Apicontent

Today’s Reading: John 19:12-16

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Now it was the day of the preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’ They cried out, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’ So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.”

* * * * *

It was the day of the preparation for the Passover. The Passover lambs were being prepared in the Temple area to be slaughtered for the sins of the people. And Jesus was being prepared as well, as the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.

Pilate brought Jesus into the courtyard— beaten and bedraggled. He said, “Behold, your King!” The mob yelled back, “Away with him, crucify him!” Pilate responded, “Shall I crucify your King?” They retorted, “We have no king but Caesar.”

Astonishingly, the crowd acknowledged Caesar, not God, as their king. They subverted their own national heritage. They committed blasphemy—the very crime they accused Jesus of committing! God had repeatedly told his people only he could be their King.¹⁷ Yet the people denied their own messianic expectations of a king who would come and free them from Roman oppression.

Seeing this intensely obdurate opposition, Pilate had no other option. To maintain his power and prevent a rebellion, he was forced to give Jesus over to be crucified.

With the death sentence pronounced, Jesus received 39 lashes. This act was nicknamed “intermediate death.” A whip was matted with metal, glass, and bone. Each lash bit deeply into the Savior’s flesh, ripping apart skin, muscle, and sinew. The purpose was to weaken the body so death would not linger on the cross.

Jesus went through all this agony for you. Those lashes should have been yours. Your sin caused great alienation between you and the heavenly Father. But Jesus took the punishment for your sin upon himself so you wouldn’t have to receive it.

That’s how much he loves you.

Could there be a greater love in the universe than that of Jesus laying down his life for you? A friend would die for a friend, but who would suffer and die for an enemy? Jesus suffered excruciating agony so you wouldn’t have to. He gave his life for you. He died in your place.

Jesus knew no sin, yet he became sin so that you might become the righteousness of God.¹⁸ The proof of this love is that while you were still wallowing in your sin, he died for you. He didn’t wait for you to try to become perfect before he went to the cross to die for your sins.

What more could he give you?

Contemplate and grasp today the depth, breadth, width, and height of his love for you. Believe it’s true. It’s lavish and without limit. Claim it for yourself. Cling to it no matter what you’re facing.

And you’ll discover he is able to do in and through you more than you could ever think or imagine.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 19:17-27

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

* * * * *

Pilate ordered Jesus to be crucified. He was nailed to the cross, and people waited for him to die.

At the foot of the cross were Jesus’ closest friends and relatives. There was his mother, Mary. She had carried him in her womb. Now she awaited him placed in a tomb.

Mary’s sister, Salome, was there as well. She was the mother of James and John, two of the disciples. Mary Magdalene was present. She had experienced a dramatic life change when Jesus had freed her from past bondages. She’d become a new creation because of his grace.

And there was John. All the other disciples had fled in fear. They were convinced they too would be arrested and crucified. But John stayed true to the end. How great was his love and courage! He was truly the disciple whom Jesus loved.

Even in his last moments on earth, Jesus remained committed to perfectly obeying the Father’s moral law. The Ten Commandments were given by the heavenly Father to express his heart of perfect righteousness. Therefore, as death neared, Jesus desired to obey the command to honor his parents.¹⁹ He wanted to make provision for his mother after he died. She was a widow. She had no income or anyone to take care of her.

So Jesus turned to Mary and said, “Woman.” It was a term of endearment. He loved her deeply. She was a woman of extraordinary faith and obedience.

Jesus said to his mother, “Behold your son.” He wanted her to know that John would now be responsible for caring for her for the rest of her life. Jesus then pointed her to his dear friend John and told her he was now her son. From that moment onward, John took Mary into his home. He made sure her every earthly need was addressed until she died and went home to be with the Lord.

The lesson here is clear: Do the same for your parents. To honor your parents is one of the Ten Commandments. It’s also the only one that has a promise connected to it: You will live long in the land.

Yes, the Lord understands your situation if you had bad parents. If they abused you, you don’t have to let them continually abuse you. But you are still commanded to honor them. That means you pray for them. You forgive them for any wrong they’ve done to you. Perhaps because of your love for Jesus that is expressed in the ways you minister to your parents as they age, they will repent and seek forgiveness from God.

And remember this truth: You will age as well. Your children are watching you as you care for your parents. Your example will determine how they care for you.

As you honor your parents, the Lord will honor you. It’s a moral requirement from him. Always honor your parents.

Jesus did so with his mother. Do so with your parents.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 19:28-30

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst’…When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

* * * * *

Jesus knew death was near. He knew his work on earth was almost complete.

Before he died, he said, “I thirst.” There was a specific reason. He was fulfilling a specific prophecy. Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm. It looks forward to the Savior and addresses the righteous one of God suffering in thirst (verse 15).

Every word of God’s Word is true. The Holy Spirit authored it. It was not written by fiat. Every word in it was written for a reason.

The Savior’s thirst on the cross shows his humanity. He was totally divine and human at the same time. Because of his humanity, there is no temptation that you face that he is not aware of. When you become weary, remember that he became weary. When you feel alone, know that he felt the same way. He desired human relationships, as you do. He faced death, as you do. He became thirsty, as you do.

That means there’s nothing you experience in this life that he doesn’t understand. As your eternal friend, you can lean on him with all your burdens. He understands them all. He empathizes with your every hurt. He will help you carry them.

Then, after Jesus drank the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he died.

What is the “it” that Jesus finished? “It” is the finished work of your salvation. He had completed the work on earth for which he’d been sent. Where Adam had failed to obey God’s moral law, Jesus was successful. He had finished living the perfect, sinless, and righteous life no human could ever live. He had met every single aspect of the righteous requirements of God’s law.

Jesus had to be perfect God and perfect man for forgiveness to occur. He had to be perfect man and meet the law’s requirements to substitute his life for yours. He had to be perfect God to pay the price for your sin. God is the offended party with your sin. Only he can grant forgiveness.

Jesus bore the penalty for your sin. Your debt to the heavenly Father was paid in full. Jesus’ obedience to what the Father had asked him to do was now complete.

Jesus “gave up” his life. His spirit was released from his body. In three days, it would be covered in a new, glorious, and perfect resurrection body.

On the cross, the Savior finished the work of righteousness you could not accomplish. He now offers you the forgiveness of your sins through his completed work on the cross. It’s a gift offered to you, the gift of eternal life—all by grace through faith.

Have you received this free gift today? Yes, it’s easy for you to obtain. But it cost the heavenly Father everything to make it easy for you to receive—even the death of his only Son. But he desired to make salvation easy for you because of his great love for you.

He loves each of us like there is only one of us.

If you have received this free gift, your sins are forgiven. You need never fear death. You have eternal security in the Lord.

It’s guaranteed by Jesus’ finished work.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 19:31-37

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“When they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.”

* * * * *

Pilate had agreed to take down the bodies of the crucified prisoners before nightfall. He instructed the guards to go and break their legs. This would cause death by asphyxiation. The broken legs would prevent the prisoners from pushing up on the cross with their legs so they could continue to breathe.

The two criminals on either side of Jesus had their legs broken because they were still alive. They died soon thereafter.

But when the guards came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs. However, to be completely sure, they took a long spear with an iron point and pierced it into his side. Blood and water poured forth. Through the ages, medical experts have looked upon this fact as evidence that Jesus was dead. Blood and water mingled together means a person is dead.

Why is this important? For centuries, preposterous theories have been proposed to dismiss the Lord’s resurrection. One of them is called the “swoon theory.” It suggests Jesus wasn’t really dead on the cross. He was taken down alive and placed in a dark, dank, and damp tomb. There, his body was refreshed. He regained his strength and went to his disciples and convinced them he had risen. They then continued to carry out Jesus’ ministry of hope and love to others.

Why is this theory preposterous? Think about all Jesus had experienced during his final hours. He’d gotten no sleep the night before. He received severe beatings. The 39 lashes on his back had been nicknamed “intermediate death” by the Romans because of the severity of this punishment. Some prisoners didn’t survive it. He hung six hours on the cross—each moment taking him closer to asphyxiation. There was a spear stuck into his side.

Jesus was then taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. After several hours, in the middle of the night, he was supposedly resuscitated. He then moved a huge stone weighing approximately one ton. He was then able to elude crack Roman guards and find his disciples, who were hiding in fear. He showed them his broken, bruised, and beaten body as a resurrection hope they needed to give the world.

It doesn’t make sense. How could Jesus’ bloodied and beaten body give them hope for their new and perfect resurrection body?

It also means they made up the story of Jesus being dead and then God raising him to new life. Why is this important? It suggests the disciples suffered persecution and martyrdom for what they knew was a lie. But people don’t willingly die for what they know is a lie. They may die for what they think is true about God but isn’t really true. But no one suffers and dies for what they know is a lie. It’s against human nature. People are too self-protective. That’s not how they operate.

Jesus was dead. The Roman guards, who were experienced at determining when people died, knew he was dead. It’s why they didn’t break his legs. It’s why he was placed in a tomb.

People make up fanciful theories about Jesus for one reason: They don’t want to yield their lives to him. They don’t want to place moral reins on their life’s lusts and passions. They want to be lord of their own lives.

Jesus had to be dead for the resurrection to be valid. He was crucified, died, and was buried. The “swoon theory” is frivolous. He was dead. The mixture of blood and water proves it. The early church placed this fact in their creedal statements (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It’s an essential bulwark of the Christian faith. It must be believed for the resurrection to make sense.

Jesus’ death and resurrection has great significance for you. When you die, if you believe in him, you too will be raised to new life.

That means you can shout with confidence these words: “Hallelujah, Christ is risen!”

And you can also cry out, “Hallelujah, I am risen as well!”

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 19:38-42

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”

* * * * *

When Jesus was taken down from the cross, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, gave over use of his tomb in devotion to the Lord. It was new; no one had ever been laid in it. Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin, provided burial spices with which to anoint Jesus’ body.

The Lord’s body then was wrapped in linen cloths and burial spices. These linen cloths are sometimes called swaddling cloths. Ironically, when Jesus departed the world, he was dressed the same way as when he entered it.

The Jewish day of preparation was at hand. Jesus was laid in the tomb right before the Sabbath was to begin and all work must cease— including carrying linen wrappings, spices, and a dead corpse. Everything had been completed quickly for his burial.

Then a large stone was rolled in front of the tomb. It was sealed to assure no one could enter. After all, on several occasions, Jesus had prophesied that he would be crucified and raised from the dead. If this seal was broken and the body stolen, the guards would have to pay the price of the condemned prisoner. In this case, the guards overseeing Jesus’ body would face crucifixion themselves if his body was taken.

Everyone left the tomb except the Roman guards. They were highly motivated to make sure Jesus’ body remained there. Pilate and the Jewish leaders did not want to take a chance on Jesus rising from the dead, or his disciples stealing the body. They wanted the certainty of his dead body in the tomb to squelch any rumors about a resurrection.

Is it important for people to know the actual location of Jesus’ actual burial site? Most likely, no. Through the centuries, people have debated where his body was actually laid. In Jerusalem, there are three potential burial sites that historians point to and people visit.

No one knows with certainty the true burial site. That is probably God’s preference. He wouldn’t want people worshiping a shrine where they think Jesus was buried. People love to worship places and build monuments that end up becoming a substitute for an authentic faith.

God may have purposely hidden the burial place, just as he hid Moses’s burial place. He understands human nature. He knows how people are prone to worship creation instead of the Creator. He wants them to worship him alone.

At the same time, consider this: All three potential burial sites have one thing in common: Each one is empty. Jesus is not in any of them.

And rest assured of this: If any of Jesus’ enemies could have produced a body to show that he had never risen, they would have. Show his corpse, and his movement is finished. But no one could. He has risen from the dead. He is alive!

The grave could not hold him. Death could not contain him. His victory over sin and death is complete.

And if you believe in him, your victory is certain as well.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 18:12-18

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in.”

* * * * *

All the other disciples had fled except two—Peter, and another one who was unnamed. He was John, the author of this Gospel. Once again he was deferential about revealing his identity, and because of this, we know who he was.

Peter and John followed Jesus to “the court of the high priest,” an enclosed space with no roof, meaning one could look up and see the sky. Peter stayed outside the gate, while John entered. He was known to the high priest and was able to enter.

There was a servant girl guarding the courtyard. John went to her and vouched for Peter, and she allowed him to enter.

Peter and John’s courage should be noted. All the other disciples had fled. By contrast, John and Peter desired to be faithful to the Lord. They had followed the entourage that had arrested him because they feared something awful might happen to him.

In the face of enormous adversity, they chose to follow Jesus. They were very courageous.

What is courage? It is not being ignorant about the future and yet still moving forward. Rather, true courage is clearly knowing what awaits you but still choosing to move ahead. It’s unflinchingly staring the enemy in the face while not knowing what the eventual outcome may be.

Jesus is always looking for courageous followers—disciples who might not know what’s awaiting them but are still willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause. He needs people who will be unabashed witnesses for him—both in word and deed. He needs fearless helpers who will act to advance the Father’s kingdom on earth.

Yes, Peter would go on to deny the Lord. But at least he was in the courtyard. At least he hadn’t run away as the others had. John and Peter resisted cowardice. They went inside the courtyard. They knew doing this was dangerous, but still they followed their Master.

Emulate Peter and John. Be strong and courageous for Jesus. Do not panic or be afraid of those who may criticize or threaten you. What can they do to you? Jesus will guard you from all sides. He won’t fail or abandon you. He will fight for you and give you victory.

Jesus will arm you with his strength. He will go ahead of you in the battle. The battle belongs to him. In fact, he has already won the battle!

Jesus knows you by name. You are his. Knowing these truths should give you enormous confidence. You can be very bold.

He will make your way perfect. He is your sun and your shield. He is your shelter and refuge. He is your strong tower. He watches over every area of your life. He will protect you from danger.

Why should you tremble?

Trust him with all your heart.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 18:1-11

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given to me?’”

* * * * *

Simon Peter was incensed that Jesus was being arrested. Earlier, Peter had promised that he would die for the Lord. True to his word, he took action to defend Jesus.

Peter removed a short sword that was hidden under his garment. This kind of sword was used for stabbing, not slicing. A quick jab rightly aimed at a vital organ would cause immediate death.

Peter drew his sword and attacked Malchus, the high priest’s servant. He aimed for his head, but instead, cut off the servant’s ear. Jesus immediately healed Malchus’s ear. He wanted to teach his followers that if they lived by the sword, they would die by the sword.

Jesus also used this moment to teach the disciples another important truth about his mission on earth. He wanted them to know what it meant for him to drink the cup the Father had given to him.

The “cup” was a metaphor for God’s judgment. Throughout the Old Testament, it was always used as a symbol of the Father’s coming wrath. The Father gave it to the Son to drink from for the forgiveness of your sins.

Jesus’ greatest agony on earth was not the physical pain of the crucifixion. Though excruciating, it could not begin to compare with the spiritual agony he faced while he was on the cross. There, he took the Father’s wrath upon himself. He bore the sins of all humankind when he drank from this cup. He was separated from his Father in heaven when he absorbed all our sins upon his body.

This was why, when Jesus prayed earlier in the garden of Gethsemane, he asked the Father if there was a way other than the cross. After all, his greatest joy was being one in a perfect relationship with the Father. But when Jesus became a substitute for our sins, their unity was torn apart. The Father could not have fellowship with Jesus because he had taken upon himself all the sins of the world. The Father forsook his Son.

The cross was always the Father’s will for the Son. His heart of love for you demanded that Jesus drink of the cup of his wrath so you wouldn’t have to. Jesus gladly submitted to the Father’s will because he knew it would allow you the forgiveness of your sins and a right relationship with them forever.

Do you believe this? Do you believe that the Father’s anger was poured out on Jesus instead of you? Do you believe the Father is ready to forgive you if you just ask him to?

It is true. Through Jesus, your sins are forever forgiven—as far as the east is from the west. Regarding your sins, the Father is an eternal amnesiac. They are remembered no more, blotted out for Christ’s sake. Though like scarlet, he has made them white as snow.

And you can now know the joy of his salvation and a clean heart and a renewed spirit.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 16:26-33

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

* * * * *

The hour had come for the fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 13:7. The sheep were scattered, and the shepherd left alone. But Jesus knew he could face this ordeal because his Father in heaven was with him.

Jesus, based on his own experiences, was able to assure that you’d have peace—the abiding feeling that all is well with your soul—regardless of the circumstances surrounding you.

He told his disciples that in this world, they would experience tribulation. Not one is immune. There are no exemptions.

Jesus doesn’t want anyone to think that if they follow him they will never experience trials, conflicts, difficulties, or challenges. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. His followers must share in his sufferings.

In fact, you are warned that trials will increase when you follow Jesus. How can this be?

First, because you are a follower, the enemy will target you more viciously. You are a threat to the enemy’s kingdom of darkness. He will increase and intensify his temptations and attacks upon your soul.

Second, the world will hate you. It hated Jesus; it will hate you as well. Your kingdom values now stand contrary to what the world holds dear. The world despises Jesus’ message. Consequently, it will try to hurt the messenger.

Third, you will experience more intense battles with your flesh. The flesh is your fallen human nature. It yearns for self to be exalted above all. When the Spirit resides in you, the flesh and Spirit are contrary to one another. The more influential the Spirit becomes, the greater the pushback from the flesh. The crucifixion of your flesh becomes a daily battle where you must choose who sits on the throne of your heart: flesh or the Spirit.

But don’t forget: Jesus said he has overcome the world. You can too. So take heart. Be filled with courage. The Spirit in you is greater than he who lives in the world.

Jesus stands victorious over all the powers of the world, the flesh, and the devil. All have been defeated by his resurrection. And as a believer, that power now lives in you. His strength in you will enable you to overcome all things.

Because he lives, you can face anything. Because he lives, all fear is gone. Because he was victorious, you can be too. Your present, temporary troubles are light and small in comparison to the glory that awaits you. It will greatly outweigh what you’ve gone through. Plus, it will last forever.

You are now more than a conqueror through him who loves you.

Live today in that victorious and conquering power.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 17:1-5

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

* * * * *

This is the beginning of Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples. Prayer wasn’t an afterthought for him. It was his lifeline to the Father. It’s what gave him strength and power. It should be the same with you.

The hour had arrived for the Son to accomplish the work for which he’d been sent: To die for the forgiveness of our sins and give us eternal life.

Jesus knew the Father would be glorified by his death on the cross. God’s perfect love and justice are intermixed. His holiness was satisfied by his wrath being poured out on Jesus, and not you. His love was shown by the free gift of the forgiveness of your sins.

Note that Jesus asked the Father to glorify him in his presence. How was this done? It happened when, after Jesus’ death on the cross, where for a while he was separated from his sinless Father because all our sin rested on him, both the Father and the Son were restored to perfect union in heaven—a union that existed in all eternity before Jesus came to earth.

Your greatest need is now met: The forgiveness of your sins. You now possess the gift of eternal life. You know the one true God through the one the Father sent to you to give you the gift of eternal life—Jesus. What Adam lost in the Garden of Eden, Jesus restored. Humanity has union life with God.

The Lord Jesus Christ accomplished the work the Father sent him to do. When he cried out on the cross with his last breath, “It is finished,” his work was done. He obeyed perfectly the righteous requirements of the moral law, the Ten Commandments.

Where you failed, Jesus succeeded. Your disobedience brought you judgment. His obedience brought you forgiveness.

The judgment due you fell upon him. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin so that you might become the righteousness of God. If you have accepted Christ as Savior, the Father now accepts you. He sees only his forgiveness and his righteousness in your heart.

Jesus is now with the Father again. It’s the place where he preexisted with him before the world was ever created. Today Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand, waiting for the time when the Father tells him to return and judge the living and the dead. His glorification is complete.

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with an unfailing love. He forgives every kind of sin and rebellion. He lavishes love to the thousandth generation for those who love him. He redeems you from death and crowns you with his tender mercies.

How great is the Father’s love for you, that he would make you his child. Abide in his love. It’s the most powerful force in the universe.

It’s what brought Jesus from heaven to earth to you.

It’s what will take you home one day.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 17:6-10

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.”

* * * * *

Here, Jesus gives you a powerful promise from his heart to yours. It should give you great comfort and hope.

What is that promise? He is praying for you and your needs right now.

This is not a promise for those who don’t believe in him and don’t claim the power of his name. He is not praying for them.

But for those who know him and have received his gift of forgiveness, he is constantly praying for them before the Father. What you ask, in his name, he takes to the Father. He hears every one of your prayers and responds according to his perfect will. He knows every single need you have even before you present it to him.

What should you do if you don’t know how to pray and what to ask for? The Spirit understands your heart. He will rightly interpret your needs.

He will then express your needs to the Father. Indeed, the Spirit and the Son are both making intercession for you. That should lift your heart when you feel overwhelmed and don’t know how to pray.

Don’t let your heart be troubled. Don’t fear. Don’t fret over evildoers. Don’t be anxious about anything. Can your worries add even a single moment to your life? Can they add an inch to your height? Worry dominates the lives of those who don’t believe in the Lord.

Rather, take courage. There is something you can do to address your problems.

What is it? Come to Jesus in prayer. He already knows all your needs. Make your requests known to him and sprinkle them with thanksgiving. Be thankful for all he has given to you. Remember and be thankful for previously answered prayers. Make a list if you need to.

Give all your cares to the Lord, for he cares about you. Let him carry them. He is able to do so. Experience the peace that passes understanding. It’s given to you through Jesus—the one who is carrying your load, the one who takes your prayers to the Father.

He might answer yes. Or maybe you’ll need to wait. Perhaps God has a better plan. What appears to be a no is God’s perfect, sovereign care for you.

But he will respond. He hears and answers every request made to him.

Trust him.

Know that the response will be enveloped in perfect love.

And one day, you will understand his perfect answer.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]