DATE POSTED: Monday, July 24, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Orlando, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Contemporary English Version (CEV) IS FOUND IN Luke 18:5-8

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: I will help this widow because she keeps on bothering me. If I don’t help her, she will wear me out.” The Lord said: Think about what that crooked judge said. Won’t God protect his chosen ones who pray to him day and night? Won’t he be concerned for them? He will surely hurry and help them….

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: In this devotional, I believe we may be prompted to consider the difference between persistence and nagging, or faith versus vainly begging for something. Stay tuned and ask God to reveal Himself through His Word as you join me in meditating on today’s Scripture.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Every so often we need reminding about our awesome, forgiving, loving Lord who cares so much for us. This story reminded me of a young waiter who served my wife and I at an upscale local restaurant. At a time when our daughter was looking for a job, I asked the young man how did he land a job at a nice restaurant like the one we were at. He responded that his persistence paid off. After submitting his application, he visited the restaurant to ask if they received it, then every day or two he would revisit the restaurant to see if they had made a hiring decision yet. He attributed his success in landing the job to more than his limited qualifications, but in showing the restaurant management how serious he was about wanting to work for them. Sounds similar to the story of the judge mentioned by Jesus, right? But how persistent are we in praying without ceasing for the concerns of our life, and that of the ones we love? Are you negligent in the importance of prayer? Do you lack in the faith to believe that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is the same God you are asking to heal a broken heart, or restore strength to a concerned heart over daily issues in your family or at work? But how is your relationship with the God to whom you need to ask? Is it one where you communicate daily with Him to celebrate the times of answered prayer and share with Him the concerns you are anticipating that day? Do you always remember that the same one who brought sight to the blind in John 9:6, and made the lame to walk again in Mark 2:11, and restored life to the likes of a dead man as in John 11:38, is the one to whom you are asking to do miraculous things for you today? Friends, we serve an awesome God, and He is eager and ready to accept you into His Kingdom if you surrender your life of sin to His will and purpose today. Remember, Jesus knows our thoughts and therefore knows the desires of our heart. I believe that He stands ready and willing to hear our prayer, or cry, for help, surrender, and in sharing our heart’s cry for help and direction in all walks of our life. I believe He desires to be magnified in us and glorified in all that is achieved in and through us, but we must make the first move. Is it ‘life as usual’ for you, or are you ready to partner with the King of all kings and Lord of all lords today, and for all eternity?

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: I often feel guilty of asking God repeatedly for things. But it seems like Jesus is encouraging us to pray frequently, and ask without ceasing. I’m so happy that God loves us unconditionally and He knows the innermost parts of our heart. Bombarding Him with our prayers will serve to show that we trust Him with our innermost thoughts and concerns over and over again.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Precious Lord, You created us and You know our innermost thoughts. Only You can mend a broken heart, and only You can satisfy our desires and solve our concerns. Please teach us to be faithful in offering up our sacrifices of praise, plus the deepest desires of our heart. Things that seem impossible to us are all minor to You, for nothing is impossible with You. Humanly, we tend to cave in to constant bombardment of those in need, but with You Lord, I believe You knot only know our thoughts words and deeds, but You are constantly preparing the way for us to represent You in every aspect of our lives. May others see Jesus today, Lord! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home near by your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!