Watch And Pray

Guest Post by Joy Gruits

His Word:  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.   Galatians 6:2 NIV

Observation and Obedience:  Their last supper together had been eaten.  Jesus had washed their feet.  The hours leading to his crucifixion were quickly passing.  The realization of what lay ahead overwhelmed him, so he withdrew to his place of prayer – the Garden of Gethsemane.  As Jesus reached the Garden, he turned to his disciples and said to them, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. (Matthew 26:38 NIV)

Just as Satan had tempted Adam and Eve “in the beginning,” Satan had tempted Jesus at the beginning of his ministry.  But this temptation was greater.  This temptation filled Jesus with such anguish that he sweat drops of blood – the temptation to avoid the Cross.  So Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray.  He needed strength to endure the Cross.  He needed the strength to say “Father, not my will but Your will.”  

In this most agonizing moment, Jesus asked his disciples James, John and Peter to “keep watch.”  Jesus asked them to keep alert and to pray.  But while Jesus was wrestling in prayer, the disciples fell asleep. When he (Jesus) rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.  (Luke 22:45 NIV)

Earlier that evening Jesus told the disciples how he would be taken from them, that their whirlwind adventure of ministry with Jesus was coming to end.  Jesus was leaving them, and they were exhausted with grief.  But because they allowed their sorrow to consume them, because they focused on how their lives would be affected, they failed to keep watch for Jesus.  They failed to be alert to his greater anguish.  They failed to minister to him with their prayers.  What a heartbreak for Jesus to see his disciples asleep in his hour of need.  

Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour? The disciples missed an opportunity to support Jesus at this critical moment in his life.  They failed to “watch and pray.” Yet, I cannot fault the disciples.  It is so easy to be exhausted by our own problems and concerns.

Deadlines to meet,

appointments to keep,

family issues to deal with, 

financial needs to contend with, 

even just the busyness of life can exhaust us, 

and so we fail to keep watch, to be alert to the anguish of others.  

As difficult as it is at times to take our eyes off of our own needs, the Lord wants us to be alert to the needs of others.  He wants us to intercede with prayer for them as fervently as we do for our own needs.  After all, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

And what is that law?  To love one another.  And, one important way we can show our love is to share the burdens of others with tears of intercession, with fervent and passionate prayer.  

Prayer: “Lord, let me demonstrate Your love in my life by being alert to the burdens of others.  Let me be moved with a compassion that inspires me to be as passionate in prayer for their needs as I am for my own.  Lord, as your disciple today, let me embrace wholeheartedly your Garden of Gethsemane request – to watch and pray. Amen.”

Encouragement: Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.  John Calvin

Written by: Joy Gruits

Where's My Focus Gone?

His Word: I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24 (NLT)

Observation and Obedience: That would be nice, to not have to beg God for what you think you need because He’s already provided what you really need and you recognize it as answered prayers. I want that! I NEED that! What do I have to do to get that kind of response, answer and attention? What would that look like and feel like?

This verse in Isaiah is describing what the new heaven and new earth will be like. This is a prophecy of things to come; an encouragement to press on, commit, stay the course, align your will with the Father’s because it will all be worth it.

So, does that mean we are doomed until Christ’s return to a life of begging and crying for God’s will be done, on earth as it is in heaven? Sort of. But on the other side of that is the encouragement to consider our heart’s cry; is it in harmony with the will of God? Are we seeking His face, His leading, His comfort, His plan with a clear and determined focus? Because, this verse also reveals that God is more ready to hear than we are to pray. While we’re still talking about our heart cry, He’s ready with the answer, with the blessing, with the solution. But who and what are we busy paying attention to? His still small voice or the dinging of the next e-mail or fb notification on our phone? (just a thought)

I had the opportunity and the privilege to spend 3 days in a beautiful spot on the coast of Maine photographing. It taught me something. I’m still unwrapping the lesson God has for me in the experience, but this is what I have gleaned so far. While I am photographing, my focus and attention is like no other. There is nothing else on my mind, no worries, no planning, no interruptions, nothing else is distracting me from the subject, how the light falls, the angle, the composition, the settings  that will help me to capture the beauty. I am that focused on what I am seeing through the lens.  And you know what? I have no concept of time. I’m focused on seeing the beauty. The same subject, at different times, in different lighting, from a different perspective still has beauty. 

I believe if I could transfer that focus, that attention, that determination to seeing the beauty no matter the situation, to my walk with God and my life in general there would be opportunity for God to answer before I asked. I would be inclined to be in harmony with His will because I would be that focused and available. I would be able to capture His light so I could share His light. If I could just focus each day, each situation, each person I come in contact with through the lens of Christ, what beauty and blessings would I experience. Maybe I’d even see the answer before it left my lips. My heart cry would be His heart cry.  

Prayer: Lord, this day, right now, open the eyes of my heart to see what you see. Help me to be inclined to your ways, your will and the still small voice that you speak with if I will just quiet my wants enough to hear you. Thank you for always being ready with the answer, the right answer for every situation. My heart cry is to see what’s going on in my world through the lens of Christ so that I can shine your light, reflect your heart’s cry, share your love and fulfill your purpose for my life until you return. Make it soon Lord, make it soon. Amen

Encouragement: When you seek My Face in response to My Love-call, both of us are blessed. This is a deep mystery, designed more for your enjoyment than for your understanding. I am not a dour God who discourages pleasure. I delight in your enjoyment of everything that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Think on these things and My Light in you will shine brighter day by day. Sarah Young ~ Jesus Calling

God Never Wastes A Hurt

His Word: O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He (God) will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.  Isaiah 30:19 NLT

Observance and Obedience: Have you ever felt like your tears will never end; that no one hears your deepest cries? Here’s another promise from God that you can apply personally to your life. When we ask for his help, he will hear and respond! What it doesn’t say is that he will respond the way we have in mind. 

As much as we may feel we deserve a carefree life absent of conflict, verse 20a reminds us that: the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink. Adversity and suffering is a part of everyone’s life. Like food and water, it’s what makes us grow spiritually, what strengthens our faith and prepares us for God’s purposes.

Although God allows adversity and suffering, he has also promised to be with us, teach us and guide us during hard times. He will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes (v.20b). When we are hurting and struggling, we may not always want to learn. Sometimes we just want the pain and tears to stop. 

But it’s assuring to know that God never wastes a hurt and never misses an opportunity to teach us something we need to learn in order to live a more productive and purposeful life. Everything he allows to happen in our lives is for a reason; whether we understand it or not, he does and only he knows how it’s going to benefit us. 

So we have a choice: we can view adversity as a learning tool; knowing that it is from God and for our good OR we can view it as a punishment from an unloving God who only wants to make our lives miserable. Does this sound extreme? Perhaps, but we all know people who view suffering as something a loving God would never allow. 

God expects a lot from us, and many times following him can be painful; but he always acts out of his love for us.  And because of his love, he promises to be gracious when we ask for help. He promises to respond to the sound of our cries. He promises to be with us in good times and bad and he promises to teach us in order to strengthen us. 

When we choose to see adversity as a learning tool, we can count on another promise found in this passage: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (v. 21). God always has our back and is always willing to guide us; we just have to be willing to listen and obey. 

The next time you go through a difficult time, try to appreciate the experience and grow from it, learning what God wants to teach you and listening to where he wants to lead you. He may be showing you his love by patiently walking with you through adversity.  Don’t let yourself bury and forget the trials in your life but use them as reminders of God’s promises and purposes. 

Prayer: Think back to a time when suffering was part of your daily life. What did you learn about God? What did God teach you about yourself? How are you using what you learned to help others who may be going through a similar struggle? Thank him for what you learned and how it strengthened your faith, and then put it to good use!

Encouragement: God’s plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day.  Louie Giglio

He Heard Me

Guest post by Marion Smith

His Word: I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.   Psalm 34:4 (NLT)

Observation & Obedience: Have you ever read the book, “Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage” by Alfred Lansing?  It is a true story about 28 sailors that sailed across the Continental Antarctica in 1915.  A few days into their voyage, their ship “Endurance” struck ice and slowly sank into the Waddell Sea.  Abandoning ship, the men were stranded on an ice floe for five months, living in isolation, dealing with unbelievable odds, frozen waters, frigid temperatures, frostbitten fingers as well as unbelievable FEAR.  The reoccurring lesson the book taught was to prepare for the voyage, utilize the resources you have, lean on your colleagues and NEVER give up.

Well, did you know that Psalm 34 was written when David feared?  Even though David had just experienced a Kairos moment from killing Goliath with a sling and a stone, had achieved fame and was destined to be Israel’s next king, David faced his greatest fear, the fear for his life as he ran from King Saul.  It was in the midst of this fearful circumstance that he had a choice, to rely on God or run.  Determining that his situation seemed insurmountable, David chose to run.  

Hiding in the enemy’s camp, he decided to pretend insanity and cower, which showed the enemy craziness instead of courage, powerlessness instead of position, and meekness instead of might.  But when David was at his lowest point, he cried, he prayed, he surrendered his heart.  And guess what?  The Almighty God answered.  He not only listened and heard young David’s plea, but He met him where he was and delivered him from his plight.  “I prayed to the Lord, and He heard me and freed me from all my fears,” David said.  

Have you ever been overcome by fear when your future looks bleak?  Do you feel like running away and wonder if God hears you when you’ve used up all your strength?  The message of encouragement for you today is to recognize your inner source of strength, utilize your resources and rely on the one and only true God.  Pray to Him who listens and cares – then praise Him with all your heart when He answers you, and tell people “He heard me.”

Prayer:  “Heavenly Father, sometimes I am afraid of the way my life is going.  I get my eyes off You and begin to doubt that You know what I need.  Help me, Father, to rely only on You, to trust You for every aspect of my life, even when my future seems dark.  Thank you, Jesus, for giving me Your word, for interceding on my behalf and for loving me enough to die on the cross for me.  I pray that You will give me strength when I am weak, courage when I am afraid, and perseverance regardless of my circumstances.  I love You, Lord.  Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.  I pray this in the powerful, holy name of Jesus.  Amen…so be it.”  

Encouragement: We don’t get to pick the age we will live in, and we don’t get to choose all the struggles we will face. Faithfulness is ours to choose; the shape of faithfulness is God to determine.    Kevin DeYoung

Written by: Marion Smith

I'm Done Fighting

His Word: They were helped in fighting them…..because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.   I Chronicles 5:20

Observation & Obedience:  One thing we can count on is that God will always answer our prayers. It will be with a yes, no, not now or you’ve got to be kidding me!  Time and again, we see the children of Israel crying out to God. And time and again we see God hearing them, answering their request and coming to their rescue.

Verse 18 describes the soldiers: The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service; able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword; who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle. It sounds like the perfect combination to insure that these men could, and would, destroy their enemies. 

Do you notice when they cried out to God? It was during the battle. Perhaps they went into the conflict feeling pretty confident in themselves. Maybe they believed their strength was in their number and their training. Yet something must have happened in the middle of the fight for them to cry out to God for his help. God heard and he answered in a big way!

They not only defeated their enemies, they gained 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep and 2000 donkeys. They took 100,000 people captive and killed many others.  Did they do this with their own weapons and power? Was it possible because of their able bodies and ability? Not necessarily.  Verse 22a gives us the real answer why they won: …because the battle was God’s.  

I don’t know what battle you are fighting right now or how confident you feel in defeating your “enemies”; I can only speak for myself. And I’m saying, I’m done fighting a battle I have no control over.  I once thought I was strong enough to fight this enemy of cancer on my own. Being a veteran of this nonsense, I believed I knew what to do, what to think, what to say, how to feel, etc. 

That’s so not the case! I am in a battle with an enemy that is determined to destroy me. I have no control on what it does to my body. It’s not like heart disease or obesity where you can change your lifestyle and you are cured.  Sure, I can eat better, think positive thoughts, pray for healing, but in the end it is God’s battle to fight, and not mine. 

I have cried out to him in the middle of this battle. I know he hears my cries and I know he will answer. God will have the final say of when and where I am healed; here on earth or in heaven – but he will heal me. So have I given up? Not at all, but I have given up using my precious energy trying to beat something bigger and badder than me, and trusting God to do the fighting!

Instead, I am concentrating on living! I am determined to make the most of the energy I have to do the things I want to do, go places I want to go and be with people I want to be with. I try not to (not always easy) wonder and worry how this battle is going to end but rather live in the moment, taking control of what I can and being grateful for the blessings I have in this present moment.

Are you trying to fight a battle you have no control over? Do you trust God enough to let him handle it? Don’t waste your time and energy stressing over the outcome. Drop your weapons and cry out to God knowing that he hears and will answer in his time and in his way. Enjoy what is happening around you today; for tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us. 

Prayer:  “Dear God, thank you for the strength and comfort you provide for all of us fighting a nasty battle; whether it’s physical, financial, relational, emotional or spiritual. We can use so much of our energy trying to figure everything out when all you want us to do is trust you, get out of your way and let you fight for us. This battle is yours and the victory is yours, not mine. Help us all to be mindful of your promise in Exodus 14:14: The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.  I’m so done fighting!! Amen.”

Encouragement: Today will be what you make of it. Think well. Work hard. Stay focused. Enjoy it all and never give up!           Johnnie Moore