Jesus is Praying for Us

 Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not...

Jesus, speaking to Peter, knew that Peter would deny Him when the going got tough. But he also knew that Peter had a tender heart and a desire to serve Him. The fullness of the Holy Spirit and the work He was to do had yet to be released. Jesus said, when the Holy Spirit comes, He will purify, fill, and empower the followers of Jesus to be a witness that would turn the world upside down. As determined as Peter was, fear gripped his heart, and he feared for his life when the pressure was on. Jesus knew that Peter would “drop the ball” and his faith would falter. Our humanity, without the grace of God, is so prone to fail. Jesus prayed for Peter that even in times when trails come, and we fail, that we do not have to quit and give up. Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God, is interceding for us even now. When Satan is doing all he can to shake us up and cause us to cast our faith away, Jesus is praying that we hold on and trust God who will find a way of escape. We sometimes come through the battle beaten up and sometimes wounded, but our faith in Jesus can remain true. It is good to have friends pray for us, and we are encouraged that our brothers and sisters in the Lord are praying, but to know that Jesus is praying for us, and His prayers are sure to reach the throne of God. If the cock crows in your life, don’t give up; turn to Jesus, who is praying that your faith will not fail.

Observe All Things

Matt 28:20- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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There are many events throughout the year that we observed. The government has set aside certain national holidays that we as a nation have determine worthy of taking a day to take notice of their importance. Today is President’s Day, we pause to recognize all the presidents in our nation that have led our country. Regardless of our political leaning, we realized that it is not necessarily the man we lift up, but the position he holds. Religions across the world have put aside days in the calendar year to observe special days that are significant to their faith. As Christian, there is a diversity of observance, but Easter and Christmas is a common thread. Jesus, through His word has taught us that we are to observe all things that He has commanded us to do. These observations are not a special day we set apart to do, but they are things that we are to observed every day of our lives. We are to observe time alone with God. Every day we observed that He is God and is in control and His great love is for us. We are to observe how we love one another, and observe to live a life that is holy and pleasing to Him. It is good that we set apart days to focus historical events, but observing His will and doing His will is what is expedient.

Thanking God for Your Food

John 6:11  And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks.

The practice of thanking God for our food and provision is taken from the life of Jesus. The scripture does not command us to pray before we eat our meals, but it appears to be something that was done regularly by Jesus. Because we desire to emulate the life of Christ, and walk in His footstep, we practice the ritual of praying and thanking God for our food before we partake. It is practicing thanksgiving in our everyday life. Acknowledging that all good things come from God and He is the giver of life. Taking time to give thanks for the food we eat is a good and spiritual practice. Will it save you? Probably not. But, it will draw you closer to God, and recognized His goodness.  

Where is the Water?

Ps, 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsts for thee, my flesh longs for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Going through a dry spell spiritually? I would guess we all have been there. You may even be going through one now. Going through the motions of daily devotions. Reading the Bible, filling our heart and minds with truth, doing what is right, yet emotions have been dry and God appears to be busy working in someone else’s life. Going to church faithfully and thankful for a pastor that preaches the truth, but there are less people sitting on the pews than in the past. Where is the water? My heart is thirsty for the presence of God. Praying and waiting for God to open up the heavens and pour out His glory. Let the showers of blessings fall. May the rivers flow again. It is a desert place, but I long to see a stream of His presences.