Observations:
I asked myself how Jesus responds to their exclamation of everyone is looking for you?

Jesus responds with 3 replies:

Observation/Interpretation:
Why are these statements so significant?
These statements are so significant to me because Jesus made these statements to Simon and his companions after He had spent time with the Father. He was sharing His insights with them after prayer. Even though people were looking for him from one place, Jesus wanted them to know that He did not come to be confined to one area and one sub-population but came for other people too.

It is very interesting that Jesus did not say that He came to heal people but ‘so I can preach there also’. The Gospel was priority in Jesus’ life. But to present the Gospel, Jesus also met people where they were so they would be more receptive to the Gospel. This is evident by v.39.

"So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” (Mark 1:39, NIV)

Because of time spent in prayer, Jesus and His companions traveled throughout Galilee preaching in the synagogues and driving out demons emphasizing the Gospel.

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life. Because Jesus spent a lot of solitary time with the Father in prayer, Jesus was also able to get wisdom and insight on what He needed to do which was an effect of the time spent with the Father. In the same way, the more time I spend with the Lord in His Word and prayer, the more He will reveal to me what I need to do each and every day. It becomes an adventure of Christian living but it starts with seeking the Lord for His guidance. He will direct me in the path I need to go.

I ask you now dear friend, how do you get your direction in life?
Dear friend, the best way to get direction in your life is to do what Jesus did. By spending solitary time with the Father that was not only quantitative but qualitative, Jesus knew it was time to move on from Simon and Andrew's place. Everyone there were looking for Jesus when they woke up but Jesus knew God's will was not for Him to be confined to that one area. Through prayer Jesus got direction. It is that direction that Jesus shared with Simon and His companions and acted upon it. If Jesus had not spent that time with the Father, Jesus could have gone back to Simon and Andrew's place when they told him everyone is looking for you but because of the time spent with the Father in prayer, Jesus knew exactly what He needed to do. In the same way, the more solitary time we spend with the Lord quantitatively and qualitatively that is not rushed at all, Lord will give us direction each and everyday what to do. We never have to feel like we are lost for we can have the wisdom of the Lord revealed to us. But once we get the direction on what to do, we cannot go back to how things were or stay complacent. It is time to act.

Yesterday, at Oakland International Fellowship's (OIF), campus minister Jesse did an Inductive Bible study discussion on a passage in Colossians 4:2-6 which also emphasized the importance of prayer and the cause-effect relationship we see because of it. Here too we learned that after prayer, the focus became on being a bold witness for Christ, declaring the mystery of Christ. Prayer became the catalyst for the direction that needed to be taken just like Jesus gave direction for the disciples after spending time in prayer. Jeanne emphasized that everything starts first and foremost with prayer and Pastor Ridge shared that proclaiming and preaching the Gospel is the cause-effect result of continuing steadfast in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Friend, this should excite us what happens when we spend quality time with the Lord Jesus in prayer to see what He reveals to us. For us whatever He reveals to us will never go against His Word, the Bible. Whatever, He reveals to us has to be tested with Scripture. So, it is so important for us to be in God's Word studying it and meditating on it through prayer.

After prayer, Jesus did not mention anything about healing but about preaching. Preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God became paramount for Jesus even though He did a lot of healing too. This reminded me of what MeeLi, our prayer coordinator shared about meeting people where they are as a means to lead them to Christ sharing the Gospel that Jesus alone can save us and make us right with God and deliver us from any bondage that Satan tries to keep us in.

Through time with the Lord Jesus in prayer and His Word, Jesus will give us direction: "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:5-6, TLB)

Friend, it is exciting to know that direction starts with prayer, prayer, prayer.  In the worship service, Pastor Josh gave a sermon from Psalm 5 emphasizing prayer once again: "O Lord, hear me praying; listen to my plea, O God my King, for I will never pray to anyone but you. Each morning I will look to you in heaven and lay my requests before you, praying earnestly." (Psalm 5:1-2, TLB)

As the sermon goes along, I am reminded of Psalm 5:8 which says, "Lord, lead me as you promised me you would; otherwise my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, which way to turn" asking the Lord Jesus for direction which reminded me of  Pastor Bucknell's sermon on Psalm 32 where a verse from Psalm 32:8 says, "I will instruct you and guide you along the best pathway for your life, I will advise you and watch your progress."

Friend, the Lord Jesus wants to give you and me direction. That is exciting to know! Thank you Jesus!

Any good relationship is based on the quality time spent. If you give only 5 quality minutes in a relationship, that relationship won't be as effective as someone who spends a lot of quality time in a relationship. A person who spends only 5 minutes a day in a relationship should not even wonder why that relationship is not growing strong. It is the same way, with our relationship with God. The more time we give into the relationship, the more our relationship will grow. The more our relationship grows, we will slowly come to understand the heart of God to know Him and be known by Him. The more time we spend with the Lord in His Word and prayer, the more we will get His direction to go in the path He chooses for us. Praise the Lord.

May you seek the Lord Jesus always for His direction and move in faith! Amen!

"Deliverer Is Redirecting Everyone Correctly Towards Important Omnipotent News! (D.I.R.E.C.T.I.O.N)/"How do you get your D.I.R.E.C.T.I.O.N in life?"

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you so much for the example you have set for us. The amount of time you spent with the Father is amazing. You always took time to go to a solitary place to pray to set us an example of the importance of time with Father God. Thank you so much for the quantity and quality time you spent with the Father. This gave you direction to move in the path Father God wanted you to. We need your help to have that desire and motivation to spend time with you Lord so our relationship with you can grow. We do not want it to be legalistic but a choice of our will to spend more time with you for we know the more we spend time in your Word and prayer, the more clear the direction becomes in our lives on what we need to do. Help us Oh Lord for the glory and honor of your Name. Thank you so much for your help! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! I love you Lord. Help me show it by actions and words. Thanks so much Jesus! Amen!

"May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)