 1:23-28: "What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb 01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 4:3-20: "What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb 02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 1:29-31: "Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05, 08, 11:44 a.m.)

Mark 1:32-34: "Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06, 08, 11:16 a.m.)

Mark 1:35-39: "Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb 07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)

Mark 1:40-42: "Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09, 08, 11:00 a.m.)

Mark 1:43-45: "What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08, 9:23 a.m.)

MARK CHAPTER 2:

Mark 2:1-2: "What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb 12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)

Mark 2:2-5: "What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb 13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb 15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb 16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb 18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)

Mark 2:13-15: "Where are you looking for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?" (Feb 19, 08, 11:22 a.m.)

Mark 2:15-17: "Who do you I.N.V.I.T.E to Jesus?" (Feb 20, 08, 9:57 a.m.)

Mark 2:18-20: "When do you F.A.S.T?" (Feb 21, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Mark 2:21-22: "How do you see your L.I.F.E?" (Feb 22, 08, 9:56 a.m.)

Mark 2:23-28: "What kind of L.E.A.D.E.R will you be? (Feb 23, 08, 10:46 a.m.)

Mark 2:23-28: "What does the S.A.B.B.A.T.H mean to you?" (Feb 25, 08, 10:46 a.m.)

CHAPTER 3:

Mark 3:1-6:"Whose N.E.E.D.S do you meet?" (Feb 26, 08, 9:54 a.m.)

Mark 3:7-8: "What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?" (Feb 27, 08, 8:17 a.m.)

Mark 3:9-11: "What S.P.A.C.E do you give yourself?" (Feb 28, 08, 9:38 a.m.)

Mark 3:11-12: "How do you fight E.V.I.L?" (Feb 29, 08, 9:11 a.m.)

Mark 3:13-16: "What emphasis do you put on your R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P with Jesus?" (March 01, 08, 9:29 a.m.)

Mark 3:17-19: "Where do you have your A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T in?" (March 03, 08, 9:49 a.m.)

Mark 3:20: "Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R?" (March 04, 08, 12:07 p.m.)

Mark 3:21: "How are your actions seen by your F.A.M.I.L.Y?" (March 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 3:22-27: "How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?" (March 06, 08, 7:57 a.m.)

Mark 3:28-30: "What is your V.I.E.W of Jesus?" (March 07, 08, 8:18 a.m.)

Mark 3:31-34: "What do you do with God's Will?" (March 08, 08, 8:45 a.m.)

CHAPTER 4:
Mark 4:1-20: "What do P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S mean to you?" (March 10, 08, 7:15 a.m.)

Mark 4:1-20: "What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb 02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 4:1-20: "Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March 11, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Audio: "Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March 11, 08, 11:05 a.m.)

Mark 4:21-23: "What kind of L.A.M.P will you be?" (March 12, 08, 9:40 a.m.)

Audio: "What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08, 10:11 a.m.)

"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08, 8:52 a.m.)

John 12:12-15: "How can you B.L.E.S.S the Lord?" (March 17, 08, 1:25 a.m.)

Philippians 2:8: "What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (March 20, 08, 1:16 p.m.)

"How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S?" (March 25, 08, 12:36 p.m.)

Mark 4:24-25: "What do you do with what you H.E.A.R?" (March 31, 08, 8:39 a.m.)

Mark 4:26-29: "What do you do with the W.O.R.D of God?" (April 05, 08, 10:18 a.m.)

Mark 4:30-34: "What do you do with the S.E.E.D?" (April 07, 08, 11:48 a.m.)

Mark 4:35-41: "What are the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?" (April 08, 08, 11:52 a.m.)

CHAPTER 5:

Mark 5:1-13: "Where is your T.O.R.M.E.N.T coming from?" (April 09, 08, 11:50 a.m.)

Mark 5:14-17: "Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (April 11, 08, 11:46 a.m.)

Mark 5:14-17: "What do people R.E.P.O.R.T about you?" (April 12, 08, 11:00 a.m.)

Mark 5:18-19: "What makes you A.F.R.A.I.D of Jesus?" (April 14, 08, 10:40 a.m.)

Mark 5:18-19: "Will you T.E.L.L others about Jesus?" (April 15, 08, 11:32 a.m.)

Mark 5:20: "What do you do with your T.E.S.T.I.M.O.N.Y?" (April 16, 08, 12:03 p.m.)

Proverbs 17:4: "What does G.O.S.S.I.P do to you?" (April 17, 08, 6:52 p.m.)

Exodus 12:5,7,11,13-14: "How do you know judgment will P.A.S.S.O.V.E.R you?" (April 24, 08, 9:26 a.m.)

Mark 5:21: "Why will you G.A.T.H.E.R before Jesus?" (April 28, 08, 9:36 a.m.)

Mark 5:22-24: "What place do you give P.R.A.Y.E.R in your life?" (April 29, 08, 7:51 a.m.)

Mark 5:24b-29: “Unclean Now? Christ’s Leading Everyday Always Nurtures! (U.N.C.L.E.A.N)" (May 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 5:30-34: “Forever, Redeemer Everyday Excitingly Delivers Omnipotent Message!(F.R.E.E.D.O.M)” (May 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 5:35-37: “Timing Is Messiah’s Involvement Nurturing Graciously! (T.I.M.I.N.G)” (May 07, 08, 10:07 a.m.)

Mark 5:35-42: "What place do you give G.O.D.S W.I.L.L in your life?" (May 08, 08, 9:33 a.m.)

CHAPTER 6:

Mark 6:1-2:"Where do you seek W.I.S.D.O.M for your life?" (May 09, 08, 10:31 a.m.)

Mark 6:2-3:"What do you do with your C.A.L.L.I.N.G in life?" (May 10, 08, 9:43 a.m.)

Mark 6:2-3: "Who/Where is your I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y found in?" (May 12, 08, 8:45 a.m.)

Mark 6:4: "When do you feel A.C.C.E.P.T.E.D in your life" (May 13, 08, 8:21 a.m.)

Mark 6:4-6: "How is your F.A.I.T.H in the Lord?" (May 14, 08, 8:01 a.m.)

Mark 6:6-7:"What do you T.E.A.C.H by your life?" (May 15, 08, 10:34 a.m.)

Mark 6:6-7:"Who are you S.E.N.T by?" (May 16, 08, 6:49 a.m.)

Mark 6:7-11:"Where are you S.T.A.Y.I.N.G in your life?" (May 17, 08, 8:38 a.m.)

Mark 6:12-13: "How is your spiritual H.E.A.L.T.H in your life?" (May 20, 08, 7:41 a.m.)

Mark 6:12-14: "What have people H.E.A.R.D about Jesus through you?" (May 21, 08, 8:36 a.m.)

Mark 6:14-16: "What do you T.H.I.N.K about Jesus?" (May 22, 08, 10:02 a.m.)

Mark 6:16-17: "How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S in your life?" (May 23, 08, 9:05 a.m.)

Mark 6:17-20: "When do you S.P.E.A.K out?" (May 24, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Philippians 4:9: "What kind of S.O.L.D.I.E.R will you be?" (May 26, 08, 9:55 a.m.)

Mark 6:21-25: "What has the T.O.N.G.U.E done in your life?" (May 27, 08, 8:27 a.m.)

Mark 6:25-29: "What has P.R.I.D.E done in your life?" (May 28, 08, 8:25 a.m.)

Mark 6:30: "What is your M.I.S.S.I.O.N you have been called to?" (May 29, 08, 8:19 a.m.)

Mark 6:31-32: "Where do you find R.E.S.T in your life?" (May 30, 08, 8:04 a.m.)

Mark 6:33-34: "Who have you made the S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D of your life?" (May 31, 08, 8:37 a.m.)

Mark 6:35-44: "What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (June 02, 08, 8:34 a.m.)

Mark 6:45: "Whose C.A.R.E are you really in?" (June 03, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Mark 6:46: "When do you P.R.A.Y in your life?" (June 03, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Mark 6:46-48b:"What T.R.O.U.B.L.E are you facing in your life?" (June 05, 08, 9:53 a.m.)

Mark 6:48-50: "What is the F.E.A.R you are facing in life?" (June 06, 08, 9:23 a.m.)

Mark 6:51-52: "How have you H.A.R.D.E.N.E.D your heart?" (June 07, 08, 9:09 a.m.)

Mark 6:53-54: "What are you R.E.C.O.G.N.I.Z.E.D for in your life?" (June 09, 08, 9:37 a.m.)

Mark 6:55-56: "Who do you I.N.T.R.O.D.U.C.E to Jesus in your life?" (June 10, 08, 10:50 a.m.)

CHAPTER 7:

Mark 7:1-8: "How do you view H.Y.P.O.C.R.I.S.Y in your life?" (June 11, 08, 6:11 a.m.)

Mark 7:1-8: "How does the Lord view your W.O.R.S.H.I.P in life?" (June 12, 08, 9:24 a.m.)

Mark 7:1-8: "Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow in life?" (June 13, 08, 8:12 a.m.)

Mark 7:9-13: "How do you honor your P.A.R.E.N.T.S in life?" (June 14, 08, 9:16 a.m.)

Philippians 4:20-23: "What have you done for your F.A.T.H.E.R in life?" (June 15, 08, 5:40 p.m.)

Mark 7:14-19: "How do you C.L.E.A.N your life?" (June 17, 08, 9:26 p.m.)

Mark 7:20-23: "When are you getting a H.E.A.R.T transplant?" (June 18, 08, 7:36 a.m.)

Mark 7:24: "Why not take the C.R.E.D.I.T offered to you in life?" (June 19, 08, 10:12 a.m.)

Mark 7:25-26: "How often do you ask Jesus to S.A.V.E your loved ones in life?" (June 20, 08, 9:45 a.m.)

Mark 7:27-30: "What A.D.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y are you facing in life?" (June 21, 08, 10:38 a.m.)

Mark 7:31-32:"Who do you B.R.I.N.G to Jesus?" (June 23, 08, 9:50 a.m.)

Mark 7:33-34: "Where do you want the Lord to W.O.R.K in your life?" (June 24, 08, 10:12 a.m.)

Mark 7:35-36: "What do you need W.E.L.L done in your life?" (June 25, 08, 10:10 a.m.)

CHAPTER 8

Mark 8:1a:"Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R in life?" (June 26, 08, 10:11 a.m.)

Mark 8:1b-3:"Who needs your C.O.M.P.A.S.S.I.O.N this week?" (June 27, 08, 10:16 a.m.)

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By Ramesh C.ReddyPittsburgh StandardJune 29, 2008

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Express Your View

By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

June 29, 2008