What Lessons Can We Learn From Christ’s Parables on Prayer?

April 11, 2025 — jwwealand
  1. See the audacity of sheer persistence based on friendship in the parable of “The Friend at Midnight” (Luke 11:5-13) Compare it to Matthew’s account in 7:7-12. What is the relationship based on, between the recipient and Giver?
  1. See the necessity of faith in God who is good & just. Believers who have exercised persistent perseverance in prayer, see compassionate character in the parable of “The Unjust Judge” (Luke 18:1-8)
  1. The need for humility in asking for mercy, like the believer in the parable of “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector” who was justified (Luke 18:9-14). 

1. Faith in our  R _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P  with God

2. Faith in the  C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ R  of God

3. Faith in our J _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N by God.

What do each of the 3 parables on prayer have in common?

To Teach Us That God is a G _ _ _ R 

What does God give through prayer according to Ephesians 3:14-21 ? ________

Some of the teaching Jesus did on prayer was not in the form of parables, but he would use negative examples of what not to do in prayer, see Matthew 6:5-8.

What is the wrong purpose in prayer in verse 5 ?

What is the wrong purpose in prayer in verse 7 ?

Is it possible to pray in the wrong way, and have our prayer denied? 

See James 4:3

Posted in Religion. Leave a Comment »

To Pray Like Jesus

April 10, 2025 — jwwealand

Paul says we should be DEVOTED to prayer, Colossians 4:2. God shows by example that his church started with devotion to prayer, Acts 2:42. Since we follow Christ, his prayers should be what we learn from and emulate in some way and to some extent. Peter said of Jesus, “… leaving us an example” (1st Peter 2:21) “Example” is from the Greek hupogrammos, defined as “to write under, to trace letters for copying by scholars”. Jesus is our example in prayer, especially in making important decisions, Luke 6:12. The requests Jesus makes in his prayers are for our spiritual welfare, strength and unity, Luke 22:32, Matthew 9:38 & John 17:1-26. Jesus also taught that we should ask for His Spirit, Luke 11:13, and he taught that we better not run out of oil, Matthew 25:1-13. What does the oil represent?

The following are highlights from the gospels focusing on the prayers of Jesus.

Frequently Alone, Mat. 14:23 & 26:36 & Luk. 5:16. Matt. 6:6, Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:18, Luke 22:39-41.

Frequently Thankful.

• when he fed the five thousand with the boy’s lunch of bread and fish (Mark 6:41);  

• when he fed the four thousand (Mark 8:6); 

• when he shared a meal with his disciples in the upper room the night before his crucifixion (Mark 14:22); 

• following his resurrection, when he shared a meal with Cleopas and his wife in Emmaus (Luke 24:30).  

 In a village north of Jerusalem Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to give thanks (Read Luke 17:15-16). Jesus affirms him even as he confronts the ungrateful (Read Luke 17:17-18). Neglecting to give thanks puts ourselves in jeopardy of being weak to do the will of God. Gratitude is the attitude that gives magnitude to our spirit!

Posted in Religion. Leave a Comment »

Defining Prayer

April 10, 2025 — jwwealand

The highest form of a Christian’s communication is the two way road of prayer, that road ascends, because it is based on God’s will, not our own. Without faith in an answer, we are wasting our time in prayer, see Matthew 21:22. 

There is not a single person on earth we can not pray for, since “all people” are worth praying for, which Paul instructs in 1st Timothy 2:1. We should even pray for our enemies, Matthew 5:44.

There is not a place where we can not pray, because God commands we pray constantly, 1st Thessalonians 5:17.

There is never an emotion or feeling or attitude that should stop us praying, since God advised his disciples to “stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength…” Luke 21:36. Paul also instructs us in prayer “Praying at all times”, Ephesians 6:18. There is not a thing that should stop us from praying! We should be devoted to prayer, Colossians 4:2.

All prayers in the New Testament can be defined or described within six subjects: S.A.C.R.I.T.

  • Strengthening Souls, Luke 22:31-32, Ephesians 6:8-19 & 3rd John v2
  • Adoration of God, Luke 1:46-55 & Revelation 1:5-6 
  • Confession of Sin, Luke 18:13 & 1st John 1:9
  • Requests for Others, Matthew 9:37-38 & Acts 7:59-60
  • Intercede for the World, 1st TImothy 2:1-4
  • Thanksgiving, Matthew 15:36 & Ephesians 5:20

Some people believe that we should pray for our self, but very often we find in Scripture the habit of Paul was to ask others to pray for him and his needs, this increases fellowship, spiritual strength and helps us stay focused on what God’s will is for ourself, Ephesians 6:19, 1st Thessalonians 5:25 & Romans 15:30-32. It is certainly not wrong to pray for ourselves, (Lk. 21:36) but the emphasis in Scripture is to increase our fellowship by asking others to pray for us.

Posted in Religion. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Psalm 28

March 15, 2025 — jwwealand

v 1, “If You remain silent to me, I will be like those going down to the pit.” David makes a valid point. We are good as dead when we are not speaking to God and He is not speaking to us. David says that if God remains silent, it is just like him going down to the grave. Have you ever thought about life in those terms? David says without the ability to have an open dialogue with God, we are like dead people. This was the idea that Jesus used in His argument against Satan when being tempted in the wilderness. After Satan tempted Jesus to prove He is the Son of God by turning stones into bread, Jesus replied, “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). If we really believed that we were perishing apart from hearing the word of God, like David did, would we not study our Bibles more? Would we not pray to God more? Would we not always be crying out to God? I hope we can see the necessity and importance of prayer in our lives. Let us not neglect our conversations with God lest we become dead to Him.

v2 Describes persistence as he continues to plead and cry out to God. This perseverance can be lacking in our prayer life. In Luke 18 Jesus told a parable to His disciples to show them that they should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1). We look at God as the Almighty and all-knowing God. Therefore, we should just have to ask once that is enough. But Jesus encouraged repetition in our requests. Sometimes I believe we think we have completed our requirements because we have offered one prayer and have decided that such is enough. Jesus said to be persistent and not lose heart concerning what we are praying for. We see David doing this very thing. Why was David so enduring in his prayers, or what was it that motivated him?

v6-8  is a turning point in the psalm where we come to find out that David’s prayer has been answered. What is your first reaction to answered prayer? David shows us what our first reaction ought to be: thanksgiving and praise. We must immediately be grateful and thankful to God for responding to our cries and pleadings. Sometimes we lead ourselves to believe that we got out of our jam ourselves or that we provided ourselves with the solution. We see such a shocking instance of this in Luke 17:17-18. When ten lepers were cleansed, only one who was a Samaritan, came back and gave thanks. How many times are we like the other nine lepers? Too often we go on our way rejoicing, forgetting to see what God has done for us and giving Him the praise He deserves. Let us be persistent in prayer and let us be more grateful & give thanks for answered prayer. How much does a parent’s heart swell when their child says “thank you”?v9, The psalm concludes with praise that God has answered David’s prayer. David was a warrior, (Psalm 144:1) who knew the value of a shield. God provided David with both protection and a sense of confidence. David applies this same idea to God’s protection of His people, most especially God’s plan to bring the Messiah into the world. David was also a shepherd (1st Samuel 17:34), and he uses shepherding terminology to speak about the Lord’s guiding security (Psa. 28:6-9). David prays that God will save His people, bless His possession, shepherd them and carry them forever. Peter said in 1 Peter 2:9, We are that possession. God does not ignore His prized possessions. He hears what we have to say.

Posted in Religion. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Psalm 26 from a Christians Perspective

February 19, 2025 — jwwealand

Despite the danger of evil associates, David remained confident that he would not slip, and that he would securely stand in an even place!

v1-3, It is not David’s reputation in the eyes of other people that concerns him but rather God’s reputation that he desires. What does our heart really desire? Read John 3:19-21.

David expressed a desire to be “evaluated” by God from inside himself “kidneys & heart” is a Hebrew phrase of expressing all our inner feelings & even logic. Today we talk about “mind & heart” containing logic & feelings but in ancient times, people spoke of this internal examination as focusing on our kidneys & heart.

Are we brave enough to ask God to evaluate us? Consider 1st Corinthians 11:26-28 and ask ourselves this: Do we really know who’s presence we are in when we are being instructed to examine ourselves?

“God’s Loyalty motivated David’s integrity” Do we really believe God is faithful? 

v4-8, David tried to live pure, under the assumption that at least some kind of association with these people was morally wrong. We might say that he took 1st Corinthians 15:33 to heart a thousand years before Paul wrote the words by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: Evil company corrupts good habits. If we considered the possibility of not being able to “appear before God’s altar”, then maybe more of us would make it to worship with God’s people, but instead, church attendance remains small. See Hebrews 10:24-25.

Most of a Christians’ associations in the world begin in this threefold order: 1-Entertainment. 2-Employment. 3-Education. Then when we are grown adults, we have already grown well rooted associations with evil. Consider how evil entertainment can be? Or how school sports is presented as ‘fun’ but quickly turns into the no#1 priority for getting into college? How money from employment can be an object of love? Also, consider lies we are taught in our education by the actions of teachers, which speak louder then their words. The biggest lie we are all told in school is this: “Religion is valuable and good for you, but not important enough to be in your curriculum” , or, “The muslim’s God is the same monotheistic God of the christian”, and also, the lie that says “The theory of evolution is more credible than the theory of creation or the theory of a supreme designer over all the design we see in our universe & biology.

v9-12, Note David’s confident proclamation. Despite the danger to his life, despite the presence of the wicked, (with God helping him) he would walk in his integrity. David’s declaration of his “foot standing in an even place”, may be a reminder of what Jesus taught about building our house on the rock and not sand. Compare Psalm 40:2, Luke 6:48 with Matthew 16:18, and decide who the rock is on which we should stand?

Posted in Religion. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

The Theme of Psalm 22, 23 & 24 United in Christ Jesus

January 31, 2025 — jwwealand

The Cross of sacrifice, Psa. 22 has parallels with every gospel account of the crucifixion of Jesus. For Christians this is in the past tense. “God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(Rom. 5:8) The Lamb of God had to be perfect, as well as the first-born. So he was good in two aspects: 1, Good intrinsically without sin. 2, Good in humble service as sacrificially demonstrating love on the cross. This kind of goodness, only God can share. We see this point taught by Jesus in Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18 & Luke 18:19.

 “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only ______ who is good.”

Can you ‘see’ someone being crucified in Psa. 22:14-18 ? 

The Crook of the Shepherd’s Staff, Psa. 23:4 & John 10:1-17 has an obvious parallel for Jesus as the Good Shepherd, which for us today is present tense. The Staff was used in two ways: to help hold the sheep in a position for inspection & treatment when sick or injured or suffering from parasites. Also, to help rescue a lost sheep if it was trapped or stuck, else it would become a predator’s meal.

The Spirit of Christ is active, seen in the New Testament;

Now may the God of peace who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from 

the dead the __________ shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, Heb. 13:20.

How much bigger and more capable does a Shepherd seem to mere sheep, when sheep are in trouble or suffering?

The Crown of the Savior, Psa. 24:1-4 & Revelation 21:27 Share a sentiment about the utopian earth with the sovereign security of a King who rules to protect his domain and citizens. The reason “earth” is used is because the Rule Jesus demonstrated before he became a glorious King after the resurrection gives him control over all forces on earth. 

That is why Peter calls him the __________ Shepherd in 1st Peter 5:4. A shepherd who became a King, writing in the Lamb’s book of Life, everyone’s name who is secure in the Kingdom of Heaven. This has a futuristic glory in fulfilling the promise of our home in heaven. 

In Psa. 24:7-9, Four times the words “gates and/or doors” are used to describe the King’s entry into a holy place of security & glory.  Do you see the importance of being “in Christ” as the Chief Shepherd or Door of the Sheep (Jn. 10:1-9)?

Posted in Religion. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Psalm 12 from a Christian Perspective

January 24, 2025 — jwwealand

12:1, Have we ever felt we were the only righteous people around? Elijah felt this way after Queen Jezebel sent him a death-threat letter, 1st Kg. 19:10. God directly gave Elijah the truth of many other followers that were currently alive & well. Now David feels this way & needs rescued, because David feels like all who are godly, are finished & obliterated. Jesus once asked

 “When the Son of Man comes, will he find ___________ on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

v2-3 Knowing what the wicked speak is a great way to discern what words we should not speak. Twice used is the word “flattering” – chelqah (hebrew) smooth & slippery. 

This is the opposite of the word used in v6, from Jehovah, which is “reliable” – imrah (hebrew) uttering a command.

Jesus says, “for every _________ word men may speak, they will give account of it on the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified & by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36)

Consistently the only word used for God in this Psalm is YHWH, Jehovah. Requesting that God cut off the lips and cut out the tongue of wicked people is not incongruous with his Holy nature because holiness ultimately demands elimination of everything unholy. The reason the speech of the wicked persists is because Jesus says “you will be sons of the Most High, for he

 is ________ to the ungrateful and the evil, be merciful even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36) With God, mercy always triumphs over justice.

v4 shows the rhetorical question expressing the arrogant attitude of wicked people. As far as they are concerned, they are answerable to no one for how they speak. What does Jude v16 say about people who talk like this? What is it about our God that makes Christians feel differently?

v5, We should be careful how we treat people in the world who are poor and afflicted. It is because of how these poor and afflicted people cry and hurt, that Jehovah “springs into action” (hebrew) attah meaning ‘to rise up’ which is the same verb in God’s reaction in the running Father who sees the prodigal son returning repentant. (Luke 15:20) We do not want to be the people who Jesus says would be better off with a millstone tied around our neck drowning in the sea. Read & understand Luke 17:1-2.v6-8, Jehovah will protect and shelter his children who are poor and afflicted. The verbs protect & shelter are both words that make God act like a sentinel watchman weaponized to strike out on threatening enemies. God’s promise of protection, once proven, is as precious as silver refined by fire. Do not forget how priceless our own faith in God is; 1st Peter 1:5-7 uses “Gold” not silver to describe our faith tested & proven in the promises of God.

Posted in Religion. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »
« Older posts
Newer posts »