Blog Layout
God Uses Everyone
Andrea Lende • April 6, 2020
Mark 14:18 and 20
God Uses Everyone
You can listen to the meditation and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/God-Uses-Everyone-ecef8t
Daily Word:
Mark 14:18 and 20
“And while they were at the table eating, Jesus said, Surely I say to you, one of you will betray Me, [one] who is eating [here] with Me.”
“He replied to them, It is one of the Twelve [apostles], one who is dipping [bread] into the [same deep] dish with Me.”
Jesus was having His Last Supper with His apostles.
He knew that one of them would betray Him, and He knew who would betray Him.
Yet Judas was still invited.
Typically, when there is an enemy in our midst we try and cut the relationship off.
We no longer associate with them.
But Jesus not only congregated with Judas, He shared the sacrament with him.
Judas was even allowed to dip his bread in the same dish as Jesus.
Jesus shared the new covenant with him.
There was nothing spared in the presence of Judas.
Judas played an important role in Jesus’ apprehension and ultimate death on the cross.
As I read through this chapter, I came to fully realize that God uses everyone for His purpose.
There have been so many times that I have been offended by people in my life.
I couldn’t understand why God used someone to cause insult or harm to me.
There are many instances that I still don’t have a reason.
But I must know that God had a reason.
His plan is at work even when I cannot fully see it.
And I have come to the realization that I must simply trust Him.
I must trust Him over my own reasoning.
I must trust Him when it doesn’t make sense.
I simply must trust Him.
Today I choose to look to God and know that His perfect plan is in place and ask that He instill more faith into my soul.
May you find that as You trust Him that He will show Himself faithful to you.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for showing me that Your plan is perfect even when it may seem difficult for me. Thank You for showing me that You use every person for Your ultimate good. Help me not be so quick to judge others, Lord. Help me offer grace as You offer grace. Help me be tolerant of those around me that don’t seem to be aligned with Your will. You are Lord over us all, and we serve Your purpose not our own. Help me be willing to bend to Your will over mine, Lord. Keep me seeking You over me. Help me do all that You ask me to do, Father. Help me be obedient to Your every whisper. Help me serve those around me with joy and know that You are the reason I am able. May Your peace be upon me, Lord. May Your grace overflow. Thank You for showing me more wisdom. May my heart fully align with Yours, Father. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: My will is perfect and will be done, always.
Response: Help me bend to Your will, Father, in all circumstances and at all times.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.