Tuesday, April 5th, 2022
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
February 17th, 2022
“He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.”
— Matthew 26:42-44 (NIV) —
“Love . . . always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)
Bible Reading • Matthew 26:36-46
Gethsemane
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Challenge • Questions
Think of a time you were depending on someone you love to pull through for you, but they failed.
Did that make you more likely or less likely to express love to them?
I have been disappointed by people in my life that I care deeply for, but it has not diminished my feelings for them. In fact, I am fairly certain most were aware of just how deeply I was hurt by them. I tend to not share my frustrations and hurt feelings openly to an offender. I do feel rather strongly that talking about these kind of things can only help relationships to grow and heal. I have often allowed a lot of latitude when I have been hurt. This is also called grace, not to be confused with being extremely passive to one’s boundaries. I see our humanness with one another as a reciprocal relationship, the asking and receiving of forgiveness must never be a one way street. Holding grudges accomplishes nothing. Letting go of pain, resentment and payback frees us to live life more fully.
“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars—you must let go to move forward.” ~Unknown~
In what ways does Jesus’ prayer for His disciples demonstrate unconditional and selfless love?
John 17:6-19 — Jesus Prays for His Disciples
Jesus words say it best…
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
How does Jesus express this love towards you today?
In every possible way. Jesus is my hope. I trust in His plans for my life. Jesus has blessed me with family and friends who are open and willing to talk about Jesus; sharing our faith stories and discussing our beliefs. There is absolutely no area in my life that Jesus is not a part of. I thoroughly enjoy reading and studying the Bible. I am blessed with a wonderful and loving church family that supports and encourages me. Jesus blessed me with loving parents who made financial sacrifices to send my brother and me to a Christian school and I was blessed to attend a Christian College/University. I have a job that I love; I have been blessed with three careers so far in life: my first job out of college I worked at a local high school teaching swimming, substituting for basic science and coached three junior high girls sports. I was blessed with a second career working adults and children with disabilities while utilizing my education degree to teach basic living skills and behavioral health for nearly two decades. My current career is nearing the two decade milestone as an employee of the federal government. I am thankful for all these and so much more. I have witnessed first hand the love of Jesus!
What would it look like for you to preserve in selfless love toward someone close to you today?
To be generous with my time, to listen with intentionality, and to share my blessings.
Take time to pray for someone who has hurt you or abandoned you.
Prayer ~
Jesus I ask for patience when I’m anxious, please help me to extend grace to those in my life that hurt me whether intentional or by accident. Give me a heart like yours. Open my eyes to your ways. I want to help others and not hinder. Jesus you have never given up on me, help me to not become discouraged and renew your spirit within me. ~ Amen.
📚 • 📚 • Further Study • 📚 • 📚
A Cry of Desperation
Psalm 88:1-18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2088:1-18&version=NIV
Isaiah 53:3,10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2053:3,10&version=NIV
Gethsemane
Mark 14:32-42 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2014:32-42&version=NIV
Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion
John 12:27 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2012:27&version=CSB
Jesus Prays for Himself [John 17:1-5]
Jesus Prays for His Disciples [John 17:6-19]
Jesus Prays for All Believers [John 17:20-26]
John 17:1-26 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2017:1-26&version=CSB
Hey friends— Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. You are a blessing to me 😁 💚. Spread the love of Jesus, plant seeds of hope wherever you go.
Love in Action
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” ~Romans 12:9-21 (NIV)
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
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