Hard words

Good morning brothers and sisters. You know I don't always know what God wants to say until I sit down. I read in His word. And then it will be one scripture and I get this feeling, this is what I want. Today, we are going to look at some words of Jesus and know these will be the hardest words a Christ-follower will do and say. This also shows how easy it is to fall into our old ways again IF we don't stay connected to Jesus. I know. Trust me, I know. Let's look at Luke 22:39-46. 39- Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40- When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." Jesus gave them instructions here. He asked them to pray. 41- And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed,. Now Jesus did not just ask them to pray but He also led by example and prayed. See Jesus knew what was coming and He prayed. Here is what He prayed and here are the hardest words. 42- saying, "Father if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." This is what total surrender looks like. This is required of us. This is the hardest. When we do this, we are stepping out in faith because we don't always know the plan but just to take a step. But let's look at what happens next. 43- Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. God will send help to get you through what He has asked of you. Even when it is extremely scary. 44- And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. While His physical was agonizing over what was about to come, He didn't just walk away. He prayed harder and more earnestly. But let's look at where He found His disciples. 45- When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46- Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation." See the followers could not even stay awake and pray. And Jesus shows us that staying in prayer and connected to Him, keeps us from even entering into temptation. Prayer is the key. So many let prayer fall by the wayside. Let's rise from our slumber and pray like Jesus did. When the hard times hit, we will not be afraid. Repent, refresh, revive. Rise up children of God, rise up!