The Kiss of Betrayal
No human plans or preparations can alter God's plan or limit His power. When Jesus is confronted by Judas and a large band of soldiers who have come to arrest Him, He does not resist but demonstrates to all He is all-powerful and in complete control.
Drinking the Cup of God's Wrath
What Jesus experienced in the garden of Gethsemane is beyond our ability to fully comprehend. But the model He gives us is very clear: When we come before the Lord in times of anxiety, pain, uncertainty, and decision, our foremost desire should always be for His will to be done.
Going Through Gardens Called Gethsemane
Prayer is the appropriate response to every agonizing situation in life. But that does not mean either the situation or prayer itself suddenly becomes easy. Jesus' prayer in the garden demonstrates the great emotional struggle it can be to align our will with God’s will.
Listening to Jesus Praying for Us
Jesus' prayer in John 17 shows us how important purity and unity are to the church. There can be no true unity apart from purity in life and purity in doctrine. As we all strive for such purity by the Spirit's power, we will experience unity and the answer to Christ's prayer.
How to Keep from Falling Away
The trials and challenges of life just keep coming, but they do not have to overcome us. We can survive them courageously and ultimately with joy when we have the right perspective on God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the power of prayer.
How to Handle the World's Hatred
To stand with Christ is to stand against a hateful world. That means we will experience persecution; but we will never do so alone. Other believers will join us, and the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit will enable us to be a powerful witness to the unbelieving world.
A Friend of the King
We are to serve the Lord by loving and serving others, and by being an example and a witness to others. Serving the Lord is our calling. Knowing the Lord as our Friend is our privilege and joy.
Finding Joy in a Vineyard
The first step toward following and serving the Lord is recognizing how utterly helpless we are. Jesus' image of the vine illustrates this truth and shows us that spiritual fruit in our lives comes from total dependence on Him.
Introducing the Holy Spirit
Until we stand one day in the immediate presence of Jesus Christ, we have the assurance and comfort of knowing we have a constant, divine helper, companion, and teacher in the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Learning to Wait
The words and works of Jesus Christ are essential to the Christian faith. They are also foundational for our prayer life, as we learn to pray and wait and trust Him to accomplish His good will.