Tagged: Prayer Intention

“He who will not take up his cross and come after Me is not worthy of Me.” –Matthew 10:38 Jesus is a real Person. He came from heaven to earth, and lived among human beings (Jn 1:14). During the three years of His public ministry, Jesus often had no place to lay His head and no home in which to sleep (Lk 9:58). He suffered rejection and intense persecution. He suffered physically and emotionally (Lk 19:41; Jn 19:33-35). Finally, He was unjustly condemned to death. For our salvation, He carried a real cross, was nailed upon it, and died for...

“The Lord took me from following the flock.” –Amos 7:15 Amos was a country boy, a shepherd, and a pruner of sycamore trees — a nobody chosen by God to prophesy to the nation of Israel (Am 7:14ff). Jesus likewise sent out His apostles as nobodies. He didn’t let them have the possessions and money by which many people try to command respect (see Mk 6:8-9). He didn’t even provide them with accommodations (see Mk 6:10). The apostles had about as much prestige as homeless people. Of course, without credentials, status, clout, or worldly power, they were almost certain to...

“Have you a father?” –Genesis 44:19 Joseph had everything. He was talented, handsome, and rich. He was one of the most important people in the world. However, all this meant almost nothing to him. Joseph was heartbroken, not so much because of being rejected by his brothers, but from being separated from his father for several decades. Joseph expressed his longing for his father with loud sobs (Gn 45:2). As soon as Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, he first of all asked them: “Is my father still in good health?” (Gn 45:3) We all were conceived with Joseph’s...