Joy of Answered Prayer

 

 

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You are now very sad. But later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel. When that time comes, you won’t have to ask me about anything. I tell you for certain that the Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name. Then it will be given to you, so that you will be completely happy.

John 16:22-24

It is not the gift that makes you happy, but the One who gives it! 

Forty-three years ago, on my birthday, a friend of mine, Gary Arnold, gave me a small plaster, mushroom shaped paper weight with a circle of felt on the bottom. I can’t imagine that it cost more than a couple of dollars, but it still sits on my desk today as a reminder of the days I worked for Gary and the friendship that developed during the years after that.

The gift is precious to me because the one who gave it was a special friend!

Answered prayer is a gift from God! When God answers your prayer, His hand touches you at your point of need. It is not the blessing He provides that is so memorable. It is being totally aware that the Creator of everything is reaching out and touching you! That is amazing.

Today, when I look at my plaster mushroom, I see my friend Gary and I think about when I will see him again at the feet of Jesus!

And when I think of the many answered prayers during my years here on earth, I am reminded that God Almighty is the one who not only formed me in my mother’s womb, but enables every breath I have taken and will take until the day I die!

“Lord Jesus, make me completely happy today by reminding me You are the One who gives me life itself! May we praise forever Your Holy Name! Amen.”

When Jesus Breaks Your Bread

 

 

 

The disciples had forgotten to bring any bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.  Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.”

The disciples talked this over and said to each other, “He must be saying this because we don’t have any bread.”

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you talking about not having any bread? Don’t you understand? Are your minds still closed? Are your eyes blind and your ears deaf? Don’t you remember how many baskets of leftovers you picked up when I fed those five thousand people with only five small loaves of bread?”

“Yes,” the disciples answered. “There were twelve baskets.”

Jesus then asked, “And how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up when I broke seven small loaves of bread for those four thousand people?”

“Seven,” they answered.

Mark 8:14-20

When Jesus needed bread for 5,000 people He used 5 small loaves and had 12 baskets of leftover bread after they ate.  When Jesus feed 4,000 people He started with 7 small loaves and collected 7 baskets of leftovers.  This sounds like the beginning of a high school math problem where you are asked to calculate how many people were satisfied with only one loaf.  

You probably realize though that there is no formula to determine how big the blessing of God's increase will be. The answer is surely this: When Jesus takes what you have and applies it to the need, you will have ENOUGH! 

Jesus never comes up short of the need! He often provides less than you think you need, but when Jesus breaks your bread, standard accounting measures lose track and are not able to see what He is doing!

If God calls you to do this or that, don't seek to "raise the funds" needed to accomplish it. Rather take what you have and put that in the hands of Jesus. Jesus doesn't need your money! Jesus needs your willingness to give Him whatever you have, no matter how small it is! Your small gift can satisfy thousands after it passes through the hands of Jesus and is broken by Him!

"Lord Jesus, I know you can take even one small loaf of bread and feed thousands of people. Lord, show me the needs of Your work on this earth and take my heart and everything I have to spread Your blessing to those who have not heard! Praise Your Holy Name now and forever. Amen."

Perfect Love Story!

 

 

 

 

You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts. You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.

Psalm 139:1-6

If someone loves you because you are perfect, you can know for certain that sooner or later you will disappoint and your "perfect love story" will end! You are not perfect. Born with the sinful nature of Adam and Eve, you are destined to sin and "fall short of the Glory of God!"

If you married your husband or wife because you thought you had found the "perfect person," you either have already found out, or will find out that you were wrong! 

There is no "perfect person" except Jesus Christ! He is calling you to come to Him and be part of His Bride forever in Heaven! Jesus loves you, not because you are perfect. He loves you because He is perfect and His perfection is His Eternal Wedding gift to all those who come to Him! You are given His righteousness and He takes responsibility for the judgement you deserve because of your sin! 

Jesus doesn't love you because you repented and cleaned up your life! You repent of your sins and begin to walk in His steps because Jesus loves you! The power of His Blood and Sacrifice on the Cross changes you into His likeness! 

It is amazing and beyond anyone's ability to understand!

"Lord Jesus, You are the author of the Perfect Love Story! Jesus, You are indeed my only hope of Eternal Glory! May Your Name be praised now and forever. Amen."

 

 

 

Please Come After Me!

 

 

I am your servant, but I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Please come after me, because I have not forgotten your teachings.

Psalm 119:176 

It only takes a moment to begin wandering away from the Lord! It may begin with a vengeful or hate filled thought, and then you go on to replace that thought with a sinful action.  

When you realize that you are wandering away from God, instead of crying out in sorrow for your sin, cry out for Him to come after you and rescue you from your foolishness! 

If you were lost at sea and suddenly a rescue boat appeared, you would not spend all your energy  weeping and wailing about how sorry you are for getting lost!

When the Holy Spirit begins the work of convicting your heart of sin, the miracle of a changed life sprouts from your hardened soil.

A pride filled man grieves because his expectations of personal perfection are destroyed by his need for Jesus!   

If you have wandered away from God, even for a moment, call out to Jesus to come after you and rescue you from your own foolishness!  

"Lord Jesus, come after me today and rescue me! It is only by Your Blood and Power that I can expect to come into the presence of God and fall down before the Throne! May Your Holy Name be praised now and forever. Amen!"