(painting by tom curr)scriptures:
wednesday... Jesus said, “whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.” (john 12:26, niv)
thursday... "but I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." (john 12:32, niv)
questions regarding the scripture:
wednesday: given that JESUS knows that HE is about to die...
what does HE mean by "follow me"???
what does JESUS mean when HE says, "where I am, my servant also will be"???
thursday:
by "lifted up" did HE mean on the cross or HIS resurrection???
why would men have been drawn to JESUS when HE was lifted ???
questions about yesterday's scripture:
although He (Jesus) was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. (hebrews 5:8, niv)
what does this scripture say to you??? unfortunately, many learn obedience through suffering. JESUS being a human was no different. JESUS also knew that HE had to suffer and die; for that was why HE was sent to earth.
why did Jesus have to suffer???
JESUS had to suffer for many reasons:
to bring us closer to HIM.
to fulfill the prophecy of the old testament.
to show just HOW terrible our sins are.
to show that it is right to be willing to suffer for righteousness.
the above are textbook answers, however i think HIS death also had to be so big and so tragic that man would take notice and REMEMBER!!!
memory of the day:
katherine and i shared a girls' day in evansville:)
saying grace:
God in heaven, You are such a wonderful Father...
always here, always willing to steer us in the right direction, always listening,
always answering.
almighty Father,
here am i; send me
if it be Your will to do Your will.
my GOD, in prayer of intercession, i, in all humility, lift up the following...
pat (GOD, YOU are THE GREAT HEALER; if it be Your will i ask that YOU pour Your mercy on my friend and heal him!!!) today, especially help him with his itching, please!!!
the mc family (thank You for sending Your reassuring words of comfort to them in Your daily word, and give margaret wilson a hug for me:)
ginny (thank you, GOD, that gin's test was good!!!)
john (please help to alleviate some of his stress. remind him that he can let You carry his burden so that he can carry on with life.)
john (thank YOU for giving my john some time to rest this week before work gets really crazy:)
the nielsons (thank You, GOD, for covering the nielsons with Your healing hands; stephanie nielson's recovery has been nothing short of miraculous!!!)
the schrijvers (who are dealing with loss.)
tabitha's family (GOD, please unharden these hearts that forgiveness can be attained.)
ava's family (please remind them that You are YOU!!!)
amanda's family (and her co-worker with tb)
the nall family (in this time of loss.)
the sorenson family (baby elisabeth)
k!!! and his prgnant mom!!!
the macs (bless them FATHER with peace in the loss of their beautiful, little cora!!! they are such a witness for You.)
the skaggs (all of them)
the gaddises (comfort, please.)
the pardues (healing)
phillip shannon (comfort and peace)
ann moore (wow, GOD, 15 lbs and possibly back to bike riding!!!)
gene thomason
shirley pritchet
as well as all those others who are suffering
with emotional and/or physical pain
those who have lost their loved ones
those who no longer have employment
the leaders around the world
and all others who are crying out to YOU!!!
GOD, please protect us all from the wicked forces of the world!!!
FATHER, i continue to praise You for answering the prayers above for elisabeth (her mommy said she is doing better than ever; and, through modern technology, i've seen it!!!) and now for k, who is back to his normal self and expecting a new sibling in a few months:))) for ginny that her test came back negative (and for mine),and that pat seems to be doing well through his treatments!!! he and his family even enjoyed normal days... may they enjoy many more!!! and ann moore what you have done with and through her is remarkable as well!!! GOd, thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU!!!
in Jesus' name i pray...
amen.
love,
dani
ps. if you have any prayer requests,
please let me know in your comment.
i will add it to my daily prayer list.
i also welcome any/all
praises:D
