😀Hello there.

I am processing a lot of information this morning. God has been working some thought processes through my brain already, even though I haven't much more than woken up.  Firstly, I was recalling Luke's account of Gethsemane and the arrest of Jesus. Our Bible study group, which met a couple of days ago, has been reading through Luke for a bit and we are about to be in chapter 23.

I saw that one of my friends in the group had posted this scripture: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak." Mark 14:38  I had some personal revelation about this verse in Luke 22:40, 46.

"40And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.^g 45And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”" (ESV) 

Jesus had given the disciples a simple command. They were to pray against temptation.  Easy, right?  Yet, they didn't do it. Instead, they gave into sadness and depression. He has to wake them up and tell them again in verse 46.

(The Bible does not specifically say that they did not pray. Yet, since Jesus is God (https://biblereasons.com/jesus-is-god/), He knew that they had not obeyed.  They did not have time to pray now, either. Before Jesus was finished saying this to them, Judas and the multitude were there to arrest Him.)

Jesus had also already warned them all earlier in the chapter-
"31And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."  33And he said unto him, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death."  34And He said, "I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."" (KJV)

When He says to have "you" sifted, He was actually using the plural reference, meaning all of the disciples. Then, in verse 32, Jesus addresses Peter specifically and says that He had prayed that his faith would not fail him. He is expecting Peter to sort of rally the troops (the other disciples) after he gets over what is about to happen.  

Peter was full of faith, never bashful of it,  and always ready to boast about it. The word "converted" usually is used in reference to a person of non-belief coming to know Christ. One might ask why, then, would they use the word "converted?" 

I find it interesting and helpful to look up some of the words in a passage to get a deeper meaning.  I looked up the definition of the word convert in the Oxford Dictionary:

VERB

converted (past tense) · converted (past participle)

1. cause to change in form, character, or function.

   synonyms:

   change · turn · transform ·  adapt · reshape· remold 

So, in my understanding, after Peter has turned back to (resumed the fullness of) his faith and has gotten out of his disbelief, shock, and depression, Jesus expects his character and function be adapted and transformed in order to lead and strengthen his brothers. 

I also find it really interesting for the third definition....

score from (a penalty kick, pass, or other opportunity) in a sport or game.

• 
  

  american football
  score an extra point or points after having scored a touchdown by kicking a goal (one point) or running another play into the end zone (two points).

Normally, it wouldn't seem that this would be applicable at all because the Bible isn't a sport nor pertaining to one. Yet, perhaps we can gain perspective from a certain angle, if the fight of faith can be loosely viewed similarly to a sport in at least one aspect. There are opposing sides both warring for victory.  In Truth, there is no real competition because Team Jesus has already won the championship victory. However, the perceived competition would be the daily tournaments of good vs. evil. 

The chief priests and captains sought to kill Jesus. That was their endgame. God's endgame, however, was the resurrection. Christianity was not snuffed out and Christ's followers were not all disbanded.  After the crucifixion and resurrection, those that remained were strong and bold in their faith. The conversion point for God, amidst the penalty of His Son's death, the turning (or conversion ) point in the war. Competition over.  This is what went through my mind when I read about the football definition. Maybe it is a bit of a stretch but I see at least some correlation.

More on the next post.
I hope that you are staying safe and have a blessed week!

He Will Meet You Where You Are - Titus Moss (Cover)

I ran across this tonight and I loved it. I hope it blesses you.  Be blessed and stay positive. 💓

Reading your Bible.

Hi 😃

I hope that you are doing well.

I am reading a little bit in in a few different places. I am doing Luke with my Bible study group. We are almost finished with chapter 22 leading to the cross through the arrest. The Holy Spirit has led me to Habakkuk recently and Isaiah. The past couple of nights I have been in Psalms. I may be in any or all of those tonight. 

Once you start to read, it is contagious. The more you know, the more you want to know. Also, The more you know, the more cross references you can connect on your own without having to rely so heavily on other sources. That has happened to me a few times recently and it totally fired me up even more. I was truly getting it! 

Proverbs 4:5-7 says, "5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!

Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;

Love her, and she will keep you.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing;

Therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding."

Praying is the gateway to understanding. I don't know how everyone else starts their reading time. I try to start by thanking the Lord for the opportunity to read His word openly. There are so many countries where it is just not allowed.

I ask Him to help me have eyes to see, ears to hear, and an open heart, mind, and spirit

to what He would want me to learn; so that I may see what He what He wants me to see,

hear what He wants me to hear and to know what He wants me to learn or to know.

God really blesses me when I remember to pray in this way. Yet, the times that I forget, sometimes it is really difficult to focus or to get the meaning within the passage.

I hope that everyone has a blessed time in the Lord tonight, and especially in reading His word. 　
Blessings to all!