SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: March, Year 2Sample

Top Takeaway from Michelle Myers:

Big picture takeaway: Hours before taking the cross, you and I were on Christ's mind. He prayed for us before He died the death we deserved. Bookmark John 17 and come back to these words often. These words were Jesus' prayer specifically for you.

Getting a little more specific: this world is broken. It's heavy. And at moments, it seems like the depravity of man is overwhelming, and I've desired to escape from the darkness and the division.

But listen to the words from Jesus’ prayer the night of His betrayal:

“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” – John 17:15

Let that sink in: Jesus did not ask God to help us withdraw from the world.

We live in a hurting, broken world. And while we may want nothing to do with it, Jesus is the only Solution to solve it. We have been entrusted with His message and to continue His work. Our weak flesh would likely jump at the opportunity to escape and make our earthly lives more comfortable, but instead, we must tirelessly serve to ensure others’ eternal comfort.

And tirelessly serving is uncomfortable. Somer Phoebus would say beyond uncomfortable, it will probably often feel “none-comfortable.”

But nonetheless, Jesus said that He is sending us into the world, just as God sent Him into the world (John 17:18).

Think about that: the same authority that brought Jesus down to earth sends you to minister to a world that is desperate for the hope of salvation. 

And despite the difficulty, we are to use our influence for good, without being influenced by evil. Jesus has sent us into the world, but He prayed that we wouldn’t fall for the enemy’s tricks. That we wouldn’t get self-absorbed, enslaved to sin, or stuck on secondary issues.

It’s not easy, but He doesn’t ask us to do it alone. God always goes before us. It’s just up to us to make sure we’re following Him and not culture. 

I don’t know where God has called you. Maybe you’re currently in a position at work where talking about your faith is forbidden. You constantly feel like you’re all alone, and sometimes, you just wish He would let you leave and do something else.

Well, it's possible the very reason you want to leave where God has you may be the very reason He has you there. He asks us to shine our light in the darkness.

You are right where God has you for a reason. God's will for your life is not only where He will take you next, but God's will is where He has you now. You’ve been sent by God and for God. And He’s with you every step of the way.

God, thank You for who You are and that You never ask me to go anywhere without Your presence. Thank You for these words of Jesus. God, I'm in awe that just hours before He would face the cross, He loved me enough that I was on His mind and He prayed for me. God, break my heart for the broken world around me. Use me, and give me opportunities to shine Your light on those around me. Give me strength to remain steady in You when I want to retreat. Protect me from the lies this world offers me. Guard me in Your truth. I love You. Amen.