Tag: God’s will

John 18:28-19:16 – What a Horrible Day!

Read John 18:28-19:16

Jesus had a horrible day. We’ve already read how he was taken from his prayer time by an army. He was questioned, beaten, and heard the chants to “crucify him!” Jesus may have known what was coming. Scripture even foretold some of the details, but to have it happen had to be dreadful.

As a follower of Jesus, it’s hard to read, much less try to visualize, these final hours of Jesus’ life. All of this was happening to the Son of God! I can barely wrap my head around that. The divine plan was playing out as if it had been scripted. Continue reading “John 18:28-19:16 – What a Horrible Day!”

John 11:28-57 – What a Miracle!

Read John 11:28-57

Not only do we see the blessing Jesus brought to Lazarus and his family, but we see how such a sign has sent ripples of discontent in priestly circles. Let’s not rush past the beautiful miracle and blessing that happened as our Lazarus story continues from our last reading.

When Jesus first saw Mary, now after Martha had left, he was moved. John tells us Jesus had anger well up inside him, asked a question, and then he wept. Anger is a deep emotion that can often resolve itself in tears, hopefully tears of relief. In Jesus’ case, the tears would still be of grief for the pain Mary and the others felt. His anger would remain so long as his loved ones were hurting. But this grief would soon be washed away, and Jesus knew that, too. Continue reading “John 11:28-57 – What a Miracle!”

1 Peter 4:1-19 – Endure It!

Read 1 Peter 4:1-19

This is one of those passages where it helps to imagine Peter, Jesus’ own disciple, sitting you down to tell you what you can expect as a Christ-follower. It’s not an easy road. And yet it is the most rewarding way to live. When you start living your life, “anxious to do the will of God,” there’s an undeniable shift toward peace.

You may be discovering for the first time that non-believers can be cruel toward you and your devotion to God. Remember, they just don’t understand. Your choice to give up your old, wicked habits may surprise others, but think about the One you are seeking to please. When we act in God-honoring ways, our Creator is pleased. Continue reading “1 Peter 4:1-19 – Endure It!”

Mark 14:32-52 – At Gethsemane

Read Mark 14:32-52

Jesus knew what was about to happen. His soul was crushed. He wanted his closest followers near him during this difficult time. Our hearts should start to break, too, as we lament with Jesus. What Jesus endured, he did for you and me. Jesus wanted the suffering removed, and yet he said, “I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Jesus models for us such restraint in surrendering his desires to the will of God. This is one lesson we can learn simply from observing Jesus’ response to his situation. Praying for God’s will to be done should be our “go-to” as well. It’s even a petition in The Lord’s Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught us to pray. Continue reading “Mark 14:32-52 – At Gethsemane”

Jeremiah 29:11 – Whose Plans?

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

God’s plans and our plans don’t always match up, but when they do, it’s golden. We often get so caught up in our own planning for the future that we lose sight that God is doing the same for us. I’m always thrilled when I remember to stop for a moment and ask, “Hey, God, are these plans yours or mine?” It’s good to check ourselves because God’s plans are always better.

Context (Jeremiah 29:1-23): This is a great text of promise found in a letter Jeremiah writes from Jerusalem, on behalf of the LORD, to the people exiled to Babylon. It’s in this letter that God tells his wayward Israelites to get comfortable in Babylon because they’re going to be there for a while, for seventy years. God takes responsibility for their being taken away into exile in the first place and warns them about listening to prophets there. Our memory verse falls right after God promises to bring them home in the future and make good on all the promises not yet fulfilled. Among other blessings, that means sending Jesus, doesn’t it? Continue reading “Jeremiah 29:11 – Whose Plans?”

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