This was what Jesus promised the thief on the cross next to Him. Much can be learned from this promise. The simplicity of the thief’s confession: “Jesus, remember me…” is startling. Can it really be so simple? And the immediacy of Christ’s response: “Today you will be with me…” is equally amazing. Jesus accepts the thief as one of His own without interview or resume. He tells him that from now on, starting today, you’ll be with Me.
This was Gideon’s response to the angel of the Lord who commissioned him to do battle with the Midianites– “I’m too little.” Isn’t that what we always feel when God calls? Because God doesn’t ask us to do something we can do. He always asks God-sized things of us. Attempting great things for God requires total dependence on Him and results in greater glory for God. God loves taking the little guy to slay a giant. What are you involved in that if God doesn’t act, it will totally fail? What God-sized callings are you answering? Stop living little lives. Listen for God’s big calling.
Both the humanity and divinity of Jesus are seen in this prayer. His humanity in his desire to avoid suffering and death. His divinity in his obedience to the Father to lay down his life for our sin. That Jesus is both Son of God and Son of Man is seen, but also a new way of praying. Praying like Jesus, we not only express our desires to God, but we invite God to realign our will with His.
This is what Jesus told Peter the night before he denied him three times. He told Peter this so that he wouldn’t become so discouraged as to give up. And also so that Peter would recover and “strengthen” his brothers. What strikes me most is that the night before Jesus is crucified, he is thinking and praying for Peter’s faith. He prayed that Peter’s faith would survive the trial and crucifixion. People pray for that which they care most. Jesus prayed for Peter. I wonder for whom else Jesus prays?
Understanding that our days are numbered can motivate us to live life with a sense of urgent importance. ‘Urgent’ – because putting off till tomorrow means eventually running out of tomorrows. If the Lord has put it on your heart, then do it now! And ‘important’ – because we often fill our days with unimportant things. Prayerfully consider what is most important, then focus on those things every day. This is not a morbid state of mind, being aware of your limited days. This is wisdom, not wasting the time God has given you on planet earth. Don’t waste your life!
As long as there were elders living in Israel that remembered the Lord, there was peace and prosperity in the land. But when the last of these elders passed, the era of the Judges began, a time when the people forgot the Lord and lived according to their own way. How does a nation, family, or church retain the memory of God’s blessing from one generation to another, so that they don’t stray from God?
All of the promises that God gave the Israelites while in the wilderness were finally realized. The people weren’t always faithful, but God was. What promises of God are you believing during these uncertain times? Do not despair. All of His good promises will come to pass.
All of the promises that God gave the Israelites while in the wilderness were finally realized. The people weren’t always faithful, but God was. What promises of God are you believing during these uncertain times? Do not despair. All of His good promises will come to pass.
Jesus knew the future of Jerusalem. He knew that the Romans would destroy it, not leaving one stone upon another. This destruction happened in 70 AD, within the lifetimes of many that heard His prediction. That Jesus knew the future with such certainty shows His divinity. That He wept over Jerusalem shows His humanity. Jesus is both God and man, full of truth and grace. Even His judgments are marked by tears.
Get rich quick schemes and lottery tickets are attempts to gain wealth “hastily,” yet the Bible says such riches will only dwindle (diminish until none remains). But those who save a “little” at a time learn the discipline of money management and their wealth increases. Such people have learned to pay God 1st (tithe), pay themselves 2nd (save) and live off the rest (live within a budget). Have you learned God’s way of stewardship?