Pray with Expectancy

October 14, 2019 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11: 22 – 24.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

‘Faith’ is defined as a strong belief or trust in God’s abilities. Only He can move mountains, heal the sick, and raise the dead. Jesus therefore urges every follower to pray with a measure of expectancy. We must truly believe that God is able to provide for each of our individual needs. When we ask in faith, according to God’s will, and do not doubt, we can rightly expect to receive the desires of our heart.

Hudson Taylor was a prominent missionary who lived in the 1800’s. He established the China Inland Mission, an organization that still exists to this day (also known as the OMF.) During his first journey to China, his ship hit a patch of windless ocean and began drifting uncontrollably toward an island known to be inhabited by vicious cannibals. The frantic captain approached Mr. Taylor and asked him to pray for God’s help. “I will” said Taylor, “Provided you set your sails to catch the breeze.” The captain refused; not wanting to appear silly for unfurling in a dead calm. Taylor responded by saying, “I will not undertake to pray for this vessel unless you will prepare the sails.” The captain reluctantly obliged. Soon there was a knock at Hudson’s door; “Who’s there?” “Are you still praying for wind,” inquired the captain? “Yes” responded Taylor. “Well” added the skipper, “you’d better stop praying, we have more wind than we can manage.”

As a genuine believer, Hudson Taylor understood the principle of praying with expectancy. He prayed with confidence; knowing full well that God would answer his prayers. If we pray with that same measure of faith, we too will receive the blessings of the Lord. May our hearts be devoid of doubt; may our requests be brave and bold; and may we fully expect our prayers to be answered according to the measure of our faith.

“Lord Heavenly Father, You are an amazing and mighty God. Create in us faithful hearts; hearts that are devoid of doubt; hearts that fully trust in Your ability to provide for our needs. May we always pray with confidence, unwavering faith, and genuine expectancy. We love You Father, we praise You, and thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.” God bless all of you!

When Tragedies Become Blessings

September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is still day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the blind man’s eyes with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing (John 9: 1–7.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

In the first century it was commonly believed that all deformity and dysfunction was the result of some form of personal sin. Therefore the disciples inquired whose sin had caused the man’s blindness. Jesus revealed that the man’s deformity came not from sin, but from the will of God. By healing the man, God was honored and glorified. Often the things that appear tragic, are actually designed to bring God the greatest glory. Tragedy and adversity are not always punishments; in fact, they are frequently the greatest blessings we will ever know.

In 2003 a 13 year old Christian girl named Bethany Hamilton was surfing when she was attacked by a 14 foot tiger shark. The shark severed her left arm just below the shoulder. After nearly bleeding to death, she was rushed to the hospital. Prior to the injury, Bethany had been one of the world’s top competitive junior surfers. Despite her strong faith, she questioned why God would allow her to endure such a tragedy. She became determined to surf again competitively. Trusting in God, Bethany entered the water 3 weeks after the accident and began training. She started with a long board and then moved to a smaller board; until she was once again able to surf on a short board. Because Bethany refused to quit she has gone on to place in and win many of the world’s top female surf competitions. Her experience has become world famous. She has received thousands of letters and numerous awards; she’s appeared on ‘20/20, Good Morning America, and the Oprah Winfrey Show,’ to name a few. She eventually published a book chronicling her struggles and victories (which was made in to a movie entitled “Soul Surfer.”) Throughout her ordeal, Bethany has remained an outspoken Christian. She thanks Jesus Christ for her strength, her courage, and her triumph. Was losing her arm God’s will? Yes. What appeared to be a tragedy, has become the greatest blessing she has ever known. With two arms she would have likely won some surf competitions; she might have even made it on to the cover of a surf magazine. But with God in her heart and one missing arm, she has been able to reach the entire world. She is now a symbol of faith and a living example of God’s ability to take the broken and make them whole again.

Is there anything in your life that you struggle with; something that seems tragic; a source of shame or pain? Take another look; you may find a wonderful blessing hidden within a seemingly apparent calamity. Seek the Lord, and He will strengthen you and lift you up. Lean on God, and let Him use you; He will take your weaknesses and turn them in to strengths. And when He transforms your life, always remember to give Him the credit He so greatly deserves. If you utilize God’s power and face your fears, many will come to see ‘the glory of God,’ revealed in you.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You turn our weaknesses in to strengths. May Your enduring power and wisdom give us victory over the obstacles we currently face. Heal us Father, and fill us with Your courage, that by faith, we may overcome our fears and shortcomings. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.

Loving Sinners

September 23, 2019 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Then Levi gave him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors (sinners) and others who sat down with them. And the scribes and the Pharisees (religious leaders) complained against his disciples saying, “Why do you eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5: 29 – 32.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Those who had committed the greatest offenses were also the most eager to receive forgiveness. The majority of prostitutes, fornicators, and tax-collectors possessed no illusions of purity; in turn, they were capable of honestly evaluating themselves. The religious leaders were blinded by pride; mistakenly believing they were righteous, they refused to accept God’s message of repentance and reconciliation. The initial step toward real fellowship with God includes a genuine recognition of sin. Many today are being crushed beneath the weight of guilt and shame. Those who need healing the most are often the first to be rejected by the self-righteous. And yet, although the world has forsaken the worst offenders, God has not abandoned them.

Those who lived within the boundaries of the Roman Empire had little compassion for the sick and the infirmed. There were few hospitals, and no retirement homes or assisted living facilities. Poor sanitary practices often lead to outbreaks of disease that devastated entire towns, cities, and nations. Those who became ill were usually abandoned by the healthy; many were left to die alone in the streets. Still, as Christianity began to spread, so did attributes like mercy, compassion, altruism and love. During a plague in Alexandria, Egypt, in 416 A.D., a group of Christians assembled to care for those who had fallen ill. They became known as “The Parabalani” (“The Reckless Ones”) because in caring for the sick, they selflessly exposed themselves to infection. As they ministered, they preached the gospel. We might reasonably conclude that those who lay dying in the streets received salvation at a far greater rate than those were healthy.

As Christians, we are called to reach out and to care for the sickest of sinners; those who have been abandoned and left to die. Drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, thieves, adulterers, and fornicators are frequently the most willing to receive God’s message. May we never shun sinners, nor abandon the lost. The Holy Spirit will provide every faithful believer with opportunities to preach the gospel, and to deliver healing to those who are afflicted.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we never forget that we are but sinners, saved by Your grace. Provide us with opportunities to minister to the lost. May we have compassion on the sick and love those who are dying. May we continue to be instruments of Your mercy, that many others might come to know true forgiveness and reconciliation. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!