Why We Should be Thankful for Unanswered Prayers... By: Jennifer Heeren

 Why We Should be Thankful for Unanswered Prayers 

By: Jennifer Heeren

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.” (2 Peter 1:5-9)

This Scripture passage speaks of making every effort to respond to God’s promises and add to my faith moral excellence, and to that knowledge. Then add self-control mixed with patient endurance. And godliness. And brotherly affection. And love for all. The more I learn and grow in those ways, the more useful I will be on earth.

I’ve prayed for many things over the years. Favor on job interviews. A loving husband. Car repair bills to be lower than I expect. Benign biopsies. A baby. My list of desires can go on and on.

I’ve also prayed for friends, family, and acquaintances. Healing from accidents and diseases. Cancer to go into remission. Successful surgeries. Safe travels.

God always answers our prayers. But the answer isn’t always a “yes.” Sometimes it is “no” and sometimes it’s “not now.”

Wouldn’t it be great if I could ask for something from God and He always answered quickly with a definite yes? It seems like that would be wonderful, but would it actually be a good thing?

Our whims aren’t necessarily God’s will.

I don’t always pray for His will. I need to take all my whims and thoughts to God so that He can shape them into something more fitting to the way He originally designed me. God doesn’t owe me anything, especially not my whims. However, He does promise me that He will provide the things I need—food, drink, clothing, etc.

We can’t see the entire situation.

I can only see what is right in front of me. So, I need to rely on the judgment of an omniscient God if I truly desire what is best. I can keep a prayer journal so I can read about things that I desired in the past. Then I realize that God did indeed answer a lot of those requests. Sometimes with an “immediate yes.” Often with a better “wait for this other thing.”

A yes to everything we want is not how we were created.

If I did get a yes to every prayer, wouldn’t that make me more of a god than God? He would be at my beck and call. I should always be coming to Him to ask if something is a good idea or not, not the other way around. God’s ways are so much higher than mine. He is able through His mighty power to accomplish infinitely more than I can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Unanswered prayers lead us to stronger relationships with God.

God wants me to come to Him with everything, not just get what I want and then forget about Him. He deserves my attention even when I don’t get what I want. God desires me to want Him, even more than what I’m asking for.

Unanswered prayers teach us to put our hope in God.

Psalm 62:5 says, “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” My hope is in Him, not in my wants or even in my needs. He knows what I need before I even ask Him anyway. He is patient with me until I see my subtle real needs instead of my glaring wants.

Unanswered prayers serve the purpose of leading me to the ultimate gift—peace of mind and heart (John 14:27). A peace that comes from trusting my Creator and Designer with EVERY aspect of my life. I’m not saying that this is easy to do. It’s a constant battle of my will vs. His best. But when I stop fighting, there is a peace and an absence of fear. Peace of mind and soul is much better than a temporary “yes.”

Trust in God’s Promise..... Denison Ministries

 Trust in God’s Promise

Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Our heavenly Father has made incredible promises to us, his children. And while our God is completely faithful to deliver on his promises, he does not force them on us. He’s promised his nearness, his affections, and an eternal life spent with him. But we have the power to choose our own way. He doesn’t force himself where there’s no space. God’s word won’t have power in our lives if we don’t read it. We won’t hear God effectively if we’re not listening. And we can’t experience his nearness if we constantly fill our lives with other things. So, this week we’re going to talk about different ways we can experience the promises of God so that they might come to full fruition in our lives. May you encounter God powerfully as you grow in fully experiencing the incredible promises of your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

Devotional:

The Bible consistently gives us an image to visualize when thinking about the character of God. Psalm 18:2 says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” 2 Samuel 22:32 says, “For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?” I love how the Lord chooses to use creation to tell us of the invisible attributes of his nature. To our eyes, rocks are unchanging, steady, and stable. Generations of men come and go, but rocks stay visually the same. So it is with our God. 1 Kings 8:56 says, “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant.” The promises of God are sure. They are even more immovable than the strongest mountains. They are more steadfast than the very ground you walk on.

You can place your trust in God and believe he'll follow through on his promises. In fact, experiencing his promises to the extent God intends for you requires trust. Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Throughout Scripture, God leads his people to peace. He’s promised peace to us as his children. But Isaiah 26 tells us of an incredibly important concept. Those who will be kept in “perfect peace” are those “whose mind is stayed” on God. And a mind can only be stayed on God “because he trusts in [him].”

Experiencing the fullness of God’s promises requires our steadfast trust. For example, Philippians 4:19 says, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” God promises to “supply every need of yours.” His promise is sure. But experiencing the peace his promise of provision is meant to supply requires trusting in his word. He will provide for your needs regardless of your trust, but you won’t be able to experience the peace God longs to give if you’re constantly worried about whether or not you’ll be provided for. The commonly quoted promise of Jeremiah 29:11 says, “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.” God will still have an incredible plan for your life regardless of whether you trust his word. But God’s promise is meant to produce in you an unshakable assurance. You are created to live your life trusting that God has a plan for you and will reveal it to you perfectly. Experiencing that assurance requires the act of trusting God’s character and leadership.

Where do you need “perfect peace” today? Where do you need rest for your soul? Search out the promises of God. Remember that his promises are sure. He is your rock and your refuge. Place your trust in his promises as often as it takes until they produce peace in your life. Choose continually to place your hope in God and live a life of faith in response to his faithfulness. God has a plan to lead you to peace today. He has a plan to produce joy and hope in you that can’t be taken away by any circumstance or fear. Experience all that God’s promises are meant to produce today by trusting in your Rock, your everlasting and loving heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:           

1. Meditate on God’s immovable promises.

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

2. Where in your life do you need to experience more of the fruit of God’s promises? Where do you need peace and hope?

3. Choose to place your trust in God today. Search out his promises that have to do with areas in your life that cause you worry or fear, and then place your trust in those promises.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

The Lord has incredible patience to lead you through the process of trusting him. God knows that experiencing all that the Christian life is intended to give requires incredible faith. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). If you find yourself fearful, worried, our doubting, it is all right. Just don’t stay there! Search out God’s promises. Spend time in prayer. Spend time “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Trusting God is a lifelong pursuit. But it is a pursuit worth all of your time and energy. Commit yourself to spending time exploring and experiencing the faithfulness of God. Let his steadfast love produce in you trust and hope. Place your trust today in your God, the only one who will never fail you.

Extended Reading: Isaiah 26

When You Feel Behind..... MEGHAN RYAN

 When You Feel Behind

MEGHAN RYAN 

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

It was a typical Tuesday-night get-together with three of my closest friends. However, a lot had changed in the last few weeks. One friend had a baby, and another got married; the third friend was sharing about an exciting new job opportunity.

While I held my friend’s baby, in a beautiful new home she owned, and listened to all the news I was genuinely so thrilled to hear, I felt myself start to panic.

I had nothing new to share. I didn’t even have the prospect of a house, husband, baby or promotion coming.

The lie looped on repeat in my head: I’m behind.

Do you ever feel like I do, like everyone is moving on without you? Like everyone is graduating to a new phase of life, and you’re stuck where you are? Whether it’s watching another friend get married or have a baby, or finding out someone you know is buying a home, it’s easy to look around and wonder: Did I miss something?

In those moments, I often question myself. Was I not in the right city or at the right job? Did I miss what God was calling me to do? Why does it seem like things are happening for everyone else but me?

But Psalm 27:13 tells us where we can place our confidence when we feel behind: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

When I reflect on this verse, I know those questions I ask myself aren’t true. I can see glimpses of the goodness of God right now. I can see some of the ways He has been working out the details of my life along the way. And when I pause to reflect on this, I remember life is not about getting to the next destination or graduating to another life phase; it’s about being faithful with what’s in front of you and around you right now. (Hebrews 11:13)

If you're feeling “behind” today, here are four ways I've found encouragement to combat those lies:

1. Pray with honesty. We can still be honest about what we long for even when we learn to enjoy what we have now. Prayer has the power to change things, so don’t stop asking and believing for God to move. (1 Peter 5:7)
2. Put down the social media. When we stop looking at what everyone else has or what they are doing, we are better able to love the life that’s right in front of us. (James 3:16)
3. Practice gratitude. Slowing down long enough to appreciate the gifts God has already given makes us feel less like we are missing out on something. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
4. Change your perspective. There are things in my life today that I used to pray for, and that perspective changes how I live. There are also things in my life that other people are praying for. (Hebrews 12:2)

There are still many days when I’m frustrated by things that haven’t changed in my life. But when we look back and see evidence of God’s faithfulness then, we can have confidence He is still being faithful now.

The next time you experience the fear of being behind, remember: You are not behind.

God is writing a story that is unique to YOU. It may not be the story you want, and it may not be in the timing you want, but He is not leaving you behind. Over and over, the Bible shows us He has not forgotten us. Like Romans 8:28 says, whatever He is working out behind the scenes is for your good and His glory.

God, when I feel behind, remind me that You have me right where You want me. When I’m tempted to look to the right or left and compare where I am to the people around me, help me look up to You instead. Thank You for the story You are writing for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God Acts on Our Behalf..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 God Acts on Our Behalf

Dr. Charles Stanley

Isaiah 64:1-4

The Lord is a God of action. Even when He rested on the seventh day of creation, it wasn't because He was tired and needed to recuperate. Although He deliberately made a choice to stop His creative activity, He never ceased working. While the Lord is always controlling the universe, He is, at the same time, intimately involved with individual lives.

God has a plan for each one of us and wants us to know what it is. Every time we take a step of obedience, He sheds more light on our path. But sometimes He asks us to pause awhile, and we may not know why. We long for direction in a particular matter, but our prayers just aren't being answered, and we wonder, Why does He delay?

When you aren't seeing any answers, it doesn't mean that God is not working. He's still actively involved in your life, but He works in ways that are not always visible He orchestrates circumstances, changes people's hearts, and protects His children from making hasty decisions that will have disastrous consequences. Perhaps the Lord knows you're not yet ready for the next leg of your spiritual journey. Waiting times are opportunities for growth in character, obedience, and faith. He may also need time to train you for future responsibilities and ministries.

When you intentionally choose to be still, God unleashes His mighty power on your behalf. He has planned good things for those who wait, and I believe what He has in store for your life will surpass all expectations. When He knows you're ready to receive His blessings, they'll flow into your lap.

Figuring Out the Fig Tree..... by Ryan Duncan

 Figuring Out the Fig Tree

by Ryan Duncan

“Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." – John 2:19

Have you ever read the story of Jesus and the fig tree? It’s a curious moment in the New Testament, and for a long time, I had no idea what to make of it. It all begins in Mark 11, when Jesus grows hungry and approaches a fig tree looking for food.

“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.” – Mark 11:12-14

Now, everyone experiences low blood-sugar from time to time, but for Jesus, this seems remarkably out of character. After all, didn’t he fast in the desert for forty days? Surely he could handle the disappointment of not finding a fig. Even then, why not just make the tree bloom? If he could turn water into wine, why didn’t he command the tree to bear fruit?

Later, I learned it was because figs had very little to do with this story. You see, after his run-in with the unfortunate shrub, Jesus made his way to the temple where the money changers were cheating worshipers (Mark 11:20-25). By driving them out, Jesus incurred the anger of the chief priests, and the next morning he and his disciples leave the city again. This is where Jesus encounters the fig tree a second time,

“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!’ ‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.’" – Mark 11:20-24

Like the fig tree, the Jewish faith looked good on the outside, but despite its appearance, it wasn’t producing any fruit. Because it wasn’t providing for his people, Jesus decreed that he would let it fade, and raise up something new in its place: the Church. We are the new creation God planted for those hungry to know God; let's make sure we yield a bountiful harvest.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Are you producing spiritual fruit, or simply maintaining appearances?

Further Reading

Matthew 5

A Prayer to the God Who Answers When We Call..... By Tiffany Thibault

 A Prayer to the God Who Answers When We Call

By Tiffany Thibault

Come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone. - Genesis 35:3

Life does offer us some guarantees. We can expect there to be heartache, pain and struggles mixed right in there with all the good things that come our way. We can know that we alone are responsible for how we will react when difficult situations interrupt our happy plans.

In the life of Jacob, we see that he had his fair share of trouble. He manipulated and was manipulated, he did things his way and often had to suffer as a result of those actions. Yet, despite all of the problems he struggled with, this verse gives us a look at his heart for God.

The verse starts by giving an invitation to the people in his life to come worship with him: “Come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God.”

Jacob’s actions teach us that we need to share our faith; we need to bring people to worship God with us. There is great joy found at the altar of God. We can absolutely find rest, peace, hope and strength when we worship God down on our knees, in prayer. God answered Jacob in his distress, and as a result, he wanted his friends to go to worship God with him, to know the God who cared for him.

Another truth from this verse is that when God answers, we need to celebrate! We need to set a visual reminder to remind ourselves we have a God who helps us in our distress and answers our prayers. The alter was a visual reminder reminding God’s people that he was with them wherever they went. While we don’t need to build an altar to remember God is with us, some people frame a special Bible verse to hang on their wall, others journal what great things God is doing in their lives and still others post about how great God is on social media. God deserves the praise, and we can joyously celebrate with each other in how God moves in people's lives and hearts.

As we look at the rest of this verse, we see why Jacob went to Bethel to worship. Bethel was the place where Jacob had built the altar where he first worshiped God. In our verse, Jacob returns to that place to worship God again. He had many things to be thankful for. God answered him when he was in distress, and God has always been with him. We too have many reasons to worship the Lord. God does answer us. He does hear our cries when we are in distress. He does promise to always be with us. He deserves our worship every moment of our busy days.

When God answers our prayers, it strengthens our faith. It is so important to remind ourselves of all the ways that God works in our lives, and to note all the answers to prayers. The more we see Him work in our hearts and lives, the more we eagerly trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more we should want to bring others to worship with us. Let’s start today to seek Him more, to trust Him more, to praise Him more and to bring others to worship with us. He is the God who answers and who is always with us, so let’s share that with the people who are in our lives!

Dear Lord, 

Thank you that you are the God who answers my prayers. Thank you that I can rest in the truth that in my distress, I can turn to you. Thank you for the peace that I have, knowing that you will listen and that you will answer. Thank you for the reminder that you have been with me wherever I go. Help me Lord to be a witness of your goodness, your love and your provision. Help me Lord to bring people to worship you.

In your name, I pray, 

Amen

Easter Is for Second Chances..... Greg Laurie

 Easter Is for Second Chances

Greg Laurie

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” —Mark 16:6–7

Do you need a second chance today? On the first Easter morning, Peter needed one. There in the Upper Room, he had insisted that he would never deny Christ. But just as Jesus had predicted, Peter not only denied the Lord, but he denied Him three times. The last glimpse Peter had of Jesus before His crucifixion was in the glow of the fire in the high priest’s courtyard, where he actually made eye contact with Jesus. And then he went out and wept bitterly.

What kind of look do you think Jesus gave Peter when their eyes met? Do you think it was one of those I-told-you-so looks? Do you think it was one of scorn, as if to say, “How could you betray Me?” I don’t think it was either one. I think it was a look of love, a look of compassion that said, “I still love you, Peter.” And I believe that is why Peter went out and wept bitterly. He had failed the Lord so miserably. He probably thought there was no hope for him.

But then a message went out from the empty tomb that Jesus had risen, followed by these instructions, “Go, tell His disciples—and Peter. . . .” It was not, “Go tell the disciples, including Peter, James, and John. . . .” It was just Peter, because Peter needed a special word of encouragement.

Do you need encouragement today? Maybe you have fallen short. You didn’t plan on it, but it happened. And like Peter, maybe you ended up with the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time, ultimately doing the wrong thing.

God gave Peter a second chance. And He will give you one, too—because Easter is for the person who needs a second chance.