Several weeks ago in a post about baptism I included a quote from the Didache. This is an early writing of the church in about 80-120AD.
The Didache is basically an early christian manual on how christians should live and how the church should be run. The above video gives a really good overview of what it contains.
In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells a story of the persistent widow who constantly pleads her case before an unjust judge. She pleads so much that the judge says this woman is driving me crazy and he ruled in her favour!
Jesus then relates this to our prayers before the Father. In verses 6-7 He says, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. [7] Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?”
Jesus is reminding us that sometimes we need to push through with our prayers. We need to persist in our petitions for ourselves and our intercessions for others like the widow before the judge. Jesus promises that the Father will hear us and bring justice.
One acronym I find helpful is P.U.S.H…
Pray
Until
Something
Happens
Sometimes we need to fast and pray all day or even for a few days before breakthrough comes. At other times we need to keep things before the Lord for months and pray every morning or night before we see breakthrough. I have experienced both.
So if you have a big issue you are concerned about at the moment, I would encourage you to take it before the Lord in prayer. Be like the persistent widow and PUSH it before Him day and night. Jesus promises the Father will hear your prayers and bring justice.
Mark 16:9 NLT – After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.
Some people I have spoken to over the years have said they are not worthy to be saved because of how they have lived their lives. They have said even God would accept me.
In the above verse we see that the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was Mary. She had lived a questionable life and even had seven demons.
If anyone felt unworthy of Jesus’ love it would be Mary. But Jesus met her where she was at and cast out her seven demons. She was a changed person.
Mary became a follower of Jesus and she was one of the people who went to anoint His body with spices after His death. She went with Mary the mother of Jesus and Salome.
I love that the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was Mary. A demon possessed outcast who was transformed by His love and His healing. Her life would never be the same.
If you feel unworthy of God’s love today, I want to say that God has a special love for those who have gone astray. The Bible is filled with people who started off on the wrong path, but found God’s love and healing in Jesus.
If this is you, why not turn to Him today? He is a prayer away and waiting for you with His arms out stretched towards you.
Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am sorry for the way I have lived my life. I ask for a new fresh start today. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sin. I give my life to You today. I want to follow You as my Lord and Saviour. Please bring healing to my heart and soul. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit to strengthen me. Cast out anything that is not of You. I ask in Your name, Amen.
For more information please visit my finding salvation page and my discipleship page.
I just received a hard copy of a book I have been reading. I had been reading the PDF version and found it to be a great resource, so I decided to add it to my physical library.
To be a Christian is a catechism style book that has over 360 questions and answers. It touches on all areas of our faith as Christians. I wish I had something like this as a new Christian, it would have been really helpful.
Here is an example question and answer about Jesus…
I really love that it has a short answer that you could memorise and it has all the Bible references that you can look up.
Here is a description from the publisher…
Catechesis is an ancient practice of Christian disciple making that uses a simple question-and-answer format to instruct new believers and church members in the core beliefs of Christianity. To Be a Christian, by J. I. Packer and a team of other Anglican leaders, was written to renew this oft-forgotten tradition for today’s Christians. With over 360 questions and answers, plus Scripture references to support each teaching, this catechism covers the full range of Christian doctrine and life, drawing from the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and other important doctrinal summaries. Clear, concise, and conversational, this resource was written for all believers who seek to be grounded more deeply in the truth of God’s Word.
I downloaded a free PDF copy from here, and then purchased a hard back copy from Koorong.com here.
One statistic I have heard quoted many times is that since the Reformation in the 16th century 45,000 Protestant denominations have arisen. I have lost track of the times of have heard it said and then quoted as a source.
Today I watched a YouTube video by Ready to Harvest that talked about this and where the figures came from. It is quite interesting to see the original research and the methodology used to come to that number. You may be surprised to know the number is way smaller than 45,000, more closer to 300 main denominations.
PASSIONAustralia.blog 