Luke 18:1 - Always Pray and Avoid Being Discouraged.
Luke 18:1 - Always Pray and Avoid Being Discouraged.
Luke 18:1 (TEV) Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach
them that they should always pray and never become discouraged.
Luke 18:1 (CWR) Then Jesus told His disciples a story to
encourage them to always take time to pray so they wouldn't become
discouraged.
Jesus encouraged his disciples to pray with persistence and
humility. Persistent prayer means keeping our requests continually before
God as we live for him day by day, believing he will answer. It does
not mean rote repetition or painfully long prayer sessions. Praying
with humility means praying with an honest recognition of our need.
The tax collector went to the Temple, recognizing his sin and
begging for mercy.
Persistent prayer has a clear view of God. Humble prayer has
a clear view of ourselves. In some ways, persistence and humility
reflect the character of a child. Children are often very persistent in
asking for what they want, and they do not hide who they are the way
adults often do.
Prayer can be a spiritual discipline that develops childlike
faith in our lives. And it may be prayer that one day makes us fit for
the Kingdom. Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth,
anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never
enter it. [One Year NLT SB re Luke 18:1-17]
Jesus says to his disciples in John 4 when they urge him to
eat, "I have a kind of food you know nothing about .... My
nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from
finishing his work" (vv. 32, 34).
Jesus was totally intent on one thing: doing the work his
Father had sent him to do. We all have work. Are we intent on doing the
work that comes from our heavenly Father?
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "the Son can do nothing
by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever
the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and
shows him everything he is doing" (John 5:19-20).
If Jesus can do nothing by himself, what does that say about
us?
We are invited through Jesus to have this same relationship
with the Father because, Jesus tells us, the Father loves us. When we
are in harmony with the Father, we draw on the nourishment he
provides; when we drift away and ignore him, we may find ourselves very
busy in "our own work" but spiritually hungry.
Jesus said, "I have come down from heaven to do the will of
God who sent me, not to do my own will" (John 6:38).
His next words should fill us with great hope: "And this is
the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has
given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day" (John
6:39).
Father in heaven, help me to focus on what your work is for
me to do today. Please show me what you are doing and how I can be
obedient to your will not my own. Let me be an instrument of your peace
and love. [The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold Myra re Luke
18:1]
CLOSING NUGGETS OF GOLD
I am calling you to a life of constant communion with Me.
Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances,
even while interacting on that cluttered plane of life. You yearn for
a simplified lifestyle, so that your communication with Me can be
uninterrupted. But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered
world. Accept each day just as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it
all.
Talk with Me about every aspect of your day, including your
feelings. Remember that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix
everything around you; it is to keep communing with Me. A successful day is
one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things
remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list
(written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead, ask My
Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me.
(1Th. 5:17; Pro. 3:6) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Refuse to worry! In this world there will always be something
enticing you to worry. That is the nature of a fallen, fractured planet:
Things are not as they should be. So the temptation to be anxious is
constantly with you, trying to worm its way into your mind. The best
defense is continual communication with Me, richly seasoned with
thanksgiving. Awareness of My Presence fills your mind with Light and Peace,
leaving no room for fear. This awareness lifts you up above your
circumstances, enabling you to see problems from My perspective. Live close to
Me! Together we can keep the wolves of worry at bay. (Luke 12:25,
26; 1Th. 5:16-18) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Trust Me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the
demands of the day. Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so
pleasing to Me, the King of the universe. Because I am omnipotent, I am
able to bend time and events in your favor. You will find that you
can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to
Me in rich communion. Also, as you align yourself with My
perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not.
Don't fall into the trap of being constantly on the go. Many,
many things people do in My Name have no value in My kingdom. To
avoid doing meaningless works, stay in continual communication with
Me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I
will counsel you with My eye upon you. (Luke 10:41, 42; Psalm 32:8)
[Mat. 6:34, 35; 7:21-23; Pro. 16:9; 3:5, 6; 1Th. 5:17] [Jesus Calling
by Sarah Young]
I am a God of both intricate detail and overflowing
abundance. When you entrust the details of your life to Me, you are
surprised by how thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in
hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring Me all your requests. The
more you pray, the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your
faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your
specific prayers.
Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that
I will run out of resources. Abundance is at the very, heart of
who I AM. Come to Me in joyful expectation of receiving all you need
- and sometimes much more! I delight in showering blessings on My
beloved children. Come to Me with open hands and heart, ready to receive
all I have for you. (Psa. 36:7-9; 132:15; Joh. 6:12, 13) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090417-0013.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100812-1202.html
EXCELLENT BIBLE PROPHECY SERIES - Prophecies Decoded By Dr. Ron
Clouzet:
1. Coming Soon: A New Superpower -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTcZ-oQGWUw
2. 2012 and Signs of the End of the World -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVgTGGGO33c
3. Armageddon and the Seven Last Plagues -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcFPUq2JAiU
4. War in Heaven Between Michael and the Dragon -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGnb54Qo_Lg
5. Revelation's Three Angels' Messages -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msy6mZLQ7EA
6. The Lamb Slain and the Seven Seals -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xdpQdli9J0
7. A New Revelation of Jesus Christ -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b2IwriWwY0
8. The Anti-Christ and the Cults that Follow Him -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDKzf5Z6VPQ
9. In Search of the Ark of the Covenant -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc6IM9cm2SU
10. The Greatest Issue in the Book of Revelation, Part 1 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLQbWSpTUXs
11. The Greatest Issue in the Book of Revelation, Part II -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQr_DHJYMc
12. How to Keep God's Holy Day, Part 1 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX5HtCx90oY
13. How to Keep God's Holy Day, Part 2 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPR5Pu8_1rM
14. Taking a Stand at the Time of the End -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7caCWSrpGU4
15. The Longest Time Prophecy in the Bible -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvAsJGlmrmE
16. Doctrines of Demons and the Mystery of Death -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJHE1cyLlcY
17. The Fall of Babylon the Great -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O70xfBDKxVQ
18. The Mark of the Beast and the Seal of God -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqm1xgG9NuM
19. Israel and the Rapture of the Church -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMZhsKEzPPA
20. The United States in Bible Prophecy -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6-umijrrKI
21. The Beauty and the Beast of Revelation -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2cLfTDQyQg
22. The Remnant's Use of Time, Treasure, and Talent -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CMdmIIHCUY
23. The One Thousand Year Millennium -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFbu9WsSK0Y
24. Revelation's Lake of Fire -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DccBQcLZGso
25. Heaven and the Apocalypse -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiXDN9_d0Mw
26. A Messenger for the Last Days -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSAgxCcNSqM
27. Christian Standards for Today -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFHCFFoRw98
28. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiwYeGKQg58
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:
http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/
