I got nothing I prayed for

This was scribbled over 150 years ago by an anonymous soldier of the Confederate army:

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve -- I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for help that I might do greater things -- I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy -- I was given poverty, that I might be wise. 

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life -- I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for -- but everything I had hoped for.

Despite myself, my prayers were answered.  I am, among all men, most richly blessed!

How would you analyze the prayers of this man, and the answers to each of those prayers?  Let's look at the first one.   Instead of God answering the prayer for strength to achieve, he answered with weakness so the humility of obedience could be learned.   Why would God do something like that? 

I think of myself praying such a prayer, but the longer I think about that prayer being answered, I would probably be taking all the credit for any achievements made.  Yes, I would rush to say the prayer, but human nature would have me believing I had accomplished great things by my own strength. 

The same is true with all the other things this man prayed for.  If God were to give him that for which he was asking, the outcome would have been entirely different.  He would have not learned humility, nor wisdom, nor the priorities of life, nor real happiness. 

Paul reminds us in Romans 8:26-27,  "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

Back to our soldier praying, there is little criticism that could be made in the things for which he prayed, but could this be the activity of the Holy Spirit, interceding so the prayers could be in accordance with the will of God?

God loves conversation with his people.  But aren't we glad when we ask him for something, the answer he gives is always something that is better for us, and always in line with his will.

I am surrounded by some of the "prayingest" people on earth.  We know and love the opportunity to talk to God about everything.  Above all things we ask for, all situations we pray about, all our problems and even our successes, I continually pray for us to seek only those things which are in accordance with God's will. 

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We are taught to walk

Hebrews 21:1  -"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Acts 20:24 - "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace."

Colossians 1:10 - "Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

The above verses were selected from numerous references in Scripture which indicate our Christian lives are described with illustrative references to walking, or running a race. The Hebrew writer encourages us to get rid of anything that slows us down, and run the race with determination.  Then Paul, in the verse from Acts says his life is worthless and the really worthwhile life is one that runs the race given by the Lord.  Again Paul writing to the Colossians encourages us to walk worthy of the Lord while pleasing him and bearing fruit and increasing in knowledge.

Three verses where the language is used, but each of the three containing important lessons we should learn and practice.  There is one more such verse which I had overlooked, and it gives us tremendous insight into the "walk" of our lives in Christ. Look to the poetic verses from Hosea 11:3-4:

It was I who taught Ephraim(Israel) to walk,
    taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed them.

I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from their neck
    and bent down to feed them.

Remember, the prophet Hosea was called  to teach the children of Israel how much God loved them.  Just as a loving parent will instruct, help, and guide a child in learning to walk, God says he is the one who taught Israel to walk. He took them by the arms even when they didn't realize it was God who was helping them.  Now notice that next verse. God "led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love," and God "lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them." 

For the children of Israel it was God, Abba Father, who showed them love, even though they sinned and sought after other gods. The relentless love of the God of heaven became their helper, their leader, their healer, and in fact the provider for their every need. He helps us, too, in our walk, and running the race, and when we stumble, he is there with his ties of love to lift us up. 

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How to be normal

My son, the prison Chaplain, had a post on Facebook today which revealed "Four Simple Steps to Get You Back to Normal."  When I saw that, I immediately thought this must be a devotional article where I could find something to use in my daily writing. 

Closer examination showed me he was packing his daughter's laptop to go in for repairs.  It had to be packed just as they instructed and those printed instructions indicated the four step process of packing would make things easy or normal. 

Do we seek normalcy?  By what or whose standards do we measure normal.  I find myself looking at the successes of someone else and wondering what it's like to be normal, like him.  More than likely in the weakness of that person's life he is wondering if his life will ever be normal, too.  Do Christians ever get to the point where they "have it all together?"

Remember in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus was mentioning the sparrows and how God takes care of them?  He also discusses the flowers in the fields and says they surpass the splendor of Solomon. Even something as insignificant as grass is clothed by God.  Jesus was leading toward the power punch in his message when he said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  When I read that in my Bible it gives me the assurance that as I am seeking and putting God's righteousness and his kingdom first in my life, he is going to take care of the rest.

I mention that verse and its associated illustrations to let you know this section of scripture on the subject of worry, shows us God's way of dealing with worries in our lives.  And the next thing we need to consider is when we are motivated in life to be a constant worrier, it's a sure sign we are not seeking God's kingdom and God's righteousness first. 

In our insecurities we quickly note it is not an easy thing to turn ourselves completely over to God.  In fact, we are prone to believe when we do that we lose our individuality. The closer I look at that, I learn just the opposite is true.  That's when we find ourselves and become the person God created us to be. 

The basic need of every living human is learning when we make all the decisions, trying to control every situation our way, we rob ourselves of the greatest power available, the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.  He leads, he directs, he comforts, he empowers.  We can only experience that when we turn it over to God.....even our lack of normalcy.  Maybe there is better understanding in the words of the song, "Have thine own way, Lord, Have thine own way.  Thou art the potter, I am the clay.  Mold me and make me, after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still."

So I hope my son can find normalcy in his life by correctly packing the laptop to be shipped and fixed. And I hope my granddaughter finds normalcy when the fixed laptop returns. I am really hoping we can all learn to turn all of our "less than normal" situations to God.  Seek him and his 

righteousness.

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When revival begins

Is there one thing about being a Christian that seems difficult for you? Take a while and think.  Just one thing you have difficulty doing for the cause of Christ?  Then I wish to ask, do you dwell on this one thing to the point of it causing you to worry that you are the weakest among Christians?

A group of Christian leaders were asked these same questions at a conference several years ago, and it may not be surprising, but an overwhelming majority of these leaders answered exactly the same.  They all had difficulty in talking to strangers or new friends about their faith.

One leader in a local church began telling about his life as a Christian at work.  In the large office where he worked, he was the only follower of Jesus, and was never able to begin a conversation about his church life, or his relationship with God.  He faced situations of ridicule daily, yet it bothered him when he thought about his commission to "make disciples of all nations."  The Christian man would come to work knowing everyone in his office needed Jesus, yet the ridicule and teasing would start, and he would retreat back to himself. 

One day when everyone was arriving for work, he was told of a co-worker whose wife had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  This co-worker told his story of taking his wife to doctors and clinics in search of something or someone who could save her life.  That's when our friend, the Christian stepped in and began witnessing to his co-worker about the hope that is found in Jesus. They retreated to a break room and prayed together. They prayed for the sick wife, the family's children, their other co-workers.

The Christian man from that office later told of the peace that came over the two as they prayed, and that peace continued as they returned to their respective offices.  Soon, the others began to relate problems or situations in their own lives and confessed they wanted the peace that only God could give. One man was having financial troubles, another was having difficulty with his marriage, and one man even confessed he had taken money from the company.  One thing was common for all who were in that office.  They realized they were depending on their own intelligence, their own strength, and their own abilities to face life's situations and that wasn't working too well. 

One at a time came and asked the Christian to pray with them, for them, and about their personal situations.  I don't know how many problems were handled that day, but revival began in that office. New life was experienced as these workers came to know and follow and obey Jesus.

I confess to you the difficulty I have in sharing my faith and allowing my life to be a testimony of the grace and love of God, but the office story that came from that conference made me aware of two basics.  1.  Just because you are surrounded by unbelievers does not mean you must join the majority.  2.   If you continue to be steadfast in your faith, and hang on to the promises of God, he will open doors of opportunity for you. 

Reaching the world for the Lord, starts with you and me.

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We need a right-hand man

 Buckner Fanning tells the story of going to Russia during the 1980's and being invited to preach and teach at several places. After one of those speaking engagements, he was invited to the home of one of the church members, a farmer, and after sharing a meal, was given a tour of the massive farm.  It was obvious this was a farm that had received proper management, tremendous labor, and years of successful production. 

Buckner then inserted in his story that this particular farmer had been involved in an accident while working on the farm and had lost an arm. There were sad times during his recovery and the farmer had considered himself useless to run the farm and provide for his family, since he now had only one arm. The family also had other issues and problems they were having to deal with, so while still in the hospital recovering, the farmer decided he didn't want to be a burden to those who would have to take care of him.  He attempted to open a window in the hospital  and was prepared to jump to his death. The only problem was, he didn't have the strength to raise the window with his one remaining arm. He was angry and prayed for God to let him die. 

I know there were church members and neighbors that chipped in to see that the man's farm work was done. No doubt the love of those around him supported him and tried to help him keep a positive attitude.  It was when he was at his lowest and still wishing for death, God's message came to him and spoke softly to this bewildered heart. God said, "Put your trust in me, have faith in me, and I will be your right arm."

It was much later, after the farmer had fully recovered and was allowed to return home and gradually return to work, he realized his farm was running more efficiently and successfully than ever before. He confessed, "I can accomplish more with one arm now, than I ever could with two, because God kept his promise and has been my right arm."

There are two verses shared in Buckner's story of the farmer, and I want to make sure you read them both.  Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you;  do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Psalm 139:7-10  "Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me,  your right hand will hold me fast."

The lesson here for you and for me is that no matter what life delivers to us, we are safe and protected and promised victory as long as God is our "right-hand man."

(The story is from "God Drives a Pickup Truck" 1999, by Buckner Fanning)

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Our Church Left the Building

This past Sunday was a special and unique day at our church.  We had been planning on doing service projects for some folks in the community for a while, when the suggestion was made to do these things on Sunday.  We met at the church building and enjoyed an abbreviated worship, then dismissed to go out into the community and serve the people.

 

Our projects included things like cleaning up some property, assembling bags with tooth brushes, toothpaste, soap and other necessities, to be distributed in some of our mission areas.  Others chose to make appearances at local nursing homes to sing hymns, or just to make ourselves available to meet the needs of those who needed our help.

Because of my mobility problems, I chose to team up with one of the singing groups to go to a local nursing home.  That's not the first time I have made trips to a nursing home to sing. 

Back in high school days, the church where our family attended worship made regular trips to some nursing homes.  All the young folks were encouraged to go and sing, because "it would mean so much to the old people."  I suppose now would be a good time for me to confess, going to sing at a nursing home was not my favorite thing to do.  Most of the nursing home residents slept through our singing.  Others made an attempt to sing with us, and the noises they made just didn't blend with our singing. 

Maybe the quality of nursing homes has improved, or maybe it's just because I have matured a little since high school, but that singing last Sunday made an impression on me.  For one thing, we had one in our group that brought a camera to take pictures of our singers.   Then one of the nursing home residents decided she wanted to be in the picture, too.   Then there was another, and before long, there was a good sized crowd in the picture with us, and they wanted to stand with us while we did our singing.

 

I have no idea how many times in my life I have sang the song, "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, I'll Be There," but when I sang it last Sunday, I saw people shedding tears as they attempted to sing with us.  Perhaps it was because they are closer to heaven's "roll call" than some, but none of us are immune to being only a breath away.  Then we sang, "Holy, Holy, Holy" and you can probably guess there were more tears.  In a moment of reflection I realized my eyes were getting a little watery, too. 

 

One of the greatest lessons we can learn, both as young and older participants in events like singing hymns at a nursing home, we are truly blessed when we are doing things that bless others. I can't speak for the whole group, but I want to go sing there again.  

We called our day of projects, "The church has left the building,"  because that's what we did.  We left the four walls of the church building and, by the grace of God, were able and active in showing our loving service to our community.  And that is lesson two for our Sunday.  Showing Christian love and service for others happens outside the church building.  Grab a tissue and join me in a couple of verses of "Amazing Grace."

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Labor Day

We hope your Labor Day Holiday is happy and enjoyable.  

Thanks to all who continue to view and support the blog. Remember our schedule of publishing new blog messages Monday through Friday of each week.  Friday's blog will remain posted all weekend.  We always appreciate your suggestions, criticisms, and any other comments.  May God continue to bless our studies together.

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