Key Thought

Today's Prayer

O God, I confess that I cannot do it alone. My strength is not sufficient. Even looking at the great heroes of faith who have paid the ultimate price before me, I'm sure that I don't have the strength to pay the ultimate price on my own. So, dear Father, I turn to you and the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain me. I ask that the encouragement and support of your people can uphold me. I promise to do my best, but I also know that without your grace, my best is not sufficient. So please strengthen my courage and inspire my strength. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. They said, "Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us." Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The sons answered, "You will have glory {in your kingdom}. Let one of us sit at your right, and let one of us sit at your left." Jesus said, "You don't understand what you are asking. Can you accept the kind of suffering that I must have ? Can you be baptized with the same kind of baptism that I must have?" The sons answered, "Yes, we can!" Jesus said to the sons, "You will suffer the same things that I will suffer. And you will be baptized with the same baptism that I must have. But I cannot choose the person that will sit at my right or my left. There are some people that will have those places. Those places are prepared for them." The other ten followers heard this. They became angry with James and John. Jesus called all the followers together. Jesus said, "The non-Jewish people have men they call rulers. You know that those rulers love to show their power over the people. And their important leaders love to use all their authority over the people. But it should not be that way with you. If one of you wants to become great, then he must serve you like a servant. If one of you wants to become the most important, then he must serve all of you like a slave. In the same way, the Son of Man did not come for other people to serve him. But the Son of Man came to serve other people. The Son of Man came to give his life to save many people."

Related Scripture Readings

Then Jesus went back to his followers. He found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "Simon, why are you sleeping? You could not stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. Your spirit wants to do what is right. But your body is weak." Again Jesus went away and prayed the same thing.

So be humble under God's powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy. And he goes around like a roaring lion looking for some person to eat. Refuse to follow the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings that you have. Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God that gives all grace (kindness). He called you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever. All power is his forever and ever. Amen.

We heard about those things and we became very afraid. And now, none of our men are brave enough to fight you. Why? Because the Lord your God rules the heavens above and the earth below!