I have found myself swamped with life lately and have not been making time to blog. The sweet part of it is that I have been making more time for my Bible and truly loving it. God is deeply moving me as I see the dependance of Jesus in His earthly life upon the Father and I have to ask myself,
"WHO DO I THINK I AM?"
Days can go by before I humbly and purposely stop myself to see what God wants from me or my day. Jesus - yeah, that guy, the DIVINE ONE - never allowed Himself to be defined outside the Father and yet, I go off half-cocked with my plans, ideas, joys and fears thinking I'm somehow in charge of it all.
So, in an effort to stay connected to the Father and His Word and challenge myself to think deeply of Him (and also post here more than once a month!), I am going to turn my bible reading into a simple question that I ponder throughout my day. Please join me in this exercise - answering my question or better yet, coming up with one of your own from your reading and share in comments.
Todays question comes from John - which is where I have been reading lately and have been overwhelmed and thrilled to see the complete and utter submission and dependance of Jesus to His Father's will.
Chapter 18, verse 11 - right after Jesus has been betrayed by Judas and handed over to the Pharisees - He asks Peter, "Shall I not drink from the cup that the Father has given me?"
I ask myself: Am I willing to drink the cup that the Father has given me today?
Granted, it is not filled with bloody beatings that end in crucifixion as Jesus' was - praise Him for that! But, today, my cup is filled with algebra help, countless listenings to piano practice, preparing 3 square meals and tackling mountains of laundry. It is filled with caring for 7 children (love my nieces and nephews!) while participating in a household Wii fast - am I crazy?
Or - am I humbly willing to let Jesus empower me to depend upon the Father to drink the cup placed before me on this day?
What's in your cup?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Jesus is Praying for Us
I got up this morning to spend some time in the Word and in prayer. It was not a dutiful, reluctant throwing off of the warm blankets to roll out of bed and meet Jesus. Something of a peaceful drive has settled in my soul when it comes to prayer and Bible reading as of late. I can be a get-er-done gal and I have spent far too many years in that place when it comes to the spiritual disciples. They have felt like an obligation and there has not been much life or joy in the doing. Without being able to pinpoint the date, God has graciously placed in me a deep understanding that I cannot live without constant submission to Him through prayer and Bible time. Being submitted makes the doing a joy.
Constant? you may think, questioning my accuracy as to the frequency. Yes, constantly - I exaggerate not.
It isn't as though I am never to be found without a bible open or a prayer being uttered. But, as a result of time spent in both, I am ever aware of His greatness and my smallness. He continually reminds me of my dependance upon Him when I begin my day placing myself under His loving authority and grace. Prayer has become constant companionship.
I was reminded this morning from John 17 that once again, Jesus has me covered. Even if I hadn't answered the screech of the alarm to begin my day in prayer, Christ is praying for me.
Here are the 6 requests that Christ asks of the Father for believers right before His death:
1. He prays that we would be One with the Father
2. He prays to have His joy fulfilled in us
3. He prays that we would be kept from the evil one
4. He prays that we would be sanctified in the Truth of His Word
5. He prays that we would be with Him to see His glory
6. He prays that God's love would be in us
Amazing! Just when I thought I was doing good to up the ante on my quiet time, God again says to me - I love you dear girl. I am pleased with you because of my Son and His prayer that has come to pass in your life. I love you this bright, early morning as you come to me in prayer and I love you on the mornings when sleep overtakes your tired little body. Come to me always with your hearts desires and doubts. But, most importantly, trust that Jesus is praying for you - even when you don't.
Constant? you may think, questioning my accuracy as to the frequency. Yes, constantly - I exaggerate not.
It isn't as though I am never to be found without a bible open or a prayer being uttered. But, as a result of time spent in both, I am ever aware of His greatness and my smallness. He continually reminds me of my dependance upon Him when I begin my day placing myself under His loving authority and grace. Prayer has become constant companionship.
I was reminded this morning from John 17 that once again, Jesus has me covered. Even if I hadn't answered the screech of the alarm to begin my day in prayer, Christ is praying for me.
Here are the 6 requests that Christ asks of the Father for believers right before His death:
1. He prays that we would be One with the Father
2. He prays to have His joy fulfilled in us
3. He prays that we would be kept from the evil one
4. He prays that we would be sanctified in the Truth of His Word
5. He prays that we would be with Him to see His glory
6. He prays that God's love would be in us
Amazing! Just when I thought I was doing good to up the ante on my quiet time, God again says to me - I love you dear girl. I am pleased with you because of my Son and His prayer that has come to pass in your life. I love you this bright, early morning as you come to me in prayer and I love you on the mornings when sleep overtakes your tired little body. Come to me always with your hearts desires and doubts. But, most importantly, trust that Jesus is praying for you - even when you don't.
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