Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 43-44; John 18
Devotional Thought:
“That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow… and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11) There is incredible power and authority in the name of Jesus. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Here in John 18, Jesus asks a simple question, “Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus saith unto them, I am he…” (vs. 4-5) At His very words, Judas and all who sought to take Jesus “went backwards, and fell to the ground.” Jesus had previously told His disciples that no man could take His life, but that He would willingly lay it down and give His life a ransom for the sins of mankind. The band of men that came to take Jesus was ready for a fight or a flight. They were expecting to fight a spiritual war in the flesh. How sad that so many Christians are doing the same thing. Trying to fight a spiritual war in their flesh, in their own strength, rather than yielding control over to the Holy Spirit. Peter decides to match their display of strength with a show of his own; however, Jesus said, “Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” (vs. 11) So many times we Christians are guilty of using our own strength to try to solve life’s threats and trials instead of going to the Lord in prayer and responding in submissive obedience to God’s word. Sometimes God wants us to face injustice as part of His plan for us. We must trust Him through trials and not seek to avoid them. Peter, in his immaturity, did not realize the absolute necessity of the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus had told him, but Peter was determined to fight in the flesh. When the pressure came upon Peter to stand in the face of adversity, he crumbled and denied Christ because he was fighting in the flesh. May we all learn the weakness and insufficiency of our flesh in living the life God has called us to live. As we have learned this week in mission’s conference, we represent Jesus Christ and His gospel, as salt and light in this dark world. Spiritual battles must be fought by putting on the whole armor of God. It is not the arm of the flesh but rather the sword of the Spirit that provides our strength and gives to us our victory. It is the name of Jesus, which every Christian bears, that provides the opportunity for God to work His perfect will through us as we faithfully participate in His program.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to have a positive affect upon the dark world in which you have called me to be light. Please help me to deny the flesh and to walk in the spirit.
• Lord, please help me to be sensitive to what you are trying to accomplish and to believe that your way is best. May I face the trials of life by yielding faith and confidence in the Spirit of God as He guides me through the trial.
• Lord, thank you for the power that is evidenced in your name. May I always be unashamed of the gospel of Christ and always willing to stand in the power of His might.