Tag: pray without ceasing
Persistence in prayer pays!
Scripture reading for April 4th: Luke 10:38-11:13
“Persistence breaks down resistance.” This little saying turns out to be similar to a teaching of Jesus about the importance of praying with persistence. The resistance isn’t on God’s part, however. God loves to answer prayers and to give good gifts to His children. Persistence is an exercise of faith that keeps our hearts focused on God for the answer to our prayers in difficult or impossible situations.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus responded by teaching them a short prayer that would help them approach God with a right heart and perspective. First, God was their ‘Father’ and was holy and to be approached with reverence. He had a plan and His followers should always line their requests up with His kingdom and will. They were always to recognized their dependence on God for daily sustenance and forgiveness of sins. Only God could deliver them from temptation and the evil one, Satan. Disciples must boldly and humbly ask God for those needs to be met! (Luke 11:2-4)
Then Jesus told them a story about a friend who had a need in the middle of the night. He went to his friend’s house and began to knock on the door. The friend was at first unwilling to get up and give him what he needed. But because of persistence, this friend got up and gave the man what he needed. The story shows us that we are to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking. The one who by faith persists will find the answer.
True faith trusts the character and word of God. It is unwilling to give up at the first adversity. Faith is the result of hearing God’s word and choosing to believe and wait for the answer. Faith is anchored in God and His faithfulness to what He has promised. Prayer is an act of love and conversation with the object of that love. God talks to us and we talk to Him. Each party listens and responds. The asking, seeking, and knocking end up in answers, finding, and opened doors! Develop a daily time of persistent prayer with the One who loves you! Use the pattern Jesus taught and be faithful! Persistence in prayer pays big dividends!
Blameless at His Coming!
Scripture reading for October 12th: 1st Thessalonians 5:3-28
A key truth of the Christian faith is the second coming of Christ. Christ will come in the air to meet believers who are living for him. They will be preceded by those who have died in faith, being instantly resurrected in a glorified body. Both groups, the living and those who have died, will be caught up to heaven. (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18) No one knows the day or hour this will happen. This means that Christians should live each day in holy anticipation!
“But you, bothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like the others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” (1st Thessalonians 5:4-6) People of the night are usually asleep and not alert to Christ’s coming. People of the night are often doing deeds of darkness, such as getting drunk and carousing. Christians belong to the day and are people of light. They understand the times and the urgency to live self-controlled and moral lives. Through faith in Christ, they are obedient to God’s word and ready for Christ’s coming.
“Be joyful always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophesies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid all kind of evil.” (1st Thessalonians 5:16-22) Paul’s short summary of how to live pleasing God and ready would be good for all to memorize. Our attitude of joy and thanksgiving in continuous prayer kindles the Spirit’s fire to obey God. We are open to God’s leading, but test all things and avoid all evil.
“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” God was at work in the Thessalonians and is working in us today. He has called us to be holy and given us the Holy Spirit. Jesus is coming for His spotless Bride! Lord help me to be blameless!