It never ceases to amaze me. The Lord can use a Bible story you have read a hundred times, and speak to you differently every time you read it. Here are some fresh thoughts I gleaned from His resurrection story this year…
Even after an angel appears, keep praying. (Luke 22:43-44)
While Christ was praying in the mount of Olives, asking God to change His will concerning what he was about to endure, an angel appeared. This angel gave him strength and ministered to him, but he still prayed more earnestly. We need to remember, even after God begins to work in our circumstances, keep praying! If you don’t feel the need to pray for your requests anymore, pray for your friends. Pray for our country. There is always someone who needs prayer!
When you follow from afar (Luke 22:54) and sit down with the wrong crowd (Luke 22:55) bitter tears are sure to come. (Luke 22:62)
Jesus had told Peter that he would deny him. Peter never dreamed that he would. Then Jesus was captured, and Peter chose to watch from a distance to see what would happen to him. Luke 22:54 says Peter followed afar off. (How closely are we following Jesus?) Then Peter sat in the midst of the crowd who had captured Jesus, (who are we hanging out with?) and denied that he knew Him three times. When he realized what he had done it broke his heart. Moral of the story? Stay close to Jesus. Don’t hang out with the wrong crowd. Love Christ with all you’ve got!
When you get away from Christ the “old you” will start to come out. (Matthew 26:74)
In Matthew, we find another account of the same story where Peter denies Christ. In this account, it is recorded that Peter “began to curse and to swear” while trying to convince the crowd he didn’t know the Lord. It is a battle every day to keep our flesh under control. It wants to get the best of us. When we don’t keep our heart diligently, it gets ugly quick. We become more and more unpleasing to God (and to ourselves, if we’re being honest!). When you got saved, weren’t you so glad to get rid of some of the things from your past? Pray fervently, stay close to God, and do the best you can, with His help, to keep the fleshly “old” you at bay!
Such great reminders!!!!! Thank you ❤️