Jesus prays for you and me – John 17:9-19

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last-supper-mdJesus continues his prayer for believers. Yesterday we read his prayer for himself and part of his prayer for believers. To read the full passage for today, click here: John 17:9-19.

Jesus was about to leave this world to join his Father God in heaven, but the believers were to remain behind. They had/have a job to do. Jesus didn’t leave us defenseless, however. Here are Jesus’ words as he prayed to the Father for us:

I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. –John 17:14-19 (NLT)

We have God’s Word to guide us. We have Jesus praying (interceding) for us as we face what life dishes out to us. And we also have the Holy Spirit living in us if we have asked Jesus to save us from our sins. See John 14:15-17. Jesus has also promised that he will return again. As crazy and upside down as this world is becoming, that day may be very soon.

Put your confidence in Jesus and learn from him, growing daily in holiness, so that you might shine on those around you who don’t know Christ. You may be the only Bible your friends will think about reading – a link to their future salvation.

Jesus prays for himself and for us – John 17:1-8

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last-supper-mdThe scene is the Upper Room and Jesus is with his Disciples for one last evening meal. He has washed the Disciples’ feet, shared the bread and wine, and predicted his betrayer. Jesus shared many encouraging words with these, his closest friends, along with words of wisdom. Finally Jesus prays for himself and then for believers:

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

–John 17:11-8 (NLT)

It was through prayer that Jesus connected with God. It was through prayer that Jesus continually renewed his strength. And it was through prayer that Jesus pleaded with God on our behalf. Jesus has not stopped praying for us to this day as he now sits at the right hand of God our Heavenly Father and pleads our case for us. Romans 8:34

Why should he love us so – after what we (mankind) did to him?

Be merciful to me for I am a sinner – Luke 18:9-14

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6364207_sTwo women came to church to pray. One was the president of the ladies circle and held several other prestigious positions in the church. She approached the altar, head held high, and knelt to ask God to bless all the plans she had made for the church. She reminded God of all the good things she did for the church, of how much money she put into the offering every week, and how the church would probably fall apart if it weren’t for her. Surely God should see fit to bless all her plans.

Meanwhile, the other woman, a pregnant teenager wearing tight black pants and shirt, slid in the back door and slumped into the pew closest to the door. She hid her face as tears filled her eyes. God, you know how many of your rules I have broken. I don’t deserve to walk through this door. There’s probably not a single person in this church who wants to see me here. Have mercy on me, the biggest sinner of all. If you are real, God, please bless me and help me to clean up this mess I’ve made of my life.

Which of these two women’s prayers do you think God blessed? Jesus told a parable much like this about two men who went to the temple to pray:

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:  “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’  I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

–Luke 18:9-14 (NLT)

How do you approach God in prayer? Do you seek to win his favor by reminding him how good you are, or do you openly acknowledge your sins and beg forgiveness? Obviously, we don’t have to create mega-sins to confess, but if we are sincerely open to God’s teachings we will know where we fall short. If not, perhaps your prayer needs to be to humbly ask him to show you your sins. For if we want our prayers to be answered, we must approach God with a humble spirit.

 

Image credit: afhunta / 123RF Stock Photo

Ash Wednesday and Lent – what is it?

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Ash-WednesdayWhat is Lent? And what is Ash Wednesday?

Lent is the name given to the 40 days before the Resurrection of  Christ Jesus. It is a time Christians look for ways to help them to prepare their hearts to focus on the true meaning of Easter – to become aware of sins that need to be confessed and eradicated from our daily lives, to reflect on the awesome sacrifice Christ made so our sins could be forever forgiven, and to purpose to live holier lives.

Ash Wednesday is a special service practiced in some Christian churches. This service is a reminder to the people that we came from dust and that one day we will return to dust, and this reminder is brought to a personal level as the ashes are rubbed on each forehead in the shape of a cross.

Ash Wednesday falls on March 5 in 2014. The dates for Ash Wednesday and for Easter are established by a different calendar that includes phases of the moon so it never falls on the same date two years in a row. This year they fall a little later on the calendar than in recent years.

I will try to post more often during the next 40 days with scriptures relevant to the season of Lent reflecting on Christ and the sacrifice he made for us.

Click here for a longer article about Ash Wednesday if you want to know more.

Got Power? – Acts 1:8

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Got PowerHere where I live in South Carolina probably the most asked question that was asked this past week was “Have you got power?” We have been hit with a huge ice storm that took down trees and with them many power lines across the state. Much of the state has been without power for several days beginning last Tuesday. Today is Sunday and thousands are still waiting.

Power comes in many forms, however. Under circumstances like these, people learn to work together and share as they can. We have a kerosine heater and were able to invite a widow lady to stay in our guest room while her power was out. We also have a small generator and were able to help save food in a few refrigerators and freezers.

But the power of prayer and the power of God through the Holy Spirit are our greatest source of strength. Among the final discussions Jesus had with his Disciples took place when they were asking him about their future. They had questions about many things, but Jesus told them they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. (Acts 1:8) We too can claim this power and strength when we seek God through his Word and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.