Devotionals for October 11, 2023
Our last Newcomers' Dinner of the year is happening on Sunday, October 29th at 5:30pm. CLICK HERE to sign up!
READ
Matthew 26:37-39
37 He (Jesus) took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished
and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay
here and keep watch with me.”
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If
it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done,
not mine.”
37 He (Jesus) took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished
and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay
here and keep watch with me.”
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If
it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done,
not mine.”
REFLECT
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus revealed His humanity and divinity. Overwhelmed with sorrow, He shared His anguish with His disciples, showing the importance of community in tough times. His prayer, "Not my will, but Yours be done," teaches us the essence of faith: surrendering our desires to God's perfect will.
In our trials, we often yearn for a different path, but Jesus shows us that true faith is embracing God's plan, even when it's difficult to understand. We can follow his example in Gethsemane to seek support from our Christian community and to surrender our desires to God's will, trusting His purpose and glory.
In our trials, we often yearn for a different path, but Jesus shows us that true faith is embracing God's plan, even when it's difficult to understand. We can follow his example in Gethsemane to seek support from our Christian community and to surrender our desires to God's will, trusting His purpose and glory.
APPLY
Q: How do you typically respond when faced with challenging circumstances or difficult decisions? Are you more inclined to seek support from your Christian community, as Jesus did in Gethsemane, or do you tend to isolate yourself?
Q: Can you recall a specific time in your life when you struggled to surrender your desires to God's will? What was the outcome, and what did you learn from that experience about the importance of trusting in God's plan?
Q: In what practical ways can you actively seek God's will in your daily decisions and challenges, following the example of Jesus in Gethsemane? How can you cultivate a heart of surrender and trust in God's perfect plan for your life?
Q: Can you recall a specific time in your life when you struggled to surrender your desires to God's will? What was the outcome, and what did you learn from that experience about the importance of trusting in God's plan?
Q: In what practical ways can you actively seek God's will in your daily decisions and challenges, following the example of Jesus in Gethsemane? How can you cultivate a heart of surrender and trust in God's perfect plan for your life?
SING
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Lord thank you for all that you provide and have planned for my life. I come before you with an open heart, acknowledging your sovereignty and wisdom. I recognize that your plans are higher than my own, and your will is perfect. Lord, help me to surrender my desires, fears, and ambitions to Your loving care.
Lord thank you for all that you provide and have planned for my life. I come before you with an open heart, acknowledging your sovereignty and wisdom. I recognize that your plans are higher than my own, and your will is perfect. Lord, help me to surrender my desires, fears, and ambitions to Your loving care.