Category: Encouragement

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
‭‭Luke‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬

Jesus shared a parable (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning) to teach about the importance of persistent prayer. This verse reminds us that, in the midst of our challenges, we should remain steadfast in our commitment to prayer. 

Life often presents us with difficulties, obstacles, and moments of despair. In those times, it’s easy to become discouraged and lose hope. But Jesus encourages us to do the opposite – to persist in prayer. Why? Because prayer is not just a means to an end; it’s a way to draw near to God, to find peace in His presence, and to align our hearts with His will.

Jesus desires that we continually seek Him in prayer and never give up. When our life is persistently seeking the Lord, we will be blessed with guidance, encouragement and peace. Are you diligently seeking the Lord in prayer?

Pray

Lord, thank You for teaching me to always pray and to never give up. Help me to be committed to prayer and to seek You for all things. Give me comfort and peace knowing You answer my prayers and provide only the best. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.
‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭51‬

Jesus spent over 3 years teaching His disciples what it means to be a Christian. What Jesus says in today’s verse isn’t just a glimpse into the afterlife but a blueprint for daily living. It challenges us to embrace His teachings, allowing them to shape our thoughts, words, and actions.

Keeping His word means more than mere compliance; it’s a call to adopt the nature of love, kindness, and humility. As we navigate the challenges of life, the teachings of Christ should guide our decisions and give us a heavenly perspective of life. 

In our daily routines, we are are encouraged to be intentional about keeping His word alive in our hearts. It’s a commitment that transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for grace and understanding. 

Today, let’s live in the assurance that keeping His word is a pathway to a life that extends beyond the boundaries of time and into the eternity of His love.

Pray

Lord, grant me the strength to uphold Your Word in my daily walk. Help me to internalize Your teachings, that through obedience, I may experience the profound truth of everlasting life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;“
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬

No one likes to wait. Especially for something great and wonderful. We want what we want, right now.  And sometimes we jump ahead and force things to happen on our timing. Waiting on the Lord and His promises is not a simple task to do.

Jesus instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come to them.  That’s all the details that they were given.  They didn’t know how long they would have to wait.  They didn’t even know what to expect. But what we see them doing is great.  They were together in the upper room praying and seeking the direction of God.  

The disciples were spending time together preparing for the next big thing to happen.  They were eagerly awaiting the presence and power of God to come down.  The next important thing was to replace Judas with Matthias. They were focussed on the things of the Lord.

What do you do when you are in a time of waiting?  It is important to focus on the things of God and never jump ahead of God’s timing.  Waiting is sometimes referred to as suffering, but the suffering is part of our character building.  

Patiently waiting on the Lord requires self-control and wisdom.  The reward is worth the wait.  When you are in a waiting period of your life consumeyourself in the Word of God, surround yourself with godly people, and focus on doing the Lord’s work.

Pray

Lord, help me to wait for Your direction. Give me wisdom and courage to wait for You to instruct me and guide me. I will patiently wait on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.