Thursday, December 21, 2023

The high priority prayers of the Lord Jesus have timeless implications for our emulation. This profound prayer of Jesus is a significant sign to us of the love and concern of Christ for His people. When Jesus said, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world,” He shows His intention for us to have meaningful contact with the broken world. The expectation for a disciple of Christ is to influence the world as salt and light. Remaining here for our allotted lifespan has eternal benefits. God is purifying and preparing us for our eternal citizenship in Heaven. As God’s favored instruments of grace, each of us ought to live our allotted time in this broken world and accomplish our God-ordained mission. When Jesus prayed, “You keep them from the evil one,” He did not ask the Father to keep the disciples from adversity, affliction, bereavement, or poverty, but to keep them from the evil one. In 1 Pet. 5:8, the Bible says, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” By Christ praying in this manner, it shows that only God can keep us from the devourer and from being corrupted by the world. God is keen that we complete our earthly mission and reach our eternal home.

Grateful to God for the Haggai Leader Experience. My personal takeaways: 1. Overcame my long struggle for “people’s approval” and embraced my identity and worth in Christ. 2. Making my “career a carrier” of the Gospel. 3. Praying for the salvation of friends, extended family members, neighbors, and others. 4. Witness for Christ boldly.