Jesus Calling

Pt. 2: Faithful Unto Death

By Louie Marsh, 11-10-2024

Last slide – sparta.

1) Jesus is GOD.

"8"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life." (Revelation 2:8, ESV)

"58Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." 59So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple." (John 8:58–59, ESV)

2) Jesus understands my STRUGGLES.

"9" 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." (Revelation 2:9, ESV)

· With my ENVIRONMENT.

"8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;" (2 Corinthians 4:8, ESV)

thlibo (θλίβω, 2346), "to suffer affliction, to be troubled," has reference to sufferings due to the pressure of circumstances, or the antagonism of persons,,, when used of the present experience of believers, refer almost invariably to that which comes upon them from without. - W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 17.

· With my RESOURCES.

"9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9, ESV)

· With the LIES told about Jesus.

βλασφημία blasphēmia; from 989; slander:—abusive language(1), blasphemies(4), blasphemous(2), blasphemy(6), railing(1), slander(3), slanders(1). - Robert L. Thomas, New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries : Updated Edition (Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998).

"10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." (Matthew 5:10–11, ESV)

3) I should have no FEAR when evil comes.

"10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation… (Revelation 2:10a, ESV)

"9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."" (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

4) Eternal Life is FAITH'S reward.

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10b, ESV)

"12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:12–13, ESV)

5) Listen up! Hell can't harm the CONQUER.

"11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'" (Revelation 2:11, ESV)

"8But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."" (Revelation 21:8, ESV)

Jesus Calling

Pt. 1 Ephesus: First Love Lost

By Louie Marsh, 11-3-2024

1) Jesus is in CONTROL.

"1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands." (Revelation 2:1, ESV)

· He can - & will – execute JUDGEMENT on the church at any moment.

2) Jesus KNOWS!

"2" 'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary… "6Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." (Revelation 2:2–3,6 ESV)

· Jesus knows and UNDERSTANDS how hard it is to follow Him.

"13"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13–14, ESV)

· He ENCOURAGES me to keep going.

"9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

· He COMMENDS me for standing with Him.

"23His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'" (Matthew 25:23, ESV)

Nicolaitans – not sure who they really were. Speculated the leader might have been Nicolaus in Acts 6:5 was leader. Very doubtful -the one thing we do know is they were almost surely early gnostics.

What's a gnostic? (How cruel to claim to have the ultimate truth, but refuse to share it until you've jumped through a hundred hoops). Modern examples of Gnostics: Scientology, orgs who claim to have ancient knowledge, but you have to climb the ladder to find out.

3) Jesus demands ACCOUNTABILITY.

"4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." (Revelation 2:4, ESV)

"36I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak," (Matthew 12:36, ESV)

4) Jesus commands me to RETURN to Him.

"5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." (Revelation 2:5, ESV)

· Remember the love I had for God.

· Repent – TURN AROUND and get back there.

5) Jesus reminds me to LISTEN UP.

"7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:7a, ESV)

6) Jesus REWARDS those who overcome.

To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'" (Revelation 2:7b, ESV)

True Stories

Pt. 11: Not A Patch Job

By Louie Marsh, 10-20-2024

Intro. Last pic wall patch

1) If I want to change I've got to admit that I'm BROKEN. 36 He also told them a parable: "No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. Luke 5: 36 (ESV)

· I'm not WHOLE because I've got holes in my soul.

The context of this parable:

30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:30-32 (ESV)

· Doing things my way just won't WORK.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)

2) What's the old and new?

· The old – robe or wineskin – is WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The issue Jesus is addressing:

33 And they said to him, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink." Luke 5:33 (ESV)

· The new – robe or wineskin – is CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS.

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV)

3) Fixing my life, my soul, isn't a PATCH JOB.

16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved." Matthew 9:16-17 (ESV)

A wineskin was a goatskin that had been removed without slitting it; the openings at the feet and the tail were closed, leaving the neck as the mouth. When it is fresh, the skin stretches to a degree, but when it is old it becomes stiff and bursts quickly under pressure. People therefore never put new wine, which still ferments and causes pressure, into old, dried-out skins. The result would be disastrous, for the skins would burst and thus be lost and henceforth be useless, and the wine would be spilled out and thus also be lost.

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6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV)

13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Galatians 6:13-15 (ESV)

4) Change does not come NATURALLY, EASY or all at once

39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, 'The old is good.'" Luke 5:39 (ESV)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV)

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

True Stories

Pt. 10: The God of Another Chance

By Louie Marsh, 10-13-2024

Fish cartoon last one.

1) I can't judge my spiritual life by EXTERNAL circumstances.

1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? Luke 13:1-4 (ESV)

· Problems aren't signs of GOD'S WRATH.

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:1-3 (ESV)

· We live in a fallen world where bad things happen to EVERYONE.

30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Acts 21:30-32 (ESV)

· I am a sinner and need to BELIEVE the gospel.

5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:5 (ESV)

2) God will hold me ACCOUNTABLE for my life.

6 And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' Luke 13:6-7 (ESV)

· Judgement is real and I will FACE IT.

13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 (ESV)

3) God's grace gives me ANOTHER CHANCE.

8 And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'" Luke 13:8-9 (ESV)

13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13 (ESV)

15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:15 (ESV)

True Stories

Pt. 9: Humble Myself Before the Lord

By Louie Marsh, 10-6-2024

Intro Slides – last one think of yourself less.

1) I should never seek SELF- JUSTIFICATION.

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: Luke 18:9 (ESV)

· The fatal flaw of self-justification is COMPARISON.

15 And he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15 (ESV)

4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

2) UNDERSTAND who these people were.

10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Luke 18:10 (NIV)

· Pharisee = MORALLY RIGEROUS, RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVE

· Tax Collector = TRAITOR, THIEF, OPPRESSOR.

3) Remember prayer is not TALKING to myself.

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' Luke 18:11-12 (ESV)

A soliloquy with his own soul, a complacent recital of his own virtues for his own self-satisfaction, not fellowship with God, though he addresses God - Word Pictures in the New Testament.

Prayer for Strength of Self Image:

Lord, sometimes when I look in the mirror I'm not too happy with what I see. Please let me see me the way you made me, beautiful and perfect just as I am. Help me to hold this image in my mind and heart as I follow my life's path. Allow others to witness your light shining through me as I walk with confidence, grace and a smile on my face. Amen.

Louie's Prayer for S & S

Lord, every time I look in the mirror I'm disgusted and nauseated by what I see. Help me to endure the sight of what you've made me into – wrinkly and old and about as imperfect as a man can be. Help me to hold this gross image in my mind and heart as I follow Jesus. Allow others to witness your light shining through this mess as I walk with humility, grace and a crooked smile on my face. Above all help me to love Jesus far more than I love myself or anyone else. In Jesus Name, Amen.

4) Real prayer is UNVARNISHED honesty with God.

13 "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' Luke 18:13 (NASB)

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)

8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Ephesians 3:8 (ESV)

5) When I humble myself before God He LIFTS ME UP.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14 (ESV)

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, Philippians 2:8-9 (ESV)

True Stories

PT. 8: God's Not Fair – Thank God!

By Louie Marsh, 8-19-2018

Pics of unfair stuff -last one workers in vineyard.

1) God's Kingdom often works in REVERSE.

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."… 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. Matthew 19:23-26, 30 (ESV)

30 This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first. Matthew 19:30 (MSG)

2) God's call to me is different than His call to OTHERS.

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' Matthew 20:1-7 (ESV)

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV)

3) God's Rewards are based upon His GRACE.

8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. Matthew 20:8-10 (ESV)

· Salvation by grace is inherently UNFAIR.

3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— Ephesians 2:3-5 (ESV)

4) God CALLS THE SHOTS in His Kingdom.

11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last." Matthew 20:11-16 (ESV)

· God isn't interested in being fair, but JUST, HOLY & RIGHTEOUS.

4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." Revelation 15:4 (NIV)

True Stories # 10

Pt. 7: Unworthy Service

By Louie Marsh, 9-22-2024

1) ENTER into the reality of real service.

7 "Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'? 8 Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Luke 17:7-8 (ESV)

Not like working for someone today, not like being a butler or servant today in USA

Greek word doulos common word for slave.

Very similar to the "servants" I've seen in SE Asia. They live with masters and serve until they aren't needed anymore. Not set hours and duties are what they are told to do. Period.

9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? Luke 17:9 (ESV)

After working all day, clean up, change clothes, fix dinner from scratch and serve it. After Master is done then you eat.

All that and you get no special word of thanks.

2) Real servants of Jesus do ALL that is commanded.

10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" Luke 17:10 (ESV)

· A FEW COMMANDS

o LOVE my enemies.

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44 (ESV)

o FORGIVE everyone.

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 (ESV)

o SHARE the gospel.

15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15 (ESV)

o PRAY continually.

17 pray continually; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

o DIE to myself.

35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. Mark 8:35 (ESV)

· Doing all that makes me an UNWORTHY servant.

3) Real servants of Jesus go ABOVE & BEYOND

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." John 19:28 (ESV)

38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-42 (ESV)

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV)

True Stories

Pt. 6: Love God Not Money

By Louie Marsh, 9-15-2024

Intro slides – last one love of money kills

1) I need to BEWARE of materialism.

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:13-15 (ESV)

· I need to actively be on my GUARD.

Steve Taylor Video

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, Jude 1:24 (ESV)

· All forms of greed are DANGEROUS.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 (ESV)

22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Matthew 13:22 (ESV)

· My life has nothing to do with what I OWN.

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:4 (ESV)

2) Never ASSUME what will happen, God is in control.

16 And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' 18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."' 20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' Luke 12:16-20 (ESV)

· I can't take it with me & I don't know when I'll LOSE it.

4 "O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Psalm 39:4 (ESV)

3) The Bottom Line on Treasure.

· I must remember my treasure is GOD'S NOT MINE.

21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:21 (ESV)

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)

· If I'm rich towards God He will PROVIDE for me.

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV)

True Stories

Pt 5: Real Prayer Is Persistent

By Louie Marsh, 9-8-2024

1) When I pray I must not LOSE heart.

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1 (ESV)

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (ESV)

What Does This Tell Me?

· Praying isn't EASY.

13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (ESV)

· Prayerlessness is usually a HEART issue.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

2) In prayer I should BASH ON regardless!

Ted Sutton's saying.

2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'" Luke 18:2-5 (ESV)

· The judge doesn't care -but God LOVES me.

20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! Psalm 66:20 (ESV)

· The widow is so aggressive the judge is SCARED of her.

That word is from ὑπώπιον, the part of the face under the eyes, and means to strike under the eye; to give one a black eye. "Lest at last she come and assault me." So Goebel and Meyer, and so Wyc., "Lest at the last she, coming, strangle me;" and Tynd., "Lest at the last she come and rail on me." Word Studies in the New Testament.

17 pray continually; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

3) God will act in my life at just the RIGHT time.

6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily…" Luke 18:6-8a (ESV)

13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Psalm 69:13 (ESV)

4) If Jesus came today, would he find me in PERSISTENT PRAYER?

…Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Luke 18:8 (ESV)

11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV)