Thursday, October 11, 2012

God Hears Our Prayers

Devote yourselves to prayers, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

-- Colossians 4:2-3

The other side of the valley is filled with brilliant light. When the darkness parts, the blessings seem so much deeper. Maybe because they touch our souls in a way that only God can.

A dear friend has spent much of this year in agony. She’s endured surgery and pain so intense she was almost afraid to move. More than two weeks ago she entered the hospital again, this time in ICU. She had a respirator and didn’t recognize anyone, including her beloved husband.

We were all scared. We want so desperately for her to live and to thrive, to leave the pain and sickness behind. We prayed for her. Again and again we stood over her and prayed. We prayed in church and we prayed at home. Whenever we thought of her, we prayed.

And, yet, we were willing to let her go home. She is a strong Christian who lives her faith. I smile as I remember her rush to purchase items for the Santa for Seniors program last year. She was happy to help. Silly though it seems, not too many Christians smile when they’re spending money for people they don’t know.

Somehow holding on to this vibrant woman seemed cruel. She deserves laughter like she gives to others. She deserves a full life free of pain. She deserves so much more than I. And yet she lay there fighting even as the fight seemed to leave her.

God heard our prayers. The respirator, which seemed like a permanent fixture, was successfully removed. And, now, three days later she is like her old self. She knows us all. She smiles. She is weak but she is alive and for that we are so very grateful. She is our miracle.

I look around me sometimes and I see so many sick and hurting people. One friend faces incurable cancer. Another is fighting lung cancer -- again. There are so many who are hurting and in need. And, yet, we see God’s hand, we see His Grace, everywhere.

This miracle is a reminder to us all that God is present even in the most dire circumstances. He holds us close and hears our prayers. And sometimes, yes sometimes, God gives us back what we thought we had lost. Praise be to God!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Remember Who Your Father Is

“Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The LORD brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” -- Judges 6:13

Have you ever felt like Gideon, abandoned by God and trying to figure out why? Most of us probably have. Of course, God never abandons us. It’s just that circumstances, whether it’s not getting something we want or losing someone we love, sometimes cause us to pull away from Him.

We want a miracle. We expect God to swoop in a save us from whatever it is that we’re facing. Sometimes He does. Sometimes He doesn’t. And sometimes He calls us to step up so He can use us to do His work.

That is a scary place indeed. It’s the place where you ask again and again if God truly expects you to do it. You. Gideon offered God what he thought was a reasonable excuse for not stepping up. “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15) As if God didn’t already know.

We want God to do something wonderful for us. We just don’t want to be involved until it’s time to take the glory and reap the rewards. God rarely works that way. Not that He couldn’t. He’d just prefer that we learn to trust Him along the way.

Yet we still doubt. The Bible tells us not to test God but Gideon did. First, he asked for a sign that the LORD was the One truly speaking to Him. God provided it. Then Gideon asked God to prove He was truly going to save Israel -- using Gideon -- by letting a wool fleece be wet with dew in the morning even though the ground was dry. God did. Then Gideon asked God to do the reverse. He did that too.

How many times have you asked God for a sign? Be honest now. We’ve all done it repeatedly. We want to be sure we’re doing what God wants us to do. So we ask. Then He gives us a sign or speaks to our hearts. But we’re still scared, so we ask again. Sometimes I wonder if God wouldn’t prefer to shake some sense into us rather than continue with our little song and dance routine.

Well, as we all know, Gideon was successful and He did lead a small army forward and they defeated the Midianites. And He gave God credit for the victory. Because, really, the victory did belong to God.

We forget sometimes, when we’re making excuses and doubting ourselves and God, that He can do anything. We see Him as something smaller than He is because we can’t imagine a God so great He can do anything -- including using an insignificant human to do great things for His people.

Next time you start making excuses, remember who your Creator is. Remember who your Father is. Remember who your God is. Then go forward with courage. He won't ever let you down.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Expect The Impossible

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" -- Matthew 14:31

Peter wanted to walk on water. And he did. Peter got out of the boat and headed toward Jesus. He was doing fine -- until he got scared. Then he started to sink. Jesus caught him anyway and then asked Peter why he'd doubted.

What is it you want to do today? What do you want Jesus to help you accomplish? Don't limit yourself. And don't limit Jesus. He can do anything. Really. Anything. So throw out the excuses because when it comes to Jesus those excuses really have no meaning.

We really do tend to underestimate Jesus. We categorize Him just like another person, putting our limitations on to Him. It seems ridiculous but we do it anyway. Maybe we assume that if something isn't humanly possible then He can't do it either. How silly is that?

Recently a man lay in the hospital getting weaker and weaker as the doctors tried to correct a heart condition. Other organs started failing. The situation didn't look good. The family said they needed a miracle. Prayers went up. After all, Jesus is all about miracles. The man came home from the hospital last week. He's doing just fine.

But Jesus doesn't limit Himself to life and death matters. Do you need a new job? Is your car about to fall apart? Are you facing a broken relationship with no hope of reconciliation? Don't give up. Ask Jesus to intervene. Ask Jesus to provide. Ask Jesus to lead you where He would have you go.

Jesus loves his sheep. You, me, and everyone else. He loves us. And He wants good things for us. Give Him control of your life. Ask for His help. Don't look around and think that there's no way something wonderful can happen. Look to Jesus and know something wonderful will happen.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Step Out In Faith

"for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"

-- Ephesians 5:14

Some things are just so profound that they need sharing. Some things are just so simple that they are amazing. Oswald Chambers is so wonderful at getting to the heart of what God means for us to do.

Why is it that we think that we don't have to do anything except believe? We fully expect God to save us from whatever calamity we're in without us having to act. We expect God to grant our wishes and our good fortune without any real effort on our part? I'm not talking about the easy stuff here. Nope. I'm looking at the hard stuff. The stuff that requires stepping out in faith without any sort of visible net.

God gives us the inspiration and skills to do the impossible. But we have to do the impossible. We have to believe and move already. Just look at all those miracles from Jesus. The paralized had to get up and walk. Peter had to let down his nets for them to be filled. Zacchaeus had to seek Jesus out and then come down from the tree and welcome Christ into his home. And on and on. Yes, the miracles were there but the recipient had to believe and act on that belief.

"God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome," Chambers writes. We are able to overcome any obstacle when the force of Christ is behind us. We can do anything when God's will is our calling. Why are we so afraid to take that first step? Is it because we don't really believe? Or is it because we're waiting for God to do it for us?

Stop cowering in fear and step forward in faith. When God calls you to a task, He will certainly bless you and clear the path before you. You will succeed no matter how impossible the odds. Remember that your God -- and mine -- is a maker of miracles. Hallelujah! Now get moving.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Miracles Come From God

"How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five -- and two fish." -- Mark 6:38

I always find myself wanting to add the "rest of the story" to this tale of Jesus and His miracle. We get so caught up in Jesus telling the disciples to feed the crowd -- 5,000 men plus women and children -- and the miracle that came from the bread and fish that we forget that someone had to have given the bread and fish to begin with.

Oh, I know. God caused it all to happen so that everyone could see what He can do with just a little. But someone gave up their bread and fish. Someone -- like you or me -- gave the little that they had. What if those people (I have no idea how many people were involved) said no? They could have. They could have kept all their food for themselves and not worried about anyone else. They could have rationalized that their little bit of food wouldn't even begin to feed that crowd so why bother giving any at all.

Isn't that what we all do sometimes? We tell ourselves our meager bit of money, time or effort won't amount to anything so we don't even try. We don't put that $5 in the Salvation Army kettle. We don't volunteer those two hours at the homeless shelter. We don't invite our neighbors to church. We don't bother doing our part because we figure our small offering won't matter.

But it does. God can take a little bit from us and a little bit from someone else and on and on until He has accomplished something magnificent. That's the part we tend to forget. God can do anything. He always has a plan. All we have to do is do our part, then get out of the way and watch the miracles unfold.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Find Strength In God

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." -- Isaiah 40:31a

We always share prayer concerns and praises during Sunday school. Rebecca's name came up again. The precious little girl is dying. The doctors have done all they can. Her parents have refused to give up hope. They have taken her on a pilgrimage, desperately seeking a miracle only God can provide.

God is a maker of miracles. He can do anything, including cure an incurable disease and heal the body of a dying child. If He chooses. If it is His will.

I inquired recently about a husband and wife who, along with their young daughter, were all set to become missionaries when they learned he was sick. The physicals required to go overseas likely saved his life. They sought God's will and the man accepted a call to pastor at a small church. They expected a healing and, eventually, for their plans to head overseas as missionaries to continue.

They've now learned that his disease will probably take his life within five years. He resigned his position as pastor and moved closer to a large hospital. He and his wife have taken other jobs, their plans to devote their lives to serving God are derailed.

Or maybe not. They are at peace with whatever God chooses to do in their lives. Certainly, they would like healing and restoration for the lives they had planned. But choosing to follow God frequently brings unexpected twists and turns, some good and some challenging. They are trusting God to see them through, to provide strength on this journey.

It is what I would hope and pray for Rebecca's parents. Oh, how I wish that God would touch that little girl and heal her body. And He may yet provide that miracle her parents seek. But I pray that no matter what path He chooses, that Rebecca's parents will find His peace and strength to see them through this difficult trial.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Expect Miracles

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

-- Matthew 21:22

I'll been repeating this verse to God frequently. I seem to always start it with "you said." I think He would probably like to remind me that there's nothing wrong with His hearing. He heard me the first time. And the second. And the third, fourth, and all the other times. Just in case, I've included a few other Bible passages about healing and belief.

This one is important. It is something only prayer can heal. Oh, I know. The doctors have done all they can. There's still a chance for surgery. It's not a good bet though. Frankly, I'm putting my faith in Jesus. He is steady and sure. He said to believe and I do. He can and will heal this little guy.

I figure I've probably insulted a few people who have prayed for healing for their spouses and children, They've begged God for more time with parents or siblings. They've asked for cancer-free bodies and limbs that work once again. They feel insulted that I would expect God to heal one small dog when He didn't heal them or their loved one. Sorry, but I do.

I realize that sometimes God says no. He might say no this time. Sometimes He has something even better in mind and we must go through this valley to reach that distant peak. I also know that God sometimes gives us miracles that are more spectacular that anything we could imagine. I'm expecting a miracle.

Oh, when it comes, there will be those they claim credit. It was the medicine or the aloe vera or just the body healing itself. Nope. God alone. Even the veternarians, strong Christians that they are, will agree. Thanks God. Thanks. For being who you are. For loving us where we are. And for healing one small dog with a really big attitude.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Faith Brings Miracles

"When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"

"Yes, Lord," they replied.

Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored. -- Matthew 9:28-30a

I believe in miracles. I believe God can heal anything and anyone. I believe God loves animals just as He loves people. And I believe in the power of prayer.

Today we brought our little dog home from the hospital. He is a member of our family just as surely as any human relative. I know some think we're crazy. How can we care for a paraplegic dog? How does anyone care for a paraplegic? With love and caring and a great deal of prayer.

I know God blessed us with our vets. They are wonderful. Christians. The sight of that cross never fails to give me hope. Before we left today, I asked one of the doctors to pray over our little guy. And he did. I felt the strength of that.

I don't know what God's answer will be. I realize that sometimes He says no. I also believe He hears the pleas of His children. That He sees our tears and knows our pain. I never forget that the shortest verse in the Bible is simply, "Jesus wept."

I also know that God will give us strength to face the hours and days ahead. He will give us the wisdom we need. He will lead us to make the best decisions. And He will heal this little fellow who still has so much spark. God is the creator of all miracles. I fully expect to see one emerge from this tragedy.