Pestering or Persistent?

 

“ . . . yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming.”

Luke 18:5 (NIV)

 

My mother-in-law Jeanell told me that she really needed a job after she graduated from high school. She grew up in the depression and knew that contributing to the family income was important.

 

The problem was that everyone needed a job but very few employers were hiring. She had an additional problem: no car. So she knew that wherever she worked needed to be within walking distance of her parents’ home.

 

Since there was a company named Master Electric just two blocks away that made electric motors, Jeanell went to the foreman and asked for work. His response was the same thing many people were hearing: not hiring.

 

When she got back home, Jeanell told her father what the foreman had said. He responded to her news by telling her to go back and apply – again and again and again. “He will see how much you want to work and he will hire you,” her father encouraged her.

 

So day after day she went back to the same man and asked him for employment.  Finally after repeated visits, the foreman in charge exclaimed “Give the girl a job so she will stop pestering me!” and she was hired.

 

I couldn’t help but compare her story to the parable about the persistent widow and the judge in Luke 18. While I don’t know anything about Jeanell’s boss, I do know that the judge that the widow kept speaking to was unfair in his rulings.

 

However, that didn’t deter the widow because she was seeking one thing: justice. His answer finally came in her favor but it wasn’t because he had compassion for her and her request. Not at all. He simply wanted her to quit bothering him.

 

In verses 6-8 of Luke 18, Jesus uses this parable to explain to us, His children, a beautiful truth: if an unjust judge who neither fears God nor cares about a widow gives her justice just so that she “won’t eventually wear me out with her coming,” how much more will God who loves us answer our prayers when we keep coming before Him!

 

God the Father never grows weary of listening to us, His children, as we approach Him again and again in prayer. Be persistent in prayer. Our compassionate Judge listens and answers because He loves us and He is always faithful.

 

Father, sometimes I just give up and don’t keep coming before you with my prayer requests. Forgive me for not trusting you to hear and answer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Have you ever prayed about a situation once and then given up?

 

• What was your reason for not continuing to pray?

 

 Apply

• In your journal write down your prayers and beside each one, the dates of every time you have petitioned the Lord.

 

• If you find that you prayed once or twice and then quit, consider memorizing today’s power verses as encouragement to continually approach the Lord with your requests.

 

Power

• Luke 18:5 (NIV) “ . . . yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming.”

 

• I John 5:14-15 (NIV) “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.”

 

• Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

 

 

Will Anyone Come?

 

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes

and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me,

I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV)

 

The thought had gone through my mind several times: “Instead of leaving cookies for my neighbor and hurrying away, I need to take the time to sit and visit with her.” She is absolutely precious and I thoroughly enjoy chatting with her.

But I had been busy with everyday life and just hadn’t stopped by for several weeks. So this time when I took the cookies and she asked if I had time to visit, I stayed.

            We talked and laughed and talked some more.  Then the subject turned to not being able to sleep at night. “My mind doesn’t stop when I lay down,” I told her. “I am thinking about the next day and everything on my to-do list.” She nodded.

“I know exactly what you mean. I am laying there and I start wondering about things, like do I need to get groceries, what will the weather be tomorrow, will anyone come . . .” and her voice trailed off as she looked out the window.

 Those last three words – “will anyone come” – pierced my heart and immediately convicted me of my failure as a Christian.

 In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus is speaking with His followers and saying that because they met His needs for nourishment and clothing, showed Him hospitality, looked after Him when He was ill and visited Him in prison, they were blessed by God.

But His followers were confused. They did not remember helping Jesus when He needed clothing or was sick or in prison.  They could not help asking “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” (Verses 37-38)

Jesus replied in verse 40 that “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Nowhere in those verses does it read “I was hungry and you gave me cookies and left because you had a meeting.” Or “I was in prison and you waved and said “hi” but you just couldn’t stay because you were busy.”

 Their love for the Lord was their reason for taking care of those in need. They wanted to be Jesus to everyone around them. So what about you and me? I have no doubt that every one of us has at least one neighbor like mine. One who is elderly or physically unable to get out of their home. A man or woman who wonders if anyone even knows they exist.

 Look around your neighborhood and ask yourself if there might be someone sitting in a home wondering “will anyone come.” Let that person who knocks on the door with cookies and time for a visit be the face and words of Jesus – in you.

 

Father, forgive me for not looking at my neighbors through your eyes. May I find less time to be busy and more time to be you to each of them. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

 

Reflect

• Do you know the names of your neighbors? How many of them would love to have a visit from you?

 

Apply

• Spend a day or evening or weekend making cookies or treats and put your neighbor’s names on each package along with a note. Then call and ask if you could bring over the gift and visit. Be prepared for smiles and perhaps some tears.

 

Power

• Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV) “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

 

• Galatians 6:10 (NIV) “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

 

• Psalms 35:10 (NIV) “My whole being will exclaim, Who is like you, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

 

Watch out for the Snake

 

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

I Peter 5:8 (NIV)

 

Snakes. It’s not that I don’t like snakes. I hate them – any size, color, make or model. And please don’t tell me how friendly they are to the environment because they catch mice. It doesn’t matter to me. I hate snakes.

             

Last summer I was hiking and almost stepped on a snake. Yes I was able to jump out of the way at the last minute. No it was not poisonous. At least, I don’t think it was but when you are vaulting backward through the air and screaming simultaneously, it’s kind of hard to be sure.

 

From that moment on I found myself jumping every time I saw a long brown stick in the grass or felt a weed brush my leg. Just knowing that another snake could be close by made me more aware of my surroundings and much more cautious with every step. How I wish the temptation to sin could have that same effect on me. Just one wrong thought and I would instantly be on guard for the next attack from Satan.

 

We have a very important reminder in I Peter to be alert when sin comes our way – and it will come. Satan has made it his top priority to sneak around the earth, looking for someone to trap and destroy. Peter warns us to “be self-controlled and alert” but how are we going to do that?

 

How are we going to be able to keep from “stepping on the snake” and risking a fatal blow? First, stay in the Word. Jesus gives us power in His name to stand against evil but we won’t know what to do if we don’t read His instructions from the Bible

.

Secondly, we have to continually be on our guard against anything that could lead us to sin.  We should not wait until a “snake” crosses our path before we are careful about what we allow in our homes and minds and hearts.

 

Instead, we need to be constantly on the defense, making sure we never allow ourselves to be in a situation where the “snake” can sneak in and destroy. And remember: God has also given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us by guiding our actions when we are in danger of being attacked.

 

I encourage you to never let your guard down against the evil one. Stay in God’s Word. Soak it into your heart and mind. Talk to the Lord daily in prayer and ask Him to guide you. Heed Peter’s warning. There are snakes hiding everywhere.

 

Father, thank you for giving us your Word so we can be on guard against Satan’s attacks. It is because of you that we are able to stand strong. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Have you ever been blindsided by a sin?

 

• Were you deep in God’s Word at the time?

 

Apply

• Journal temptations/sins that you struggle with in your life.

 

• Beside each one, journal Scripture that encourages you to stand strong.  Post them

            around your home to remind you of God’s power against the enemy.

 

Power

• I Peter 5:8 (NIV) “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

 

• Ephesians 6:11 (NIV) “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

 

• II Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV) “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

 

 

When God Has a Detour

 

 

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.”

Psalm 138:8 (NIV)

 

It took me a few minutes to calm my shaking fingers and get my courage up to open the email from a children’s editor with a very well-known publishing company. I knew she was responding to my proposal on my latest children’s book, a rhyming story about creation.

 I had retired from a job I loved because I felt the Lord nudging me to speak and write full time. This book being published would be a huge confirmation of that nudging. I opened the email to find that yes, the editor loved the book. And yes, it had made it through the submissions and editorial meetings! Now it was on to the sales team.

             “Thank you, Lord! Thank you so much!” I shouted the praise in my office. This was definitely a door opening for my passion for writing. I dared to dream big: traveling, television interviews, promoting this book plus my other writings, praising the Lord for what He was doing through each word.

 I hate to fly but I imagined myself jetting to New York or L.A. to do interviews about “small town girl writes for a big God.” I was so sure of the outcome that I even shared my news with a couple of my closest friends.

 A week went by followed by another and another. No emails with a contract attached. And yet I was not really discouraged because I knew this journey was being directed by the Lord. The book would be published, I was sure. And then the email came from the editor.

She loved the book and how the story was presented, she said. But the sales team had decided not to publish it. Thanks but no thanks. I read and re-read the email. Maybe I missed something when I read it so hurriedly. But no. It was a polite but firm no thank you. Wait a minute, God! I’ve known for years that this is the path you have wanted for me – writing and speaking. I am sure of it – 100% sure. And yet the answer is no?

 Psalm 138:8 was written by David, a man after God’s own heart. I have no idea what was going on in his life as he wrote those words, but I love his confidence in knowing that (1) God had a purpose for him; (2) God would fulfill that purpose; and (3) God’s love for David was eternal.

 Have you been there? You knew that you were doing exactly what the Lord had directed you to do. No doubts. No second guessing. And then the path is blocked, the gate is locked, the door is slammed shut. And you start to wonder if you heard Him correctly when you prayed. What in the world is going on?

I have no WOW answers. Only a belief and trust in a Father whose timing is not mine, but who fully intends to fulfill His purpose for me when – and only when – He is ready. You prayed about the new job that suddenly falls through, the relationship that falls apart, and the bottom falls out of your world. Answers do not come as you were confident they would. As you felt the Lord was directing. And you are wondering why.

            I understand that questioning. And yet, just because that part of our plans didn’t work out does not mean that God is not in control or that we are wrong about His plans for us. Perhaps there are other people the Lord is working on with your plan. There may be a lesson we need to learn about trusting Him through the detours in our lives.

 There will temporary or permanent detours in our journey with the Lord. But His purpose stands firm. He will fulfill His work in our lives – even when we don’t understand. Trust the One whose love for us endures forever – even in detours.

             Father, I’m not sure why your direction for my life has taken a turn totally opposite from how I felt you were directing. But I trust you to complete your plan in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Have you ever felt the Lord directing you specifically and yet, when you followed His direction, things turned out completely different than you thought?

 

Apply

• Journal the plans in your life that you were sure came from the Lord but did not work out as you had thought. Next journal how they actually turned out.
• Write down the blessings and lessons you learned in the detours. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness.

 

Power

• Psalm 138:8 (NIV) “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.”

 

• Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 

• Philippians 1:6 (NIV) “. . . being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

• Psalm 27:14 (NIV) “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

On the Outside

 

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

I Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

 

 “In just a few moments we will talk with three members of the sexiest congregation in NYC,” the morning talk show host shared with the viewing audience. Huh?

 

The young men and women interviewed were very polite, well-dressed, personable and attractive as they explained that the New York City church they attended – the “sexy church” as it was called – was being promoted to appeal to good looking young professionals who want to worship with those who are just like they are: similar careers, good looking, dressed in the very latest styles, with “like-minded values.”

 

They shared that the sermons were tailored to their age group (18 to 34) and fit into their lifestyle as young professionals. And it was evidently working because the Sunday evening service was always packed, they smiled.

 

They did not share their faith during the interview but I found myself wondering if I would be welcome at their church. I don’t fit any of the criteria that seem to be encouraged to be a part of that congregation.

 

In I Samuel 16:7, the prophet Samuel is told by the Lord to select a man from among the sons of Jesse to replace Saul as king over Israel. I suspect that Samuel had a “king must have” list: tall, good looking, stands out in a crowd, dressed in the latest style of tunic, a professional warrior.

  

But every time Samuel saw one of Jesse’s sons and thought he looked the part, God said no. Seven sons came before Samuel and each time God’s answer remained the same. Samuel was looking at their physical appearance but God was not. Samuel was gently reminded “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

 

And with that statement, David came in from tending the sheep and Samuel received a tap on the shoulder and confirmation from God that “he is the one.” (vs. 12) Samuel probably was thinking “are you sure, God?” but he immediately anointed David as the next king – not because of how he looked or because of his profession but because God knew his heart.

 

How thankful I am that Jesus does not use the criteria of physical attractiveness or career choice or clothing style to determine if we can live with Him eternally. He simply looks at our hearts to see if we really want to be His. He is looking for a repentant heart and a longing for forgiveness and mercy along with a desire to live for Him and share Him with everyone we meet.

 

Man’s acceptance – even at church – may be determined by how we look on the outside. But God’s acceptance – the only one that really counts – is a matter of the heart.

 

Father, thank you for loving me and knowing my desire to live for you. I praise you for not choosing me based on the world’s standards. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

 

Reflect

• Have you ever believed that someone would be just right for a job/position simply based on how they looked?

 

Apply

• Make two columns in your journal and title them “world” and “Christ.” List

everything the world says is important in the first column and Scriptures that        describe what is important to God in the second column.

 

• Now journal which column is most important to you and why. If you need to change the importance of one over the other, go to the Lord in prayer and share your heart.

 

Power

• I Samuel 16:7 (NIV) “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

 

• Isaiah 53:2 (NIV) “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”

 

• Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Like A Child

 

“And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little

 children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

 

We could all see it coming. My son-in-law had only seconds before said “Nothing good is going to come from this” as we all watched through the window while seven year old Jude built a ramp out of boards and a card table and then ran to get his bike.

 

Oh, he had a helmet on but that did nothing to protect the rest of his body as he raced up the makeshift ramp and immediately fell off the side. He hopped up and gave us all a thumbs up but quickly grabbed his left wrist.

 

His mom and dad immediately checked him out but he reassured them that he was just fine and his wrist only hurt a little. However the next day, the wrist hurt even more and he was unable to move it without a quick intake of breath and a grimace of pain.

 

I volunteered to take him to the doctor since both parents were working. I was not at all surprised that, after an examination, the doctor wrote an order for an x-ray.

 

 Jude was very concerned about what the outcome might be. “I start flag football on Saturday, Grandma,” he said. I’ve waited all my life (7 years) to play football and if it’s broken, I can’t play!”

 

I took him by his unhurt hand as we walked into the hospital to the x-ray department. “Jude, God knows that you have waited to play football ‘all your life.’ Maybe it’s just a sprain or it’s jammed. I am going to pray right this minute that it’s not broken.”

 

He glanced up at me. “You are just NOW praying, Grandma? I’ve been praying since I fell on it yesterday.” Ouch.

 

When did I forget that I needed to become like a little child before my Father as Matthew 18:3 says? I confess that I worried about his arm. I pictured the worst that could be wrong, like a major fracture and surgery. But I did not pray about it until I heard the fear in my grandson’s voice that his wrist might be broken.

 

How about you? When faced with a situation that could possibly have a bad outcome, do you pray immediately like Jude did? Or do you worry, become anxious and picture the worst BEFORE you think to pray – like I did?

 

“Become like little children.” That’s my encouragement for all of us. When something happens, right then is the time to pray. Not as an afterthought. Not if all else fails. Nope. Pray immediately. Our faithful Father hears and He answers.

 

The great news from the doctor was that Jude did not have a break; his wrist was jammed and would quickly heal. As we climbed in my car, I turned around to see Jude, hands together and eyes looking upward as he thanked the Lord for His answer.

 

Lord, please help me to be like this little child Jude.

 

Father, I desire to be as a little child and trust you completely with everything in my life. May I always react first with prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• What is your immediate response to a tough situation?

 

• Do you panic or do you pray?

Apply

• Journal situations or problems you have had for the last month and beside each one write your first response: prayer or panic.

 

• If you wrote “panic” beside any of them, determine whether or not that helped resolve the situation. Then decide that your first response from now on will be prayer.

 

Power

• Matthew 18:3 (NIV) “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

 

• Philippians 4:6 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

 

• Matthew 19:14 (NIV) “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

 

The Heart Test

 

 

“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV)

 

Evidently the pressure in my neck that radiated into my jaw was not treated as casually by my doctor as it was by me. An EKG showed the possibility of a heart attack so within a few hours of those test results, I found myself in a large hospital with strangers asking me personal questions in an attempt to pinpoint exactly what could be developing within my heart.

 

            “Do you work out? How often? Tell me your diet. What do you eat in any given week? Do you smoke?” For what seemed like hours the questions continued. Then suddenly I was left alone to contemplate what had just happened and what was next. Eventually it was decided that the only way to be 100% positive about what was going on was to have a heart catheterization.

 

Within 10 minutes of agreeing to that test, I was moved down a hall and into a lab. The physician was able to thread a catheter through an artery and see exactly what was going on in my heart and whether or not there was any blockage or other problem. Thankfully there was not and I was given the “all clear” to resume my usual activities.

 

In Deuteronomy 8:2 Moses is talking about a different kind of heart test. He is reminding the Israelite people of God’s decision to allow them to wander for forty years in the desert. It wasn’t because God didn’t care about them but rather because He DID care.

 

God tested them because He wanted them to decide whether or not their hearts would hold on to His promises and trust His leadership of their lives. Their desert experience would either cause them to be obedient, bow humbly before God and totally have faith in Him or they would fall away from Him and His commandments.

 

What about you? Has the Lord been performing a heart test on you? Have you felt as though you were in a desert place and wondered why you were there and what was going to happen next? Maybe a child has turned from the Lord and left home. Perhaps you have been laid off from your job or your business is not prospering like it was.

 

Please know that the Lord is right beside you as you have your “heart test.” He may have bigger plans for your life than you are aware of and this may be a time of learning complete obedience and trust in His plan for you. Trust the Ultimate Physician to know what is best for you as He performs your Heart Test.

 

Father, please help me to have complete faith in you as you lead me through my heart experience in the desert. I trust you at all times. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Have you ever felt like you were alone in a desert with life falling apart around you?

 

• Have you considered that perhaps the Lord was allowing you to be there to learn to trust Him?

 

Apply

• Keep a journal of your desert experiences for the next month.

 

• Beside each entry, write down how you feel the Lord is directing that experience to help you to grow and trust Him in all situations. Use Scripture references.

 

Power

• Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV) “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

 

• I Peter 1:7 (NIV) “These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

 

• Deuteronomy 8:5 (NIV) “Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.”