Luke 11:5-13
As one who has taught others, teachers must be very careful
in handling the Scriptures, for it is easy to come across as someone who has it
all together. It is also easy to make
statements that the students like because it does not require them to change
their patterns or habits. Not that long
ago, a man who I respect told our class it was not important to know where a
Scripture is found in the Bible, now that sounds great, but it is totally not
in keeping with Scripture. I’ve come to
understand this truth; God has given us two weapons, His word and prayer. I’ve come under conviction about putting the
Scriptures to memory. From a child I was
taught this Scripture; “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin
against you” but if ask by someone where can I find that, I would
not have been able to tell them, it is in Psalm 119:11.
I’ve begun to store God’s word in my heart, and I must
confess I am experiencing God’s favor, for no matter what happens, the enemies
of the Cross cannot remove the word of God from my mind. I’ve found as I read the word of God that I
can pray it back to the Father, it becomes more personal, and I would encourage
you to begin each day in the Psalms.
Dr. Luke is giving us an account of Jesus telling the
disciples a story by asking a question: “Which of you who
has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three
loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to
set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is
now shut, and my children are with me in bed.
I cannot get up and give you anything’?
Now for the one who did not listen in school, Jesus is
asking a rhetorical question, He was not looking for an answer, but in order to
make a point.
Picking up the story in verse 8,“I tell
you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend,
yet because of his impudence (Offensively bold behavior) he will
rise and give him whatever he needs.” The
man in bed with his children knows the character of his friend at the door, he is
not going to take no for an answer, so he gets out of bed and gives him what is
needed.
Prayer is not easy and yet it is mighty for those who abide
by and apply the teaching of Scripture to our prayer life. And this is where the weapon of putting
Scripture to memory plays a large roll.
Listen to Jesus; “And I tell you,
ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will
be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds,
and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son
asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for
an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the
Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13 ESV)
It is the Holy Spirit that Jesus went to, it is the Holy
Spirit that is our Teacher, it is the Holy Spirit that is our Helper, and it is
the Holy Spirit that is our Comforter, learn of Him for He will guide you to
all truth.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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