Luke 11
Scripture
Luke 11:9 NLT
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Observation-What does it say?
Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray. Jesus then teaches them more about prayer by telling them a story about a man and his neighbor. The story is about a man who has an unexpected guest come to him in the middle of the night. Now it is Jewish tradition to be very hospitable to a guest. So this man goes to his neighbor’s house in the middle of the night to ask to borrow 3 loaves of bread so he can feed his guest. Although the neighbor and his family are already in bed and “closed” for the night, Jesus explains that because the man’s shameless persistency to keep knocking on his neighbor’s door asking for aid, the neighbor will end up helping him because of it. Jesus then explains to his disciples that is how prayer works sometimes. They are to keep on seeking, keep on asking, and their Heavenly Father will open the door and let them in.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Keep praying! Don’t ever give up!
Have you ever felt discouraged because it seems no matter how much we pray for something, God seems to be ignoring our requests? I’m sure we all felt that way. Whether it’s praying for a sickness to go away, or praying for a loved one to come to know Jesus, or even praying for a financial burden to be lifted from our situation, we all have been there. But did you know that God hears and answers all our prayers? Sometimes our prayers could be answered with a “Yes”. But more times than often our prayers will be answered with a “No” or “Not yet”. One thing that I have learned as I walk with God is that my prayers should not be about God aligning to my will. Rather my prayers should be about me aligning with God’s will. Once I came to that understanding, I began to lean and trust in God’s sovereignty even more. I learned to trust in God’s good and perfect will over my own. I learned the value of patience and persistence. Finally, I learned that God wants that daily and regular relationship with me. He wants me to keep seeking, and keep asking. The answer to my prayers may not always be when or what I want, but at the end of the day, I know God is in control. And I know He wants the best for me.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”-Isaiah 55: 8
“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” John 15:7
“Never stop praying.”-1 Thessalonians 5:17
Life Application
Start and end each day coming to God in prayer.
It’s the first thing we should do when we wake up. Give God our prayers of thanksgiving and praise. Ask for His guidance, strength, and provision. Seek His forgiveness and confess our sins to Him. Then as our day is about to end, seek God and thank Him for the day. Pray for your family and friends. Seek God’s will in your life. This is just a guideline. Feel free to seek God’s help and strength throughout the day. Thank Him before each meal. Pray before heading out on your daily commute. God is eagerly waiting to hear from you. Are we just as eager to seek and greet Him?
-Moses Gaddi
Exodus 24
Scripture
Exodus 24:4a
Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.
Observation - What does it say?
Moses shared with the people of Israel all the commands God had given, and then Moses took the time to write down every last word God had said.
Understanding - What does it mean?
When God speaks, it’s worth taking time to write it down!
If someone were to ask me, “What was God speaking to you about during your times with him 2 weeks ago?” It would most likely be difficult for me to remember. If I can barely remember what God was speaking to me about 2 weeks ago, how can I expect to remember what he spoke 2 months or 2 years ago? Those words become lost to me, unless I take the time to write them down.
I’ve been so amazed reading back through my old journals about things God had shown me in his word, significant dreams, prophetic words, and impressions he gave me in my times of prayer. Many of which I had completely forgotten about until I opened my old journals and read them.
Moses wrote down all God spoke to him. King David wrote down many of his prayers. King Solomon wrote down the wisdom God revealed to him. The prophets wrote down the visions and dreams God gave them. And Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were compelled to write about their experiences with Jesus and all Jesus had taught and said.
Life Application
When God speaks, write it down!
I am committed to soul journaling, but also want to continue to take the time to write down my dreams that seem significant, things God has put in my heart to pray for and any prophetic words from others.
God, thank you for giving us lots to write down! Thank you for speaking to us through your word and through other people, circumstances, dreams and visions, etc. (We remember that every prophetic word/dream/vision/etc is subject to Scripture and that your word is the ultimate authority and primary avenue through which you speak.) May we show that we treasure your words to us by writing them down. May we be good stewards of every word you speak. Amen.
-Pastor Levi Thompson
Psalm 119
Scripture
Psalm 119:10-11
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Observation-What does it say?
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses in it and if we can sum up this chapter in two words, it would be God’s Word. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible is God-breathed, which means it was written by human hands, but by inspiration of our living God. It is only fitting that the longest chapter of His Word speaks about itself.
Understanding-What does it mean?
The Word of God is our instruction manual for life.
Just like every toy, electronic, appliance and car has a manual for how it’s supposed to work properly, our Creator left us an instruction manual too for how He designed us to function, and that is His Word. It is not just a history book. The Word of God is living, breathing and active as Hebrews 4:12 states. It is also our offensive weapon against the enemy’s attacks (Eph. 6:17).
Life Application
In order to experience the transforming power of God's Word in our life, we must read it, study it and apply it to our lives.
This is why we encourage you to be in the Word everyday through PB&J and why we have our Soul Journal blog and encourage you all to participate in it. Being in God's Word is a discipline that is vital to every Believer's life. It is also important that we apply it to our lives.
As James says in ch. 1:22-24, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect Word. Thank You that we are free to read it, study it and apply it to our personal lives. I pray we would continually meditate on Your Truth instead of the lies that the enemy and the world throws at us. I pray that if we are living a life contrary to Your Word, that You would bring us back to the Truth through Your Spirit. Thank You that Your Word is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path (Ps. 119:105). Please continue to direct our paths through Your Word. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi