Happy Monday! I hope you had a good weekend. While writing this morning, the song Intentional by Travis Greene, kept repeating in my head – mainly the lyrics that said “I don’t have to worry, cause He’s working it out for me…He’s intentional, never failing.” Brothers and sisters,  don’t worry, the Lord is working it out for you. Enjoy today’s reading and your day.

Bible Verse – Matthew 20:20-23NLT
“20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.

She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

Reflection
Jesus understood the question the mother had asked, yet He knew they had no idea of the depth of what the mother asked on behalf of her sons. Therefore,  Jesus asked James and John directly,  “Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”

While the request appears to be self-seeking and ambitious, Jesus knew the heart of each one of them. He knew their desire and while he responded, he also confirmed they will drink from the bitter cup (predicting also their deaths). Yet, what they asked, Jesus knew only God could do.

Brothers and sisters, let us not do things out of selfish ambition, but do them out of love for God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For the remainder of the year, before you make any major decisions, seek the Lord first in prayer, not your friends, co-workers, or neighbors – seek the Lord and be obedient to His direction. God already knows the beginning to the end, trust the One that knows all things.

What do you need to pray about this year ______? (write it/them down)

Prayer
Father God, thank you for being a good Father. Thank you for guiding our steps and making sure that we had a way to be reconciled to you. Lord, like the disciples we have so much to learn and so many areas in our lives that need to change. Lord, prepare our hearts to receive your instructions for our lives. Lord, don’t let us sit stagnant in fear or lack of motivation. Continue to encourage us to step out in faith, trusting You, that you are intentionally working all things out for our good. Lord, help us to trust you and align our will to yours. Lord, equip us and change us. In Jesus name, amen.

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