Happy Tuesday!

Today, we will start in Matthew chapter 14 verses 22-23, these two verses lead us to one of my favorite sections in the book of Matthew. 

Bible Verse – Matthew 14:22-23 NLT
“²² Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. ²³ After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.”

REFLECTION
There are two points I want to focus on today. The word insisted and alone.

In this NLT version you see the word “insisted”, Jesus insisted that the disciples get back into the boat… I can only imagine how that conversation went to make Jesus insist for them to go without Him. The disciples may have said, Jesus – how are you going to get to the other side if we take the boat?

Sisters and brothers, sometimes in our case, Jesus insists that we go somewhere or do something, and sometimes we respond Lord, I don’t think you are sending me – can you confirm that you are? or Jesus, I’m not going without you showing me exactly what to do or expect. Yet, the Lord knows the end from the beginning.

The other thing I noticed here, was often in Jesus’ ministry he got away by himself to pray. He took time to commune with God and pray. I can only imagine what Jesus was praying for or sharing with the Lord. Maybe it was for strength, maybe his heart still ached from the loss of His cousin, maybe it was for those He had just ministered too, and I am sure there were prayers for the disciples.

I want you to take a way at least two things from these verses.

• When God calls us and instructs us to do His will, do it. We will see Him show up and His presence will be with us.

• Prayer is important. Jesus set the example, that no matter who we are, no matter who we become we must seek God in prayer, and because of what Jesus Christ (Our High Priest) did on the cross for our sins, we now have direct access to the Father to pray directly to Him. So brothers and sisters, pray often. Get away to pray when you can. This will also help you to hear Jesus’ call on your life and to get instruction from Him.

Will you listen to the Lord’s direction? Will you take sometime to pray? Will you get alone time with Him so that you are not/do not feel alone in your situation?

PRAYER
Father God, in the name of Jesus we honor you and thank you for all that you have done for us. Lord, we want to follow your will for our lives and do things your way. Lord, we don’t want to be distracted by all the things of the world or stuck in place because of our own pride – we want and need more of you in our lives. So Lord, as we pray begin to heal our hearts and minds so that we can hear you, see things as you see them and accept without hesitation the call You have on our lives. Lord, be with us and increase our faith. Lord, use us, work in us and change us to be more like you. In Jesus name, amen. 

—

PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

Copyright ©️ 2022 Mary E. White Ministries, all rights reserved.