Intentions

This is the time for YOUR prayer; Your "Good Morning" to God.

*Even the simplest prayers are heard by God in the Name of Jesus.  Speaking from your own heart.  Then get into the Word for the day.


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Mark 8 (NLT)

:31-33 Peter Rebuked
  
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

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Be mindful of your intentions.

It is true: God does know our hearts; but did you know that our hearts don't usually direct us in the right direction?  The Bible calls the heart deceitful...

I recommend reading the full chapters of the verses listed below when you get some time:
*Jeremiah 17:9- "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
*Hosea 10:2- "Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones."

Check it!  Motivated by love and admiration for Jesus, Peter wanted to keep Jesus from the cross.  Well my friends, from evil motives, so did satan!  Satan didn't care how it was accomplished; whether it was Peter, through satan's own attempt at tempting Jesus, or from the harsh treatment or even adoration of others; he just wanted to make sure Jesus did not fulfill His mission on earth.  Trust that the devil's motives are evil for us as well.  He doesn't care what stops us.  It can be the good intentions of friends/family/ourselves or from the effects of an evil action/spirit; as long as you don't fulfill your purpose on the earth- satan is happy.

Even though they meant well (and Jesus knew this), the disciples' job was not to guide and protect Jesus, it was to follow Him.  Only after Jesus' death and resurrection would they fully understand why He had to die.  Many people in our lives with good intentions will offer us advice, but this isn't their job.  They aren't called to be our guides nor our protection.  Who is ladies and gents?  Yes, God is our Guide and our Protection.  We are called to follow Jesus.

So questions are: Is it the Jesus in them offering the advice and suggestions?  Is it the Jesus in You offering that piece of advice or suggestion?

Sometimes I sit and wonder how many people, who are ready to step in with their opinions and suggestions about my life, first went to God to seek if their actions were of His Will.  I'm guessing very few!  It might sound harsh, but if you want to stay on purpose- we may have to do as Jesus did and rebuke (gently) these people who are mindful of the things of men (no matter their intentions).

Do not allow them to take any part in helping satan's attempts in keeping us from fulfilling our mission.  They may never fully understand why you're making the decisions you're making.  But it's not your job to make them understand either.  Tell them it's God, ask them to pray; we need to stay on the course God has set us on.  When they begin to seek God first, He will align things up and understanding will pour out in the proper and appointed time.

Even with good intentions, from our hearts- we can place ourselves outside of the purposes of God.  So be careful with our intentions, and lets move forward asking God for His instruction.  Without it, we will go astray; and even worse lead others astray.

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Daily Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come humbly to Your throne asking for forgiveness for weighing my intentions above Your commands.  You know my heart, but do I know Yours?  Help me to get in touch with Your heart, Your purposes, Your Will and Your Way.  Let me only speak with advice and/or suggestions by Your command.  And thank You LORD, in advance, for a discerning ear; to know whether the words people speak to me are to be applied or rebuked.  I plead the blood of Jesus over my purposes in life.  And I rebuke every attempt of the enemy to destroy them.  GET BEHIND ME, SATAN! I seek to be mindful of the things of God and not of men.  In Jesus' holy, holy Name.  Amen.

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Resources: biblegateway.com, NIV Women's Devotional Bible- Classic Edition, Life Application Study Bible.