Persistence

Luke 18
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to
pray, and not to faint.  Luke 18:1

LET IT GLOW

As a young teenager, I kept hounding, or asking my parents for a bicycle, Finally,
they gave me one. My persistance paid off. It wasn't what I expected, a brand
new bike with a banana seat, up turned handle bars with streamers, and pink in
color, my dream bike. No, it was my sister's old bike, painted red, with a new
old-fashioned seat. Needless to say, it wasn't what I expected, but it was a
bicycle for me to ride. I spent hours riding my "new red bike" on our country
road. Soon I forgot that  my bike was a hand-me-down because it rode
just as fast as my friend's new bike.

One thing I learned during that time, was to be persistant, never giving up.
Have I forgotten this as an adult? Today my faith wavers; doesn't move
mountains; isn't the size of a grain of mustard seed. Or is it? God still answers my
prayers. Sometimes it takes years, but it is in His timing and ways, not mine.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He can't fail. Without faith
it is impossible to please God. Fill my cup, Lord. Fill it up with faith, overflowing.
you've done it before, You can do it again. Yes Sir, He can. I believe it.

In the parable, here, Jesus told about a widow that was persistant in asking a
judge until she got what she wanted. In verse 7, Jesus says,"And shall not God
avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with
them?"

Will you join me in praying day and night  for revival in our churches and in
America?

LET IT GROW

Another parable Jesus told that is in  this chapter, is about the Pharisee and the
Publican, which are praying. We see pride versus humility, self-rightousness
versus a sinner, no remorse versus repentance.

In verse 14, Jesus says,"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather
than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted."

God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Our righteousness is as filthy
rags in His sight.

LET IT GO

Keep the faith. Ask for mercy, not justice.
Stay humble before God.
Keep praying for our churches and nation to have revival.

Temptations

Luke 17
One day Jesus said to his disciples, "There will always be
temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the
tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone
hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall
into sin. So watch yourselves!"   Luke 17:1-3 NLT

LET IT GLOW

Instead of the word temptations, the KJV uses the word offenses and
the NAS uses the words stumbling blocks, which means "a striking
against."

Either way, I need to be careful not to tempt or cause anyone to stumble
into sin. As a woman, I should watch what I wear, say, and do.
To be a stumbling block sounds like it is a serious thing.
A little one in verse 3 refers to one a new believer.

LET IT GROW

As He entered a village, Jesus met ten men that were lepers. They asked for
mercy from Him. Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests. As
they went, they were healed. Only one of the ten, when he saw he was
healed, turned back and glorified  God with a loud voice, fell down on his
face at Jesus' feet giving thanks. He was a Samaritan, too. Did Jesus notice
that the other nine didn't do the same?

I should be the one to fall on my face at Jesus feet, giving thanks when I
receive mercy.

LET IT GO

Watch out that I don't cause another to stumble or be tempted into sin.
Be grateful for God's mercy.
Thank people for their kind deeds.

Little Things

Luke 16
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he
that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.  Luke 16:10


LET IT GLOW

Jesus said in verse 17, "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one
tittle of the law to fail."

What God says, happens. His Word is Truth. It will come to pass. I am glad
there is something that never changes.

The Word of God stands forever. Isaiah 40: 8

But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by
the gospel is preached unto you.  1 Peter 1:25


LET IT GROW

It's the little things that matter-a child's hug, a thank you, a door held open,
a compliment. Those are the ones that make me feel loved. Maybe it's
because we expect the big things-birthday and anniverary gifts. Several months
ago my husband surprised me, shocked me is the description,  with a dozen
red roses, for no special reason, he just  wanted to do it.  Now, that's love,
L-O-V-E, love. (It was a first.)

Jesus said these things to His disciples and the Pharisees heard (NLT):

• If you're faithful in little things, you will be faithful in big ones. (verse 10)
• But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater

          responsibilities. (verse 10)

• And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you

          with the true riches of heaven? (verse 11)

• And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted

          with things of your own? (verse 12)

• You cannot serve both God and money. (verse 13b)

LET IT GO

Trust God that He keeps His Word.

Be faithful, honest, trustworthy, serving God.

Where is It?

LUKE 15

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner that repenteth.  Luke 15:10

LET IT GLOW

Where is that thing? Often times I ask myself that question because I
misplace things and can't find them when I need them. Finally, after looking
everywhere, I pray, "It's me again, Lord. I can't find this. Would You please
help me find it?" He's always faithful and gracious and helps me find it.

In this particular parable, a woman lost a coin (verse 8), lit a candle to look
for it, swept the house out, then she finds it at last. She calls her friends and
neithbors together to rejoice with her because she found the lost coin.

Here we see God uses different methods to bring lost sinners to repentance
to Himself. Then there is rejoicing when the lost one is found. Let's keep
praying for our loved ones' salvation.


LET IT GROW

"But we just had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours
was dead and has come to life, was lost and has been found."
(verse 32 of Williams New Testament)

Often times, when I hear the Prodical Son story, the focus is on the one son
who went astray and returned to the father. What about the other son who
had been faithfully serving his father many years? He never got a party, robe,
or ring in his behalf, and he didn't spend the inheritance on harlots. Is jealousy
so strong here that he can't rejoice to see his brother return home? The father
told his faithful son all he had belonged to the son. His brother was dead and
now is alive again.


LET IT GO

Keep praying for our lost loved ones to come to salvation in Jesus.

Rejoice when stray brethren come home to God.

Banquet Invitation

Luke 14
And the lord said unto the servant, go out into the highways and
hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luke 14:23

LET IT GLOW

When I was  in high school and president of the F.H.A. club, we
had a mother-daughter banquet. Mom accepted my invitation to be my
special guest at the banquet. She bought me a new dress and shoes for the
occasion. I even got to go to the beauty shop, where I spent hours having my
long hair put up in a "fancy do." We both wore red rose corsages.
(She looked nice too.) Dad probably told us we were "all togged up" just to
eat. Up town, we were. I don't remember the program, menu, or who the
other guests were, after 39 years, but I was so proud to have Mom with me.

In chapter 14, Jesus tells a parable about a man who had a banquet supper
with special invited guests. The only thing is, these guests made excuses why
they could not attend-2 had business and 1 was a newly wed. So the man
sent his servant into the streets of the city to invite the poor, lame, and blind
to come to his banquet.

Jesus was referring to the Jews being invited to dine at the Lord's supper in
the kingdom of God, but they refused, not believing in Him as the Messiah.
Therefore, Christ extends His invitation to us Gentiles, the poor in spirit,
crippled with sin. The Holy Spirit bids us to come to the Messiah for salvation
and thus we will dine at the Lord's banqueting table in heaven, a feast for our
soul, partaking of grace and mercy.

I hope that I will be listening when Jesus invites me to sit at His table in this
present life, to dine spiritually with the Savior.
I want to be one of the guests that attends Jesus' banquet in heaven. Will you come with
me?


LET IT GROW

In verse 28, Jesus tells another parable: before building a tower, who would
first count the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, if
a man starts building a tower, doesn't finish it, then others will mock him.

This shows me that many believers begin the Christian walk of life, but some
fall away, turning to other things, not denying self, not remaining faithful to
Christ all of their lives. I want to finish the race of my Christian walk with Him.


LET IT GO

Listen when the Lord invites me to come to His table and eat spiritual food
with Him now and in eternity.

Count the cost of Christianity and remain faithful to Christ to the end.

Lifted Up

Luke 13
And he (Jesus) laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made
straight, and glorified God.   Luke 13:13

LET IT GLOW

In the parable of the barren fig tree, the owner comes and finds no fruit on
it after three years. He is going to cut it down, but the manager of the
vineyard interceeds, asking him to wait, allow it to be cultivated and fertilized.
The owner agreed, but if no figs were produced, it would come down.

Here we have Christ as  the owner, interceeding for the Jewish people and
nation before God. The Jews produced not fruit of repentance, so us Gentiles
received the gospel.

Christians share the gospel and pray interceeding for people. Christ interceeds
for Christians to God.
Thank you Lord for giving salvation to me, a Gentile. May I produce fruit for
You.


LET IT GROW

A woman had been crippled, bent over, for 18 years. She couldn't straighten
herself up right. She must have been in a lot of pain, yet she went to the
synagogue to worship God. ( I know her back would have hurt something
awful.)

Matthew Henry Commentary says:

    She had an infirmity, which an evil spirit, by divine permission, had brought
upon her. She came to be taught and get good to her soul, and then Christ
gave this relief to her bodily infirmity.


Verse 12 says,"And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto
her, 'Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.' "  That was the only
conversation between them that was recorded. In fact, Luke is the only
one to record this occurance.

Immediately after Jesus laid His hands on the woman, she was made straight
and glorified God. I can be like her, crippled by my sins or bent over from
carrying heavy burdens. Jesus' touch can lift my sins and burdens away, if
only I ask.

1 Peter 5:7 says,"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Matthew 11:28-30 says,"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for
I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

We can find rest in Jesus whenever we let Him carry our burdens.
When crooked souls are made straight, they will show it by their glorifying
God.

LET IT GO

Interceed for believers and unbelievers.
Bring my sins and burdens to Jesus. Then ask Him to remove them.

Treasure Hunt

Luke 12

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:21

LET IT GLOW

Do you recall a game called Treasure Hunt or Scavenger Hunt that we played
as a child? We were given clues to follow, looking for certain items on a list.
The grand prize (treasure) was found at the end. I was reminded of the game
when I read verse 34: For where your treasure is, there will your heart
be also.

Webster's Dictionary defines a treasure as anything prized highly; regarded
as precious; an accumulation of money or jewels.

Jesus is talking to His disciples in verses 22-40. In 33, He tells them,"Sell
that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a
treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither
moth corrupteth.

I think that of some people Jesus requires them to sell all and give to the poor
and follow Him, litterally, but of others it is a matter of attitude-sell out making
Jesus number one in their life, but not actually selling items.

If Jesus is my treasure, the One in whom I prize highly, regard as precious,
then my heart will be focused on Him, not on eartly things.

Where is my treasure? Wherever it is, my heart will be there also. If Jesus is
my treasure and  He is in heaven, so my heart will be on heavenly things,
such as grace, good works of obedience, praise, and faith  for Jesus. They
can't be stolen, decayed, or decreased in value in heaven, unlike here on earth.

LET IT GROW

In verse 13, a man wanted Jesus to speak to his brother so he'd divide the
inheritance with him. Instead of and answer, "Sure, where is he, I'll tell him,"
the man got a parable written in verses 16-21.

How many times does the rich fool in the parable use the word I ? Six times
if I counted right. (try to say that without using the word)  Did he have an I
problem? Apparently, this rich man is talking to himself, which happens quite
often to me. He was proud of how much harvest (fruits and goods) he had.
He thought his problem was not having enough storage (barns). The man was
going to tear down the barns he had and build bigger ones. His problem was
covetousness; he was wrapped up in the abundance of possessions. He was
greedy and trusting in his wealth.
The man's plan was to take it easy afterwards. God called him a fool and said
he would die that night and then who would enjoy his stuff.

He was rich in worldy goods, but not rich toward God, as verse 21 says.
Matthew Henry Commentary tells us:
The greatest error of all is to not care to be rich toward God-rich in faith,
good works, in fruits of righteousness, in grace, in spiritual gifts.

I want to be rich toward God in faith, works, righteousness, grace, spiritual
gifts.

LET IT GO

Keep Jesus as my treasure and my heart on heavenly things.
Be rich toward God.