Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
From the beginning of my Reformation I have asked God to send me neither dreams, nor visions, nor angels, but to give me the right understanding of His Word, the Holy Scriptures; for as long as I have God's Word, I know that I am walking in His way and that I shall not fall into any error or delusion.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of understanding God's Word over seeking extraordinary signs or visions.
In this quote, Martin Luther expresses his desire for a clear and sound understanding of the Holy Scriptures rather than relying on dreams, visions, or encounters with angels. He believes that having a deep comprehension of God's Word provides a solid foundation for his faith and guidance in life, ensuring that he remains on the right path and avoids falling into misconceptions or deceptions.
In practice
In a sermon, to highlight the importance of focusing on scripture for spiritual guidance.
Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Now if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that he is Lord over all things. ...God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.
In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Receive what cheer you may. The night is long that never finds the day.
Remember always, you are the gift!
Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer.
The measure of human character is our reaction to dark times. No one can sidestep darkness. It is the throne upon which light sits. If a soul has not known sadness and struggle, there is no chance of overcoming, no cherishing the dawn.
I made one great mistake in my life-when I signed the letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atom bombs be made but there was some justification-the danger that the Germans would make them.
All suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction.
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