Today, Thursday, November 23, 2017 (Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America, is the twenty-eighth message in a series of forty chapters in Russell Board's book entitled, 40 Days With Jesus.
You will not be the same after reading each of these inspiring and informative chapters. They are concise and comprehensive chapters and you will be captivated by each one.
Russell Board has wisely chosen just one word to give each chapter a title. Amazing. Effective. Profitable. Satisfying. Fruitful.
Stand by for the twenty-eighth chapter entitled, "Dissimilarities":
DISSIMILARITIES
Luke 18:1-14
Every Christian would agree that prayer is a wonderful privilege, a principal duty, and a precious resource for living a godly and fruitful life. Yet the vast majority of Christians would also confess to repeatedly failing to exercise this privilege, perform this duty, or take advantage of this resource.
Why do so many of us believe and profess that prayer is vitally important and absolutely essential, yet still end up neglecting prayer or relegating it to brief snatches of spare time?
Certainly our spiritual enemies -- the world, the flesh, and the devil -- come against us strongly at this point. The place of prayer becomes a battlefield, and the act of prayer also an act of warfare.
The world bombards us with distractions galore in order to hinder or sidetrack our prayers: phone calls and text messages, anxieties and daydreams, urgent demands at home or at work.
The flesh disturbs our concentration with gnawing hunger pains, a throbbing headache, or feelings of fatigue or drowsiness.
The devil assails us with a barrage of lies about why prayer is fruitless and foolish, and accusations about why God would never listen to what we have to say.
Given these enemy attacks, it is understandable that we experience setbacks on the prayer battlefield from time to time. The important thing is to keep on praying and never give up.
That is the point of the parable of the unjust judge. Luke tells us explicitly that Jesus told the story in order that we might always “pray and not lose heart.”
It is a peculiar parable. The happy resolution comes not on the basis of justice, but simply due to the widow’s dogged persistence. The judge rules in her favor, not because he wants to do the right thing, but only because he’s tired of listening to her constant complaints!
What is the meaning of the parable? The widow coming before the judge appears to represent our coming to God in prayer. We can easily see our situation reflected in hers: caught in dire circumstances and desperate for help. But how can we view the judge as representing God? Jesus has made it clear that the judge is no noble character, but actually a godless man who cares about no one but himself. Is this unprincipled scoundrel supposed to represent God?
Clearly not. The focus of the parable is the widow’s persistence. It is her never-say-die attitude that Jesus commends and wants us to emulate. She never gave up, in spite of the fact that the judge cared nothing for her or for justice. We are to take courage from her, not because God is like the unjust judge, but precisely because He isn’t.
The lesson of the parable is one of contrast. Here is the point: If this widow continued to press her case day after day before an unjust judge, then how much more should we continue to bring our needs to the God Who is perfectly just, Who notices every detail of our lives, Who desires the very best for His children, and Who loves us with an everlasting love?
With a God like this, we have no reason ever to “lose heart.” And yet, how often and how easily we give up if our prayers are not answered immediately. No wonder Jesus questions the durability of our faith. On the day when He returns with a final answer to every plea for justice and deliverance, how many will be found watching and waiting with a tenacious faith that clings to His promise?
*********************************************
Jesus follows up with another parable of contrast, perhaps even more striking than the one before. The story presents two very familiar characters, well-known to all His listeners. The Pharisee is distinguished for his piety, elaborately displayed in his scrupulous observance of the Mosaic Law. The tax collector is notorious for loving riches more than country, collaborating with the Roman oppressors, and lining his pockets with funds extorted from his fellow Israelites.
Both go to the temple to pray, but their prayers could hardly be more different. The Pharisee chooses a spot where he will stand out, so that he can be observed and admired. He draws himself up to his full height, and in the guise of giving thanks to God, begins to rehearse all the ways in which he is better than his fellows. His prayer is a recitation of his moral and religious rectitude, at least as he himself perceives it. He apparently expects God to be impressed.
The tax collector seeks out an inconspicuous place, unwilling to draw attention to himself. Conscious of his guilt and shame in the eyes of God, he can do no more than beat his breast and utter a doleful cry for mercy. Yet in the surprise ending to the story, Jesus declares that the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, goes home justified in the eyes of God. The parable shows clearly that humility is the pathway to favor with God, while pride leads away from Him.
On top of this, the parable provides a memorable illustration of the way in which the self-righteous wrongly view religion (including Christianity) as a means to demonstrate their superiority over others. When people begin to take pride in their religious activities and observances -- all the things they do or don’t do -- and view them as proof of their godliness and piety, they have taken the way of the Pharisee. Such sanctimonious religiosity is repulsive to both God and men. True repentance and faith breed humility, not pride.
Meditations:
1) Do you ever lose heart and stop praying? Why?
2) Do you identify more with the Pharisee or the tax collector?
Prayer: Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. And help me to persevere in prayer and never give up, trusting in Your abundant grace and unfailing love.
You will not be the same after reading each of these inspiring and informative chapters. They are concise and comprehensive chapters and you will be captivated by each one.
Russell Board has wisely chosen just one word to give each chapter a title. Amazing. Effective. Profitable. Satisfying. Fruitful.
Stand by for the twenty-eighth chapter entitled, "Dissimilarities":
DISSIMILARITIES
Luke 18:1-14
Every Christian would agree that prayer is a wonderful privilege, a principal duty, and a precious resource for living a godly and fruitful life. Yet the vast majority of Christians would also confess to repeatedly failing to exercise this privilege, perform this duty, or take advantage of this resource.
Why do so many of us believe and profess that prayer is vitally important and absolutely essential, yet still end up neglecting prayer or relegating it to brief snatches of spare time?
Certainly our spiritual enemies -- the world, the flesh, and the devil -- come against us strongly at this point. The place of prayer becomes a battlefield, and the act of prayer also an act of warfare.
The world bombards us with distractions galore in order to hinder or sidetrack our prayers: phone calls and text messages, anxieties and daydreams, urgent demands at home or at work.
The flesh disturbs our concentration with gnawing hunger pains, a throbbing headache, or feelings of fatigue or drowsiness.
The devil assails us with a barrage of lies about why prayer is fruitless and foolish, and accusations about why God would never listen to what we have to say.
Given these enemy attacks, it is understandable that we experience setbacks on the prayer battlefield from time to time. The important thing is to keep on praying and never give up.
That is the point of the parable of the unjust judge. Luke tells us explicitly that Jesus told the story in order that we might always “pray and not lose heart.”
It is a peculiar parable. The happy resolution comes not on the basis of justice, but simply due to the widow’s dogged persistence. The judge rules in her favor, not because he wants to do the right thing, but only because he’s tired of listening to her constant complaints!
What is the meaning of the parable? The widow coming before the judge appears to represent our coming to God in prayer. We can easily see our situation reflected in hers: caught in dire circumstances and desperate for help. But how can we view the judge as representing God? Jesus has made it clear that the judge is no noble character, but actually a godless man who cares about no one but himself. Is this unprincipled scoundrel supposed to represent God?
Clearly not. The focus of the parable is the widow’s persistence. It is her never-say-die attitude that Jesus commends and wants us to emulate. She never gave up, in spite of the fact that the judge cared nothing for her or for justice. We are to take courage from her, not because God is like the unjust judge, but precisely because He isn’t.
The lesson of the parable is one of contrast. Here is the point: If this widow continued to press her case day after day before an unjust judge, then how much more should we continue to bring our needs to the God Who is perfectly just, Who notices every detail of our lives, Who desires the very best for His children, and Who loves us with an everlasting love?
With a God like this, we have no reason ever to “lose heart.” And yet, how often and how easily we give up if our prayers are not answered immediately. No wonder Jesus questions the durability of our faith. On the day when He returns with a final answer to every plea for justice and deliverance, how many will be found watching and waiting with a tenacious faith that clings to His promise?
*********************************************
Jesus follows up with another parable of contrast, perhaps even more striking than the one before. The story presents two very familiar characters, well-known to all His listeners. The Pharisee is distinguished for his piety, elaborately displayed in his scrupulous observance of the Mosaic Law. The tax collector is notorious for loving riches more than country, collaborating with the Roman oppressors, and lining his pockets with funds extorted from his fellow Israelites.
Both go to the temple to pray, but their prayers could hardly be more different. The Pharisee chooses a spot where he will stand out, so that he can be observed and admired. He draws himself up to his full height, and in the guise of giving thanks to God, begins to rehearse all the ways in which he is better than his fellows. His prayer is a recitation of his moral and religious rectitude, at least as he himself perceives it. He apparently expects God to be impressed.
The tax collector seeks out an inconspicuous place, unwilling to draw attention to himself. Conscious of his guilt and shame in the eyes of God, he can do no more than beat his breast and utter a doleful cry for mercy. Yet in the surprise ending to the story, Jesus declares that the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, goes home justified in the eyes of God. The parable shows clearly that humility is the pathway to favor with God, while pride leads away from Him.
On top of this, the parable provides a memorable illustration of the way in which the self-righteous wrongly view religion (including Christianity) as a means to demonstrate their superiority over others. When people begin to take pride in their religious activities and observances -- all the things they do or don’t do -- and view them as proof of their godliness and piety, they have taken the way of the Pharisee. Such sanctimonious religiosity is repulsive to both God and men. True repentance and faith breed humility, not pride.
Meditations:
1) Do you ever lose heart and stop praying? Why?
2) Do you identify more with the Pharisee or the tax collector?
Prayer: Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. And help me to persevere in prayer and never give up, trusting in Your abundant grace and unfailing love.
Russell and Sandra Board are career IPHC missionaries. They are currently serving in Asia, and living in Saitama, Japan. Russell serves as the Director of Missions for Asia/Pacific IPHC World Missions Ministries.
Russell is as prolific writer and is no stranger to IPHC church members.
Russell wrote Sunday school Adult Student curriculum for One Accord Resources for use by IPHC and other Pentecostal denominations for 15 years. He also wrote Adult Teacher curriculum from time to time.
The book he wrote for new believers was revised in 2012 and reprinted in a new format under the title GROW. It is available here:
http://lifespringsresources.com/grow-maturing-believers-through-the-truths-of-the-christian-faith
Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham and Russell Board co-wrote an e-book called CHRISTMAS BEFORE AND AFTER, where Russell penned 25 readings for Advent and Doug wrote 12 reading for the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is available on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Before-After-Doug-Beacham-ebook/dp/B00A7XJ3LC/ref=sr_1_5?
40 Days with Jesus is available through LifeSprings here: http://lifespringsresources.com/40-days-with-jesus-encountering-jesus-in-the-gospels
Also, the Kindle version is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Jesus-Encountering-Gospels-ebook/dp/B074G2NFDZ/ref=sr_1_3
If these messages of Russell Board are meaningful to you, please let me know. I need to hear from someone who has read them and has found meaning and enlightenment. Write me at: hugh@hughsnews.com
Russell is as prolific writer and is no stranger to IPHC church members.
Russell wrote Sunday school Adult Student curriculum for One Accord Resources for use by IPHC and other Pentecostal denominations for 15 years. He also wrote Adult Teacher curriculum from time to time.
The book he wrote for new believers was revised in 2012 and reprinted in a new format under the title GROW. It is available here:
http://lifespringsresources.com/grow-maturing-believers-through-the-truths-of-the-christian-faith
Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham and Russell Board co-wrote an e-book called CHRISTMAS BEFORE AND AFTER, where Russell penned 25 readings for Advent and Doug wrote 12 reading for the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is available on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Before-After-Doug-Beacham-ebook/dp/B00A7XJ3LC/ref=sr_1_5?
40 Days with Jesus is available through LifeSprings here: http://lifespringsresources.com/40-days-with-jesus-encountering-jesus-in-the-gospels
Also, the Kindle version is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Jesus-Encountering-Gospels-ebook/dp/B074G2NFDZ/ref=sr_1_3
If these messages of Russell Board are meaningful to you, please let me know. I need to hear from someone who has read them and has found meaning and enlightenment. Write me at: hugh@hughsnews.com