On the Way

This week we are studying the third and fourth chapters of Acts. Peter and John on their way to the temple to say their prayers found a crippled man sitting at the gate called Beautiful. The crippled man was begging for money and Peter told him that he didnt have money but he would give him what he did have—- healing in Jesus’ name. Isnt it interesting that the crippled man didnt ask for healing? Surely he had heard about all of the people who were healed by Jesus and through His disciples. He asked for what he thought he needed; money to make it through one more day. Is is possible that we often ask for a temporary solution; relief, just enough to get by and yet the Lord has so much more for us?

What really catches my attention is that Peter and John  were on their way doing something very important. After all they were going to the temple to pray. They could have ignored the man on the side of the road asking for help. They could have done the good thing and bypassed the best thing- to bring someone to Jesus.

We too are busy people; on the way to somewhere every day. And every day there is potential for God encounters. Every day in the rush of lives God is at work. Just yesterday I was on the way to teach Bible study and a homeless man came up to me and asked for help. I was running late and could easily have told him I was too busy, running late. After all I was on the way to do something good- of value, right? Yet God interrupted my plans.  I was on the way to doGod’s work (or so I thought) and He showed me the intention of His Word; not just to study and teach His Word, but to live His Word. What good is it to study His Word and not obey? It was a lesson for me and I hope it gives you reason to think next time God interrupts your day…. on the way to doing something good, He will ask you to do something even better.

The Power of Prayer

Being a grandmother is the greatest gift on earth! I don’t have the stress of raising the little angels and it makes enjoying them so much easier. As a mother I was so busy going through the motions of motherhood; planning meals, helping with homework, making sure their rooms were clean, reminding them to brush their teeth. In some ways life was centered around the general (me) and the recruits (my kids)!! Now I can relax and enjoy them. Did I say relax? That is a relative word. With 8 grandchildren there is no relaxing! What I mean is that I now have opportunities that I did not when I was raising my own children.  I have more time to talk with them, guide them, pray with them.

Just this week I picked up my two grandaughters (11 and 12 years old) from school. We had ice cream together (they had ice cream; downside of being a grandmother is that the ice cream goes to my hips).  First thing in the car, they began to squeal as only girls can do and share with me their adventures into the world of boys. Mary Catherine was asked to a dance. Can you believe that? And Morgan was asked to “go out”. Oh my… used to be that meant go on a date. Now it means that the boy likes you. They laughed they way through ice cream, they talked their way through the ride home; they squeeled. Sooo much fun!

Later on that day each grandaughter came to me as I was busy working in my office. Morgan declared that she was sure that it was because of my prayers that she loved her new school so much. Mary Catherine came to ask me for advice. She had decided that it would be more fun to go to the dance with her girlfriends. What is to decide? Of course it would be more fun at 11 years old!! I remained calm (didn’t want to jump up and down or anything) and told her that she had made a wise choice. What fun to be on this side of motherhood!

The Wisdom of God

God is awesome! Never doubt that He is here; never doubt that He answers prayers! Today, Sharon the office manager for Drawing Near to God ministry called me. She was struggling with using a computer program that we need in order to register people for our upcoming courses. We prayed together on the phone and she sensed the Lord telling her that everything that she needed was at hand. We prayed for her to have the wisdom of God and then I called a few people to pray.  Sharon called me back a few hours later to tell me that she had figured  it out (now remember this has been something she has been struggling with for weeks). She said that after we prayed things started making sense and she knew that God had given her the wisdom we prayed for.

God doesnt always answer prayers as we expect. After we prayed and before Sharon called me back, I decided to start working on the solution to Sharon’s problem. I had  gotten the number of a computer solutions expert to come and help her. I had also suggested we get a new program. I was full of “seeming” solutions. But God had a different plan; He had a better plan. His plan was to use what was at hand and seek His wisdom. Once again, my nervous card was played and God trumped it with “do not lean on the wisdom of men… in all my ways trust me and I will make your path straight.” (proverbs 3:5). Guess God doesnt really play the “gotch ya” game, but sometimes it sure feels that way. Guess I need to remember that He is God and HE has all the answers.

Do you ever struggle with trying to find solutions to your current crisis? Take a moment to pray. God has the answer!