April 18 2019

Nevertheless Not My Will, But Yours Be Done


Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” Luke 22: 39-46

Jesus submitted to the Father’s will.  
And although He prayed “take this cup away from Me,” 
He prefaced it with, “if it is your will.”  
And He followed it with, “nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” 
If only we would walk, as we claim, in the footsteps of Jesus.  
If only we would act out that thing that we commit to with our lips.  
If we are followers of Christ, then we must follow Him.  
Are you able to say today,
 “nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done.”
Question for Discussion
What situation in your life do you need to say this about, today, “nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done”?

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April 17 2019

So They Went and Found it Just as He Had Said

Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. “Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ “Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
Luke 22:7-13

When Jesus has said it, it will come to pass.  Jesus told the disciples exactly what to expect when they entered the city to prepare for Passover.  
And when they followed His direction, it was “just as He had said to them.” 
What has Jesus said to you?  
What direction did you ask for and what instructions has He given? 
Have you moved in the direction you have been directed? 
As you move you will find it “just as He had said.”
Question for Discussion
What has Jesus said to you in the past that you found it “just as He had said”?  What has Jesus said to you this time?

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April 16 2019

Because You Did Not Know the Time of Your Visitation

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. “For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, “and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44

On this day, the day we refer to as Palm Sunday, Jesus made a joyous entrance into Jerusalem. 
Many of the people rejoiced, put down palm branches and sang out praises as Jesus came into the city.  
But Jesus knew the hearts of the people and because He knew their hearts He wept for the city and for the people who did not recognize Him as Messiah and did not recognize the gift of life He was about to give His life for.  
Jesus knew the devastation that would come to Jerusalem, all 
“Because you did not know the time of your visitation.” 
Jesus visits us today.  
He offers His life for ours.  
He weeps for our devastation when we miss the time of our visitation.  
Is this the time of your visitation?  
Will you accept Him as Lord and Savoir?
Question for Discussion
Is this the time of your visitation?  Will you accept Jesus as Lord and Savoir?

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