Good day dear friends.
Our thanks to God for the successful surgery of Michael McCallum. Michael was able to go home soon after his operation and recover at home.
Please be in prayer for the Hull family as we say goodbye to Martha Hull. Her service is at 11 a.m. at First UMC in Harlingen.
Here is our study guide for today:
Read Luke 22:40-44. Here Jesus prays. To whom is He praying? What is the intent of His prayer? If you said He’s praying to His Father, you are correct. Reflect on His request to God. What does that say to you about Jesus?
Luke 22:40 When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." 43 [Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]
This is the moving story of Jesus praying in the Garden prior to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It was not an easy time for Him and this is reflected both in His prayer and that which happened in His body. The prayer shows the relationship that Jesus had with God. God was His Father. Jesus felt the comfort of that relationship to share with God that which was on His heart and mind, as should we if we are in relationship with God. Jesus' prayer asks for deliverance from that which was coming. Knowledge of forecoming events are never easy for one's soul and Jesus said, "If you are willing, remove this cup from me." Cup is a nice way of saying, "Father you know what is coming and it is too bitter to even imagine what it will be like, so please take it away."
Yet the knowledge that had come to Jesus in this relationship with His Heavenly Father also allows Jesus to say, "Yet, not my will but yours be done." Respect, love, submission is seen in knowing that God as Father, knows best. We sometimes face challenges and trials that we don't understand but we can and should say, "Lord, your will be done, not mine." We think we know a better way and that way is usually the path of least resistance, of comfort, little suffering and no pain; but God knows the path which leads us deeper into that relationship we have with Him.
PRAYER: Loving God as I face the challenges and trials of today, be with me. Let me say like my Savior, 'Not my will, but thine be done.' Help me to have Your eyes, eyes of faith, which can reveal that which is from You for me this day. I lift this prayer of faith up in Jesus' Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
