The Thrill of God's Will

The evening is proceeding as usual in today's reading (Luke 22:24-46), as Jesus walks over to His normal camping place in the garden with His followers. But when He gets there He says something different; "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." And going a little farther, that is just what He does. But His words are sounding even more strange; "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
 It is then that the Father's will starts becoming evident as an angel appears from heaven to strengthen Jesus. I think in the crisis of the moment we often skip over that part. But an angel coming down in answer to prayer is a big deal! As Jesus went on to sweat blood in agonizingly fervent prayer, I know that angel from His Father was a huge encouragement.


I'm thinking that angel answers to prayer can be quite thrilling as we remember Who they are from. Let's not underestimate the possibilities of God's grace to answer prayer and get us through hard times.


Look out for the angel!










 

The Best is Yet to Come

We've come to the to their last evening together in our reading (Luke 22:3-22:23). And as our Lord is approaching the cruelest suffering (physical, mental and spiritual) ever, we have no hint of rushing about, anxiety, or fear as the friends gather for supper.  "When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table." In this critical moment Jesus reveals His heart of love for others. "And he said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.' "   He is so wanting them to be prepared for the next hard step of suffering, and to know that it is not the end. Actually, the best is yet to come. "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." 

It was hard for them and is often hard for us to believe that the Father will use all these things for the good of His children. 


Lord, give us faith to believe You and know that the best is yet to come.

Earthquake Instructions

I am so hoping that you are greatly encouraged by the victorious reading today (Luke 21:20-22:2). It is so real!  Who cannot listen to the news and hear "men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world"? The word in Luke is that the "powers of the world will be shaken" and that has to produce one big earthquake. So what is the response of many? It seems to be fear and hiding. And maybe even escape into "dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life" (verse 34).

But the word to us is: "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." We are encouraged "to keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." We can stand on God's truth and promises. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." I believe He is calling us to that.

I woke up this morning with the song in my head, "Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed. The victory is won, He has risen from the dead.  And I will rise when He calls my name ...."

He is calling your name ladies.

Let's rise to meet Him.

Beware of.........

Today's title doesn't really sound like good news, but Jesus loves us so much He wants us to experience the rewards in our life as opposed to what verse 47 calls "greater condemnation". And even though the beware warning is about the scribes in today's reading (Luke 20:45-21:19) , it had some aspects that surely spoke to me.

I'm thinking I sometimes get this "scribe spirit"  and start focusing on whether this "long robe" or that outfit will be liked by others or how those cute shoes are just what I need for satisfaction. Or some days it might be how fun it is to be asked to be on this committee or be recognized as valuable for that service. I, like them, love the greetings of friends and appearing like I've "got it together". My compassion for the lowest at times seems woefully lacking and why did I have to bring up all those latest and greatest accomplishments of the children?

God knows that getting free from this bondage of always looking good would end in true satisfaction. Maybe I'm more sensitive about this as my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law are coming today to stay with us a while. But whatever is going on, if we thank God for the situation (however humbling), He does give grace to free us from this "scribe spirit" and raise our sights to pleasing Him first.

Thanks you Lord for Your warnings and grace.

The Wonderful Teacher

Doesn't it tickle you to see Jesus shine as a teacher as He does in today's reading (Luke 20:19-44)? The furious scribes and chief priests were trying trying to trap Jesus again into saying something they could condemn. But He answered their tricky question with an object lesson invoving a denarius and the wise, "Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."  Such an excellent lesson actually shut them up. ("And astonished by his answer, they became silent.")
Then the Sadducees also come with a tricky question and Jesus told a story that resulted in their response of  ' "Well said, teacher!"  And no one dared to ask him any more questions.'

What a gift it is that we have a generous supply of Jesus' lessons today. Maybe we can be a little quieter and listen more to our wonderful Teacher. Let's hear Him speak in our hearts through others, His word, songs, nature - really anyway He would like to.

Speak, Lord, we're listening.

Who are You?

It was a regular day and Jesus was at "church" teaching a class to His fans (Luke 20:1-18). In storms the scribes and elders like police demanding to know who gave Him the right to talk like this. Boy, they sure did not know Who they were talking to. Anyway, check out His amazingly wise response in verse 4. It is like He was trying to reveal if they were being honest or just trying to take over. It soon became obvious that Jesus had won this round. 

The whole thing reminds me of some of my demanding  questions of God. I would be wiser to remember Who He is. It would be good to remember something like God's response to Job in Job 38:4. "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand."
Remembering Who He is puts things in a better perspective.

For Crying Out Loud!

Jesus does make it to His final approach into Jerusalem in the reading for today (Luke 19:28-48). And my, this visit starts off so right and good and the way things ought to be. The whole crowd that has gathered in His journey of three years "began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen". They are making such a ruckus that the nervous Pharisees tell Him to shut them up. Don't you love the next verse! "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Where Jesus is, it is right to have praise. Where there is praise to God, He is present. Praise and Presence go hand in hand.

Let's make this a day of praise.
(Also be sure and check out  the clue in verse 42 about what things make for peace.)