PRAYER MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Jabez prayed for enlarged borders and protection from harm. Other people in the Bible prayed for deliverance from trouble….. deliverance from both poverty and riches ….deliverance from the belly of a great fish …. Daily bread …. preservation and sanctification of spirit, soul, and body. The healing of the sick ….and the ending of the rain and its beginning again .

When the disciples prayed, the building around them shook  and an earthquake opened the doors of their prison.

Our prayers do make a difference in how God acts in the world!

In the Bonds of Calvary,

Talking About Faith

It’s one thing to talk about faith – it’s quite another to act on faith!  There isn’t just one easy way to define it,

FAITH IS…

BELIEVING WHEN I DON’T SEE IT     “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” — Hebrews 11:1   

OBEYING WHEN I DON’T UNDERSTAND IT     By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. – Hebrews 11:8       

GIVING WHEN I DON’T HAVE IT   “…by faith (Abel) was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offering “ Hebrews 11:4b.

THANKING GOD BEFORE I RECEIVE IT  “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.” – Hebrews 11:30

TRUSTING IF I DON’T GET IT           

 God always hears and answers every prayer.     Always  

God does not always answer the way I want Him to.

 Maybe I have been trying to face a full-time problem on part-time faith……… and that won’t work !

In the Bonds of Calvary,

The Secret of Joy Is Perspective

I am a people watcher!

I am constantly observing attitudes and behavior.  By doing that I have noticed that many people lack joy in their lives.

So I wondered: Have they ever had joy? How did they lose it?

I have discovered that there are “Joy Killers”. There are probably more than three but these are ones that I have noted:                                                   Selfish Attitudes  -   Resentful Spirit  -   Fearful Hearts     

If I have lost my joy how do I get it back?  Joy comes from understanding truth- Joy comes from having peace with God  - Joy comes from being accepted - Joy comes from seeing the big picture   - Joy comes from having hope in the future

I Can Be Joyful in Spite of circumstances because:

I focus on giving rather than receiving                   
I focus on healing rather than hurting                 
I focus on God’s power rather than my problems       

I can do that ……..Because God is always with me……  Because God has a plan for me …..    Because God will help me                

In the Bonds of Calvary,

So Far…….?

Last week I was scheduled for another CT scan. They have ordered those every three or four months just to be sure that everything is OK. The results have always served as a source of encouragement. Actually, I am always a little tickled when the doctors tell me that the mass has shrunk, or that it has diminished, or that there is nothing there to be concerned about. They are trying to figure it out and I am praising Him. Go figure!

Last week was a little different.

Since I have been going to the VA for these past 25 months I have met a lot of people. Many of them are involved in my care and they have kept up with my progress.

So, when I arrive they almost always make a comment about how good I look or how well I am doing. This time I noticed that everyone who spoke to me about my health seemed to add this little tag line, “so far”.

The receptionist, “Doing really good, so far“

The lab tech, “So far so good”.

The doctor, “Well, I don’t see any reason to be concerned, so far”.

So Far?  Does that mean they expect something to happen? Does that mean they are not operating in the same kind of faith that you and I are?

It made me think:

So far, God has never stopped acting in mercy

So far, God has not withdrawn His healing hand.

So far, God has never left us or forsaken us.

So far, He has always kept His Word.

So far, He has continued to be the Comforter.

So far, His promises are still Yes and Amen.

So far, my trust has been in Him.

And, I am good with that!

In the Bonds of Calvary,

Remembering Mom

In an age of “mother-bashing” and “mother-blaming”, it  is inspiring to that the noble woman of Proverbs 31 has children “who arise and call her blessed”. Both her children and her husband praise her. The important thing in striving to become the best mother we can be is to remember that “a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”

THE MOTHER’S BEATITUDES

Blessed is the mother who makes peace with spilled milk and mud, for of such is the realm of childhood.

Blessed is the mother who refuses to compare her children to others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own growth.

Blessed is the mother who has learned to laugh, for it is the music of the child’s world.

Blessed is the mother who can say no without anger, for comforting to the child is the security of a firm decision.

Blessed is the mother who treats her child consistently, for this makes children secure.

Blessed is the mother who is teachable, for knowledge brings understanding and understanding brings love.

Blessed is the mother who loves her children in the midst of a hostile world, for love is the greatest of all gifts.

In the Bonds of Calvary,