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Sunday—March 22, 2009

PASSING UP AN OPPORTUNITY

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6 (NIV)

God is amazing in so many ways, and one of the ways He is, is how He answers prayer. A very common thing to pray for is for God to help us do what the Word calls us to do. As sinful people this can be a very common prayer. It can be very easy to pray for God to make a change in your heart so you can be more like Him. (1 Peter 1:15-16 - But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.”) You may ask God to give you a boldness to step outside your comfort zone and evangelize. God is all-knowing and has a plan for everything. Instead of making your mind think as His does, sometimes He will work through you. It may not always be obvious when he is giving you an opportunity either.

Something I know I need to work on is evangelizing, and since Rev. Ron Rand came last month this hasn’t been far from my mind. I have often prayed for God to help me evangelize by giving me boldness that I don’t naturally possess. When I think about it, he has given me many chances.

One opportunity that I passed up several years ago occurred on a mission trip. We were going around the streets of Mexico going house to house, talking to people about Jesus and asking if they have heard about the wonderful gift He has given them. I was so nervous and unwilling to step outside my comfort zone, I didn’t talk to anyone we met. I was asked several times if I wanted to say anything or talk to anyone, but I just said no and crawled back inside of myself. I regret not acting on the opportunity or talking to anyone.

I am thankful that recently I took advantage of several opportunities God gave me in praying with my unchurched grandfather. He lived with us the last 10 months of his life and I believe went on to be with the Lord while in our family room. It is a blessing to see how God used my grandfather’s illness to open doors for my family and me to minister to him.

It can be very easy to overlook an opportunity that God is giving us. We should always be looking for a time when God is answering our prayers, maybe not in the way we would have thought.

Joshua Kinderman

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LIVE IT

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

I had fallen into the habit of complaining and grumbling. I didn’t like the person I had become. I needed to re-focus on the Lord and how he has blessed me. I decided to take a two day retreat, praying and reading the word. I pulled out a Bible study, “That I May Know Him” based on Philippians and Colossians, led several years ago by Christy Lanning and Colleen Grogan. As I read, reread and studied Philippians and Colossians, many verses spoke to me:

Philippians 2: 5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 2: 14-15 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe.”

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

I prayed, thought about my family, friends and members of our body. If I want to bring family and friends to Christ, I need to be the light of Jesus and live it. Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” As I was praying, Jack Samad came to mind. The last time I saw Jack, he didn’t complain even though he was so sick; he asked how I was. Jack loved Jesus and lived it. Jack brought many to Christ by the life he led. He lived each day as if it were his last.

I realize that I need to live each day as if it is my last. God has chosen me. My job on earth is not to complain but to live the following verse: Philippians 4:9: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be you.”

Colossians 1:2b “Grace and peace to you from God our Father.”

Peggy Moses

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THE JOY OF PRAYER

These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. - Isaiah 56:7 (ESV)

When our son Scott was 11 years old, we attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Denver (where we were living at the time). Toward the end of the service, Scott decided to go forward when the altar call was issued. We were extremely happy at this event, believing that he had come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. However, by the time Scott was 14, he was in open rebellion against his parents, and more importantly, against God. It was painfully obvious that his confession at the crusade had been no more than a mere mouthing of words. At this point we bore a serious burden to pray that God would use us in bringing Scott to a real salvation.

Were our prayers immediately answered? No! We continued to pray for 15 more long years until our prodigal son truly received Christ. This 15 year period was a time of many heartaches and great anxiety, wondering if God would ever answer our prayers. Near the end of this period, God saw fit to uproot us from our home in Denver to move to Cincinnati. How would God use us at distance of 1,200 miles away from where we were needed? Within a few years after God took us out of the way, Scott met Amy, a fine Christian woman from a strong Christian family. It was through these circumstances that God was able to bring Scott back to Himself.

What does this vignette have to do with joy in prayer? Certainly we found joy at the outcome of this journey. But one must also ask if there was any joy to be found in prayer during the midst of these circumstances. To be truthful, no; I experienced precious little joy in this situation. What was it that robbed me of joy in prayer in the midst of that situation? Two things immediately come to my mind. First of all is the problem of being weighed down by the serious business of prayer. It seems that much of my prayer time is spent in supplication for the burdens of this world that beset my family, my friends, and me. I find myself focusing on the concerns that I pray about, rather than the One to Whom I pray. The second is my desire for immediate results. I become disappointed when my prayers aren’t answered on my time schedule, or in a way that doesn’t fit my plans. I find myself praying that “my will” be done, and not “Thy will” be done.

When I pray, I enter into a conversation with the Lord. He has already spoken to me through His Word and I respond to Him through prayer. When I pray, I enter into His presence. This is where the joy of prayer is - simply in being in the presence of the Lord. When I pray, I know that I can come to Him with all of my burdens and cares, no matter how trivial or large, and I have all confidence in Him, that He will answer my prayers in His perfect wisdom and timing.

Harvey Landholm

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OBEYING GOD’S PLAN

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:11, 12 (ESV)

In 2001 when my husband announced suddenly that he wanted to move to Twin Towers Retirement Community, I was dismayed and upset. As I came to the realization that I was moving, I prayed, “OK, God, this is Your plan and I thank You. Show me what you want me to do.” Shortly after moving into our beautiful new apartment, I was inspired by a sign in a hall that read, “Twin Towers is a Christian community, called to make a difference in the lives we touch.” Soon another new resident and I seemed drawn to each other. I really liked her, but she let me know that she had no use for church. She said that when her husband died, they had no funeral service, but a party where they told stories, had drinks and toasted the departed. I prayed that I could be a witness to her.

One morning in my prayer time I had a sense of urgency that I must give a New Testament to my friend that day. A few minutes later, as I was walking down the hall to the bank, I ran into our Chaplain. She said, Leigh, just a few minutes ago, I stopped in front of your door and prayed that you would have a chance to be a witness to your friend. This morning she finally allowed me to read a Psalm to her. On the way back to my apartment I turned a corner and same face to face with my church-hating friend. I asked if I could come visit with her. The Holy Spirit had been at work. As I shared my testimony, she interrupted and asked, “How can I do this?” She prayed a prayer of commitment and the joy was evident as Jesus lifted her burden and freed her. In the following days she read her New Testament and was a new person.

A few weeks later my friend was rushed to the hospital and died in the emergency room. The next day I received a call from her daughter, saying that because her mother had talked about me and what I had done for her, they were going to have a service in the chapel. She invited me to come and asked me to speak. Of course I agreed. Then the Chaplain called and said, “Leigh, did you realize that your friend’s family not only wants you to do the eulogy, you’re it; you’re doing the whole funeral?” So I experienced the blessing of sharing to a full chapel how God answered prayers and how my friend received Jesus and eternal life. Proverbs 3:5, 6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Leigh Ismael

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GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS PRAYER

…if we ask anything according to His will we know that He hears us. 1 John 5:14-15 (ESV)

We are called to express our needs to the Father knowing that He loves us and wants to bless us. We also know that He is the sovereign King and Lord of all history. His will always comes to pass. Therefore, He is not our “divine bellhop.” He uses all things together for our good, meaning He uses all things to transform us into the image of Jesus.

I have kept a prayer journal for more than 20 years and have seen the blessings of God in answering prayers time after time. In some cases, it is quite clear that He intervened in the affairs of men. I know for sure He is a miracle-working God.

However, there are times when the answer to our prayers, even those made in faith, is either “no”, “not now” or “My way”. Such was the case with my son, Brett, who was born with a sternum which grows into the chest cavity rather than straight down the front of the body. By the time he was 7, our pediatrician recommended an operation.

The procedure required breaking the sternum and the connection to every rib. To put it mildly, this was serious. Sharon and I prayed and asked many to join us in believing God for a miracle of His healing touch. We prayed fervently and persistently asking God to move. I will never forget the morning of Brett’s operation. I entered his room and felt his chest, fully expecting that God had healed my son. But much to my heartbreak, God said, “My way is best”.

Brett underwent the operation. It went off without any complications. The doctor expected Brett to be in the hospital for 10 to 14 days, but he recovered fully and was sent home after only a week. God healed our son and we give Him all the praise. He hears every prayer and He always answers. Praise His holy name!

Rick Schatz

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GOD ANSWERS

On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3 (NKJV)

God answers my prayers with a “yes”, “no” or “wait”. He answers instantly or over a long period of time. He answers in different and even in funny ways; He answers every prayer, from the simple things to the heavy issues.

One evening in bed, I just felt the heavy cloak of darkness upon me. I felt pressed down and I could hardly breathe, speak or even open my eyes. I repeatedly said the name of Jesus in my mind until I could say it aloud. After that, I felt a release and the weight lifted. I realized that not only is our Lord Jesus Christ everywhere but also Satan. How powerful is the name of Jesus to combat the darkness!

I also prayed for Luther, asking God if he was the right life partner for me and I for him. There were three occasions that people verbally told me that we looked good together and the like. I was happy, but not satisfied, so I asked God to reveal in His Word because I reasoned that people change and I wanted something more concrete and reliable. I specifically asked God to show me three verses to confirm and He gave them to me at different times.

Once we were married, Luther and I prayed for a child. This time it took years for God to answer. I know that His ways are higher and He was working in and through our lives. What a blessing when we had Inna! Shortly thereafter, we had another child and this time - a boy. We found out that he had an enlarged heart and we did not know if he could survive. When I delivered him, he only lived for 30 minutes. We were grieved and we know that God is the author of life and our son is with Him. Then, we prayed again if it is God's will for us to have another child. God took time to answer and now we have Chai.

My mother would occasionally text me encouraging words like:

"God never leaves us alone facing difficult moments of life. He knows the limit of our endurance and He will always be there in our times of need."

Through all these experiences, I thank God that my faith continues to grow. Prayer is like a breath of life; it is always a part of me. GOD ANSWERS ALL THE TIME. :)

Cybele Risma

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MY WEAKNESS, GOD'S STRENGTH

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

In my early days as a Christian, I often had no idea what to say in prayer. This was particularly true when I felt guilty, mired in sin, and unworthy of speaking to God. Whatever I said always seemed so inadequate. However, now as life has unfolded, I see that my weakest prayers have often resulted in God’s strongest answers.

When I was an 18 year old freshman in college, I found myself in a serious crisis. I had accepted Christ just three years earlier, following a very troubled time in my youth. Although I considered myself a Christian, I did not much consider what it meant to be a Christian. I allowed myself to be deceived into sinful behavior. A few weeks after being dumped by my boyfriend, I discovered I might be pregnant. I was so afraid, the anxiety was crushing. I prayed and begged God, “Please don’t let it happen.” At the same time I wondered why God should help me. If I had ignored God’s laws, why shouldn’t He ignore my pleas?

The options crushed me. There wasn’t a single choice that wouldn’t change my life forever. I knew two other girls in the same situation; they were opting for abortion. They said it was the only thing they could do, and yet I knew it was the only thing I could not do. Giving a baby up seemed too heartbreaking, while keeping it seemed terribly selfish. The more I considered it, it overwhelmed me. I just kept praying, “Please don’t let it happen, Lord.”

When it was confirmed that I was pregnant, instead of feeling ignored by God, I finally felt clear about what I was going to do. With the support of my family, I decided I would keep the baby. It was not an easy decision to make, nor to see through. In the days before I finally graduated, I often doubted that I could be a mother and stay in college. Clearly, I was uplifted as God answered my weak prayer.

God continued to answer that prayer, and provided for my son and me. As I prayed for a husband, who would also be a loving father to my son, God answered the prayers of a wonderful Christian man, who had been looking for a wife and longing to be a father. My son was blessed with the dad he needed, and eventually a sister to love and adore.

At a time when I feared something terrible, God knew He would turn my sin into one of the greatest blessings of my life. In those fearful days I could have acted on my anxiety and made another sinful choice, thinking it was the only thing I could do. But God answered my prayer…He did not let it happen.

Erin Meyer

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ANSWERING A SYMPHONY OF PRAYERS

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)

For those of you who were involved in the College Hill Swim Ministry, this verse will bring many fond memories. I was blessed when I would see little three year olds “signing” Philippians 4:13 “I can do anything God wants me to do by the power He gives me to do it!”

Over the years, the words of Paul in Philippians 4 have become a very important part of my soul. So important, in fact, Philippians 4: 6, 7 will be under my name on my headstone! Sometimes the words preceding verse 11, “have no anxiety about anything…” and “Rejoice in the Lord always” may seem trite as we often refer to them when facing extraordinary challenges. Yet, as we read on, exactly the opposite is true.

As Paul sits in prison (a very dismal place in those days), he is teaching a life lesson that touches the very core of who we are and, as Christ followers, what we believe. When I was 26 years old, my husband of 5 years was diagnosed with cancer. I was devastated to say the least and when no other words made sense I would repeat over and over “have no anxiety about anything…have no anxiety about anything.” Shortly into our 30 year battle with this dreadful disease, the Lord showed me that, in order to have no anxiety, I needed to learn what it means to be content in all situations.

So, this devotional isn’t giving an explanation of an answer to one simple prayer, but an answer to a symphony of prayers offered over 3 decades. It is the most powerful and tangible answer of prayer in my life. The Lord brought me to a place from total fear to a place of absolute certainty “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Wow…

Of course, there have been many other examples of answered prayer…my dear Jack was healed over and over before he went home on May 22 last year. We have two beautiful children, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and have seen many loved ones accept Christ. However, nothing has been as profound in my life as knowing what it means to “learn in whatever situation I am to be content” because Christ lives in me.

When fear tries to creep into my heart, I am gently reminded to think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. To do what I have learned through God’s Word and trust I can do all things. I don’t even need to pray for peace…it is already there.

Joanne Samad

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BEING A SERMON IN OUR SHOES

Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (ESV)

Have you ever wished you could effectively share the Gospel with someone who just didn’t want to hear it —someone whose actions and habits would identify him as an obvious unbeliever? I have encountered several such people over the years and prayed that God would soften their hearts, that they would come to know Him, and that He would use me in the process. Never seemed to happen. Sharing our faith with ‘good’ people is not easy, but sharing with people of questionable habits and character is even tougher. While sharing the Gospel via a direct conversation is difficult in many such situations, we are still able to have a positive impact through our actions and example. One of my cousins ends all of her e-mails with the phrase: “We are a sermon in our shoes - think about it”.

This concept was illustrated very well in a book I recently read, the story of former Cincinnati Red and current Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton. (While I am a reluctant reader at best, I do enjoy reading about godly men who live out their faith in the public eye.) The book describes Josh’s struggles with alcohol and drugs, and his road to recovery which was marked by many “God moments.” Throughout his recovery, Josh focused on the verse in James 4:7. His goal was to conquer his addiction as an act of submission to God, with no thought of baseball. Throughout his recovery, his wife (a believer who had forgiven him unconditionally) was a great encouragement to him. She shared that she felt his recovery and possible return to baseball would be more than just a return to baseball, that God had a much bigger plan for Josh after his total recovery.

As time wore on, Josh also realized that God allowed him to come back after a four-year absence for a reason other than just baseball. He found that God doesn’t care about winning or losing games, only that we use our gifts to their fullest potential. Through his baseball play and the story of his recovery, his life has impacted many people: a son whose father was an alcoholic; a man whose sister was a drug addict; and a young man who came from a broken home with no support. In all these situations, the hurting people used Josh as an example to get clean and improve their lives. Josh had the chance to share his experience—that everyone “talks about God, but the only way I was able to get better was through Jesus Christ”.

Josh was and is a “sermon in his shoes”, and his example both on and off the baseball field has opened doors to share his faith in Jesus. As we approach Easter, let us pray that our lives are sermons to those around us and that we will use the opportunities we have to share our relationship with Jesus and what He did for us so many years ago.

Jim Williamson

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UNDERSTANDING ANSWERS TO PRAYER

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Psalm 17:6 (ESV)

“Why didn’t God answer that prayer?” is something I’ve begun to ask myself many times, but then I check myself and remember that God hears and answers every prayer. So many times I ask for something little, like some extra stamina for a sprint in basketball practice or for a teacher to not give out homework, and God doesn’t grant the thing. Of course these prayers are motivated by selfishness and probably not truly asked in Christ’s name. But I think God must hear and answer these prayers too, because I don’t think God can pick and choose which prayers to answer. He answers all of them. He’s omniscient.

When Mr. Wood came to me to ask me to write a devotional about answered prayer, it brought to mind an event from mid-January of this year. It was January 13, a Monday, and I was praying over dinner for my family. I prayed for my Grandma Rainous to be healed. She passed away in her sleep the next morning, shocking the family. She had Alzheimer’s and diabetes, along with an inability to walk, but hadn’t been getting worse. I knew that God had to have heard my prayer, and I knew he had to have answered it. I knew Jesus, who is Our Great High Priest, was able to sympathize with me, with the pain of loss that I felt when my grandmother died.

Prayers aren’t answered the way we wish many times. I feel disappointment when God says in his perfect wisdom, “No,” and I really want a “yes”. But sometimes answers to prayers are disguised. When I asked God to heal my grandma, I had thought he said, “No.” But what if what he said was “Yes”? He has perfect wisdom, so what He does is for His glory and our best, even if we can’t see it.

Jon Rainous

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OUR SON FROM THE LORD

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain … Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him. Psalm 127: 1 & 3 (NIV)

It’s wonderful taking a walk with my son Daniel. He softens everyone. Perfect strangers, who would pass me with a blank face, have a sincere grin for him — and a secondary one for me. It’s amazing the way a baby can bring to joy to every situation. In Indonesia, I once sat in a hospital reception area waiting to accompany home the body of a man who had just died. As his extended family gathered, everyone was very sad and sober — until one of the relatives showed up with her baby. The mood immediately lightened.

Many people already know that our Daniel was an answer to prayer. Long before Monte and I were married, I was diagnosed with a hormonal condition that causes infertility. Medication kept it under control, but we always knew that starting a family might be a long and expensive process. For the first six years of our marriage, as we moved from house to house and from stress to stress in Indonesia, we were not surprised when no children came along. Returning for furlough in 2006, we decided to make children a priority.

But what with other distractions, I did not see a doctor until we had been in the U.S. for eight months. We felt guilty over this, but it proved to be an answer to prayer. Just a few weeks after our first visit, my doctor attended a conference. There he heard of a “new” fertility treatment … an inexpensive medication I’d been on for years to control my condition. “Take it three times a day instead of two,” he advised. Less than two months later, we were expecting! A newsletter had just gone out requesting prayers for a baby.

Had I gone to that doctor sooner, we might have ended up spending significantly more money on other drugs. Had God given us a baby during our first term in Indonesia, his or her early years would have been miserable with two extremely stressed-out parents.

Almost nine years ago, at our wedding, Psalm 127 was read: “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Sons are a heritage from the Lord.” That psalm has been fulfilled for us in Daniel. And now we are expecting our second child, without having taken any medication.

Jennifer Mugrage

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SEASONS

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, a time to die… Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2 (ESV)

When our family discussed God's faithfulness in answering our prayers, we remembered a number of times, including prayers for children and for Mom during pregnancies and birth. Our first two children, Dan and Stacey, were scheduled C sections because the size of each baby was clearly very big, and they went very well. First born Dan amazed the doctors and nurses by his size. A nurse said "It's the body of a three month old with the head of a newborn". I was so thankful for God's answer to our prayers; because for over a year it wasn't clear if we would be able to conceive.

Amanda and Sonia were not so big, and were normal deliveries. Labor for each was long, though, and prayer was especially offered during times of pain or distress with the cord. Sonia had to be whisked through the final part of delivery because the cord was being pinched.

Ben, our fifth, wasn't thought to be so big, so a C section was not scheduled, and was only resorted to after 14 hours of labor. Karin was nauseous, and I never enjoyed the view during C section proceedings (though I'm very grateful that method is possible!). Then out came Ben, who reminded me of Dan's burly look at birth. I was struck with the thought that again, like the first time eleven years earlier, the Lord answered our sometimes fervent prayers very graciously.

Our prayers were also fervent last year, as my Mom suffered. It was clear that healing was beyond modern medicine, and only God could heal her. When she passed away, I was comforted that she hadn't experienced that much pain, and especially that she departed just after Dad prayed that she be released to Jesus. But her departure wasn't the answer to our prayers that I desired most.

For everything there is a season - a time to be born, a time to die. I have experienced such joys of numerous seasons of birth, and last year a season of death. How hard it is to adjust to the void of the latter, but my comfort is that "thou art with me". And my hope, which is rekindled as I consider the passion and resurrection of Christ, is that "It is finished", "He is risen", and "Death is swallowed up in victory".

Steve Merrell

JOURNEY BACK TO BASICS 101

For God so Loved the World (Judy) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever (Judy) believed in Him, (Judy) would have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

Life can be very full of challenges many of us face each day. The last few years my journey has taken me from life and death experiences that have led me back to my basic Christian roots of prayer, surrender, trust and obedience. Most recently, the loss of my mother could or should have shaken me to the core, however the foundation which was laid for me at a very young age has sustained me. Mom had been a Christian all her life and imparted those values and the desire to follow Jesus in so many ways. These last years when she struggled with Alzheimer's and her mind was being depleted of the knowledge of doing normal things, my answered prayer was in the moments when we could share memories of some of those basic things of importance. Things such as the joy in caring for my dad and me with a clean an orderly home, those delicious meals, gardening, canning, all the animals that found their way to our home and her care for them.

As Mom kept slipping away and our roles were reversed, my prayer was answered in my ability to thank God for a Mom who imparted to me a basic belief which left no gray area, only what was right or wrong. It was my responsibility to choose wisely as a child of God and those words have brought me comfort in the many decisions I’ve had to make on her behalf.

As she came to the end of her life, I asked God to take her as quickly and quietly as possible with me beside her. He graciously provided time to be with her at the end of this life and peace that she was in His arms and reuniting with loved ones whom she missed so much.

As I work through the process of living out my life without Mom’s earthly presence, I see how Jesus continues to bring me back to my basic desire for His love and grace. I am so thankful for the gift of prayer and the comfort it continues to bring. He has given me His Blessed Assurance that I will continue this journey on earth until He calls me Home. May that assurance be yours in this Lenten season and beyond.

Judy Dirksen

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Holy Week

Monday—April 6, 2009

FAITH BEFORE THE FACT

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 (ESV)

As Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, I have the privilege of attending the dedication ceremonies for all of the houses that are built. After a house is completed, we hold this formal blessing celebration and then symbolically turn the home over to its’ new owner.

The format is generally the same. After speeches are given by myself and others who played a part in the funding and construction of the home, we all listen intently as the new homeowner approaches the microphone to share their heart. This is what we all really come to hear.

Not too long ago we heard from a new home owner who, after praying for forgiveness and deliverance from her past transgressions, moved from Toledo to Cincinnati. Feeling quite worthless, she wanted to turn her back on the sin and suffering of her dark past and start anew. She said she didn’t know if God would bless her efforts because of the ugliness of her past, but she took a step of faith and trusted.

About two years after the move, with tears streaming down her face, she said to those of us gathered, “I am amazed and I stand in awe before you. To see so many people come together and sacrifice so much time, their skills and their money for me to have my own home, is almost unbelievable. It sheds more light on just how special I am to God and how much He loves me. It also shows that there are still people out there who believe in sharing Christ’s love and being a blessing to others.”

There were many themes running through her testimony, including the freedom from sin she experienced, the servant evangelism she witnessed daily on the construction site, the redemption she enjoyed because of the love and mercy of God… all of which were a result of answered prayer.

In Jesus’ ministry of healing, it seems faith was necessary before any divine act, not afterward. “Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” (Luke 7:50) and “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22) Faith, then, can be defined as stepping out in trust. Our Habitat homeowner had faith before the fact, not after. She stepped out in trust and God was faithful to bless her.

Tom Salzbrun

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THE GARDENER AND THE VINE

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:5, 1-2 (ESV)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardener …” Anyone who has tried to pray knows that we cannot pray, or even concentrate, effectively unless we are helped by grace. In the hard task of prayer, we must draw our power and ability from the Gardener and the Vine.

When the best-loved seeds are but scattered weeds that flatter themselves they grow,

when the choicest picks come to sapless sticks standing shriveled in a sun-baked row,

when the sap is dry and the wind is high and the leaves fall down like rain,

and the blooms in pots with their roots in knots are alone in their potted pain,

when the yard is bare and the dust is there and you’ve nothing left but time,

then it’s time to turn to the root and learn from the gardener and the vine.

When your tall fruit trees with their hand-shaped leaves were all verdant to behold,

when you flowered full and your fruit hung low all shot through with red and gold,

when each day you grew, you forgot you knew that your roots were in the vine.

So you cut your branch, ‘cause you saw a chance to stake something out as “mine.”

But a branch can’t thrive if it’s not alive or connected to the Head.

Though you knew it not, you had welcomed rot and had chosen to be dead.

Now the call goes forth to the south and north calling dead sticks near and far,

to return again and to come back in where the sap and sunlight are.

For though branch they be, they will finally see that they can’t bear fruit alone,

that the fruit comes thanks not to their own strength, for a branch is not its own.

Now the call goes out and there is no doubt that to heed it’s long past time,

to forsake your death and receive the breath of the gardener and the vine.

Jennifer Mugrage

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FRUIT PRAYERS

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

Although I have had the privilege of seeing God’s faithfulness through many answers to prayer, most have been of the ‘ordinary’ variety. Prayers for guidance, daily provision, health and healing, protection, specific needs of family and friends, help in ministry, are often opportunities to praise God for His faithfulness. But on a personal level, the place perhaps where I have been most encouraged that God is answering prayer is with respect to my own sanctification.

There have been seasons in my life where I have prayed that a specific fruit of the Spirit would become more recognizable in my life. There was a time when the need was for patience. I would pray, “Lord, Your Word says that ‘the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience.’ I am not experiencing that patience! The only way I am going to be patient under these difficult circumstances is if You give me the fruit of patience.”

Then, over time, the most wonderful, super-natural transformation took place in such a way that I was deeply encouraged that this was a genuine work of the Holy Spirit. On other occasions, I have prayed similarly for peace, joy, and self-control.

More recently, I have been praying that the fruit of love, love for my wife and children, love for those I minister with and to, would become more evident in my life. I tend to be task-oriented and motivated more by a sense of duty than love. In recent months, I have been encouraged to see how God is once again, graciously at work. Recognizing a greater concern for others and a growing desire to encourage and communicate my love to others has been a significant sign of God’s presence in my life. God is good! In answer to prayer, I am being conformed to the likeness of His Son.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rich

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THE BLESSING OF GOD PLACED PEOPLE

Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 (ESV)

I often pray, “Lord, place godly people in our lives and the lives of our kids who will mentor and mirror the love of Christ.” God places people along our way for a reason and a season that he may get the glory. Often not until time has passed do we understand their role and their impact.

As a new college grad, a new teacher at Cincinnati Christian HS (CCHS), and a newlywed I was looking for ways to supplement my income. I had both Jeannie and Mindy Mossman as students at CCHS when their father, Dale Mossman, approached me with a job offer to install draperies on evenings, weekends, and summers. For the next eighteen months this Christian man who exemplified Christ in the business world mentored me.

Pearl Sorensen, on the other hand, had the gift of hospitality. Pearl, a wonderful Christian woman, was my sister’s mother-in-law and lived in the same small farm community as my wife, Becky, and her family. On hearing that Becky and I were to be wed she offered to host our rehearsal dinner at her home and use her church for our wedding reception. What a gift and what a help that was in the planning of that special day.

Dale Mossman died on Jan. 14, 2009 and Pearl Sorensen passed on Feb. 6, 2009. I reflect on the influence of these “wonderful lives” on Becky and me and say “Thank-you, Lord.” This is a tribute to Dale and Pearl but foremost to the living God for His faithfulness, mercy, grace, and answer to prayer. I encourage you to take time today, to think on those mentors and examples that God has placed along side you for a season and his reason. Pray for them daily for the next week, and then pray how God would use you to mentor or serve someone in your sphere of influence.

Mark Verhagen

A NEVER FAIL PRAYER

…and lo, I am with you always , even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20b (NKJV)
for He Himself has said, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you," Hebrews 13:5b (NKJV)

There is a prayer that I pray every week, sometimes more often, and God has NEVER failed to answer it. This is not because of who I am, but because of who He is, and because He has promised His presence. His answer assures me that he is always there, even if I have forgotten or ignored Him.

Each week, in our time of confession, I ask Him to show me how I have grieved Him this past week. In His loving response I am humbled and I have the opportunity to agree (confess) with His judgment and to be forgiven, as He has promised.

His answer is not like the adversary who accuses me of things long past or who tries to discourage me by saying, “And you’ll NEVER get it right!”

God’s Holy Spirit, in love, speaks truth to my spirit, assuring me that He is there, active and grieving over my sin. His presence in answering tells me that I am not alone as I struggle, and that I don’t struggle just in flesh and blood, but in the Spirit.

If God did not answer this prayer, I would not have assurance that He is faithful and true and that He loves this child with an everlasting love.

I remember cartoons from my childhood where one character would “shadow” another, walking so closely behind that the one in front know someone was there, but could not see them. When the one in front turned around, the one behind quickly stayed behind so they didn’t know who was there. The joke was on the one in front who didn’t know the one behind was there.

In my walk with our Lord, I know that He is always with me, but I often walk as if He were not. However, when I turn, He does not hide, but I turn into His loving arms, because His desire is for me to abide with Him in truth.

Whenever I feel as if He is not there, it is not because of Him, but because of me. I am not paying attention.

So I stop,…I turn around,…and I pray. And he has never failed to answer this prayer. I pray, “Lord, show me my sin this week.” He always does, and I am humbled back into the relationship of a child with His loving, merciful Father. It restores me to where I should be in our relationship…aware of my sin, but in the presence of His forgiveness through the blood of Christ.

Don’t be afraid to pray this prayer. If His Spirit is in you, He will answer and you will know the extent of His love, and the weight of your sin will melt away and you fill know the peace and comfort of the love of God in Christ Jesus.

John Gould

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THE INFLUENCE OF A GODLY FRIEND

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:37- 40 (ESV)

A number of years ago a new math teacher entered the building where I was teaching. He and I became friends and I saw in him the gift of teaching and a common love for mathematics. It was outside of school where I had my greatest concern for him. He lived a life of debauchery that became well documented. I had added him to my list of top ten to pray for salvation, but there seemed to be little headway toward change in his heart even though he showed respect to my faith and me.

Each year my friend would host a Christmas party at his apartment and he would invite me to attend. The emphasis was on party and not Christmas. Year after year I would go to these parties and spend about an hour visiting with guests and getting to know his friends. I would politely dismiss myself before things began to break. I told my wife that she did not need to attend with me, but I felt that my presence was necessary and that I was not offending God by being there.

Our friendship continued yet I did not see an interest concerning faith. But unknown to me the Holy Spirit was working in his life and other Christians whom he had met elsewhere were also challenging him. One day he came into my room after school and sat down. He told me he had given his life to Christ. Needless to say we were both overwhelmed with gratitude to God and our emotions overflowed.

In God’s great kindness to me my friend told me that one persuasive fact that influenced him to place his trust in Christ for new life was my accepting his annual invitation to his Christmas party where in his sin I continued to love him. I count this as one of those great privileges in life, that we are not even aware, where the Holy Spirit is patiently preparing His redemption of the lost. All glory is to God.

My friend is now married to a Christian woman, they have a young child, and both are serving faithfully in their church. Jesus’ words in John 6:37 are true. “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

Vaughn Engle

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GLORY, MOTIVATION AND ANSWERED PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Matthew 6:9 (ESV)

Getting “answered prayer,” is often marked by pushing and forcing my way into God’s room of divine decrees and insisting that He do things my way. Like Job and his three friends, I often try to demonstrate to God how superior my wisdom is for comprehending every situation. I propose my plans and ask God to bless them and make them happen. Each time I do this, I make myself the center of the universe and try to Christianize it by calling my demands, “faith,” with a remark like, “you know, God, my faith can move mountains!”

Yet the mountain of God should rightly crush me right there.

Answered prayer begins and ends with the glory of God—not the glory of me. In our insistence that “faith moves mountains,” we fail to discern between the glory of God in prayer and our selfish ambitions to have our own ways. I think this is why Jesus teaches his disciples to begin, “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Hallowed is archaic for “let your name be set apart” or “let your name be made holy.” Even a better way to say it might be, “Father, devote yourself to yourself!” Jesus teaches that prayer first begins with recognizing that God is the center of the universe and asking the Father to devote himself to His own name, His own glory.

Thus, the chief prayer I should be concerned with is God’s own glory, namely, that God would magnify and make His name great today. Here is where “answered prayer,” is most delightful. Too often, my delight is only in answered prayer for the ambitions of my own life. Yet, the overarching quest for answered prayer should be found in seeing God’s name made glorious, praying that in every situation I face God would show Himself brilliantly. This changes radically the way I pray. Although I certainly pray for God to heal my friend’s cancer, make my marriage strong, or provide safe travel to a foreign country—my chief and main priority becomes seeing God make His name glorious in every situation I encounter.

The real question is not whether my faith is moving mountains, but Whether or not my faith is centered on the glory and exultation of the Father in the face of Jesus Christ. The greatest answer to prayer is the answer of God making His name great and glorious to us even in the most tragic of all situations. Do you want to experience the most rich and marvelous “answered prayer?” Then start each prayer by asking God to make His name great to you today.

Michael C. Lyons