Month: August 2016

Re: Verse reading–Luke 22:31-34, 54-62 (day four)

He was trying to hide in plain sight.  He just wanted to disappear from everyone’s radar.  Peter was proud of his relationship with Christ and was glad to be the key representative of Jesus’ chosen group when things were going good.  When multitudes responded and the sick were healed, Peter was first and foremost with Christ.  Now…when the tides turned against Christ…Peter struggled with his commitment.  He wanted to be close to see what happened but he wanted to be invisible to the opposition.

What was the difference in Acts 1-2 when Peter stood boldly and preached the Gospel to thousands?  Peter had been filled with the Holy Spirit!  Peter had tried to ‘be the man’ before, but in his best strength, he could not measure up.  It was the power of God through his life that brought power.

Have you ever done that…tried to serve God in your best strength, only to fall short?  Yield to Christ and to the power of the Holy Spirit to work through your life.  Bitter disappointment may be turned to thousands coming to Christ!

Re: Verse reading–Luke 22:31-34, 54-62 (day three)

“When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  What if there were a day in the future when you think more clearly than you think now, when you are less timid than you are right now, more confident, and less dependent on circumstances?  Have you given up on that day?  The Lord looks at your life in terms of the good you’re capable of, not in terms of the bad you’re capable of.  It’s the Lord who says, “Go out and preach the gospel and heal.”  It’s the Lord who says, “You give them something to eat.”  It’s the Lord who says, “Do not worry about what you will say, for you will say the right words at the right time.”  Jesus has not given up on that day.  Stick with his vision for your life, not yours.

Re: Verse reading–Luke 22:31-34, 54-62 (day two) But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” 3:33

Petrus – rock. If there is one disciple who you would have picked to stand beside Jesus until the bitter end it probably would have been Peter. Strong, loud, prone to action not cowardice, and yet when the moment came – he froze. In the midst of the chaos Peter forgot about Jesus, and focused on his own safety.

Paul understood: For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. Romans 7:19 When the rubber meets to road and we are called into account, we must not rely on our own strength for the moment. If we think we are strong enough we must remember Peter. God knows our every weakness, and he desire to be the unbending source of strength in times of trial. Never forget that.

 

Re: Verse reading–Luke 22:31-34, 54-62 (day one)

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.”–v 31-32

“Therefore He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”–Hebrews 7:25.

Great encouragement.  For Peter.  For us.  The Lord is praying for us.

Much needed help.  He knows better than we do the path ahead, the dangers lurking, the unresolved love of self that still lingers near the center of our hearts.  He knows the purification that can only come through suffering.

When He prays, it is with perfect mercy and insight.  And when we fall (as He knows we will) the prayed-for resources for our recovery stand nearby and ready.

The Lord has a vision for a better me, a better you, a better world.  He is praying us forward toward it!

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 26:36-46 (day seven)

“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”–v 41.

I am a mixed bag.  A contradiction. We all are.  It explains a lot.

Made in God’s image, my inner man sincerely holds the highest of all aspirations.  As Jesus said of His disciples,  “the Spirit (my spirit, His Spirit within me) is willing”. . .to serve, to accomplish, to wait, to suffer, to persevere, to love.  In my “inner man” I joyfully concur with the law of God. (Romans 7:22)

But, and this is equally true, I am also weak.  Without strength or self-discipline or endurance.  My own worst enemy.  A walking spiritual collision!

The solution is two-fold says the Savior.  Watch!  Appreciate the danger.  Never trust yourself. Pray!  Ask God for His daily help and wisdom and power.

Tender mercy!  God provides for people like us who are both willing and weak.

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 26:36-46 (day five)

I have heard and often quoted the phrase, “The goal of the Christian life is progress, not perfection”.  This mindset encourages me to continue learning, growing, following, and seeking after the Lord.  It often creates patience in me as I wait for guidance and answers.  This week I noticed “progress” in Jesus’ prayers in the garden as He prayed and processed the decision and commitment to do the Lord’s will.  His first prayer (v. 39) was to ask or petition that there be another way.  Yet He was absolutely surrendered to do God’s will.  His second prayer (v.42) shows progress.  Notice how His perspective changes.  Jesus indicates a growing awareness that the only way for the cup to pass, is for Him to drink it.  And His determination to do God’s will has not changed.

Do our prayers and actions demonstrate progress?  Do we look and listen for God to show us where progress can be found and made in our efforts and desire to do God’s will?

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 26:36-46 (day four)

Jesus was tempted just as we are, but He was without sin.  The struggle against the temptation to escape the cross was real.  Jesus returned three times to acknowledge His faith in God to choose the right course of action.  Many times, we struggle and ask God to deliver us from our circumstances.  We don’t always believe that God can or will deliver us, so we descend into fear.  Our focus is more often our own comfort rather than God’s overall plan.  Jesus knew that God could and would deliver Him if He asked…twelve legions of angels awaited.  In faith though, Jesus was willing to accept God’s will for His life.  His faith overcame the temptation to fear.

What if, what is most uncomfortable to us, is the best to fulfill God’s plan?  Are we willing to be so used of God that we would give up our safety and comfort?  Can we say, like Jesus, “not as I will, but as you will?”

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 26:36-46 (day three) 

“He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him.”  Who do you take into your darkest, weakest, most horrifying moments?  Our Lord knew it was unwise to keep others from seeing him shaken to the core.  How much of your life are you editing before others can view it?

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 26:36-46 (day two) 

And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.  Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” vs. 37-38

The apostles’ role in this story has always been one that garners derision from the reader. Rightly so, they were to watch and pray and they fell asleep. This is a cautionary tale that we should all remain vigilant. I never considered, however, Jesus’ desire for company. He went and prayed alone, but before that he took with him some of his closest friends that they may share this time with him. They came to mourn with Jesus, to pray for him, and to protect if need be. Is Jesus giving us a pattern for grieving here? Knowing what lay before him, Jesus took with him friends to share in this trial. Are you there? Have you considered bringing others to watch, pray, and grieve with you? Maybe you should.