Today's Reading: Matthew 26: 36-46
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Matthew 26: 36-46
Bible Study
Yesterday we had a choice to choose whether we would like to become Peter or Judas. Today we have another choice. A choice to pass through a disaster or to have a mess.
Of course who would like to pass a disaster, who would like to have a mess. The key is just one word: PRAY!
Is it that simple? Well, it is or it isn't, it depends on how you understand the meaning of the word "pray":
1. Keep watch: Jesus warned his disciples that they needed to keep watch three times. Keep watch is a watch for a shepherd to take so that the wolfs and the thief can't come in to steal, kill and destroy(John 10:10). Keep watch at that time means simply that they had to keep on praying. Non stop praying, that's all!
2. Pray: praying means to have a continuous trusting relationship with God no matter what. Jesus at that time wanted to receive a YES from God that he did not need to go through that hardship of being crucified. God gave him a NO and he accepted that NO and continue doing God's assignment. All his disciples did not pray and the consequence is that they were all disheartened and scattered!
Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus warned his disciples three times to keep watch. Jesus warned his disciples three times to pray because they slept. Jesus prayed three times and later in John 21: 15- 19 Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved him or not. Are all those happening of three times coincidence? How are those happening related to praying? How are the praying and not praying make a difference?
Of course who would like to pass a disaster, who would like to have a mess. The key is just one word: PRAY!
Is it that simple? Well, it is or it isn't, it depends on how you understand the meaning of the word "pray":
1. Keep watch: Jesus warned his disciples that they needed to keep watch three times. Keep watch is a watch for a shepherd to take so that the wolfs and the thief can't come in to steal, kill and destroy(John 10:10). Keep watch at that time means simply that they had to keep on praying. Non stop praying, that's all!
2. Pray: praying means to have a continuous trusting relationship with God no matter what. Jesus at that time wanted to receive a YES from God that he did not need to go through that hardship of being crucified. God gave him a NO and he accepted that NO and continue doing God's assignment. All his disciples did not pray and the consequence is that they were all disheartened and scattered!
Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus warned his disciples three times to keep watch. Jesus warned his disciples three times to pray because they slept. Jesus prayed three times and later in John 21: 15- 19 Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved him or not. Are all those happening of three times coincidence? How are those happening related to praying? How are the praying and not praying make a difference?
Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: Your choice: Pass or a mess!
What I got from Jesus today is an opportunity for us to become man and woman of prayers! You don't have to think all those happening in a difficult way. It is so simple! Jesus kept watch and he prayed, he passed through a disaster that no human being can pass through. His disciples could not keep watch and they did not prayed and they made a mess!
That is not difficult for you to understand, right? Whether you can pray at all times means your continuous intimate relationship with God and your total obedience to him. Do not have the passion to pray, do not believe the power of prayer and do not pray means that you have a broken relationship with God.
So today you have once again another choice. Of course you made a choice yesterday to be Peter and not Judas. But, don't forget Peter made a big mess by not praying. So, you need to make a right choice everyday. To pray more and more or pray less and less. The difference is 'pass" or "a mess"!
Choose wisely today!
Remember, praying means your true intimate personal relationship with Jesus. Praying means you have a good daily devotion time to be with Jesus. Praying means you will go to your church's weekly prayer meeting. Praying means to have praying as your first priority!
That is not difficult for you to understand, right? Whether you can pray at all times means your continuous intimate relationship with God and your total obedience to him. Do not have the passion to pray, do not believe the power of prayer and do not pray means that you have a broken relationship with God.
So today you have once again another choice. Of course you made a choice yesterday to be Peter and not Judas. But, don't forget Peter made a big mess by not praying. So, you need to make a right choice everyday. To pray more and more or pray less and less. The difference is 'pass" or "a mess"!
Choose wisely today!
Remember, praying means your true intimate personal relationship with Jesus. Praying means you have a good daily devotion time to be with Jesus. Praying means you will go to your church's weekly prayer meeting. Praying means to have praying as your first priority!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Teach us to pray and lead us to pray so that we have a continuous intimate personal relationship with you no matter what happen and that we will obey totally your command. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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