Page 84 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

84 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

Throughout Scripture we see various individuals seeking refuge in quiet places.
Jesus went to a mountainside, Daniel chose an open window in his home, and
David chose the peace of the shepherd’s field. In the same way, a minister needs a
place away from distraction in order to give God full attention.
9 What has your private Another benefit of the quiet place is the protection against pride. Jesus told
place of devotion come to His disciples to enter their private place to pray so they would not be seen by
mean to you? others. This would keep them from being more concerned about the impression
they were leaving on others than that which they were leaving with God. The
minister can fall into a similar trap given the expectations of spiritual leadership
he or she carries. When our public prayer life seeks to demonstrate greater power
than we discover in private, we become out of balance spiritually and desperately
need time alone with God.
Certainly, one can seek God in any location, but it is helpful for the minister
to establish a consistent place to spend daily devotional time.

Sabbath Rest
The most ignored of God’s commandments is the Sabbath principle. Yet, it is
essential to a true spiritual life. It is easy for the minister to become so occupied
with tasks and expectations that at least seven days are needed each week to
fulfill all responsibilities. One of the difficulties ministers face is this matter of a
designated day of rest—that one day per week when the minister should neither
go to the office nor handle any church business.
But God commanded rest; He demonstrated it in the creative week. God’s
command is not optional or reserved for some future date when we will have
time. We demonstrate our love for Christ through obedience. Ministers who
ignore this fundamental command have little reason to hope God will override
their declining strength.
The minister’s day of rest should include worship, study, reflection, and
prayer. In addition, he or she should seek ways to escape thoughts of daily
demands by reserving time for family and recreation. A minister will quickly
learn what refreshes him or her and should seek that refreshing each week.
Finalizing a Plan
Armed with an established time, location, and Sabbath plan, the minister
is ready to implement a personal devotional life. By using the components of
worship, study, reflection, and prayer, a minister can assemble a plan that will
allow God to nourish his or her heart and mind.
10 Write a devotional plan Some will spend an hour or more in such time while others will struggle
and use it for the next few to believe they can afford more than a few minutes. The latter will come to
days. realize that the nourishing God gives will make their lives more productive
and fulfilling. Before long, the issue becomes less about how much time one
can afford, and more about how much time one can give to this life-giving
opportunity each day.
If you have yet to establish and follow a consistent devotional plan, you
must begin immediately. With the help of your mentor, organize a time each day
where God can pour into your life. There is no substitute and no short-cut to the
spiritual life you need.

Summary

Some Pentecostals have come to believe that a spiritual life exists only in
the great and powerful moments they experience around an altar. But the Bible