Willing and Able

A famous saying...God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

In the garden of Gethsemene, Jesus called His disciples to watch and pray. I have a always been disappointed in them, but convinced I could do no better at the same time. But surely someone could, right?

But when I think of what Jesus was wrestling with, I know that the power to live out faith was dependent on His willingness to continue as the Son of Man through the suffering of the cross and not to mention the rejection of His Father for the sake of the world. 

When He saw His disciples, I wonder if He was reminded that unless He did the will of the Father, we would never go from willing and unable to willing and able.

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” (Matthew 26:41 NLT)

In the wrestling of Jesus, Matthew accents the question change...

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Matthew 26:39 NLT)

Jesus checks on the disciples and sees their weakness.

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42 NLT)

In their weakness, He still looked on them with love. Thank You, Jesus!

James 3:18,

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God is Able, God is Faithful

Lifted up
He defeated the grave
Raised to life
Our God is able
In His name
We overcome
For the Lord
Our God is able

              ---"God is Able" by Hillsong

God is Great, God is Good is from a prayer I was taught as a child. Two amazing truths that when put together have a power and holy, personal promise of the Character of God in our lives... He is Able, He is Faithful. I can not imagine being told that and it not bringing me right into the throne room of God, or better yet bringing the awareness of His Presence into my reality.  The realizing of His Presence or His Power has everything to do with my vision and perspective.

Father,
I thank You that you are who You are, Able and Faithful. I thank You for answer to prayer. I thank you for all of those in my life that remind me and encourage me to keep my eyes on Jesus. For my church family, who with prayers and messages of encouragement surround me with hope. For my family and friends, who not only put up with me, but support me - Your mercies, O God, are truly new every morning and with every greeting of one of Your saints. Thank You, Thank You, I am so grateful. Amen.

James 4:14,
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