Wheat Sifter

I remember as a child being in the kitchen and my mother would use a sifter to break up the clumps of flour before she would bake. It was the type with the handle that you would move back and forth and the flour would fall through it. It would be my job to shake it back and forth and watch the fine granules fall into the bowl. The harder I would shake, the more flour would fall out.
Jesus once told Peter that Satan demanded to have him, to sift his life like wheat. He knew the ways that Satan had of turning our heart from granite into fine sand by denials and betrayals. And then Jesus said, “But I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brother.” (Luke 22:31-33)
Aren’t those wonderful words to hear? Satan will try all his wiles to destroy us, but Jesus will pray for us. It reminds me of my parent being there while I was “sifting” in my life. God will always be by us and reminds us that even in the darkness of sin trying to sift our life and cause us to fail, God is present to help guide and protect. That is why the wonderful words come in the scripture, “Jesus will pray for us!”

Mid-week Prayer

Loving Father, what a powerful witness the life of Your Son has become for all the world. It can move darkness into light, and sorrow into joy. Come this day, let the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit become Your prayer for our life. In Christ name. Amen.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. I am glad that you have joined me again in another Mid-week Epistle. Your prayers and thoughts make the Word of God come alive in the world. See you next week in another Epistle.