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The post Don't Lose Heart! appeared first on Marion Oaks Assembly of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16
8th February 2026Evening service
God uses weak vessels to show the power of the Gospel. - The Gospel Treasure Works through Weakness - The Gospel Treasure Moves us to Speak - The Gospel Treasure Prepares us for an Eternal Weight of Glory
Luke 18:1-8 English Standard VersionThe Parable of the Persistent Widow18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 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.'” 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. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”Read full chapterEnglish Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Sue shares with us a message of hope to trust the promises of God as outlined in Ephesians 3:20. Even when we can't see how God will work it for good or appears silent, there is a plan and God has this.
How to Pray and Not Lose Heart - Luke 18-1-6 by Chaplain Braswell
don't lose heart. matt loscavio by Home Church
This sermon walks verse by verse through Luke 18:1–8, the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, and centers on Jesus' clear purpose for telling the story: that God's people should always pray and not lose heart. Rather than presenting prayer as a way to wear God down or manipulate outcomes, this message reframes prayer as the means by which God sustains the hearts of His people in a broken and unjust world. In a cultural moment filled with discouragement, injustice, and unanswered questions, Jesus invites His church to persistent prayer as a safeguard against spiritual resignation and hardened hearts. The sermon explores four distinct hearts found within the text. First is the heart that does not pray, represented by the unjust judge, a man created for justice who lives turned inward on himself. His self talk replaces prayer, illustrating how worry and self reliance often masquerade as strength while quietly hardening the heart. The second heart is the desperate heart of the widow, a woman with no power, status, or leverage who continues to cry out for justice. Her persistence is not about success or comfort, but about refusing to believe that God has forgotten His promises. Her prayer becomes an act of faith that keeps her heart open rather than closed by despair. The sermon then addresses the heart that needs praying for, drawing from Jesus' warning to Peter that Satan sought to sift him, but Jesus Himself was praying that Peter's faith would not fail. This highlights a sobering truth: prayer does not always remove trials, but it sustains faith within them. The message connects this reality to personal suffering, long seasons of unanswered prayer, and the temptation many believers face to quietly lose heart over time. Prayer is presented not as a one time event, but as many short acts of faith practiced day after day. Finally, the sermon reveals the heart of God in this parable. God is not like the unjust judge. He is not reluctant, annoyed, or distant. Jesus contrasts God's willingness with the judge's indifference, reminding listeners that God invites what the judge resents. Scripture shows a God who welcomes persistent prayer, who tells His people to give Him no rest, and who delights in being reminded of His promises. The message culminates in the assurance that Jesus is alive, reigning, and actively interceding for His people even now. This sermon is a pastoral call to examine the condition of our hearts, whether hardened, weary, or under attack, and to respond by returning to prayer. It offers hope to those who feel exhausted by long seasons of waiting and reassurance to those questioning whether prayer still matters. Rooted deeply in Scripture and applied to real life suffering, this teaching encourages the church to persevere in prayer, trust God's justice, and cling to faith until Christ returns.
Send us a textIn this enlightening conversation, Gareth and Anne Tucker delve into the profound experiences of channeling the Divine Mother, exploring her journey of creation and destruction. They discuss how she initially created a universe that reflected her essence but found it lacking in growth, leading her to destroy it and learn to let go of control. The speakers share their personal experiences of feeling her energy, describing it as a powerful, loving force that encourages growth and creativity. They emphasize the importance of freedom in the creative process, highlighting how the Divine Mother teaches them to embrace the unknown and allow new possibilities to emerge.As the conversation unfolds, they touch on the nature of existence, the relationship between humanity and the Divine, and the concept of love as a fundamental force. They reflect on their own journeys, revealing how their past experiences have prepared them for this work. They also discuss the significance of allowing oneself to be free and the transformative power of love, which can only flourish when individuals embrace their true selves. The dialogue culminates in a channeling session where the Divine Mother shares insights about unity, freedom, and the essence of creation, leaving listeners with a sense of hope and inspiration.Takeaways"She was given total freedom to do what she wanted to do with it.""You have to create a soul and then give it the full power to create its own world.""The minute you let go, the Phoenix rises from the ashes.""Freedom is the necessary precursor to the experience of love.""You are already God experiencing yourselves."
The sermon from our Sunday morning service on the 18th of January, 2026.
This week, Ricky and Bonnie are here to encourage you on your journey struggling against sin and temptation. You are not alone! They talk about ways anyone can avoid feeding sin struggle and how to push through what we feel to chase after what is true.
Preaching from Isaiah 40 and Psalm 121 this week, Dion van Breda reminds us that while struggles and challenges will come our way, our hope is in the Person of Jesus Christ, who is unchanging and unchangeable.Other things may bring us temporary pleasure of relief from our fear and anxiety, but when we abide in Christ we find true hope and lasting peace.Isaiah 40: 28 - 31Do you not know? Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
In the message “DON'T LOSE HEART,” Pastor Rich Whitter walks through Hebrews 12:3–11, calling believers to persevere by fixing their eyes on Jesus. This passage reminds us to consider Christ, who endured hostility, suffering, and the cross without giving up—so that we do not grow weary or lose heart in our own struggles.Pastor Rich explains that hardship is not a sign of God's absence, but often evidence of His loving discipline. God uses trials to train, shape, and strengthen His children, producing righteousness and peace in those who submit to His work. This message encourages us to endure with trust, knowing that God's correction is purposeful, His love is constant, and His refining process is always for our good.
Scott Gilchrist | 1 Peter 4:7; Luke 18:1-8Also available on video
Don't Lose Heart | 1 Corinthians 4:1-12
Pray and Do not Lose Heart January 4, 2026 Pastor Ben Bufkin 00:00 In the face of evil, we must not lose heart 23:58 In the face of evil, we must never stop praying 36:57 In the face of evil, our God is faithful
In the midst of sin, trials, and death, Paul encourages us not to lose heart.We are not to lose heart because:- Our inner self is being renewed day by day.- Our troubles are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory.- Our eyes are fixed on what is unseen and eternal.Time:EveningMinister:Rev. Joe PoppeTexts:2 Corinthians 4:16–182 Corinthians 4:1—5:10Series:2 Corinthians
Guest Preacher Nathanael De Leon continues his series on transformational prayer and shares how we must persist in prayer, even when God seems silent.
This message takes us deep into 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, where we discover three transformative truths that can sustain us through life's wilderness seasons. First, we find certainty in the resurrection of Jesus Christ—the very foundation that electrified Paul's ministry and can energize our faith today. When we grasp that Christ's resurrection guarantees our own, everything changes. Our bodies may break down, the church may seem messy, and creation itself groans for redemption, but we are one step behind Christ in the resurrection line. This isn't about early retirement and a hassle-free life; it's about participating in God's great renewal project. Second, we discover a resolute purpose that makes our suffering meaningful: as we endure hardship in Jesus' name, grace mysteriously extends to more people and thanksgiving increases to God's glory. We become living displays of the gospel, showing a watching world that satisfaction can be found in Christ even amid misery. Finally, we gain confidence in our transformation—our inner self is being renewed even as our outer self wastes away. Like world-class athletes who endure rigorous training for ultimate victory, we're being prepared for an eternal weight of glory that dwarfs our present troubles. We need new spectacles—not the lenses of time that make us feel like we're losing, but the spectacles of eternity that reveal we're on the winning side.
We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at equipping you for moral and spiritual transformation. Today's Bible reading is 2 Corinthians 4:7–18. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional. Browse other resources from Jason C. Meyer. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter
2 Corinthians 4:1-18 - Have you ever felt worn down or beat up in your attempt to follow Jesus? Have you ever tried to minister his word only to be rejected or mocked for talking about a crucified Lord? Paul knew what that was like and in 2 Corinthians 4, he defends both his ministry and his message. He refused to practice underhanded schemes or twist the scriptures for personal gain. Instead, he proclaimed the plain truth in the sight of God. Now, ministry like that may be ignored or opposed, but Paul's confidence was in the Creator who makes new creations. Instead of weakness and suffering being disqualifying features, Paul claimed that genuine gospel ministry is marked by power in weakness and life in death. In the end, the apostle encourages all of us not to lose heart because our great God can use momentary affliction to produce for us an eternal weight of glory. So may we continue following in the steps of our Lord proclaiming his name to all who will hear.
Waiting is hard when you know how long you'll wait. Waiting is near impossible when you don't. Jesus promised his disciples that one day the Son of Man will return and God's justice will reign. But first they must wait. And they don't know how long. Which might lead to great discouragement and doubt. Jesus prepares his disciples for those days with a parable of a persistent widow and an unjust judge. As we await the kingdom, Jesus means to strengthen our hearts from Luke 18:1-8, that upon his return he might find faith on earth.
Pastor Bear Morton | 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Send me a Text Message!In Luke 18, Jesus tells a story with a meaning, often called a parable. But in this case, Jesus starts with the "why," the meaning. Often when Jesus told a parable,he wouldn't give the why. He wanted the listeners to grapple with the meaning without being fed the answer. But in this case, the why of the story is so important that Jesus tells it up front. "Don't miss this." He's saying. "I'm going to tell you a story and I want the story to always remind you of the fact that we should alwayspray and never give up. Never forget this. Always pray. Never give up.Basically Jesus is repeating a message we find over and over again in the Bible. "Don't lose heart." When it comes to prayer, find something good to pray for and then don't stop. Don't lose heart!
Sermon by Tim Rich at 10:00 a.m. on Walk In Love Pledge Campaign Kick Off Sunday, October 19, 2025 at All Saints Church, Pasadena. Readings: Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119:97-104 and Luke 18:1-8. Watch the sermon on YouTube. Please consider pledging to All Saints Church at https://allsaints-pas.org/pledge/, or donate to support the mission and ministry of All Saints at https://allsaints-pas.org/giving/. Any donation, big or small, is appreciated! Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsPasadena/. Follow us on Instagram at #allsaintspas. Check out the rest of our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/allsaintspasadena1/videos. Subscribe, like, get notifications every time we post! Enjoy our extensive archive of stimulating and inspiring content!
This Sunday centers on the new covenant written on the heart (Jeremiah 31) and the sweet, wisdom-forming Word(Psalm 119) equipping us “for every good work” (2 Timothy 3–4). In the Gospel, Jesus commends the widow's relentless petition as a model of persistent prayer for justice and asks whether he will find faith on earth (Luke 18:1–8). Together with the Collect and hymnody, the service calls us to steadfast faith, patient endurance, and public hope. Entrance Hymn #372 Praise to the Living GodSequence Hymn #628 Help Us, O Lord, To LearnOffertory Anthem Exsultate! (Lightfoot)Communion Anthem I Lift My Eyes (Hopson)Post-Communion Hymn #535 Ye Servants of GodTHE COLLECT OF THE DAYAlmighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.FIRST READING Jeremiah 31:27-34Reader A reading from the Prophet Jeremiah.The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. In those days they shall no longer say:"The parents have eaten sour grapes,and the children's teeth are set on edge."But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge.The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt-- a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM Psalm...
This sermon on Luke 18:1–8 explores the widow's relentless petition and Jesus' call to pray always and not lose heart. We name real places of waiting—illness, grief, caregiving—and practice a faith that keeps knocking while trusting God's timing. Includes three simple habits for a week of hopeful perseverance. Theme: Persistent prayer, patience, and trust in God's timingKey texts: Luke 18:1–8; 2 Timothy 3–4; Psalm 121Practices: fixed-time daily prayer, “Your time, not mine,” one concrete follow-up stepReflection prompts included in blog post (link in episode description).
Sermon preached by Fr Ben Sternke at The Table's worship service on October 19, 2025 (19th Sunday after Pentecost)
Send us a textA Land Called Homily is where you'll find the weekly talks given by David Chatel at St. Paul's Episcopal Chapel in Magnolia Springs, Alabama. This episode is from the 19th Sunday after Pentecost and based on Luke 18:1-8. For more content and information, visit www.davidchatel.com. Thanks for listening!
Luke 18:1-8
Pastor Andy preaches a sermon on how to have a prayer life filled with hope.Full Sermon: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3tz9zelSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3L68G2TGive to Grace Online: gracelutheran1.org/giveGive us a five-star review on Google: https://shorturl.at/JdBL5Pastor Andy's sermons are available each week on a podcast! You can download and listen to them on either Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Be sure to subscribe and leave a review.
Support our Show:bit.ly/BuyMeACoffeeUKGWhen the weight of life gets heavy, where do you place your hope?My dear friend, trusting God isn't about having perfect faith. It's about remembering who He is. A big God. A God who sees the whole picture even when you're stuck in the middle.
In this episode of Pray the Word on Luke 18:1, David Platt encourages us to persevere in prayer with all our hearts.Listen to our newest podcast, Everyday Radical!Explore more content from Radical.
Glory Unveiled | Week 5 | Kathy Harrelson--In order to not lose heart, Paul highlights the privilege of ministry, God's empowerment for ministry, and the importance of keeping an eternal perspective.--Outline
God's discipline proves His love for us and our sonship. In your pain, do not lose heart and see God's hand in your suffering.
"For this light and momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison..." 2 Corinthians 4:17
Let us not grow weary because Jesus is greater, and in Him everything is better.
Today we pulled an episode from the archives–When you are tested, you find out what you believe. We can lose heart as we look at outward circumstances. Speak what you believe, not just what you see or feel. This is how you maintain hope, how you don't lose heart in what you are doing.
Strengthen your heart and renew your courage by fixing your gaze on the invisible truth you see in the testimony of those who saw Christ face to face.