Ashamed to Ask for Help

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The Story:
This past week, as you may well know, Indiana and the neighboring states endured -- Snowpocalypse. Coming into the perfect storm, I asserted that God was sovereign over the snow by quoting Job 37:5-6.

God…does great things that we cannot comprehend. For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth' Job 37:5-6. God is bigger than #Snowpocalypse

— David Christensen (@Christensen_Dv) January 4, 2014

What I didn't know then was that God was indeed as I had said and intended to teach me at least one lesson through the storm. The snow came in torrents from heaven as God told it to fall, and after our single church service in which our Pastor told of God's Creative Hand in the weather, my wife I hunkered down for what seemed to be a record snowfall. With the exception of an going out to attempt to minister to kids & parents who didn't have school on Monday, we did not leave our apartment or use our vehicle (which sits outside) for the better part of two days.

Tuesday morning arrives, and it is time to go to my Systematic Theology course taught by guest teacher Andy Naselli. I help with setting up the technology for our class and needed to arrive early for that reason. I awoke early and geared up for the cold journey ahead. After girding my loins to face the cold, I went outside into what was approaching -20°F (with windchill). I scraped what seemed like a giant plaster cast of snow off of our vehicle, my fingers freezing, and I jumped inside the vehicle. Slamming the key into the ignition, I wrenched then key forward.... Lights, sounds of car beginning to start....nothing.

Totally Submitted & Utterly Dependent (Part 2)

Totally Submitted & Utterly Dependent (Part 2)

[Part 1 here]

As a man Jesus submitted totally and completely to the Father
In John 4:34 Jesus says:

"My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work."

and again in John 5:19:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise." (italics added)

We do so much for ourselves. We are most focused on ourselves, which is seen in our passion for what we are doing. We tend to be most passionate about the things we thought of or which we have stock in. Jesus' food is to do the will of His Father. Totally submitted, not focused on His needs or Himself, but on the Father. It is a fearful thing when you think about the Judgement day which is coming because we will not be compared to those around us or even to our old ways but to Jesus, the perfect man and our example.  It would appear from the outside that American Christians, especially, do so much without seeking God (for a number of reasons), but Jesus said He could do nothing of His own accord(John 5:19). Why do we presume that we can?

Totally Submitted & Utterly Dependent (Part 1)

Why should we make every effort to maximize time with God in prayer, and seek always to submit to Him and depend upon Him? Jesus did. And if Jesus needed to, how much more do we? 

(Adapted from a Sermon by Paul Washer)

In Luke 11:1 it says that Jesus was praying, and when He finished one of the disciples approached Him [perhaps amazed at seeing the Son of God communicating with His Father] and said, "Lord teach us to pray.." Notice that the disciples dared not interrupt the Son of God while He was in prayer (it says when He finished). There was something about the connection between Jesus and the Father that the disciples both saw/wanted but also knew better than to break. Notice also the disciples request, "Lord teach us to pray.." because the disciples never asked Jesus to teach them to preach or teach or cast out demons nor anything else that I can find. Think briefly about how you would assess someone as to what they might teach you. You ask someone to teach you about something which you see in their life as something which is exemplary or extraordinary which you have met no one else who could do X or Y like that person. The disciples could not believe what the saw or heard when Jesus prayed; therefore the request comes to be taught.

-Has anyone ever come to you and asked, "Teach me to pray!"?