Scripture: Mark 10:35-39
Jesus chose real people, dysfunctional people to walk with. In this passage James and John were apparently trying to build their own Kingdoms and to advance beyond Peter. They were ambitious trying to gain an advantage over Peter. Why was there so much strife among the twelve? They could not accept the favor God wanted to give them without trying to earn it. Are we that way? Do we feel we must earn everything that God gives? If so, we are in a much bigger ditch than we realize! Romans 4:16 says, “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed…” We have to believe the promise so we can inherit it! This was really hard for the twelve. They fought it for 3 1⁄2 years! Are we also fighting it? Believing what God says seems too simple to just accept it! Yet, it is true for a reason. It is the only way God could guarantee it to everyone who becomes His child! It is time to accept God’s ways including what He promises about praying in tongues!
- Syria is entering the eighth year of conflict and over that time things have only got worse – much worse – for the children and the youths of Syria. Peace talks have failed and the fighting continues.
- Without peace and a massively scaled up humanitarian response we will lose a generation of children. Pray for a break in the conflict that is putting a generation of Syrian future leaders at risk.
- Pray for peace, protection, education and psychosocial support.