Luke 22:24-32 Most pastors can tell stories of how people have accosted them just as they were preparing to step up to the pulpit to preach. I think that must have been much like what Jesus felt when the dispute “arose among them” (v. 24). With all that He was about to undergo, His disciples […]

The post Kingdom of Servants first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Matthew 10:34-42 Oswald Chambers writes on the first day of the year in My Utmost for His Highest, “When we consider what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He does not know what our obedience will mean . . . He does know. Shut out every other […]

The post Following God’s Call first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Psalm 139:17-24 Peter may have prayed Psalm 139 when reflecting on his failure and the gracious way in which Jesus called him back. Surely, he would have struggled with similar feelings toward those blood thirsty men who killed his Savior, “I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies” (v. 22). Peter […]

The post God Knows first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

John 21:15-19 During a post-resurrection breakfast on the beach, Jesus allows Peter to reaffirm his love. Jesus encourages Peter to care for and feed His sheep. He reveals Peter’s future, his death, and then calls him to follow. The restoration of Peter is such a beautiful picture of God’s grace. Peter must have been humiliated […]

The post Restored By God first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Mark 14:66-72 Most of us have known a level of sorrow. But certainly nothing like the story of Jesus and Peter in Mark 14. Jesus had been arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin, He was condemned and brutalized. Peter meanwhile was in the courtyard below being accused by a servant girl. Just a girl. Just […]

The post Jesus Is Never Wrong first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Mark 14:27-31 Jesus was with His disciples for Passover, commonly referred to as the Last Supper. Like any “last supper,” we don’t know that is what it is until after the fact. Jesus knew, though. Without their knowledge, He was preparing them for His death. Later they hiked to the Mount of Olives. I imagine […]

The post Preparing For Obedience first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Hebrews 5:1-10 Christ came to seek and to save His people from their sins. His supreme desire was to do the will of His Father. Passion and devotion inspired His praying and ministry. In the same way, our focus in prayer should be for the glory of God, the advancement of His kingdom, the salvation […]

The post Passionate Prayer first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

1 Timothy 2:1-7 Christ is at the right hand of the Father, ever interceding for us. He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us pray in agreement with the will of the Father. He helps us fight our battles so that we can have full assurance of overcoming power and victory. He has […]

The post Christ Our Intercessor first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Acts 12:5-11 James was put to death and the people of God were under tremendous pressure and persecution. The situation grew worse when Peter was seized and imprisoned. The church received victory by gathering to pray. It has been said that God moves the world through the prayers of His people. The believers loved the […]

The post Showers of Blessing first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Daniel 6:6-14 When the enemy came in like a flood, Daniel knew that the solution and deliverance would be found through prayer. Daniel spent time in prayer every morning, noon, and evening. His heart was tuned to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Daniel consistently approached the throne of grace and was certain he would […]

The post Praying For Deliverance first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.