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A Glory Seed Devotional
“God, I’m ready. Do it your way.”
“…They arrived there with lanterns and torches and swords. Jesus, knowing by now everything that was coming down on him, went out and met them. He said, “Who are you after?” They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said, “That’s me.” The soldiers recoiled, totally taken aback. Judas, his betrayer, stood out like a sore thumb. Jesus asked again, “Who are you after?” They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” “I told you,” said Jesus, “that’s me. I’m the one. So if it’s me you’re after, let these others go.” (John 18:3–8, The Message)
Jesus never detoured around a storm he always met them head on. Even with the most terrible storm of his life coming for him he “went out and met them.” On the surface it seems as if Jesus had surrendered his life to the soldiers yet you and I know different. We know Jesus surrendered himself in Gethsemane, “…My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I’m ready. Do it your way.” (Matthew 26:42, The Message)
I believe Jesus really didn’t need to add those words to his prayer I believe he already was aware of terrible things that would happen to him. I believe he vocalized those words and John put them to print for us to help build up our faith in God. In my imagination I can see Jesus standing up from kneeling looking at me and saying, “See, if I can do this so can you because the Holy Spirit will always be with you.”
On the morning of the third of November “they” came for me. “They” didn’t have lanterns, torches, and swords instead “they” came with a crushing feeling in my chest. I remember sitting down and asking God to take away my pain. And when it didn’t go away faith accumulated from past experiences reassured me God would be taking care of me his own way. And he did! He didn’t take the pain away, but it’s gone. He didn’t take away the anxiety I experienced those couple of days, but it’s gone. And while that is my story I am certain “they” have come for you as well and I am 100% certain that God took care of you his own way as well, didn’t he.
It is my belief in the garden the night of his arrest the Love God had for his Son transformed the ugliness of what Jesus would face into something of great beauty. It is also my belief the Holy Spirit can and does turn the ugly moments of our lives into experiences of beauty as well.
Believe it! Experience it!
Grace and PEACE!
Gary
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“When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—” (Isaiah 43:2, The Message)
“When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—” (Isaiah 43:2, The Message)
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Scriptures marked MSG have been taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.”
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