Jesus Prays for You

Have you been in a trial and needed strength to get through it? Where did you look to gain the strength you need? Did you turn to a friend? Family? Co-worker? Did you turn to the One who can give you the strength you need at any time? Did you ask God for strength?

At one point or another (or multiple times) during our lives, we all need additional strength. We need a boost from somewhere to help us get through a tough situation. We turn to whomever we trust the most. We may turn to family, friends, or co-workers, depending on the situation.

Being a child of God, we can always turn to God. He will give us the strength we need, even if just enough. We can trust God to get us through whatever we are facing. It is one of many things he does very well. In fact, he longs to come to our aid, but waits until we ask.

Have you considered that Jesus has already prayed for you? Don’t think so? Look at today’s passage. He prayed for Simon Peter. Oh, I know, he was an apostle. He is more important than any of us. Sorry, but that is an incorrect assumption. You see, each one of us is just as important as any other. So, you, I, and any child of God is just as important as Peter. So, if Jesus prayed for Peter, you can bet He has prayed for each one of us.

Isn’t that comforting? Jesus is praying for us. That is exactly what is meant when we are told that Jesus stands before the Father interceding for us. He is praying. He is communing with the Father on our behalf. So, Jesus has already asked that we be given the strength we need, just as He did for Peter. We simply need to recognize that and follow up with our own request for strength. So, pray. Ask God for the strength you need.

I pray we all believe Jesus has and does pray for us. I pray we trust God to give us the strength we need. I pray each one of us will go to God in our time of need and ask for strength to get through whatever situation we are faced with. Trust God. Trust Jesus. Know Jesus intercedes for you. Know that Jesus prays for you. Ask God for the strength you need.

Luke 22:31-32 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

God’s Tapestry

What does it mean to you to be set apart? Have you thought about what it means to be purified? Do you understand what it means to be consecrated? Does being sanctified have an effect on your life? Does it change how you view yourself?

Though most of us know that we have been forgiven of our sin, we may not view ourselves as being consecrated. Though we may be thankful for having been saved, we may not realize we have been set apart by God. We may not understand that we have been purified.

We go through trials in our lives. We may stumble along the way. We may find ourselves in the trenches, covered in the muck and mire of difficult situations. We may feel overwhelmed. We may even think God has abandoned us or ask him where he is at in all the mess. This life can be difficult at times. It can drag us down. That is when we need to pause, take stock in belonging to Christ, and remember that we have been sanctified.

What does it mean to be sanctified? It means we have been made holy. It means God is always with us. It means God cares deeply about us. It means he has claimed us as his own. It means that God continually works on our behalf, even if we cannot always see it.

How are we sanctified? Through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to live within us. He never leaves us. He is our guide. He is our helper. He is our advocate. And since the Holy Spirit is God as well, he is working in other lives. He weaves us all together like a beautiful tapestry. We are sanctified and part of God’s beautiful tapestry through the work of the Holy Spirit.

I pray we all understand that we belong to God. I pray we know that we have been sanctified. I pray each of us know the Holy Spirit is working within us and for us, creating God’s beautiful tapestry. You have been set apart. You have been purified. You have been consecrated. You have been sanctified. The Holy Spirit is in you. The Holy Spirit is working for you.

1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Always and Forever

How often have you wished you had someone to help you? How often have you wished you had someone you could rely on to be your advocate when you are in trouble? Do you know you have someone who is your advocate and who will help you?

Having an advocate when you are in trouble can be the difference between a good or bad outcome. Having an advocate can bring peace of mind and calm your nerves. The better or more well-known the advocate, the better we feel about it.

We have an advocate who stands with us and presents us as a child of God. We have an advocate who helps us through trials and tribulations. We have one person of the Trinity of God living in us. Jesus promised the advocate and has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us through thick and thin. He will be with us forever.

Have you thought about that? The Holy Spirit will be with us forever. Not for a moment. Not for a few hours. Not for a year or two. Forever! That means he is with us when we rejoice as a new parent, when we yell at the driver who cut us off, when we speak nicely to the store clerk, and when we get angry with a family member. Not only that, but he will be with us for eternity.

I pray we all know the Holy Spirit is with us. I pray we know we have an advocate that presents us as a child of God. I pray each one of us know the Holy Spirit will be with us forever. Know that you have an advocate. Know that you have a helper. Know the Holy Spirit will always be with you.

John 14:15-17 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

God Provides

Have you ever gone hungry? Have you not had clothes to wear? Have you lived on the streets, not having a home? Have you had to sleep on the floor due to not having a bed? If so, was it after you had committed your life to Jesus? Did you ask God to provide your necessities?

We see homeless people in our cities. We see children who may receive their best, or only, meal at school. We hear of children who have no bed, sleeping on the floor in drafty houses. We know there are children who would not have a winter coat if it were not donated to them.

There is a plethora of stories of people who lack basic necessities. There are many organizations who collect and distribute donations for those in need. Yet, we hear of more people who need. It seems to be a never-ending story. There is no magic wand that can be waved that will whip up the needed items for them. But there is one thing we can do for them that will last a lifetime—tell them about Jesus.

There is something different about a person who is committed to Jesus. If a homeless person committed their lives to Jesus, will they immediately be granted a home and all their necessities? No. But what will happen over time is the person will be changed. As they are changed, they will acquire the necessities. Jesus is about changing lives for the better—for the best. But the best is His definition, not ours.

Jesus sent the apostles out without money, without a suitcase full of possessions, and without designated places to stay. Yet, they never lacked. They relied on God to guide them and provide for them. They trusted Jesus would not send them out without providing for them. We can learn from them. We can learn to trust God to provide in all situations.

I pray we all learn to trust God in all situations. I pray we spend time in prayer getting to know God. I pray each one of us will see how Jesus provided for His apostles and trust Him to provide for us. Put your trust in God. Know that he will provide. Spend time in prayer. Get to know God. Trust God to provide. Trust Jesus. Know that God will never leave you.

Luke 22:35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” 

“Nothing,” they answered.

Needs Provided For

Have you ever felt as though something was missing? Have you felt like you were lacking something, something important? Have you persevered through the trial to gain what you were lacking? Did you ask God to provide what you were lacking?

We may feel as though we are lacking. But many times, that feeling is more about things we want rather than what we need. Our desire for more seems to be insatiable. Yet do we ever lack what we really need? Yes! Many people in this world lack a true relationship with God.

When we commit to Jesus, accepting Him as Lord and Savior, we do not lack what we need. We gain strength, courage, love, joy, hope, and an eternal life spent with Him. Of course, that doesn’t mean we won’t experience trying times in this life. But we will be given the strength we need to persevere. We will receive the courage we need to continue. We will experience the joy of Christ being with us. We will have a hope that cannot be taken from us.

James tells us to persevere so that we do not lack anything. He goes on to say we are to ask for wisdom, if we lack it, and God will give it to us. This does not just apply to wisdom. If we lack anything we need, God will provide it. He may not provide it in the way we expect it. He may not provide it within the timeframe we desire. But God will provide.

Notice that James states we must believe. We must not doubt. We must keep our faith. If we do, God provides. This is holding on to the promises of God. It is not merely believing but having faith that trusts God with everything. Our faith is strengthened every time we trust him.

I pray we all persevere through the tough times. I pray we trust God will provide for our needs. I pray each of us will ask God when we are in need and hold on to our faith in his promises. Persevere. Put your faith in God. Trust his promises. Experience joy. Be strengthened by God. Hold on to your hope.

James 1:4-7 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

The Spirit Descending

Do you want to please God? Have you made an effort to do so? Do you feel as though you constantly fall short? Have you considered what Jesus did to please the Father? Are you willing to follow in His footsteps?

Pleasing God can seem to be elusive. We are being bombarded by Satan to believe we cannot please God. He continually tells us we are not good enough…and we listen to him. Even preachers may send the wrong message. But we can please God.

What did Jesus do to please God? He obeyed. It really is that simple. He did what the Father desired Him to do. Jesus went to John to be baptized, not because He needed to, but because He knew it was what the Father wanted Him to do.

We often fail to see the simplicity of obedience. We make it complicated. We get confused by the messages we receive from our culture as they conflict with God’s Word. We misinterpret God’s Word as we use filters we have learned from history and tradition.

God desires us to see His Word with new eyes. Let go of our preconceptions. Open our hearts, open our ears to hear what God is saying. But don’t make the mistake of hearing only what we want to hear. Obeying God, just as Jesus did, is only difficult as we allow our own desires to get in the way. Perhaps we need to become like little children just as Jesus said in Matthew 18:3.

I pray we all choose to obey God. I pray we follow Jesus’ example. I pray each one of us will choose to be like a little child following the commands of the Father. Choose to please God. Obey his commands. Do as he wants you to do. Follow Jesus’ example. 

Matthew 3:16-17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Know Who You Belong To

Do you know where you belong? Do you know your place in the world? Have you taken stock of who you are? Do you know your skills or talents? Have you made the effort to educate yourself? Have you accepted the invitation to be in Christ’s kingdom?

Over the years I have concluded that we do not really know our place in the world. So, so many of us want to be the royals. We want to throw big parties. We want to have all the luxuries. We want to wear only the name brands. And we will do it, even if it means mortgaging our future.

There is another lack we have. We lack knowing who we belong to. Because we don’t really know what it means to belong to God, to Christ, we are not comfortable with who we are. Oh, we may say we are, but we aren’t. It is evident by the worry, anxiety, and stress we live under. If we truly knew God and really trusted him with everything, we would not live the way we do. Oh, perhaps for a moment or two we might worry, but we would remind ourselves that we belong to God, and he will take care of it.

John knew who Jesus would be. John knew the Messiah was so far above him that he did not deserve to be in His presence. John knew his place in the world. He knew he was to prepare the way for the Messiah. He knew what his mission was. And he also knew that he belonged to God. He did not worry. He trusted God. He went about doing what he was to do.

We can learn a lesson from John. We may not have a mission like John’s, but we have a mission given to us by God. Our lives would be far better if we were to trust God and seek to do what he wants us to do. By trusting God, really trusting him, we can eliminate our worry, anxiety, and stress.

I pray we all trust God with all our heart. I pray we seek to carry out the mission God has given us. I pray each one of us finds our place in the world and know who we belong to. Rid yourself of worry. Rid yourself of anxiety. Rid yourself of stress. Trust God. Know you belong to him. Know that he is in control. Carry out the mission God has for you.

Luke 3:16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Hard to Believe

Have you witnessed an amazing event? Have you seen something you could hardly believe? Would you like to see something amazing? Would you like to be part of something amazing? Can you imagine how John the Baptist felt when he witnessed what happened at Jesus’ baptism?

We may have seen something amazing in our lifetimes. We may have seen something we weren’t sure really happened. We replay them in our mind over and over and over, just to try to wrap our minds around them.

In Jeff Pearlman’s book, The Last Folk Hero, The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson, he relates a story of Bo hitting a home run during his freshman year at Auburn University. They were visiting Alabama Christian College that spring day. A relief pitcher came in to pitch in the fifth inning. Bo steps in and clobbered the third pitch. It sailed beyond the outfield wall, over the street, over the pines, and on one hop, hit against the wall of an apartment complex. It was estimated to have gone 525 feet (pg 122). Amazing!

John the Baptist witnessed something even more amazing. Upon baptizing Jesus, he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and rest on Jesus. He saw the promise of God to redeem the world come to him and begin His ministry. He witnessed the most promising moment in the history of the world. There was no end to the potential for what would happen. There is no end of what can still happen, until God decides the time has come to end time.

We are promised the same Spirit that came to rest on Jesus. We are promised to be guided by the Spirit if we will accept it. God desires to bless us with the gift of His Spirit. We can accept God’s gift as easily as Jesus did. We, too, can witness something amazing.

I pray we all accept the gift of God’s Spirit. I pray we choose to allow the Spirit to guide our lives. I pray each one of us will be a participant and witness of something amazing. Accept the gift. Accept the Holy Spirit. Allow the Spirit to guide you. Participate in something amazing. Witness something amazing.

John 1:32-34 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

True Life

Are you alive? Are you truly alive? Do you know what it means to be truly alive? Or are you living a lifeless life? Does living a life of purpose and true-life sound appealing to you? Do you know it is available to you if you will accept it?

Many people, far too many, live a lifeless life. I’m not referring to a boring life of drudgery. I’m referring to a life that lacks a future. Oh, they may have wonderful adventures that bring excitement for a short bit. But they don’t live a life with a guaranteed future.

Think about it for just a moment. How many “rich and famous” people have you heard of who were sad, unhappy, or broken to the point they saw no way out. They have money, lots of it, and yet are not satisfied. They have fame with lots of fans but are lonely. They appear with smiles in the public eye but live a secluded life otherwise.

The truly rewarding life, one with a reward beyond this life, is a life in Christ. This life includes the gift of the Holy Spirit living within us. It includes listening to the guidance and direction of the Spirit. It includes the knowledge and trust that God is always with us and has a plan for us. It includes understanding that this physical life will end but we will continue to live as a spirit in God’s presence until the resurrection. It includes knowing we belong to God for all eternity.

Only by living a life filled with the Holy Spirit can we truly live the life God desires for us. We are offered this life because of what Jesus has done for us. We can accept this life in the same way Jesus did. It is our choice. Continue to live a life of death or live a life filled by the Spirit.

I pray we all decide to accept God’s invitation. I pray we choose a life filled with the Spirit. I pray each one of us trust God to give us an eternal life and a true-life in these physical bodies. Accept God’s invitation. Follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Live a life filled by the Spirit. Experience true-life. Trust God.

Romans 8:9-10 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Unrecognized

Have you been mistaken for someone else? Have you seen someone that looks familiar, but you cannot place them? Have you been told a certain person was coming and you missed them? Have you thought about how common it is to miss someone important?

I’m sure we all have seen someone somewhere who looked familiar. We may think that we have seen them before and perhaps been introduced to them. We may have met someone, talked with them, and didn’t know who they really were or just how important they were.

Elijah was an important part of the plan for the coming Messiah. Prophecy had foretold his coming ahead of the Messiah. He was to prepare the way. His job was to begin the process of opening people’s hearts and minds, turning them back to God. Many people met him, yet they did not recognize him for who he was.

It began with his birth. He was given a priestly name, a name that was not common among the Jews. He went outside of town to commune with God, preach God’s message, and baptize people who repented for the forgiveness of their sins. Though many people saw him, heard him, and were baptized by him, they didn’t identify him as the one prophesied about.

As the apostles were questioning Jesus, He opened their eyes to who Elijah was. They had missed him as well. John the Baptist came as Elijah. He came to prepare the way for Jesus. He began to open people’s hearts and minds. Perhaps we need to open our hearts and minds to see how God is working in our world today.

I pray we all seek to see God at work today. I pray we open our hearts and minds to God’s plan. I pray each one of us will recognize God working in our lives and in the world around us. Open your heart. Open your mind. See God at work. See God using others. Be available for God to use you.

Matthew 17:11-13 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.