Category: Faith > Fear

I have prayed for you

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!

Willing and weak

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.

Purpose

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

Often, the last thing we want to hear when we face any kind of suffering is “it must be God’s will.” Although it is meant to console, it often never does. Remember Job’s friends, they were far better off just listening or grieving with him, but they just had to try to make sense of his suffering by offering all the reasons God would allow it. Just listen is certainly good advice for us too when consoling a friend, but notice Jesus’ words leading up to his darkest hour, “not my will, but yours be done.” In his great distress (more than we can possibly imagine) it was confidence in His Father’s will that gave him hope; it sustained him. The writer of Hebrews would even declare, “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross.” That kind of joy, in the face of great suffering, could only come to Jesus if he could see through it to behold the purpose’s of his Father on the other side of it. His suffering wasn’t the result of faithlessness, nor was it arbitrary (for no reason at all); no, it was heavy with purpose.

We live in a world broken by the corruption of sin, and we feel it, some of us more than others, but we can be certain of this, that just as Jesus’ suffering (and resurrection) brought new life to the world, so our suffering can yield the same in lives around us. Purpose.

Progress

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?

God’s Will…First and Only

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?”

Edit

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?

Grieving Alone?

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.

 

Overwhelmed

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

“My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death”–v 38.

Know anyone who suffers from lupus?  An inflammatory disease characterized by joint pain and fatigue, and it takes its name from the Greek word for pain (lupe)

It is what Jesus described on the night before his death.  (Peri lupe–“surrounded by pain”)  A wave of sorrow had crashed over Him.  Emotional.  Physical.  Spiritual.  It overwhelmed Him.

Ever been there?  While I think we should be careful comparing our sorrows to His, I am glad that the Lord has sympathy for this very human experience.

What did He do?  In the midst of such sorrow, with confidence in God, Jesus knelt to pray.  He fought His way up and through the wave of sorrow and pain to the place where He could breathe again–the air of God’s truth.  In pain, He found His footing in prayer.

Lord, help us do the same.

A new way to think

Re:Verse reading–Luke 12:22-34 (day seven)

“Let the wicked man forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his THOUGHTS. . .and He (God) will have compassion on him.”–Isaiah 55:7.

What if our real problem is not what we do (or don’t do)?  What if the deeper issue is what we think–what we think about?

Jesus called us to repentance (meta noia–“to think again”), and one of the most powerful “brain changes” for the believer is a new conception of God in our conscious and unconscious thoughts.

“Consider the lilies” Jesus says in Luke 12:27.  It is word of intentional, logical thought.  Think about them!  Observe!  Consider! Let the created world guide you to some new conclusions about God!

Many think that life is hard and stingy.  Not true, says Jesus.   God is dependably generous, extravagant even.  The proof is all around us.

To have new lives, we will need to think this new thought. God is generous and good!

 

Glad

Re:Verse reading–Luke 12:22-34 (day six)

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

My girls have never had to worry about their basic needs being met. Whether food, shelter, or clothing, they have always had what they needed. When they are hungry or need something, they simply come to me (often) and let me know; they expect me to meet those needs. Sometimes, I tell them to wait, or I offer something different then what they asked for, but they know to come to me.

Here’s the truth, I want to meet their every need; I want them to have the best life possible, and so I gladly give to them! This is true of dads, because it is first true of our Father in heaven; he has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Jesus reminds his listeners to not worry because God knows your needs and will meet them, but He desires far more for you than food and clothing, for He longs for you to have the kingdom.

I want to desire His kingdom, don’t you? Let’s stop worrying about food and clothing, and run to the Father and ask Him for the Kingdom, for His Word promises that he is glad to give it.