April 23
NEXT Devotional
Monday, April 23, 2012
Dear Fellowship Family and Friends,
Sunday we talked about Surrendered Prayer. In this weeks NEXT devotions we will talk about God shaping our will so that we are desiring what He desires so that we are praying the very will of God as described on the pages of scripture.
Don’t forget that we begin NEXT Fellowships tonight! PLEASE attend one! If you haven’t received an invitation let Diane know (diane@thefellowship.org)
Here is today’s devotion –
Life is difficult, filled with challenges to be faced honestly before God’s throne of grace. Life pushes us and tests us at times to the point of desperation for God to work, to move or even show up on our behalf, but in the midst of the crucible of life we betray our hearts, we reveal the inner world of our will.
In the Garden of Gethsemane after the Passover meal, Jesus went to pray, a prayer that speaks to what the will of Jesus was like. Look at Matthew 26:39 and verse 42 combined with it.
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will … He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Matthew 26:39,42
We read in Mark 14 the same account but the Aramaic “Abba” or daddy is added giving us the insight into the intimate relationship that flows from our spirit, will, heart when we are right with God.
“Abba,Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36
In Luke 22, we see the question asked of the Father, are you willing to take this cup from me.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42
Dallas Willard, (teacher, author, professor) writes, “… biblically and systematically, it is appropriate to identify the heart and the spirit of the human being and the will as roughly the same thing. The spirit is that part of the human being that has the capacity of moving without being moved. It is the depth of the human being where freedom really exists. It is that part of us that is self-determined. That’s the heart. That’s why evil and good come out of the heart, it’s because that’s the part of us that is really us. It’s really ours.”
The Will left in its infancy is selfish, the Will that is being transformed by the Will, the Spirit, the heart of Christ is serving and life giving. So today as reflect upon prayer of surrender by Christ where is the Holy Spirit shaping your will, transforming your will to be like His?
A NEXT Family Focus: At dinner tonight ask the question, “What do you think God wants more than anything else?” Ask each person to talk about why they believe that is important to God. God has wants and he desires that we want what He wants. Lead in praying for the things God wants for us, our family, our neigbors, community and world. Set up a time for a family conference to talk about what God would have you and your family give to the NEXT Campaign.
Join the Discussion: If you aren’t on The City yet, click the link below to sign up and join the discussion on Daily Devotionals. To join The City, go to www.thefellowship.onthecity.org. Then, watch for an email to confirm your request to join after signing up.
Jerry Edmonson
Lead Pastor