Scripture
Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come. Exodus 12:42

Observation
When Jesus stayed awake all night before he died just to pray, he was fulfilling God’s passover promise. God stayed awake to protect the home of every Jew from the angel of death. So Jesus prayed through the night to drink the cup of our salvation.

Application
Giving up sleep for prayer is more difficult for me than giving up food for prayer. I would be with the disciples in snoozing. But if Jesus could keep vigil then when he asks of me, I will keep vigil too. This honors God, for in prayer through the night we fellowship with the Lord in the work of watchman that he undertakes for us.

Prayer
Father, I often awake in the night. Help me to make insomnia holy by filling these times with prayer. Amen.

Scripture
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

“…You did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:39, 40 & 44

Observation

God visited their city and the leaders missed it. The implications are staggering.

God came to their community, and the leaders asked for the sound to be turned down. I guess when you’ve lived in a cemetery the sound of life is obnoxious.

Application
I don’t want to be the leader of the unwelcome committee when Jesus comes to visit my church. Churches have times of visitation just like Jerusaelem had theirs. I’ve been in churches that saw it, embraced it and followed it. I saw others that ignored it to their own peril. No matter how old I am, I want to be a leader who recognizes the advent of Jesus and blesses it.

Prayer
Jesus I ask you to come to my church. I pray over the doors week by week that they will open to you. Now ride into your church. Amen.

Scripture
Genesis 28:15-16
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 

Observation
We may imagine that we are making up our own path, but in truth God is leading us every step of the way. Jacob was running away from his brother, but he stumbled upon the front door of heaven on earth. 

Life is a long journey, one do long that it is easy to forget our destination mid way through the trek. Most are lost not because they cannot find the way to where they are going, but rather because they forgot that they were actually going someWHERE.

In midlife this is acute. There is nothing like marriage, mortgage, kids and college bills to lose the pursuit that seemed so clear in our early days. 

Thankfully God does not forget his plans for us simply because we have forgotten them. The God who remembers and fulfills unread prophecies won’t forget his promises to us. 

Application 
I remember receiving this verse as a promise in 1986, when I first started as a pastor. It seemed significant then; that God would do his work in me in Australia then return me to the USA. I’ve been back 5 years this year. Now do this greater work Lord in me. 

Prayer
Help me to see Lord what is do plain to you. Amen. 

Scripture
“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.

So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” Luke 8:16 & 18

Observation
When God gives us a light, he expects us place it where it is useful to others. If we don’t, he will put it out.

Gulp.

Just to be sure we get the point, Jesus says more. If we use what we have, we will be given more. If we don’t use what we have he will take it away.

Double gulp.

Application
A lamp on a stand is explained in the story of the demonized man who was healed. Jesus left that disciple behind to tell everyone what the Lord had done for him. When I look at 2012 for the church I serve, I see that I must proactively and purposefully position our light for the maximum impact in our community.

Prayer
Father, give me wisdom to lead something that is greater than me. Amen.