05/23 Luke 22:56-62
A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” 57 Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know the man!” 58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of Jesus’ disciples because he is a Galilean, too.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And as soon as he said these words, the rooster crowed. 61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, crying bitterly.
REALLY
Do we really act much differently than Peter? We whine and moan about the difficulties we face instead of first taking them to the Lord. We send up a little white flag, poor me, at the first sign of suffering. Help me Lord to become more like Jesus day by day.
Category - Devotionals
05/22 Luke 22:54-55
So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s residence, and Peter was following far behind. 55 The guards lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there.
DEATH
Jesus knew HE was going to die. I suspect I would not respond well in a similar situation. We can if we will spend time with HIM. He will equip us to face the day. Jesus will guide us through the maze that life is so often. Let Jesus guide you on your life journey.
05/21 Luke 22:52-53
Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard and the other leaders who headed the mob. “Am I some dangerous criminal,” he asked, “that you have come armed with swords and clubs to arrest me? 53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”
STRUGGLE
Service to Jesus always involves struggle. We serve a risen Savior and the powers of darkness are always trying to blow out the light. Darkness cannot dispel light. One-candlelight can be seen from thousands of feet away. Let your light shine and surrender you life to fight the fight of faith and service.
05/20 Luke 22:49-51
When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them slashed at the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “Don’t resist anymore.” And he touched the place where the man’s ear had been and healed him.
WHAT?
What are we to do when we face opposition? It all depends on what the Lord has us doing. Sometimes we do not oppose others. Sometimes we do oppose those that are pushing against the cause of Christ. The key to what we do is staying close to Jesus and asking Him what we are to do. He will lead us step by step as we surrender to serving Him. He is worthy of our total service and sacrifice. Serve the Lord with gladness for He is Lord of all things.
05/19 Luke 22:47-48
But even as he said this, a mob approached, led by Judas, one of his twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus and greeted him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, how can you betray me, the Son of Man, with a kiss?”
KNEW
Jesus already knew about Judas. So tragic that Judas would walk off into the abyss for self-centered reasons. Check yourself. Are you surrendering to passion or self to betray Christ? We must look to the way we live.
05/18 Luke 22:43-46
Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 45 At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked. “Get up and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you.”
PRAY
When we are faced with insurmountable challenges or obstacles we should pray. Not passing prayer. Not quick prayer but deep, lengthy, committed, surrendered obedient prayer. All of life’s challenges should be covered with prayer.
05/17 Luke 22:41-42
He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.”
WILL
Jesus surrendered His life to the control of the Father. His will was under the control of the Father. He led a perfect life and then surrendered His life to pay the price for our sin.
05/16 Luke 22:38
“Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said. 39 Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, “Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.”
PRAY
Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation. All of us are susceptible to the Evil One. Only Jesus can overcome the temptation we face. Call upon the name of the Lord and He will intercede for you and you will not fail.
05/15 Luke 22:36-37
“But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your clothes and buy one! 37 For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among those who were rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”
GO
Jesus calls us to go into the world and proclaim the Gospel. He will be with us. We do not have to rely on worldly things but in fact can trust totally in Him. We are called to trust and obey as we go proclaimed the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
05/14 Luke 22:35
Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or extra clothing, did you lack anything?” “No,” they replied.
WHAT?
What do you need that Jesus hasn’t supplied? Ask Him for what you need. Then obey what He says for you to do. Too often we have what we need but are not willing to us it. Jesus loves you. Love one another.