He Prays For You!

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

                                                John 17: 20-26

    

Jesus has prayed for you! Read John’s Scripture again. He says, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” Jesus prays for his future disciples—all the men and women in future ages who will believe through the message proclaimed by his first followers. You are one of those people! You are one of those future disciples for whom Jesus prayed. So, as you read this part of Jesus’ prayer, take a close look at what it is that Jesus wants for you.

Jesus wants his disciples—all of us—to be in unity with one another as we are also in unity with Him and His Father. The calling to be united with Jesus and the Father is awesome enough, but how much more awesome—and how much more challenging—is the call to be united with one another. Knowing that Jesus prayed for this kind of unity gives us confidence that it really will happen, especially during those times when we aren’t united as believers.

Why does Jesus take our unity so seriously? Of all the things he could have prayed for on his last night on earth, why did he choose to pray for this? There are many reasons, but one of the most important is because He knew that our witness of love and mercy toward one another could change the whole world. He knew that our unity in Christ is one of the most important elements of evangelization. Actions always speak louder than words, and when we demonstrate to the world that people from diverse backgrounds and cultures can come together, we are demonstrating the power of divine love.

Finally, Jesus prayed that the same love the Father has for Him may be in us. Try to imagine the immensity of the Father’s love for Jesus. This is the same love Jesus wants for you! Today, take time to rest in this love and fully experience it. And as you pray, and let the experience of this love flow over you. As you do, it will empower you to seek the unity that Jesus deeply desires and to become a light to the whole world!

Today’s Prayer

Holy Spirit, open the eyes of my heart to the immense love that Jesus has for me. Fill me with your spirit so deeply that your love shines from every part of my life. Allow me to experience this love more deeply so that I may share it with others throughout every day of my life. Amen.

A GOOD QUESTION

"If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead."

1 John 3:14

"If I have no love for others, no desire to serve others, I should question whether Christ is really in my life." This statement, from Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, struck me as an awesome truth.

Based on the Scripture above from John’s first letter, it provides what may be considered an accurate measurement of Christ’s presence in our lives. Very simply, it asks is Christ the center of your universe or are you?

Is their any real sign of God’s love in your heart? The presence of love for others and the realization of what you can do to serve them is the evidence that you have been renewed by Christ and that He truly resides within you. 

Just take a look at the last few days. Is there any clear occurrence that you have cared about someone other than yourself?  Have you actually served a brother or a sister in some way? You will find comfort if the answer is “Yes!” However, you may want to take some time to search your soul if the answer is no.

But, don’t be discouraged in your search. For your soul ultimately belongs to the One who created you. Keep that in mind when the next opportunity to serve another comes along – and it will. Indeed, you will always surrounded by need. We all are. Need is the way of this world. However, need rarely presents itself when it is convenient for us or when we are in the mood.

You need to step in and serve even if you don't feel like it.

Once you do, Christ will energize you! That’s right, He’ll give you the strength and the desire to do it again. Just ask God to open you up! Ask Him to open your eyes to those around you and to show you all the ways in which you can serve them in love.

The very beauty of this is that you will be obedient to what He asks and find His power to do it at the same time. It is a wonderful journey; a journey you will never travel alone. Because at its end, you will find the Lord Jesus residing in your heart forever.

You can begin today with just one act of service, however small. Then, just look for another. Take every opportunity to fill every need that presents itself.

Today’s Prayer

Lord, I pray that You will awaken me with a heart to serve, the wisdom to see the need, and the power to follow through. Please strengthen me and build my desire to satisfy every need you place in my path so that others may see your presence through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

YOU ARE PART OF THE STORY

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10

Have you ever wondered why, with countless numbers of angels to do His bidding, and His own omnipotence and omnipresence, God chooses to involve us in His work in the world? The Scripture above from Paul means that God not only created the world with us in it, but He also created every good thing we will do with our lives. He didn't just set the world up and then leave us on our own. No. He is intimately involved with what we are doing every day, having planned it out in advance. He not only created this great story we are living, but is still creating it! And you get to be a part of it all.But, what happens if you don’t get involved and participate in the ongoing story of the Scriptures? Be assured, God's work will go on in spite of us, but He absolutely loves to factors us into the equation. He wants you to be a magnificent and integral part of His great adventure. That is why it is such a privilege and a joy to serve Him. It is a tremendous opportunity for you to find purpose and meaning in the world. This is your unique chance to enter into God’s creative process with Him. You see, He doesn't need us, but He wants us. He has always longed to share His great work with you. For in the beginning, before you were created, God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life.”
Isn't it amazing that He would give you so much importance in His creation? Do you want to find out what He wants you to do? Suddenly that little thing you know He wants you to do for your neighbor or your fellow-worker takes on much bigger significance, doesn't it? What great work is He sharing with you today?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing me into the story of your great creation. I only ask that you make me worthy of this adventure. Give me the vision to do whatever work you need me to do without hesitation. If there is a need, let me fill it. If there is a hurt, let me heal it. If there is a lost soul, let me find it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

NO GREATER ACT

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

                                                                        John 15:13

On the evening of Feb. 2, 1943, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester was crowded to capacity, carrying 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers.

Once a luxury coastal liner, the 5,649-ton vessel had been converted into an Army transport ship. The Dorchester, one of three ships in the SG-19 convoy, was moving steadily across the icy waters from Newfoundland toward an American base in Greenland. SG-19 was escorted by Coast Guard Cutters Tampa, Escanaba and Comanche.

Hans J. Danielsen, the ship's captain, was concerned and cautious. Earlier the Tampa had detected a submarine with its sonar. Danielsen knew he was in dangerous waters even before he got the alarming information. German U-boats were constantly prowling these vital sea lanes, and several ships had already been struck in night and sunk.

Only 150 miles from their destination, Captain Danielson ordered the men to sleep in their clothing and keep life jackets on. Asleep deep in the ship’s hold, most of the soldiers disregarded the order because of the heat generated by the massive engines. Others ignored it because the life jackets were uncomfortable.

Barely an hour past midnight, on Feb. 3, a periscope broke the chilly Atlantic waters. Through the cross hairs, an officer aboard the German submarine U-223 spotted the Dorchester. After identifying and targeting the ship, he gave orders to fire the torpedoes. The hit was decisive, and deadly, striking the starboard side, amid ship, far below the water line.

Captain Danielsen, immediately aware that the Dorchester was rapidly taking on water and sinking, gave the order to abandon ship. Tragically, the hit had knocked out power and radio contact with the three escort ships. The CGC Comanche, however, saw the flash of the explosion. It responded and then rescued 97 survivors. The CGC Escanaba circled the Dorchester, rescuing an additional 132 survivors. The third cutter, CGC Tampa, continued on, escorting the remaining two ships.

Aboard the Dorchester, panic and chaos had set in. The blast instantly killed scores of men, and many more were seriously wounded. Others, stunned by the explosion were groping in total darkness. Those sleeping without clothing rushed topside where they were confronted first by a blast of icy Arctic air and then by the knowledge that certain death awaited them in the water.

Men jumped from the ship into lifeboats, over-crowding them to the point of capsizing. Other rafts, tossed into the Atlantic, drifted away before soldiers could climb on board.

Also on board that night were four Army chaplains: Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed.

Quickly and quietly the four chaplains spread out among the soldiers. There they tried to calm the frightened, tend the wounded and guide the disoriented toward safety.

"Witnesses of that terrible night remember hearing the four men offer prayers for the dying and encouragement for those who would live," says Wyatt R. Fox, son of Reverend Fox.

One witness, Private William B. Bednar, found himself floating in oil-smeared water surrounded by dead bodies and debris. "I could hear men crying, pleading, praying," Bednar recalls. "I could also hear the chaplains preaching courage. Their voices were the only thing that kept me going."

Another sailor, Petty Officer John J. Mahoney, tried to reenter his cabin but was stopped by Rabbi Goode. Mahoney, concerned about the cold Arctic air, explained he had forgotten his gloves.  "Never mind," Goode responded. "I have two pairs." The rabbi then gave the petty officer his own gloves. Later, Mahoney realized that Rabbi Goode was not conveniently carrying two pairs of gloves, and that the rabbi had decided not to leave the Dorchester.

By this time, most of the men were topside, and the chaplains opened a storage locker and began distributing life jackets. When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men.

"It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven," said John Ladd, another survivor.

When last seen all four Chaplains were arm in arm, braced against the tilting ship’s railing. As the sea rolled over them, they offered prayers for the men

The Dorchester disappeared beneath the waves.

Less than 27 minutes had passed between the torpedoes hit and the Dorchester’s sinking. Of the 902 men aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, 672 died, leaving 230 survivors. It was the third largest loss of life in American Naval warfare during WWII. When the news reached American shores, the nation was stunned by the magnitude of the tragedy and heroic conduct of the four chaplains.

On December 19, 1944, The Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were awarded posthumously to the next of kin of the Four Chaplains.

Congress wished to confer the Medal of Honor to the four men, but was blocked by the stringent requirements which required heroism performed under fire. A posthumous Special Medal for Heroism was authorized by Congress and awarded by President Eisenhower in January 1961. This medal, intended to bestow the same importance and honor of the Medal of Honor, had never been given before and is never to be given again.

You might be thinking that you will never be in a situation like this, that you will never have the means to save someone. Please think again. Right now, you have the means to give anyone suffering without hope an eternal rescue. Jesus on the cross is our life-jacket and today is the day we must take a stand and gently give Him to those in peril.

Today’s Prayer

Lord, let the stories of heroism and courage inspire me to do your will every day. I know you will guide me, lift me up and strengthen me even in the face of danger. You alone are my savior. And it is for You alone that I will carry your message of eternal life to all those in need your salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.