Scripture Reading: "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as though wilt." (Matthew 26:39)

Have you ever personally been to the garden of Gethsemane?
Me neither; at least not in any literal sense.

But I do believe that, in a spiritual and emotional sense, many of us encounter our own personal Gethsemane from time to time.

What I mean by that is that we are sometimes confronted with having to make the choice between what we really want to do, and what God's "known will" is for us to do, in a particular circumstance; but if we're honest, it's not always easy for us to fully surrender and say, "nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."

I'm so grateful that Jesus was able to say those words and fully surrender to the will of God when he was battling in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. His victory "then" is what makes it possible for our victory "now". 

As believers, it is inevitable that we will all come to a point and place in our journey in which we will have to make decisions that our flesh may not necessarily be eager to make. 

But the thing that I'm excited about is that we don't have to overcome alone. God will help us and give us the strength to say YES to His will, as long as we seek His Hand (by the help of His hand).

The scripture says that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." 

What that verse says to me personally, is that God, who is always near, will be even nearer when I find myself in difficult circumstances; even when I'm having a Gethsemane Experience.

My Prayer for you today is that He will strengthen you in every way that you need it.

In Christ,
Pastor Lowe