[Jesus] went out and made his way as usual [as was his custom (ESV)/habit (NASB)] to the Mount of Olives [his place of prayer] (Luke 22:39, CSB).Here I am in my place of prayer, not a shadow of comparison to what I read this morning from Luke 22, but I am here and so is Jesus. Blessed and graced beyond measure...that's what I am!E. M. Bounds (The Power of Prayer) talked about 'fervent prayer that ...  Read More

Jesus said to Peter: "I have prayed for you..." (Luke 22:32). How amazing would it be to have Jesus, Himself, pray for you, for me. That would be a prayer I would love to hear. What would He ask of God, our Heavenly Father? How could God not say, "Yes!" to Jesus and answer His prayer on our behalf? What would be the result of God's answer? Have you ever wondered?Have you ever wondered if you and I...  Read More

"It is possible to have union without unity," says James Bond. Yes, James Bond did say that, but he goes by Jim to let the world know he is a real person, and a minister, not 007 (I met his Dad on several occasions). This is the freedom we have to destroy the life of the church...to put ourselves and our own desires and thoughts above others. To me, it is inconceivable that, after Jesus washes the...  Read More

Today my personal devotions and prayer journal aligned perfectly. Allow me to share, once again, the words of others."The fulfillment of the promise [Luke 24:49] depended on the waiting. And it is significant that it was while they were praying [all together - Acts 1:14; 2:1], resting their expectations on the surety of the promise, that the Holy Spirit fell upon them and they were all filled. The...  Read More

"I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be[a] in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may kno...  Read More

We marvel at the Pharisees and Sadducees attempting to trick Jesus. Who do they think they are? Then we marvel at Jesus even more. Seeing through their deception, His keen and cutting answers put them all in their place and teach truth in response to their deceptive contriving to destroy Him. Today our prayer journal called us to truth over opinion. In a culture that values opinion so highly it is...  Read More