You may be familiar with the illustration Jesus gives his disciples in Luke 11; Where he tells this story; you have visitors late one night, and you don’t have any food to provide them, so you go to your neighbor’s house to ask to borrow some food. The neighbor tells you to go away because he and his family are already in bed. You keep on knocking until finally your neighbor gives in and gives you some food, not because he is your friend, but because you are so persistent; the NIV versions says “..because of your shameless audacity, he will get up and give you what you need”

What I had not realized until recently, is that this illustration is immediately before this familiar passage in Luke 11:9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” NIV

The Living Bible writes it this way. “…And so it is with prayer—keep on asking and you will keep on getting; keep on looking and you will keep on finding..”

It is pretty clear that Jesus was saying, “pray with persistence,” even “audacity” which the dictionary defines as, “bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints.” This is probably a little uncomfortable for some, including me; being pushy and persistent with God, but that is what He told his disciples.

Dear Lord, help us remember to come to you boldly asking you for the things we need, and want to help us live our lives to glorify you. Help us also pray boldly for you to help our churches, and those in need of your healing, peace, protection, and joy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Do you ever feel like God doesn’t care about you? You are trying hard to do the right thing and keep yourself on the right path, but things just are not working out for you?

David describes this situation in Psalm 22. He starts out with “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.” He continues for 18 verses talking about all his problems, his enemies after him, and how weak he is, and doesn’t know how he can go on.

However beginning in verse 19 and through the end of the chapter, David writes praises to God, verse 22, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.” and verse 28, “For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.”

I think there is a message for us here, that when we are down and feel things are going against us, rather than complain and feel sorry for ourselves, we should show God our praise. Showing that we know we are just being tested and we will remain faithful and maintain a good attitude through the trial.

I think it is not a coincidence that the following Chapter, Psalm 23 is that well known statement of faith that begins, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” and ends with, “Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Dear Lord, we know that you are all powerful and can resolve any situation we encounter if and when you choose. Help us remember to stay strong and faithful in our challenges, trusting in your great love for us. In Jesus’ name we pray.

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Question one: What did you do to become a child of your parents? Nothing, It was what they did that made you their child.

In the same way, It is what God has done that makes us his children. Romans 8:15 writes, “… you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.”

People can, and many do, reject God’s invitation to be his children, but as John 1:12 writes, “to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Question two: What do you do to please your parent or parents? You listen to their direction, learn and follow. You treat them with respect. You make them proud by your behavior.

Is it any different with God? God is pleased with us when we have faith in him and his teaching, and live lives that glorify him; Loving him and loving each other. When we don’t, we cannot expect that God is happy with us.

Romans 8:8 says, “That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.”
Hebrews 10:38 says, “And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

Dear Lord, It is your will that all would come to know you and accept your offer to be your child and be saved. Help us find the great joy in being your child, so that we will do what pleases you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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If you have listened to many motivational speakers you have probably heard the illustration of the commander of a conquesting army, who tells his troops to “burn the boats” when they arrive at the shores of the new land; As a result, they are committed and there is no turning back. They must succeed or die trying.

In a similar way, we need to look at our faith in God as a “burn the boats” faith. We put our faith and trust in God, and burn our doubts and half-hearted belief on the shore. Like the song says “I am trusting thee Lord Jesus, trusting only thee.”

Jesus says in Mark 11:22-24, “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Dear Lord, How often the limits of our belief are what prevent You from answering our prayers. Help us truly put our trust in Your power, without doubt. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

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You probably know the story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers and subsequently becoming very powerful in Egypt. I don’t imagine that Joseph had any idea about the good that would occur later in his life as a result of what his brothers did.

In Genesis 50:20 he reveals himself to his brothers and says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

How often do things happen to us that we think are terrible, but they result in something good later on. God has a plan for each of us which may include events that are not pleasant, but are necessary to accomplish something good.

Dear Lord, we cannot even begin to understand the reasons and complexity of Your plans. Help us trust that you have things under control in our lives and when we do, even what seems terrible You will use for good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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