by Whitey | May 7, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'” (1 Chronicles 11:1, 2 NIV)
David had to wait a long time for God’s promise to come true. He had to go through many hard times while he waited. But his patience, trust and faithfulness paid off when he was finally crowned king of Israel.
What a great reminder to trust in the Lord, wait patiently, and follow faithfully as I wait for prayers to be answered, dreams to come true and ministry to bear fruit.
by Whitey | Apr 2, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (v. 46)
We all face temptation every day, some days more than others. But the Bible promises that God always provides a way out. And I wonder if sometimes it’s as simple as Jesus’ instructions to His disciples in this passage…
“Get up and pray.”
Jesus’ temptation was to flee from or resist the coming storm, His crucifixion. It was a trial He did not want to go through. But it was part of the Father’s plan. Jesus sets an example for us here when He faces the temptation to disobey. He prays.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (v. 42)
He prays. He’s honest about how He feels, but He submits to the Father’s will. He chooses to obey. And when the time comes for His arrest, Jesus does not resist, because He’s already settled the issue with His Father in prayer. He does the right thing, for us.
Meanwhile, the disciples — who slept instead of praying — are overcome by fear when the storm arrives. When temptation comes, they flee, betray and deny.
Whose example do we follow? How often does something as simple as fatigue or laziness win out over prayer in our lives? How often is defeating temptation as simple as getting up and praying?
Get up and pray!
by Whitey | Mar 1, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!” (v. 37)
In Jesus’ parable, after the master returns from his journey to find his servants waiting, the master serves the servents. I find this really encouraging. What an amazing picture of the reward God has in store for us who are His servants in Christ!
In the end, it will be worth the wait. It will be worth the pain. It will be worth the struggles. Be faithful.
by Whitey | Feb 22, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (v. 13)
In His teaching here about prayer, Jesus doesn’t promise us that we will receive everything we think we want. But He does promise that we will receive what we need. And what we need — or rather, who we need — is the Holy Spirit.
God offers us Himself. He promises that those who week Him will find Him. But so often we seek other things to fill that hole. This affects both how we pray and how we live.
Father God, I pray for more of Your Holy Spirit in my life. May it be You that I seek, You who are my purpose, goal, center and life. Please purify my prayer life, my priorities, my heart. Lord, teach me to pray.
by Whitey | Feb 17, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place
to lay his head.” (v. 58)
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service
in the kingdom of God.” (v. 62)
These statements from Jesus are challenging words for modern
Christians in modern nations, who want comfort and security and
ease… things that Jesus never guaranteed His followers. In fact, not
only did He not guarantee these things, He promised that following Him
would not be easy.
Those of us who do have it easy should stop and think, in light of
words like these. Am I following Jesus or simply a convenient form of
religion? Does Jesus have all of me? Is Jesus really everything to
me if following Him hasn’t cost me anything?
Again, let my prayer be “Take the world but give me Jesus.”
by Whitey | Feb 14, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
'Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?'" (v. 23-25)
Sometimes my response to life's disappointments is… disappointing. I'm more selfish than I'd like to admit. I don't like it when I don't get my own way, I don't like waiting, I want comfort and fulfillment and success and…
Here Jesus calls me to something higher, something better. To give my ALL to Him. It's a high calling. Many days I fail to live up to it. Which is why I need His grace. And by His grace, here and now, I make this my prayer….
"Take the world, but give me Jesus."
