Tag Archives: Matthew 11

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Sacred Snippet: Regrets

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As I read The Book of Matthew, I realized how similar I am to the three disciples who slept while Jesus was preparing Himself for His death on the cross. My blogs often encourage, but today you will find me struggling with the Christian life issue of REGRET!

“Then he [Jesus] returned to his disciples and found them sleeping” (Matthew 26:40a NIV).

38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter” (Matthew 26:38-40 NIV).

I can relate to the disciples in these short verses. Jesus wanted his three disciples close by praying for Him as He went through a deep, agonizing struggle before being arrested and facing death on the cross. But physically, Peter, James, and John could not keep awake.

Maybe the disciples didn’t intentionally want to fall asleep. Perhaps they didn’t stay awake because they knew Jesus was going to pray too long. I guess that their physical stamina was limited, and they could not fight their weariness. But we can tell by Jesus’ words in Matthew 26:40b NIV that He was disappointed in them when He found them and said, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?”

One day in August 2021 I could not fight my weariness. It was the day my mother passed away. My older brother called me at 2:15 AM to come to her house. I arrived a short time later, and after twelve hours, by 2 PM, I was exhausted. I could not stay awake, so I went upstairs to take a nap. Mom died while I was asleep. Like the disciples, I couldn’t stay awake for Mom, not even my mom!

Yes, I regret that I was not present when she passed away. I wanted to be right by her side, holding her hand and cuddling her as she was ushered into her heavenly home, but physically I could not stay awake.

There are some lessons for me as I dwell on this today. I am waiting patiently for the Lord to show me what they are.

My dear followers, please pray for me because I still regret that I was not in the room with her holding her when she passed from this world to the next, just as the disciples most likely regretted their falling asleep on Jesus.  Despite their failure, these disciples were strategic instruments in proclaiming Christ throughout the early church, and that is my prayer—that you and I honor Christ in the generation we are now living.

Jesus was the best shepherd ever, and Mom was the best Mom ever! God’s strength will get me through today. However, occasionally, we face regrets. That is when we must fall into the arms of our Savior and rest in Him.

God’s strength will get YOU through today. However, every once in a while, on our Christian journey, we face regrets.

When regrets face us, let us remember what Jesus said.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28 NASB)

But God is so good. He left me with some loving pictures from when I held and cuddled Mom earlier in the day. Those pictures are tokens from heaven reminding me that I was there, just not right at the moment I wished I was.

God Bless,

Biblegateway. Accessed Jan 7, 2022. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2026%3A40&version=NIV

Edited by E. Johnson

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Life Issues, Medical

Stress

The Office on Women’s Health defines stress as “what you feel when you react to pressure from others or from yourself . . . Stress comes in many forms and everyone feels stress.”

We all experience stress, pressure, despair, dread, and discomfort at one time or another in our lives. It can hit you on the most relaxed beach; it can hit you while overlooking a beautiful green pasture; it can hit you at the funeral of a loved one: and it can even hit you in the comfort of your own secure home.

No matter how or why it hits, it can last for days, weeks, months, and/or years. Your blood pressure might rise, your heart might flutter, or you may overeat or starve yourself. The pangs of stress might even cause an uncontrollable panic. But, despite what you experience or how you react to the stresses in your life, remember that God knows exactly what you are going through. He knows and understands the circumstances surrounding your present-day state of anxiety. He really does.

It may be difficult, almost impossible, to sense His presence. But Scripture promises us that God is omnipresent meaning He is always with us. He is also omnipotent meaning His power can lift us out of the violent stressors we are presently enduring. If we can remember those two principles we can rest assured that soon we will be out of our pit.

Resting in Him isn’t easy at this point. It may be a season you must go through to learn some mighty truths from Him or a situation you must plow through so you can be used in service to others. In John 10:14-15, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” If Jesus loves us enough to lay down his life for us, He loves us enough to see us through whatever situation we find ourselves in until a point of rest.

Today, just imagine God wrapping His loving arms around you, comforting you. Ask Him to allow you to see your present trial through His eyes. Exhale your stress and inhale God’s love, peace, and presence right now.

And, if your stress becomes unbearable, please visit a physician and discuss your situation with him or her. God can and many times does work through the medical profession.

God Bless You,

Patti

Bible Verses:

As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live. Psalm 119:143-145 ESV

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

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV

Prayer:

Lord, please let me always be aware of your special presence. Help me know and feel that that you are there guiding me and giving me directions in all situations. Grant me the faith needed to know that you are always right there beside me. As stress is overwhelming me today, allow me to give all my current hardships to you – knowing that you always see the big picture and know what is best for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Feeling Stressed.” Girls Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2015.

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