Waking Up After Failure
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed…
Rodney Garcia
Lament That Leads to Trust
“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?… But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Psalm 13:1, 5 Honesty with God creates a pathway to…
God’s Tender Care
“Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Luke 22:43 Moments of deepest anguish often reveal God’s most tender care. In Gethsemane, as Jesus faced His darkest hour, Luke records a detail that the other Gospel writers…
Praying with Heavy Eyes
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 Spiritual drowsiness often precedes spiritual failure. Before Peter denied Jesus, he fell asleep in Gethsemane. Before the disciples…
When Sorrow Suffocates Prayer
“And when He rose from prayer and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.” Luke 22:45 Grief can paralyze us spiritually. The disciples weren’t just physically tired; their hearts were crushed by sorrow. Everything they’d hoped…
Second Chances After Rejection
And repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47 (NIV) God gives second chances to those who reject Him. Just days after Jesus wept over Jerusalem, knowing they would…
Relationship and Not Rituals
Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Mark 2:27 (NIV) Sometimes, our religious practices can blind us to God Himself. This happened to the religious leaders in Jesus’ time. They were…
No Pleasure in Judgment
“Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will…
While It’s Still Today
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15 (NIV) Jerusalem missed its divine appointment with Jesus. As He approached the city on Palm Sunday, Jesus wept over what could…
When God Weeps
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41-42 (NIV) God’s…