Welcome!
Date: Thursday, June 03, 2010
Today: Watch and pray!
Passage: Matt. 26:41 NIV
41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Jesus taught this principle of “watching and praying”, to his disciples
Most of us get happy with half the truth than the whole truth!
We like to hear someone saying “just pray” or “just believe” than hearing “watch and pray” or “faith and action”
Jesus always added an action, with an attitude
Very few people are seen to be watchful, while praying
It is not only about being awake; you can stand and sleep; you can sleep behind the steering wheel – you know that
We need to discern the signs of the times – not only in the big world around us, but also in the little world around us
We need to be able to sense the voice of God
God speaks to us in many different ways
When we try to interpret God’s actions in our own way, we could end up in trouble
We might go to places he did not want us to go, and stay home when God wanted us to go somewhere
I have seen people who think they are “experts” in interpreting God’s language
But, as we watch their life, we can see that their basic prayer was, “Lord, let my will be your will” and not “Lord, let your will become mine too”
In other words, we have some pre-determined likes and dislikes
We will only accept those things which come along that line, and reject anything that does not align with our desires and dreams
We like to put God on the passenger seat and drive
We go by the GPS of our minds, than the GPS (Godly Positioning System) of God
Ending up in the wrong place, we are looking for God, just to blame God
We need to watch carefully, as we pray
There are times when we need to intensify our prayers
There are other times when we can go ahead with our usual prayer life
There are times when God will “compel” us to fast and pray
I don’t believe in the ritual or religion of fasting
I have watched the life and actions of people who simply fast all the time
We must fast and pray when the spirit of God prompts us to do so
He himself will give us the strength and the opportunity
But, as we fast in our own strength, God does not get the glory; we get it
One thing we find lacking in many “believers” is basic common sense
Sometimes we need children to speak to us
As someone said, “common sense is not common any more”
We don’t have to take a degree in theology for that
We need to be humble and sensitive to God
We have to get rid of our “Holier than thou” attitude, and depend on the grace and mercy of God
Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing”
That is the truth
Our “exercises” in faith cannot bring/do any good
Allow God to work in us
God bless
BG
Prayer: Lord, I am weak in prayer and devotions. Help me to watch and pray, as you would want me to. I need your grace for that. Amen