Wednesday Devo

Read Luke 9:28-36. Its hard to leave heaven - come to earth - lead a band of young ambitious disciples on a mission to change the world. Even Jesus needed some encouragement. He gets a chance here to visit with two great saints whom he had surly met before he left God's presence to come into our world. In some ways this is kind of like a meeting of three generals - 2 who have passed their test coming to speak to the one yet to go through his trial of delivering God's people.

Moses had delivered a rebellious bunch through the desert. Elijah had delivered God's people by standing against Ahab and Jezabel. Both of these great saints had to spend much time alone learning to totally depend on God for their every need. Both of them had endured much suffering and God glorified them. God had revealed himself to them in their weakest hours. Here Jesus is visited not only by them but  His fathers' verbal encouragement. "This is my Son". All of this is preparing Jesus for his death. I imagine several times through his arrest, trial, beating and crucifixion - Jesus reflected on this moment and it gave him strength. He surely thought - my father didn't forsake his other generals - He will resurrect me!

Jesus is an alien from a different world in a sense. He's phoning home for a bit here and his disciples get to see this - they are lost for words. Peter doesn't know what to do so he but he can't just watch - he feels compelled to serve them in some way. Sometimes when God is moving he doesn't want or need us to do anything but observe. God the father graciously says, "Listen".

questions

1) When has God helped prepare you for a trial. He always does if we'll look back remember.

2) Jesus says that he is with us always (Matthew 28:20). How can we learn to hear the father's encouragement better? (God speaks through his word, other Christians, experience, sermons, creation, Holy Spirit planted thoughts)

3) When has God give you a gift simply because he loved you? He didn't need you to do anything with the gift - he simply wanted you to enjoy it as a gift from him. He simply wanted to bless you like he did the disciples here? (When Mel and I were at ground zero on 9/11 last year - a trip entirely paid for by someone else - I went into prayer warrior mode - praying for all the mourners crying at ground zero. Later as I was trying to figure out what God had been up to - it hit me - He simply wanted to bless us - he didn't need me to do anything. He's a good father sometimes he simply gives good gifts - no string/expectations attached. That's what the disciples got here. If you can't think of a time - keep you eyes open - its coming!