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"Our Cries to God" by Connie Armstrong
Luke 18:1 Then Yeshua told his talmidim a parable, in order to impress on them that they must always keep praying and not lose heart. 2 “In a certain town, there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected other people. 3 There was also in that town a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me a judgment against the man who is trying to ruin me.’ 4 For a long time he refused; but after awhile, he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God, and I don’t respect other people; 5 but because this widow is such a nudnik, I will see to it that she gets justice — otherwise, she’ll keep coming and pestering me till she wears me out!’”
6 Then the Lord commented, “Notice what this corrupt judge says. 7 Now won’t God grant justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Is he delaying long over them? 8 I tell you that he will judge in their favor, and quickly! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find this trust on the earth at all?”
9 Also, to some who were relying on their own righteousness and looking down on everyone else, he told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Parush and the other a tax-collector. 11 The Parush stood and prayed to himself, ‘O God! I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, immoral, or like this tax-collector! 12 I fast twice a week, I pay tithes on my entire income, . . . ’ 13 But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes toward heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God! Have mercy on me, sinner that I am!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home right with God rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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In 2006, I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. The tumor had to be dealt with because it was pressing against my brain stem. I had almost lost almost all hearing on my left side. How grateful I was that radiation treatment was available in place of brain surgery.
Yet for two years following the treatment, each MRI revealed continued growth. The specialist said the treatment had failed and I would require surgery, now made more complex due to the effects of radiation. Rather than proceed as recommended, we decided to wait six months and pray. If the next MRI was the same, I would have surgery. However, if it remained unchanged, we would know God had intervened. Heartfelt prayers around the world began.
God gave me 3 John 1:2: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” No surprise then when the next MRI indicated “no measureable growth.” Even more praiseworthy is that the tumor began to shrink, continuing even to this day. God does remarkable things through the doctors and medicine, but sometimes He releases His power in ways that remind us He truly hears and responds to our persistent prayers!-------
Hymn for Today: "Sweet Hour of Prayer" by William W. Walford
1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father's throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter's snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
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Thought for Today: Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, Adonai, and I will be healed;save me, and I will be saved,
for you are my praise.
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Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Norway.
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