Preparation for Battle

Scripture:

"But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" Matthew 17: 13

Observation:

There is a lot taking place in this chapter. So much so that it is hard to key in on just one verse. To me, the entire chapter is summed up in the verse listed above. Jesus was leading the disciples to some places of deeper understanding. The message that He delivers to them at the end is this, it is always the work done in preparation that determines the outcome.

Application:

It seems like the world is getting harder and harder for me to keep up with. I am a procrastinator by nature and this makes keeping up really difficult. It seems as though everything in my life fights against me being prepared. I have to live with a great sense of intentionality at all times or things can get really messy for me. One bad day and it seems like everything can come unraveled.

I would guess that it was the same way for the disciples. I really am keying in on Peter, John, and James in this morning. Jesus starts off in this chapter by taking the three of them with Him on the mountain to pray. This is the first aspect of preparation God is revealing to me this morning. I have to get out of my routine and let God lead me to a place where I can be isolated from everything else. In addition to that, I feel like God is saying that this is not meant to be done alone. He did not pick one. He did not pick all twelve either. He chose three. There is some power in two or three getting together and following God into a deeper place.

While they are on the mountain praying with Jesus, He is transformed before them, Moses and Elijah show up, and God speaks to them. I do not understand all of this, but it is safe to say that the three of them saw Jesus in a new way. They found a deeper depth of understanding of who He was. This is the second aspect of preparation I sense from God this morning. The knowledge I have of God and Jesus today is not sufficient to carry me through tomorrow. I need to grow. I need to see more of Him. I need to seek to truly see His glory. I also need someone else there with me. The power of the experience is strengthened by having someone there to share it with me.

As they are coming down the mountain, the three ask Him a question. The question reveals a doubt that they had. Not just a little doubt, but a major question they had about who He was. They all three had the same question, but none had asked it before. There was something about becoming more intimate with Jesus that gave the freedom to ask deeper questions. This is the third aspect of preparation I am hearing from God this morning. What are the questions I have? What are the doubts? I need to address; not just by myself, but with others. There is something reassuring when another brother has the same doubts or questions. I need to learn to be open about those with both God and those closest to me. The only way to arrive at this point is by drawing closer to God.

Once they get down from the mount they encounter a man's son and a demon the disciples can't cast out. It is stronger than they are. Ultimately the man comes to Jesus. Jesus rebukes His disciples and casts out the demon. This is the forth aspect of preparation I sense from God this morning. I will face things that are bigger than me. I will face things that get the best of me. I might as well prepare myself for that now. That is the power of the verse above. Jesus does not tell them they will never be any better. He tells them to pray and fast. In essence, He is inviting them to grow stronger and be ready next time.

Prayer:

I just want to confess to you this morning that there is so much I don't understand. At times, things just seem so complicated. I get caught surprised more often than I find myself prepared. One thing has become clear to me this morning; I have to be prepared. In the moment of testing, the only strength I have to rely on is the depth of my relationship with you. I want to live my life in a way that deepens our relationship in the quiet time so that I will be ready in the moments of struggle. I pray this morning that You will guide me as I seek You in the things that You have placed on my heart.

Signs, Signs...

Scripture:

"When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning, there will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening. Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?" Matthew 14: 2-3

Observation:

Life is often lived interpreting signs. We look to the skies for an indication of the weather. We look at market reports as an indication of the state of the economy. We look at the emotions of our spouses to determine their mood. In almost every aspect of life we look around for signs that indicate where things are heading and what we should do in response. Can our spiritual lives be the same way?

Application:

I am really good at picking up on certain signs. With Brandy, there are certain looks that indicate her mood. I know them when I see them and I adjust accordingly. With each of my kids, there are certain behaviors that indicate what they really need from me. I adjust how I deal with them based on these signs. When I leave the church on Sunday mornings, I look at the traffic as a sign to tell me which exit I need to take. I rarely ever go through a day that I don't check my environment for signs and make adjustments based on what I am sensing. I am actually really good at doing this.

But where I excel at this in the natural world, I often struggle with it in the spiritual world. Now, I am not talking about looking for signs that prove I should believe in Jesus. Seeking those signs is rarely a healthy thing. It would be the equivalent of looking for my wife to prove her love for me. There is just no way to ask for that without being insulting to someone I am supposed to love. But I should seek signs as to what God is up to in my life. Where is He moving? Where is He working? What is He asking me to join Him in? I believe that those signs are everywhere. I get so occupied with the world that I see, I forget that there is an unseen world at work around me. I need to learn to tune in to these things and adjust my day according to what I see.

Prayer:

I believe that You are a God who moves and works in the lives of people. I believe that You never relent from Your desire to draw people unto Yourself. I believe that You constantly extend to me an invitation to join You in this work. I need to become better at seeing these signs. Most of the time I blow right by them. Slow me down and teach me to be aware of what You are doing. I do not want to be like the Pharisees in this verse. I do not want to be so caught up in being religious that I miss out on Your work. I do not want to get so wrapped up in my agenda that I lose sight of Yours. Psalm 139 says that you are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Teach me to be the same with Yours.