Oct 11, 2011

Jesus and Prayer


This morning as I cuddled on the couch with a hot cup of yummy coffee and my Bible, I came across this passage that I probably have read a hundred times, but this morning the Holy Spirit showed me something new.
Luke 6:12
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, who he also designated as apostles...

What I learned from this ...

*sometimes when we have a big decision we need to pull an all-nighter with God (in prayer)

*God speaks to us with specifics, as we seek Him with listening ears and a humbled heart.

*sometimes prayer requires us to separate ourselves (a moutainside).

*which also tells me that wherever we go (safe place or not...I imagine going to a mountainside in the dark is not a place you want to be sitting alone with your eyes closed) you need to empty yourself of your fears and fully trust God.

*sometimes God requires of us (especially when we are making BIG life decisions) a bit of self sacrifice (Jesus prayed, not slept).

*Sometimes the answer comes very specifically by morning (this verse goes on to say the exact disciples that He was to call to His service).

*sometimes we aren't the ones who are picked, but still we must follow with a good heart attitude. (the verse tells us he calls disciples in the morning (many) but then only picks 12).  How often my heart has ached for not being 'picked' and how I've had to wrestle with this seeming rejection.

*His inner circle of servants were hand picked by God (following with abandon means God may give you more opportunities to serve Him in greater capacities.)

*a disciple is a student

*an apostle is a messenger


Isn't it funny how much you can pick up out of such a seemingly small verse?   
Oh how I love the Word!

6 comments:

Rebecca Ann said...

Thanks for this great reminder kimmie! Last week I took a good bit of my day and just did prayer and Bible study and I even fasted. I am not saying this to boast, but to say that I am such a sinful creature that I need Gods help! So I was praying and asking him to help me to make a big like decision. I am still praying and trying to make the decision, but it helped me to see that relying totally on God really gives you peace and no worries.

In Christ,
rebecca

Shonni said...

I love what you wrote about this. Such a good reminder to follow the Jesus and learn from His example!!!!

Rob said...

Hi Kimmie, For some reason things can become clear in the night when in the light of day there is nothing but confusion.

Shanniel Shakespeare said...

Your words pack a powerful punch Kimmie..
At times I must admit how selfish i am. I cling to m life like a spoilED child, unwilling to let God be the loving father that he so wants to be. Please pray for me because I am struggling..thank you

Renata said...

Thank you for sharing your insight. I love God's word & how you can find so much from just a small section. We were only talking at Bible study how it doesn't matter how many times you read the Bible, you always learn something new each time you read it!
I hope you are going well ~ thank you for sharing.
Love to you
Renata:)
PS I've been praying for your adoption ~ how is it going?

Unknown said...

Hi Kimmie-
I hope all is going well. Thank you so much for your insights into scripture and the reminder that there is great peace in a good cup of coffee and the Word of God!

Love to you,
Krista

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