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By Ron Morrow ...

The news can be pretty discouraging these days. There are times when I find myself wondering: Can I ever build a wall high enough to keep out all of the things that threaten me? And, even if I could, would I really want to? As Pastor Alan noted in his sermon, it’s so easy to become overwhelmed by our own insecurities.

Scripture offers a response to our deepest fears. God has a plan . . . a beautiful plan. It’s a plan that unfolds slowly from Genesis all the way through to Revelation. It’s a plan that has endured countless economic downturns, famines, natural disasters, plagues and wars. It’s a plan that takes into account the fact that some will follow Him and many others will not. It’s a plan that calls us into a deeper relationship – with God, with our fellow Christians and with the world – rather than merely seeking new ways to distance ourselves from other people.

Pastor Alan also talked about what Jesus’ prayer reveals about the God who created this beautiful plan. Prayer is truly a window into the heart. So, to be able to read the words that Jesus prayed enables us to gain access into the very heart of the Father. I don’t know about you, but when Jesus prays for Himself it sounds nothing at all like when I pray for myself. He is only hours away from an agonizing death, but His primary focus is on others rather than on Himself. He begins this section of prayer with “glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you” (v. 1) and ends with “I sanctify myself, so that they may be sanctified in the truth” (v. 19). It’s also significant that He spends only five verses praying for Himself and fourteen verses praying for His disciples.

Are you ready to plunge headlong into a deeper relationship with the God whom Jesus reveals – our Father, Abba? If so, then I invite you to join me in the following prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the comfort that comes from knowing that your love is enough to carry me through whatever challenges I may face in life. Teach me to embrace that love, and channel it in such a way that I glorify you by revealing the presence of Jesus to a world in need. May I be willing to abandon my own plan and depend on the Holy Spirit. Help me to listen carefully for the mission you are calling me to as I begin each new day. All this I ask in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

 

 
Listen to this sermon here!

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