Hi there! As it is thundering and lightning here in Montana, I am sitting in my cabin and am once again trying to overcome my aversion to writing. Lord, please give me the ability to put into words the thoughts that are in my head. One of the tasks that we have been given here at the training ranch is to meditate on verses and write a devotional IBS (inductive Bible study) on them. So, in the next three months you will see a number of little devotionals here as the Lord leads. I pray that they are a blessing to you. Here is the first one:
John 17:20 - "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;"
In this verse Jesus prays to His Father and talks to Him about those that are on His heart: His disciples. Jesus, knowing all things (John 13:1), knew that His end was drawing near. In these last days before the cross, He focused on those messages He wanted to still address during the time He had left. We get an insight here into Jesus' heart. Who is on His mind? Who does He want to lift up in prayer? What is His concern during this important time in His ministry? It is His love for His disciples (John 13:1 - "... He loved them to the end...") that motivated them to lift them up in prayer before His Father. But not only them, but also future disciples. His concern is not for His own well-being, but rather He is setting Hid eternal, spiritual affairs in order; He addresses His legacy - that which meant most to Him: us!
Application
When the cares of this world get the better of me and I am feeling down and sorry for myself in my current situation, I need to remember Jesus and that He, first and foremost, was concerned with the well-being of others. Not selfish putty, but selfless service will result in a restored joy and purposefulness in my life. Get my eyes off of myself and my situation and onto others is Jesus' lesson. Serve with love and the joy will be restored.
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