Persistance

Luke 18:7 "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?  Will he keep putting them off?"

Jesus tells a parable about a persistent widow who keeps bugging a judge to give her justice in a particular case.  Eventually the judge breaks down and awards the woman what she was after just to get her off his back!  Jesus says, how much more willingly will God our father give us what we ask for.

I oftentimes think God doesn't care or need to hear about my needs.  After all, I am a white, middle class American who owns a home, drives two cars and has 2.5 kids!  What needs do I really have?  Isn't God more concerned with the oppressed in Syria and Congo?  I have first world problems and God probably doesn't even listen to my requests and possibly they even anger him.  Seriously, I think this way a lot.  But, if I were to listen to what Jesus actually taught I would realize that maybe God does care about my needs, my fears, and my requests.  He does want to hear from me and he wants to answer them.  Today I need to boldly talk to him.

Dear Jesus, thank you for always being there fro me and for always listening.  Amen.

Jack and Ellie

Luke 8:50 "...Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

A man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, has a daughter who is very ill.  He came to Jesus to ask him to heal his daughter.  Upon arriving at the home, Jesus tells the family to not be afraid but instead believe.  He assures them that their daughter will be healed.

Sometimes I open God's word to read exactly what I need at the moment.  Today my kids are on their third day at a new school.  The first week hasn't been the best. Today my heart aches for my kids.  I needed to hear these words from Jesus today.  I am to not be afraid for them, but instead believe.  He will take care of them.  And honestly, that's all I can do at this point, so today I once again give my kids to Jesus.

Dear Jesus, please protect Ellie and Jack today.  Please. Amen.

Spotlight

Luke 8:16 "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed."

Jesus is speaking to his followers and tells them that they are to light up and shine for him.  They are to take the truth they know about him and spread it to the world.  He essentially says, "what good is a light if it is not shined for all to see?"

I am a good Christian.  I go to church every week, read my Bible most days, pray regularly and I know all of the books of the Bible in order by heart.  I don't have any major vices, I'm generally kind to people, I listen to Christian music and own several WWJD bracelets-ha!  But do I shine?  Do people see through the darkness because my light is shining that bright?  Do I illuminate the dark world around me?  Can others see my light and feel it's warmth?  I don't think I'm there yet.  I am like a flickering Bic lighter in a large, dark auditorium.  How can I become a spotlight that pierces the darkness and points people back to Jesus?  Today,  I need to shine!

Dear Jesus, help me shine for you today!  Amen.