The Daily Dose

His Father’s Agenda

The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, Luke 23:36

In today’s portion of scripture, there are many people who are all on their own agenda.  This portion of scripture starts out with Simon of Cyrene, who was just passing by when all the commotion of Jesus’ crucifixion was going on.  He was compelled to pick up Jesus’ cross and carry it for Jesus.  That was not what Simon was there to do, but he did the work God had planned for him that day.

Then there were roman soldiers. They were there to crucify Jesus and the thieves with Him.  It was obvious that they were looking out for themselves because they were gambling for their own advantage.  They were there for their jobs, but they didn’t know they were doing God’s work.

The thieves got there because of what their focus was, to steal from others for their on benefit and the bystanders where there because they wanted to condemn Him.  They looked at Him with shame, probably not even knowing what His crime was.

Lastly, there were the priest, who jeered and mocked Him.  Trying to spur Him to action, but probably felt pretty safe that He would hang where He was.  He hadn’t put up a fight up to this point, still they goaded Him to come down from the cross and save Himself.  They had no idea they were instrumental in fulfilling the plan of God that day.

They were all brought together to complete Jesus’ mission and accomplish the Father’s purpose.  God was working all those things and all those people together for something good and amazing for those who love Him and are called to His purpose.  Jesus was not there for His benefit. His heart was to please His Father and to complete down to the last detail what He was sent to do. He had no concern for His own safety and well-being.  He said “Father, forgive them.  They don’t even know what they are doing.  He surrendered His will and even saved one of the thieves that hung next to Him. When the priests incited Him that day, all He knew was that He was taking care of His Father’s business.

It’s the same with us today.  For the most part people all over the world have one priority, that is pleasing themselves.  Generally speaking, we all live each day seemingly on our own agenda, but have no doubt, God’s plan is happening.  Even with the evils being done in the world today, God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him.  There was no victory for the priest the day Jesus died.  This glory was the Father’s in making a way to rescue the people that were lost to His enemy.

Today I want to encourage you to surrender your plans and schedule to your Father in heaven that loves you.  Get on board with the plan and purpose He has for your life.  Don’t leave it up to chance and circumstance that you will be at the right place at the right time.  Submit and follow His divine direction so that you are actively in the place of your purpose.  Don’t miss out on the supernatural joy of working together with your heavenly Father.  His plan will be accomplished with or without you, but wouldn’t you like to share in the part He has designed you to complete?  That is where your joy will be and that is where your success comes from.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 23:32-43

32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 

33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 

34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” and they divided His garments and cast lots. 

35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 

37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 

41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 

42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

He Was Determined

“Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.” Luke 23:26 

I have heard many messages about how Jesus sweat drops of blood in the garden the night before His crucifixion.  It certainly was one of the most difficult moments of His life here on earth.  The anxiety He experienced as He anticipated the events that were about to take place was outwardly and obviously expressed in His sweat drops of blood.  As He pleaded with His Father in His last minute alone with Him to remove this cup if there was any other possible way to accomplish God’s plan.  He finished the conversation by declaring “Not my will but Yours be done!”   Even as I write these words my heart is heavy with sorrow, but also filled with gratitude and appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice once again.

As difficult as that moment of prayer in the garden was for Jesus, I believe the turning point or most difficult steps were at the point He fell down on the road, carrying the cross.  Someone else had to come and carry it for Him.  At that point, Jesus showed His true determination to accomplish God’s plan to carry away the curse of sin in the world.  When He could no longer take another step, God stepped in and brought help for Him to get to the top of the hill to be that sacrifice.  It was at that point when Jesus could have said, “That’s all I got, I cannot take another step.  I cannot get up and move any further on this path.  I have been beaten until there is no strength left in this body and I will lay down here and die.”  I’m sure He could have died right there if He hadn’t gone on.  However, He was determined to make it to His destination.  There was nothing that was going to hold Him back from getting to the place He was assigned to be.  He set His eyes on the top of that hill at Calvary and thought within Himself:  just a little further, just another step.  I imagined at that point He was probably down on hands and knees fixated on that spot where He was to be crucified for me.  He was obsessed to get there for us all, to carry away our sin, our sickness, our disease, and our pain and suffering. 

Thank you, LORD Jesus, for being determined to succeed in the purpose for the breath You were given here on earth.  The purpose of being the perfect sacrifice to take away the sin of the world. That purpose included being beaten, suffering for hours, dying and being buried, getting the keys of hell and death, being raised up from the dead to ascend into Heaven to be with Your Father at His right hand. Living always there with Him to be the head of the church, to rescue us from an eternity of suffering and separation from You.

Today I want to encourage you to be thankful once again for your salvation, for the price that was paid for your freedom and abundant life.  Then become determined to succeed in the plan that He has for your life.  If you do not know what the plan is, ask and He will show you because He said, “you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart”.(Jer. 29:13)  If you have never accepted the gift of salvation through His sacrifice for you, do it today by praying this prayer: 

Pray:  God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him form the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  Thank you, Jesus for Your grace that has saved me from my sin and has given me eternal life.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus name, Amen

  Now ask Him to make His plan and path plain and clear so you can follow Him from this day on.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 23:26-31

26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. 

28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 

29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ 

30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ 

31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

I am Barabbas

_{And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—Luke 23:18}

This is one of the clearest scriptures about what Jesus came to do.  He came to the world to save sinners and He did that by trading places with them.  On the day Jesus was crucified, the people were offered a choice.  They could let Jesus go or they could free the well-known criminal, Barabbas.  Barabbas was a sinner for sure.  He deserved the punishment he was scheduled to get, but Jesus stepped in and took his place.  It doesn’t look like Jesus had a choice, but He most certainly did.  He could have prayed to His Father and God would have given Him more than twelve legions of angels to protect and rescue Him. (See Matthew 25:53) Jesus chose to pay Barabbas penalty for his crimes the same way He chose to pay the penalty for my crimes.

He did it for you too.  I like to call it the great exchange.  2 Corinthians 5:21 says that He became sin so I could become His righteousness.  Jesus took my sin, your sin and the sin of the whole world and in exchange, He gave me a right relationship with God.  He opened the door for me to enter into the presence of my Father in heaven so that I could walk in spend time with Him each day and walk out my life in His wisdom.  Jesus died to set me from the bondage of sin and the prison of a sinful lifestyle.

Barabbas was free to go back to his life before prison the day Jesus took his place.  It’s the same for you.  The day Jesus died was the day He made provision for your life of freedom, you only need to invite Him into your life and enter the door He opened to have a right relationship with the God and Father that created and loves you!

Today I want to encourage you to consider the choice Jesus made to free you from the grip of sin.  Recognize that He traded places with you and paid your penalty for being a person far from God.  Thank Him for bridging that gap and opening the door for you to enter into salvation and press into you Father in heaven to walk out the blessed life He planned for you before the foundation of the world, before the world fell under the curse of sin.

If you have never received this great exchange of Jesus blood for your sin, do it today by praying this prayer from your heart. Jesus will come into your heart and into your life and you will know the truth and it will make your free: _{God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen}

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 23:13-25

13 Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 

14 said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; 

15 no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. 

16 I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” 

17 (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

18 And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— 

19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. 

21 But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

22 Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”

23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. 

24 So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. 

25 And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

No Fault

So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” Luke 23:4

After Jesus was arrested and scrutinized by the priests, the elders and the scribes, He was taken to the Roman governor of that region, Pontius Pilate.  This scene reminds me of what it might look like in heaven one day, but there is one big difference.  There will be no beating, scourging or crucifixion.

The scene may play out something like this:  I will be taken up to heaven and stand with my Lord Jesus at the throne of God. Except, Jesus will stand between me and the judgement.  There will be an accuser to try to condemn me and take me away from my Savior for all eternity, but my heavenly Father will say: I find no fault in her.  The price for my life has already been paid!  There was a verdict, a brutal beating and death penalty paid for all my iniquity, transgressions and sin.  So, when I stand at the judgement seat, God will look at the spotless lamb and see that I have been made whole and clean from the stains of sin and that my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.

When Jesus took that sentence condemning Him to death, it was my sentence.  He didn’t have to stand condemned; He didn’t have to take the beating and He didn’t have to die on a cross.  He could have stopped it at any one of those moments, but He took it for me.  He kept me in mind.  He thought: “If I don’t do this for Lynette, she will have to bear this shame, humiliation, suffering and pain all by herself.  I love her way too much to let her go through this, so I will take it for her!”

He thought that about you too!  In fact, He had all people in mind as He took on the punishment for all people’s sin, for all time.  He paid the price for every sin that every person committed, past, present and future. He covered it all!

If you have never received His salvation through the payment HE made in your place, it is not to late.  You can do it right now! As long as there is breath in your lungs, you surrender your life to Him and exchange it for the sacrifice of His love and eternal purpose.  He wants all people to receive the gift of living for all eternity with Him in that glorious, beautiful place and have a home there with Him forever, and in this world He will take all your bad and replace it with all His goodness.

Today I want to encourage you to be so thankful that Jesus stayed in His place to take on your sin.  Remember what HE went through, you now do not have to.  He took your place and mine and now we can live forever with Him in His glorious kingdom.  If you have never received His gift of salvation, grace and forgiveness, don’t wait another minute.  Pray this prayer from your heart and receive Him into your life right now.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know Your Son, Jesus died to pay the penalty of my sin.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 23:1-12

1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 

2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”

4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 

7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 

8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 

9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. 

10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 

11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 

12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

No good pride?

The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating Him. Luke 22:63

Have you ever heard anyone talking about how proud they were?  Maybe it was proud of a certain accomplishment or proud of their children or loved one?  What about taking pride in your work and a job well done?  How about being proud to be an American?  These phrases sound like they should be a good thing.  Like there is a good kind of pride?  However, there is no scripture that indicates that any kind of pride can be good.  Every reference to pride in the Bible is in direct contrast to who God is and everything He stands for.

The reason is because pride puts the focus on self.  It says: I did some great thing on my own or my child is awesome because they belong to me.  When Jesus was baptized, God said “This is my beloved Son that I am well pleased with.”  He didn’t say “This is my son that I am so proud of.” When God said He was well pleased, He was putting the focus on Jesus, not on Himself. Pride is what got Satan thrown out of heaven and pride is what got Adam and Eve banished from the garden of Eden.  There is no good pride and in fact Proverbs 16:5 says: Every proud heart is an abomination to the LORD, and none will go unpunished! Notice it says every/all not some or many.

In today’s reading, Jesus was taken by the guards to be beaten, mocked and humiliated. This was Jesus ultimate example of humility.  Never once did an ounce pride enter in.  He didn’t try to fight or stand up for Himself. He didn’t call on Angels and He didn’t show the power of God that was behind Him.  Of course, we know it was because this was His assignment, but it was also because He even loved those wretched people that were tormenting Him.  Love for others is the antidote for every kind of pride.

Here’s the kicker!  This process pleased God but it did not make Him proud.  Isaiah 53:10 says Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.  In this passage it looks like Jesus is being humiliated, but Philippians 2:8 says that He humbled Himself to be obedient to the death on the cross.  The bottom line is that in His humility Jesus showed His love for the world.

What about you and me?  Are we willing to show our love for others by being gracious and humble? Or is our main objective to be right and first in all things?  Let’s take a step of faith to humble ourselves to serve and love on the people around us and put the atrocity of pride far away from our lips and our life. Heed the warning given in Proverbs 16:18 that says Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your heart and life for where you may have fallen into pride.  Pride can be identified in the places that you feel you are better than others and when looking down on those who are less fortunate.  Pride takes on many forms and can even show up in inferior feelings, so be honest with yourself and get rid of it.  Pride is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less than you think of others.  Begin today to love others even in their messes and share God’s love with them despite their sinful ways.  As a child of God, you are His expression of love released into this sinful world.  Follow the example of Jesus and become obedient to the plan for your life to ensure that one day you will hear:  This is my beloved child in whom I am well please!  It is better to humble yourself than to be humiliated by pride.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 22:63-71

63 The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 

64 They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 

65 And they said many other insulting things to him.

66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 

67 “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me,

68 and if I asked you, you would not answer.

69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”

71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”

Own it

But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. Luke 22:60

We all mess up sometimes and we all let others down.  Oh, I know it is usually not intentional, but since we live in this imperfect world, it is inevitable.  So how do we deal with that reality?  How do we handle it when we miss the mark?  One way is to pretend it never happened or hope no one saw it.  Another option is to hide it and keep it in the secret place where no one has to know.  You could blame someone else and try to sooth your conscience that way, but the best way is to own it and quickly confess it to the Lord and get rid of it.  Don’t wait until it is noticed by others, or you get caught in the act.  Get rid of it as soon as it happens.  No need to carry that load. It is the only way hold on to your peace!

Today’s passage is a little different in that Peter was caught before he blew it.  Jesus told him before they got to the garden that night that he was going to deny Him.  However, Peter argued and said that would never happen.  Peter could have stopped to consider that the Lord had said it so it must be true. Or he could have asked Jesus, Is there any way to stop it from happening?  Maybe he shouldn’t have followed Jesus when He was arrested and scattered like the others.  He did have options.

The options is the first place to start when facing temptation.  Consider the consequences and how you are going to feel bad after.  Consider what your case will be when you confess it to God.  Consider how much better you will be if you pass that mess up and when you do stumble, get back up, own it and repent.  Don’t try to hide it and don’t pass the blame.  Get with you loving heavenly Father and get your cleansing asap.  The best option is to be prepared before the temptations comes along. We all know they are out there and we all know they come. Identify your weaknesses and get a plan before hand.

Peter did just what Jesus said, but then he carried the burden of it until he saw Jesus again.  The scripture says: When he thought about it, he wept.  That may have happened every time he thought about it.  He could not get rid of it until he was forgiven by the Lord.  That was when his peace came and he was able to let go of the guilt he was carrying.

Today I want to encourage you to pray when temptations comes.  You know it will because it always does in some area in life.  Don’t even hide the thought when it comes into your mind.  Quickly ask the Lord for help.  When you do cave into that temptation, be quick to repent and get back up again.  Make a plan ahead of time so you don’t keep falling into the same traps.  If you have a weak area that you know you struggle with, get the reinforcements ahead of time.  Ask the Lord to show you how to resist and get someone who will hold you accountable to help you in the trying moments.  You won’t always get it perfectly, but when you make a plan before you fall, you are more likely to get it right the next time.  Don’t be like Peter and ignore or deny the warnings, humble yourself and get help. That way you will enjoy your life more with the Father helping you through day by day.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 22:54-62

54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. 

55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 

56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”

57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”

58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”

59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 

61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 

62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Forgive          

But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:48

Jesus died on the cross to forgive the sin of the world.  He bled and suffered to pay the price of sin . . . all sin for all time.  You and I are forgiven today because of that payment.  In fact, all people are forgiven, but not all walk in that forgiveness.  It must be personally received in order for the payment of forgiveness to be activated in someone’s life.

Jesus forgave sin, long before He died to pay the penalty.  We see in today’s reading that when Judas came to betray Him, Jesus talked to him as a friend to show Judas that He still loved him despite what he was doing to turn Jesus over to be crucified.  Throughout His entire ministry, Jesus spent time with sinners.  Those that wanted to be forgiven and brought to a place of redemption.  Forgiveness was always in His heart, and He gave it freely everywhere He was.  Even when He was suffering on the cross, He prayed: “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.”  He was praying for those who were executing the order to kill Him because He had a heart to forgive, not to hold on to a grudge.  It was because He is love and there is no holding on to offense in Him.

Your and I have the power to forgive, also.  Our heart is always prepared to either forgive or hold on to hurts and resentments.  It is up to each individual to decide ahead of time the heart they want to have.  Thankfully, we will never have to pay the penalty for sin because Jesus already did that, but we do have to make the choice to release anything we are holding on to that would keep us in unforgiveness.

Today I want to encourage you to choose forgiveness. Choose to receive the forgiveness that God gives you through the blood of Jesus and choose to forgive others that have hurt and offended you.  You have a choice, but you have to decide ahead of time that you are going to do it.   God put the power of forgiveness in your heart when He put His love on the inside of you.  Use that power to set yourself free from the bondage and bitterness of retaliation.  Instead, release those who have sinned against you and walk in the freedom of God’s love and forgiveness from now on.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 22:47-53

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 

48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 

50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 

53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Be Refreshed

Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  Luke 22:43

Have you ever come to a portion of scripture in your daily reading or study time that you have read many times before?  When that happens, you can be tempted to quickly go through it or even think: I know this part so I will skip on to the next section.  When that happens consider instead for it to be like a delicious meal.  Even though you have had your favorite meal many times in the past, when it is prepared for you again, you are ready and looking forward to it because it always tastes so good!!  You don’t skip and say “Oh, I’ve had that dish before and I know it is good, but I am going to pass this time because it isn’t something new.”  No!  You know that it is going to be delicious, and you want to enjoy the benefits of the taste and nutrition of that food again.  You also know that your physical body needs continual nourishment to thrive and survive in life.  Really, passing it up is not an option.  If we approach scripture with that mindset, we will be able to enjoy the delights of fresh revelation and new insights every time we look at it.  Not to mention the spiritual nourishment we need to grow in our faith walk.

The next few sections in Luke are passages that are probably familiar to many of us, so let’s go through these with the anticipation that we have been here before and it was good.  Looking at them again at this point in time is going to be delicious and nutritious!!

Jesus often withdrew from His disciples to pray.  In today’s reading He is once again going off to be alone in prayer.  However, this is the first time He ever took anyone with Him.  This time, He took Peter, James and John with Him and told them He was really struggling with what was about to happen.  He asked them to watch and pray while He went a little further to pray.  Jesus knew the guards would be coming for Him soon, so He set up His closest and most trusted guys to keep watch for those who would be coming to arrest Him.  Peter, James and John watched as Jesus went on ahead and fell on the ground to pray, but they did not understand the depth of His stress.  During that prayer time, Jesus came back to find them sleeping.  He cautioned them to watch and pray because He knew the hour of temptation was coming.

Jesus was praying for strength and deliverance that night in the garden.  He wanted to escape the next day’s events of torment, but He submitted His will to the Father’s will.  This portion of scripture says that during His prayer time, an angel came all the way from heaven to strengthen Him, and even though this was refreshing to Jesus, He continued to be in agony and pray more earnestly.  The angel must have encouraged Jesus enough to continue to press into God even though the reality was that He wanted to run away from what was about to happen.  That refreshing gave Him the empowerment to complete the mission He was sent here to do.

Today, we actually have a great strengthener than the angels.  We have the Holy Spirit of God with us at all times.  He is the refresher, and He is our strengthener and empowers us to complete our mission each day.  We only need to ask and seek the direction and empowerment of what that mission is.  When taking the time to press in for direction, strength and enablement, we are then refreshed by the Spirit’s life inside of us.

Today I want to encourage you to take some time away before you face each day.  Fall on your knees before your Father and seek His refreshing.  Receive the Holy Spirit’s strength and empowerment to accomplish the plan He has for you today.  Complete down to the last detail every plan and purpose your life has in this world, just as Jesus did.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 22:39-46

39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 

40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 

42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 

43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 

44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 

46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

He is Praying for you

“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke22:32

It is fitting that this verse came up today because just last week I was in a worship service where there was some time set aside in the service to just worship and press into the goodness of God.  As I closed my eyes and prayed through part of a song, I had visions in my mind about times in my life that I wanted to forget ever happened. Two and then three different instances of predicaments I was in that could have gone very badly.  Places with people where I should have never been.  I tried to shake these thoughts because I was trying to put all my focus and attention on Him but they kept coming. Finally I said in my heart “Lord, I don’t know why these thoughts are coming now, but I lay them down and ask You to take them so I never have to visit these ghosts again.”  But that’s when He showed me that those were the times He was interceding for me.  He was protecting me.  He was watching over me as His dear child so that no evil could get its hands on me.  I had been disgusted and repulsed with myself for ever getting into these situations and never wanted to see or think about them again, but now it was beginning to make sense to me that He wasn’t showing me what I was doing wrong, He was showing me what He was doing in my life at the time. He was bringing me through times that could have ended up in injury, disaster or even fatality.  I had no idea.  I guess I always knew He was protecting me, but I never considered how things could have gone if He hadn’t been praying for me.

The passage today is such a good example that we can cling to even today.  It wasn’t just for Peter and what He was going to do wrong, it is for us too, when we get off track. He is praying for us, even now in this time!  In the reading, Jesus was talking to Peter.  He told Peter that Satan was after Him and trying to run his life through the ringer.  In fact, Jesus said he wanted to sift Peter like wheat, but then Jesus told Peter the good news that He had prayed for him that his faith would not fail.  He told Peter what was about to happen, but He also gave Him instruction on what to do after he was restored.  Of course Peter argued the possibility of ever denying Jesus, but Jesus told him after he returned to Him to strengthen the rest of the group. 

Now, this is so precious to me.  Jesus praying for His disciples.  Maybe He prayed for the ministry and maybe He prayed about upcoming appointments?  We just don’t know for sure about those prayers.  I guess I always assumed when Jesus went away to pray, He was getting His next steps from God.  I didn’t really consider that He was praying for His team.  However, it makes perfect sense because Jesus came here for people, and He has and always will be all about people.  So why wouldn’t He be praying for His team?  Of course, He was.  All the times He slipped away from the crowds, He wasn’t praying about what to do or what was coming up next, He was praying for the people and especially those closest to Him.

This is great news even for us today because He never stopped.  He is still praying for people, His people.  In fact, Romans 8:34 says Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  He is today, right now at the right hand of God our Father making intercession for us because of His great love for us.  But He doesn’t stop there.  The rest of the message is true for us today, also.  He wants us to strengthen and pray for each other.  He is praying for us to return to Him, stay close to Him and encourage others to do the same.  We have an advocate in Heaven right now interceding for us to be strong and help others.

Today I want to encourage you to return to Him if you have fallen away or even stepped away from Him.  Turn back and press in.  He is praying for you and when you do come back, bring others with you.  Strengthen and encourage those around you that may have slid away from Him also.  Don’t let the enemy of your soul have his way by destroying your life and sifting you like wheat.  Press into Him who is interceding on your behalf and run back to His loving arms today. We will never get things perfectly right, but we can depend on Him to be interceding for us to get us through our falls and to turn them around and make something good come from them.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke22:31-38

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 

32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”

34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”

36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 

37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”

38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

He came to serve

For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. Luke 22:27

It is pretty amazing that Jesus, the King of kings, didn’t come to the world to be served by His people or any other people for that matter.  He came to serve us.  It makes sense though because the reason God sent Him was to save us all.  In today’s text the disciples were arguing over who would be first in the kingdom. So Jesus put it to them plainly that He came to serve others and that is the position they should be seeking also.

This reminds me of the opposite of how our society is today.  Always looking out for number one and trying to climb the latter of success no matter who they have to step on as they climb up.  Jesus said this is what the rulers of the gentiles do.  They hold their position of authority over everyone to try to keep them under control and get them to do exactly what they desire.

Thank goodness it’s not that way with our loving heavenly Father.  He does not want us to be competing with one another trying to be the greatest at anything.  He wants us to be submitted to one another and serving each other.  In this way we complement each other’s strengths and work together to get God’s plans and agenda accomplished in these last days.  Instead of vying for position and trying to be the G.O.A.T., we work as a team/body.  Each one of us doing our own part, the things we are gifted in.  Never considering that we could do someone else’s part better than they do.  We stay in our lane and let God’s grace make up the difference where we are lacking.

Today, this is what I want to encourage you:  To get in the place where you can start using your gifts to bring others into the kingdom.  You will start out small, but that is ok.  Be faithful in that area until God opens the next door of opportunity for you.  Keep a serving mindset.  Remember that you are here to serve and bless others, not other here for you.  Prefer others above yourself and offer to help whenever opportunities present themselves.  Promote other and always be trying to help them step up in their place.  There is no competition in the kingdom of heaven.  Just God’s family working together in agreement to rescue as many that are lost that we can in these last days.  God is not interested in how good you are at something; He is interested in how much you are determined to fulfil your purpose and love on others.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 22:24-30

24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 

25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 

26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 

27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.

28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 

29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 

30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”