Watch and Pray - Matthew 26

Have you read Matthew 26:36-46?  After reading it my first thought was "who would keep watch for me?"  But my second thought was "Can I be trusted to keep watch for my friends/spouse/family?"  Honestly, I think I could be trusted with the task of keeping watch for my folks.  But can I go a bit deeper?  (Of course I can, it's my blog!)

Revelation #1:  If the disciples had stayed awake would that change the outcome?  Honestly, I don't know.  I think that Jesus would have still been arrested, wrongly convicted, and crucified.  But sometimes you need your crew to stand with you.  Yes, you still have your own journey.  Yes, you have to do some things alone.  But often you can draw strength from the cheers, prayers, and encouragement of your friends.  Do you have people in your circle that will encourage you?  Do you encourage others?

Revelation #2: Can I be trusted to "keep watch" for Jesus?  Ummm, my track record is shakey.  I do some things but not everything that He asks of me.  I do the things that are easy and that don't stretch me.  I do the things that require little faith.  I have to do better.  While "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" is an honest statement, it is also an excuse.  After Jesus was arrested I wonder how many disciples wished that they had stayed awake to get those last few minutes in His presence.  I don't want the "hour to come" and realize that I squandered the time that I could have spent with Him.

Next Level Prayer Life

Next level.  Next level.  Next level.  I want next level living in all areas of my life but I can't get there unless I start with prayer.  I HATE getting up in the morning.  I love the fact that Jesus saw fit to wake me up, but I don't want to get up early.  But I need to start every day with prayer.  Every.  Every.  Every.  I am going to keep saying it until my flesh submits to my spirit.  Every.  Every day!  If He wakes you up the least you can do is say "good morning and thank You," right?  I thought so!  So Every Day!

Close It All The Way

I made a huge mistake.  I made a decision to walk away from a job.  I walked away because I knew it was the right thing to do.  I knew I had more important things to work on.  But when the job contacted me about changing the terms, I reconsidered.  Never mind the warning bells going off in my head.  Never mind that I knew that the previous decision was right.  Never mind that.  I got enticed by the fact that someone wanted me to write for them.  I love writing and was so excited that I was hired to do something that I loved.  That excitement, that pride, that euphoria clouded my decision.  Now it is time for me to quit again and even though I know it is the right thing to do, I am dreading it.

"Father, give me strength to do Your will.  Don't let my pride or fear of what others may think, impede my actions.  I know that what You have called me to do will bring You glory and that I need to remove all distractions to that plan.  I love You and trust You.  In Jesus' name, Amen.  Amen."