Never Give Up through Unanswered Prayers..... By: Lynette Kittle

 Never Give Up through Unanswered Prayers

By: Lynette Kittle

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. - Luke 18:1

Some believe if you ask God once, you don’t need to ask Him again. However, Jesus taught His disciples to always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1).

In one of His parables on prayer, Jesus proposed what you might do if a friend comes to you in the middle of the night seeking food for an unexpected guest. You might be tempted to tell him to go away because it’s late, and you and your family are in bed.

However, because he’s your friend and has so boldly approached and asked you for help, you most likely will get up and give him all He needs (Luke 11:5-8).

In summing it up, Jesus said, “So I say to you; Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; know and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11: 9,10).

Jesus tells in another parable of a godless judge’s dealings with a widow who refused to accept his unwillingness to grant her justice from her adversary. After relentlessly pursuing the judge with her case, he gave into her merely because she refused to give up.

To His followers, Jesus reassures that if an unjust judge who doesn’t fear God will bring about justice to a widow simply because she kept bothering him, how much more will God do for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night (Luke 18:2-8).

Jesus also urges in Matthew 7:7 to, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

So instead of seeing unanswered prayer as a reason to stop praying, view it as a motivator to not ever give up. As Thessalonians 5:17 encourages, “Pray continually.”

Keep Praying!

If you’ve been struggling with unanswered prayer, find comfort in knowing God has not forgotten you.

So instead of withdrawing from Him when it seems like He isn’t answering, consider what He might be teaching you during these times, knowing as you draw closer to Him, He will draw closer to you (James 4:8).

God Promises Freedom..... Denison Ministries

 God Promises Freedom

Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

There is only one constant in this ever-changing world, and that’s the character of our heavenly Father. The very earth itself is undergoing changes constantly. What seems the most immovable now will one day be done away with. But God is unchanging. God is unwavering. He’s completely faithful and committed to seeing through the promises he’s made you. As we look this week at the promises of God may you ground yourself in his unchanging love. May God’s character become your source and refuge—your constant and unshakable foundation.

Scripture:“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Devotional:

Freedom is an idea we spend most of our lives striving to experience. The bonds of slavery to the world in any fashion choke out our ability to thrive and enjoy life. We as a culture celebrate monumental events like the fall of the Berlin Wall and the global civil rights movement because we know freedom to be necessary for a life to be lived to its fullest. We fight for the freedom of those held in captivity. We advocate for those silenced by the bonds of slavery. And Scripture makes it clear that God is no different.

One of the most pervasive themes in Scripture is freedom. Its pages are filled with stories of God delivering his people from the bondage of slavery. Jesus himself freed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. God shut up the mouths of lions to free Daniel. And we see God deliver the entire nation of Israel from slavery under the Egyptians through an onslaught of plagues. The Bible is clear that God works constantly to deliver his children from the yoke of slavery.

The Bible contains stories of God’s deliverance from not only physical slavery but spiritual slavery as well. Romans 6:17-18 says, “Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” And later Paul writes in Romans 8:1-4, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” And in Galatians 5:1, Paul writes, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Jesus in John 8:36 states, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Scripture is explicit that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we as believers have been set free from the bondage of sin. Sin is no longer our master. The bonds to sin that entangled you to the consequences of separation from God were sacrificially broken by the blood of your Savior. You see, in the death of Jesus, God made to you his promise of freedom. He’s promised that you no longer have to live life as a slave to sin. You now have available to you a life lived in the joy and power of righteousness.

God’s promised you his freedom, now all that’s required is for you to live in light of what God has already done for you. Cut off ties to your former life. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:22-24, “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Clothe yourself every day in the knowledge of who you are in Christ. Choose to live in freedom instead of sin. When you feel the tug back to your former ways, take a minute and ask the Spirit to guide you away from your former life. God’s promised you his freedom. He’s worked his miracle of freedom in you at salvation. You have been made new.Now live in response to God’s incredible work by pursuing a life lived in righteousness. Spend time in God’s presence allowing his truth and love to mold and shape you into the likeness of the very one who’s saved you.

Guided Prayer:         

1. Meditate on God’s promise of your freedom from sin.

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

2. Now reflect on areas of your own life in which you need to experience God’s promise of freedom. Where do you feel chained to the world? What sin seems to plague you?

3. Renew your mind to the truth of what God’s word says about that area. Declare the freedom Christ paid for in your life. Spend some time really thinking about God’s power over your sin. Go to war with the enemy using God’s truth as your weapon.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

“Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18

Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit today as he directs you away from sin. The enemy is driven to draw you back into the sin that entangled you, but “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). The victory is already yours. Jesus has won your freedom. The battle now is for your mind. Maintain victory over that area through the power of God’s word, and the sin that seemed to be habitual will no longer have a hold over you.

Extended Reading: Romans 6–8.

In Step With God..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 In Step With God

Dr. Charles Stanley

Ephesians 4

People are saved when they trust Jesus Christ as Savior and choose to follow Him. Right then, most Christians realize that they will dwell with Him forever in heaven. But many don’t understand what they can expect for the remainder of their lives on earth.

One benefit that’s available immediately is a growing relationship with the Lord. The Father’s oneness with Jesus (John 10:30) illustrates the intimacy God wants to have with His children. He had this type of closeness in mind at creation—a relationship with man is an avenue for Him to express His love and for us to worship and understand our Maker.

Another advantage is that Christ-followers are promised clear guidance through God’s Holy Spirit. Decision making is a part of everyday life. It is impossible for a mere human to know every variable and nuance before choosing which path to take. But the Lord knows all things—past, present, and future. With godly wisdom available, it’s hard to understand why anyone would prefer to trust his own hunches.

Provision is yet another blessing guaranteed for believers. There will be hard times, but God gives Christians everything necessary for following Him (Phil. 4:19). And His grace will always prove more than sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9).

How abundantly God gives to His children! One word of caution, though: these gifts are effective only when believers walk obediently with Him. Sin can stifle them.

The heavenly Father desires that all of His sons and daughters have these blessings; if you’re living in obedience before Him, they are available to you. Is anything getting in the way of your total submission to Him?

Divorce Doesn’t Have To Break You... TRACIE MILES

 Divorce Doesn’t Have To Break You

TRACIE MILES 

“But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the faithfulness of God forever and ever.” Psalm 52:8 (NASB)

I aimlessly scrolled through social media, hoping it would get my mind off of my own problems. But it actually did quite the opposite.

It seemed every few posts someone was celebrating a milestone marriage anniversary with smiling faces and hugging couples. Or they were posting about how God had restored their marriage in some way, or sharing an epistle of how blessed they were to be married to such an amazing person.

Don’t get me wrong — I totally believe in the sacred covenant of marriage. I absolutely love seeing couples in love, and healthy marriages lasting through thick and thin over the years. I am incredibly happy for all those who have persevered through rough times and, through prayer and faith, knitted their marriages back together and are living “happily ever after.”

But what about those of us who didn’t get our fairy-tale endings? Those whose marriages ended in heart-wrenching divorces with no answered prayers for reconciliation? Those of us who were left feeling betrayed, tossed aside, traumatized and broken despite our best efforts?

During the first few years of my separation and divorce, I wrestled with these questions and many more while leaning into my faith and working tirelessly to put my shattered heart and my life back together. But one day, God finally helped me realize something.

Just because my marriage didn’t work, that didn’t mean I had to feel broken, live a broken life and assume I would never be happy again. Although earthly relationships can add to our happiness, they should never be what determines it.

I was reading through the psalms and came across Psalm 52:8: “But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the faithfulness of God forever and ever.” In this passage, we find David comparing himself to an olive tree. I couldn’t help but wonder why he did this when he clearly felt broken and in despair, so I began to do a little research.

At the time David wrote this particular psalm, he was an exile from the house of God; his life had turned upside down. It’s not far-fetched to guess that desolation filled his spirit. Yet we see his faith and confidence soaring despite his troubles, and instead of letting his situation break him, he compared himself to a sturdy olive tree.

These trees are the longest-living trees on earth and can prosper for hundreds of years, living in all kinds of soil, from rocky to soft. Even if an olive tree is chopped down, it is tenacious, having the ability to grow massive roots and regenerate from the ground up. Olive trees are also fruitful, and due to their stability and perseverance, they continue to blossom even in grave conditions.

David believed that, despite his circumstances, he was much like an olive tree. He could trust in God’s faithfulness to give him the strength, courage and confidence to persevere. Even though he didn’t understand his suffering, he believed his future was secure with God. He trusted in the hope promised by his heavenly Father and found joy in knowing he would not only survive but one day would flourish and be happy again.

In this one short verse, we see that David didn’t let his circumstances break him but instead chose to hold his head up high. He accepted his reality even if he didn’t like it, understand it or deserve it, and he refused to be broken by hardship.

Separation and divorce are not realities anyone wants to have. Yet the truth is that not all struggling marriages end in reconciliation. But the end of a marriage is never the end of our story, and God’s promises for joy and flourishing are the hope that holds us together when we feel like the broken pieces of our heart and life are crashing down around us.

A broken marriage doesn’t render us broken. We all have the power in Christ to be like the olive tree and begin again, from the ground up, when life knocks us down. The key is being ready to be whole again and taking positive steps forward in faith to make that happen.

Dear Lord, I trust in Your plans for my life no matter what. Heal my heart and restore all that has been lost. Give me the strength and confidence to embrace Your peace and assurance that, despite my circumstances, I do not have to live as a broken soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Prayer for Your Teen’s Faith..... By Kristine Brown

A Prayer for Your Teen’s Faith
By Kristine Brown

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1)

It’s every parent’s worry. How does my child continue trusting God when today's culture teaches him to question his faith? I discussed this topic with my teen. His fresh perspective gave me renewed hope.

Our open conversation uncovered three practical things parents can do to help our teens keep the faith in an increasingly faithless world. Let’s learn together how to help our teens stay grounded in unshakeable faith, even in the midst of the madness.

It’s not about controlling what they see, but controlling what they see in you.

Our teens may not always listen to what we say, but they will absorb every detail of our actions. Are we displaying Christ-like character at home? Are we treating others with unconditional love and kindness? Do we rely on God’s Word in times of trouble?

God designed us to shine His light. Our kids will learn most about what it means to be a Christ-follower from watching our example.

Listen, even when you dread what they might say.

I want my kids to feel comfortable coming to me with their deepest thoughts and greatest fears, but I don’t always act like it. I need to create an atmosphere of trust – a safe place to share burdens.

When we teach them about God at home, His comforting peace will stay with them as they go about their daily lives. Let’s pray our home will be a place of praising God and receiving His peace. Each day, let’s invite the Holy Spirit to abide there. His presence will provide that safe place for them to speak and strength for us to listen.

Remind him often who God says he is.

God’s Word is alive, powerful, and true. Just hearing Scripture spoken can revive hurting hearts and refresh tired bodies. We would never intentionally deprive our kids of the benefits of hearing what God says about them. Yet so often we let busy schedules get in the way of proclaiming God’s goodness to our teens.

If my child has any questions about how God sees him, this verse makes it clear. Sharing this promise with my teen will give him confidence in who he is – a child of the Creator of the universe.

Please pray with me:

Dear Father, thank you for our children. Thank you for loving them even more than we do, and for calling them out of darkness into your wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) They see a world of confusion. They hear messages condemning their beliefs. Yet Your Word is more powerful than any negativity that comes their way. Help them keep their faith in You, Lord. Give us wisdom to guide them as they grow into the mighty men and women you created them to be.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.