Luke 18:1;7
V1 Now Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that
they should always pray and not give up.
Hello from Destin, FL!! We love coming here every June, to enjoy the sun☀️ and ocean! Raised in Southern California, I guess I just will never get over the beauty, power and peacefulness of the ocean!?
I love to wake up early and catch the sunrise when we stay here in this 6 story high condo, because we can easily see the horizon!
It’s hard for me to describe what I feel when I see a sunrise–but I think the word “HOPE” captures a good bit of the joy that swells up in my heart when alI see that big ball of light begin to rise up over the earth–reminding me that one day JESUS, the light of the world will come again!! HALLELUJAH!! ?
Wonder and awe are the only words that come to mind as I revel this morning in this new life in Christ. I must admit, after 7 years, I’m still not used to the lovingkinness of our God and am so grateful that he his love falls fresh over me each day! Praise the Lord!❤️
Over the last month, I have been writing content for our upcoming “Prayinng Power Retreat” that my husband Greg and I will soon be running from our creekside retreat center in cozy Ellijay, GA. Greg is a big part of this ministry, and I could not do what I do without his support, love and tender care. He is the “unsung hero” of Be Free Ministry–as one of our retreat attendees called him–as he faithfully works hard behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly! How grateful I am to the Lord for bringing such a wonderful, kind, loving husband into my life!
I have always said that Greg is my “gift from God”–and funny thing is that is exactly what his name ACTUALLY means!! Yep, you heard me! Greg means “Gift of God”. This perfectly describes how I feel about my sweet husband–that he is a “gift of God” to me to love and cherish and to enjoy living life for the rest of our lives together in God’s service–AMEN!???
I am sharing this with you, because after my time in prayer this morning, the Lord opened me to Luke 18:1. The header reads “Parable on Prayer”. My heart soared, realizing that I had forgotten about this beatiful parable and with excitement, I began to read and refamiliaize myself with this beautiful story that Jesus taught us to illustrate God’s faithfulness to us in prayer!
Luke 18:1;7
V1 Now Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
V7 And will not God bring about JUSTICE for his CHOSEN ones, who CRY OUT to him day and night?
This parable is such an important and powerful illustration of God’s faithfulness to us in prayer!
We’ve all been there–struggling, hurting, suffering, fearing and wrestling it out on our own. And then the JESUS–like the sun, rises over our hearts, shattering the darkness with the brilliant light of his love, mercy and Grace!!
How is it done, you ask? Through crying out to Jesus in PRAYER. Yup. It’s that simple. God loves a humble seeking heart that is searching for him and his truth!
There was a time in my life when I was in an abusive marriage, suffering and literally rotting from the inside out from anger, bitterness, feelings of failure and hopelessness. I was also suffering from an auto immune deficiency called “Epstein Bar” and was bed ridden much of the time from the pain in my early 30’s. It’s hard to imagine myself this way, because now at age 45, I am full of energy and health!
Suffering in an emotional abusive marriage and being a part of the cult religion of Mormonism takes a toll. Day after day, year after year I CRIED out to God. But, back then, I did not understand the power of the name of Jesus. I did not know that if I would call on the name of Jesus for healing, I could be set free and SAVED.
Eventually, while walking through an extremely violent season of divorce, I began to attend NorthPoint Community Church, lead by Andy Stanley. This is when healing began for me. After a few months, on a particularly difficult day, while lying sick in my bed, I cried out to Jesus! I didn’t know how to formulate the words but in my heart, I longed for help and longed in my heart to truly believe in this “amazing grace” that I kept hearing about at church. And then it happened–JESUS rose over my heart like a sunrise shattering the dark!! I was Set FREE!!HALLELUJAH!!☀️???
Now, the point I want to make today is this: I prayed for God to intervene for me for 18 years–and I NEVER GAVE UP!! I never stopped believing in God, and I never stopped PRAYING to God.
Jesus told the disciples to “never stop praying and never give up.” (Luke 18:1)
Friends–NEVER GIVE UP!! NEVER STOP PRAYING. NEVER STOP BELIEVING in JESUS!!❤️❤️❤️
In this parable, a woman is seeking justice from her adversary ( v 3) Finally, because of her persistence, the worldly judge agreed. This was a judge who really didn’t care at ALL ABOUT THIS WOMAN. He simply wanted her to stop bothering him!
Now pay close attention to verse 7:
And will not GOD bring about JUSTICE for his CHOSEN ones, who CRY OUT to HIM day and night?
YES!!! God is aware of YOU!
God is GOOD!! His timing is perfect and HE HEARS YOU!! YOU must rebuke the devil and his lies in Jesus Name !! You are standing on the side of VICTORY if you belong to CHRIST and have placed your faith in Jesus through receiving his amazing grace!! (Eph 2:8)!!
God has a GOOD PLAN for you and He will bring it to completion!! NEVER give up!! NEVER lose HOPE. NEVER STOP PRAYING!!???
I never could’ve dreamed I could be this loved. This FREE!! I am so grateful that JESUS shattered the darkness of my heart with his love!! The emotional and physical healing JESUS has given me is nothing short of a MIRACLE –and I believe JESUS can and WILL do the same for you my friend.
Jesus is out great INTERCESSORY who gave his life on a cross for you so that you can boldly come before the throne of God in prayer!! Pray in the name of Jesus in FAITH, BELIEVING that Jesus is able to save you! He is FAITHFUL and will DELIVER you and SET YOU FREE. ??❤️
Ashley Gronholm