Pressures

2 Cor 1:8-9 We would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

There is pressure that God uses to bring you beyond your ability to His ability.

When God puts the squeeze on your life the first things that rise to the top are usually not pretty. Sometimes God uses the pressure to teach us to trust Him and not ourselves, and sometimes He uses it to reveal the ugliness still in us.

Mt 26:36 Then cometh Jeus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

There is always a Gethsemane before our break through.

Don't overestimate your own strength.

Lk 22:44-45 And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
:45 And when He rose up from prayer, and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow.

They slept while Jesus prayed so hard He sweat blood. Have you ever prayed that hard?

Lk 9:28-31 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
:29 And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering.
:30 And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of His decrease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.

Jesus had right before this warned Peter about not being ready. Peter missed His moment of preparation by sleeping. So did John and James. They were sleeping and missed His conversation with Moses and Elias. How sad for them.

Now I am not saying sleep is not important. Trust me if you go a few nights in a row as I do without a good nights sleep you will know just how important it is, but spending time in prayer when that is what the Lord has asked you to do is more important. He can redeem the time and the sleep.

Jesus took people with Him when He went to Gethsemane. We need to reach out to people when we are in need for them to pray for and with us. Don't let pride, shame keep you from getting help. The hardest step you ever take is either the step toward someone for help, or the step away from people to God alone. Sometimes we must spend time alone with God. The fine line is staying close enough to people that they can still pray for you and cover you in love, but far enough away that you can have intimacy with God. Both are important for victory. You need to watch and pray.

Prayer is staying in contact with God. Without prayer you only have human strength and you will fall apart. People can pray for (with) you but they can't do your praying for you.

Jesus prayed until He found the prayer He needed.

Lk 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthing Him.

In pressure situation you are looking for a way out, but God is looking for a way in to help you. Prayer opens that door.

1 Cor 10:13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

That doesn't say He will take you out of situation, but that He will help you through it. Some mountains weren't made for us to move but to learn to climb over with God's help.

Ever heard the saying the devil made me do it? That says you are following the devil and not God. Why would you willingly do that?