Parable of the Persistent Widow

Does God seem to respond to your prayers with silence?

The Parable of the Persistent Widow is a parable about how to handle what seems like “no response.” The woman in the parable represents all of us. She was a Jewish widow seeking justice from an unethical Gentile judge.

She didn't have a voice in his courtroom, but the heathen judge began to look upon her with favor because of her persistence. Jesus said to his disciples that if this judge would eventually rule in the widow's favor then how much more would God defend and answer His children.

Jesus taught this parable to teach us that we should always pray and not give up. That we should be PERSISTENT.

The easiest thing I know to do is quit praying.

When we are tempted to stop praying, that's when we need to remember God cares about us, God is listening to every word we pray and God is working on our behalf.

What happens during the silence will determine if Jesus finds faith in us.

When God seems silent that's when our faith should be cultivated by remembering we are children of the King, seated at the great Banquet Table, and we can expect great things from our Father in this life! Don't stop praying, don't stop believing.

Will God find faith in Bixby? Will God find faith at BCC?

Will God find faith in me?

Right Thinking,

Pastor Steve

Prevailing Proofs…

The last message of the Promise of Awakening series was on Easter Sunday 2010. It was such a significant service. I felt the Holy Spirit fall on me in a very special way.

If you’ll remember, when Jesus was resurrected, people looked for proof of the resurrection. Was the stone rolled away? Was the body gone? Were Jesus’ footprints found on the tomb floor? Of course people wanted proof…this was quite a miracle. If we were there we probably would have wanted to see the proof too.

Not surprisingly, people today are still seeking proof of the resurrection. But, the sad part is, most people seem to be looking for evidence of resurrection in others instead of within themselves.

The question we should be asking is this: “Is there proof of Christ’s resurrection in my life?”

As a Christian, you should have three blaring pieces of evidence of the resurrection in your life.

First, are you moving toward purpose, fulfilling the call on your life? Second, do you outwardly profess your faith in Jesus? Finally, are you exhibiting inward peace that can’t be defined as anything else but the peace of God?

How you answer these questions demonstrates the proof of God’s resurrection power in YOU..

The church will receive the promise of awakening when the people rise up in their resurrection! It’s great to have intellectual knowledge of the resurrection. It’s great to know that Jesus is alive – now PROVE IT!

The proof of awakening is in a church rising up. The proof of awakening is in what you do in your life, the quality of the decisions you make, and in the relationships of the people you touch.

Saints, Jesus has been resurrected… now allow His Holy Spirit to awaken you today.

Love,

Pastor Steve

PS Oh, and don't forget to lie down on the inside sometime.