The POWER of Personal Retreats

  1. Personal Transformation
  • Luke 9: 28-35 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.29As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.30And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,31who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.32But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.33Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said.34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son.Hear Him!"NKJV
  • The most important benefit of Personal retreats is personal transformation.
  • He also shows us His glory.
  • God gives us a picture of how He sees us.
  1. Partners for the Journey
  • Luke 6: 1212Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:14Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;15Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;16Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.NKJV
  • When we calibrate with the Lord, He may adjust who we walk with.
  • Birds of a feather flock together.
  • Three kinds of people:
  1. Those that are for you
  2. Those that are against you
  3. Those that are for themselves
  1. Peace to die to self
  • Mark 14: 32-42Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray."33And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.34Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."35He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.36And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."37Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?38Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."39Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.40And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.41Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.42Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."NKJV
  • We accept what God has for us
  • We embrace our brokenness
  1. Power to Minister to others
  • Mark 6: 46And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.NKJV
  • Mark 6: 54-56And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,55ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.56Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well. NKJV
  • Time with God makes time with people more impactful.