Re-Center around God

Thursday in Holy Week encompasses Jesus gathering His disciples in the Upper Room where a foot washing and the Last Supper occur. They will later head to the Mount of Olives where Jesus prays in the garden and sweats what are described as droplets of blood (Luke 22:44). During that time, Jesus tells His disciples that "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). He then encourages them to pray as a counter to the body's weakness. That leads us to our Review the week, Repent if necessary and Return as necessary.

Review Your Week

Where and how have you allowed the weakened flesh to cause trouble for your spirit (who is trying to follow God)? No sense in hiding our sinful choices, weaknesses and places we’ve succumbed to temptation. Go already knows.

Repent if Necessary

Go ahead and repent of those sinful choices and pray that the Lord strengthens you and your spirit. Jesus prayed so that He would be strengthened to do God's will and we want to pray for that same type of strength and fortitude as we seek to do God's will also.

Return (as necessary)

Ask God to help you set aside the weakened flesh and to restore Him to His rightful place on your heart’s throne; let Him be master over all in your world.

Micro-Meditation

Psalm 51:13-19

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed,
O God, you who are God my Savior
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, O God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Teaching or Command of God:

Mark 12:33

To love [God] with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Proverbs 3:34

God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.

Pondering Point

Based on these three bible passages, what brings God delight? How can you apply that in your life today or this week to the glory of God?