Jesus said, “Thy will be done.” Matthew 6:10

I have to admit that I love a good western, and my wife and I found ourselves binge watching the series “1883” staring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill over the holidays. Once completed we dove right into the next chapter of this fictional “Dutton family” drama with the series “1923” staring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. Yet last nights episode caught me completely off guard. The narrator came forth with the words, “God provides three answers to prayer;

Yes, Not Yet, & I Have A Better Plan For You.”

There is so much truth laden in this quote it’s hard to put into words. Looking back over my life God has never said “no” to something I prayed for. For what man would interpret as God’s “no” should more correctly be summed up as “I have a better plan you.” Living out the words of Jesus when He taught us to pray “Thy will be done” is not always easy in the moment, but becomes easy when you live out a lifetime saying these words. Give it a try, and not just for a day or two. I can promise you that living your life asking God to be in control is the most satisfying and fulfilling life you can lead.

“Forgive one another…Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

We do not let go easily, yet the apostle Paul said in Colossians 3, “Bear with one another…” and sometimes that’s just what we have to do. We have to “bear through” the situations or attitudes or hurts that others cause us or put us in. We have a unique ability to hurt others, and an even more unique ability to hold on to that hurt. The words “I forgive you” do not easily cross our lips, at least not with out a fight. Elton John captured the sentiment so well when he sang,

“Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.”

Christ forgave us as he hung on a cross, saying, “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Pay it forward today. Let go of your hurt and forgive someone.

“I pray for them…that they may be one as We are…” John 17:9-11

Stop for one minute of your busy day and realize that Jesus prays for you. That’s right, the one who died for you and rose for you still prays for you. Think about it. Jesus went off to pray often and most of the time we do not know the content of those prayers. But one particular prayer gives us a clue into Jesus secret meetings with God. In that secret meeting Jesus spent His time praying to God for us. Thankfully,

Prayers Do Not Have A Lifespan.

They are still working on your behalf to this day. To think that the Savior of the world is praying for us is a mind bender for me. His prayer was simple yet powerful, that we would be one as He and the Father are one. Unity, what a concept, and really just a decision we need to make, perhaps on a daily basis. I’d never really thought that I could be the answer to Jesus prayer, but I’ve changed my mind. I’ve decided to care more about those I meet along life’s journey, yes even those who seem not so easy to like, let alone love. Perhaps John and Paul (the Beatles, not the Apostles) gave us all a great roadmap song to get stuck in our heads: “All you need is love.”

The news came suddenly the morning that mom called. My father had passed away in the night at the rather young age of 68. I was already married at the time, with two little ones running around the house, but that particular morning there was a pall of sadness and disbelief that shadowed my mind. Through tears my wife and I headed to the car to make our way to mom’s place and I remember thinking, “God, where are you this morning? The words were just beyond my lips when I felt a flood of peace wash over me that I could not explain. I had just received,

A Hug From Heaven.

The hug was all too familiar as it washed through me, for this was not the first time. Simply speaking the name of Jesus will bring the hug often. I’ve had a lifetime filled with them. So can you. When our thoughts turn toward God, in a moment of sincerity, you are now dwelling in the secret place of the most High, and you are covered by the shadow of the Almighty. And that’s just the beginning.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

A friend is going through some very difficult family struggles. We’ve all been there. One thing is true throughout history is that everyone has a mind and makes choices that will inevitably hurt someone else along the way. However unintentional, or many times intentional, the pain is very real. In times like these we have a very simple faith decision to make. Do we believe in God’s promises or would we rather live with the struggle?

Jesus Said, Come To Me, Let Me Carry That Burden For You.

This promise from Christ is indeed thought provoking, and a compelling promise from God. I took Him up on this promise years go and started turning over to Jesus all the burdens which I cannot solve on my own. Some days that list is rather long. I promise you, Jesus won’t mind how long your list is. He made a promise and He will fulfill it. You simply have to trust that He will.