Mid-Week Message - Alone Time With the Lord

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."  Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)

One of the choruses we sang at Dallas Christian College reflected these verses.  It has been one of my favorites since I learned it.  I find it very touching and a way to express to the Lord my desire to have a heart, and a life, that is acceptable and pleasing to Him.  

The idea of having a clean heart catches my attention because I get so exhausted wading through the muck that I encounter in everyday life.  Everything vies for our attention.  This world is moving at such a fast pace that we spend most of our time just trying to stay caught up.  From the time we open our eyes in the morning until the time we shut them at night, almost every moment is filled with earthly concerns.  Bills need to be paid.  The boss is in a bad mood.  The children have lessons and activities to get to.  The spouse is too busy to help out.  The doctor says it's time for a check-up and the car needs service.  On and on it goes until we drop onto our bed, look at the clock and count the hours we have for sleep then try as hard as we can to fall off to sleep before it gets any later.

Every moment is spoken for.  Our hearts are overwhelmed.  As long as we allow it to go on, it will.  But there is something we can do.  We can carve out some time to be quiet and sit in the presence of the Lord.  Even if it is just five minutes, that is five minutes of our day and a section of our hearts set aside for Him and Him only.  During that time we allow Him to cleanse us from the inside out and to prepare us for the day.  If we are diligent about keeping this daily appointment, then pretty soon we find ourselves spending ten or fifteen minutes at a time.  And we find that the concerns of the world start to pale when compared to our growing relationship with the great I AM.  

Life will continue to include the same elements.  We will still have to contend with responsibilities and the expectations of others.  It is our perspective that will change.  The fruits of the Spirit will be more evident in our lives and how we view each day will change.  Joy will be more abundant.  Patience will steadily grow.  Love will be more readily given and peace, the peace that passes understanding, will be experienced more often.  We cannot change someone else's heart, but Praise God we can allow Him to change ours.  

Another thing that will be new is that we will need to become very protective of our time with the Lord.  As it becomes the foundation of each day, we will find that we will need to guard it because we have an enemy that will stop at nothing to steal it away.  The last thing he wants to see is a flourishing relationship with Jesus. But remember, he is a liar and a deceiver.   We will have to stay alert and realize that it will happen so that we can see it for what it is.

As we go through this week, I want to urge everyone to just set aside five minutes per day for Him.  However you choose to spend it, through prayer, time in the Bible or meditating on the scripture you have saved up in your heart and mind, treasure it.  You are the apple of His eye and if you were the only one on earth that needed the redemption brought by Jesus, He still would have chosen to die on the cross.  Surely we can set aside just a few moments to show Him that He is important to us too.  God bless you. 

Mid-Week Message - I'm Tired, Lord (Reprint)

  "Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.  Let me dwell in your tent forever!  Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!  Selah"  Psalm 61:1-4 (ESV)

I'm tired, Lord.  How many of us have begun a prayer with those words?  My guess would be that, at some point in time, most of us have.  It is simple and it is honest.  Let's face it, life isn't so much fun some days.  Just standing up from the bed or couch can feel like a marathon for those with physical maladies.  For those in the workplace, we all know that the stress can be grueling.  The day in and day out of going through the same motions can be exhausting.  No wonder we come home and flop down in front of the television.  It gives us a chance to get our minds on something else, if only temporarily.  At bedtime, we count the hours we can sleep before repeating the same routine again.  

I chose today's verse because it expresses our need for a place to run to and find shelter when life gets hard.  Of course, we know Jesus is always with us but it can be hard to remember that when we are struggling and feel alone.  We all need a secure place to feel protected and loved and there is no place better than in the arms of our Father.  

There is a song that I love to listen to when I feel that I just can't go on.  Sung by Josh Groban, "You Raise Me Up" helps me to picture Jesus' hands coming down from Heaven to scoop me up and hold me close.  His strength is all that gets me through each day of my life.  He is our source for strength, for hope, for safety and for rest.  In Him we find understanding and direction.  

Do you sing to the Lord?  There are so many wonderful hymns that many of us know by heart.  "Take My Hand, Precious Lord", "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and "Leaning On the Everlasting Arms" are just a few but there are many others, including multiple contemporary songs that we can sing to Him while He is carrying us through difficulties.  Music is a gift that we can use to praise our Lord that will also buoy our hearts and remind us that there is Someone who knows everything we go through and loves us far beyond our physical, mental or emotional capabilities.  

When we feel so tired that we seriously wonder how much longer we can continue, when our souls are downcast and feeling abandoned, when we feel as though there is no help available, He is there.  His arms are always open and His shoulder is ready if you need to shed a few tears.  He has enough strength to help each and every one of us and have plenty left over.  There is never a time when He cannot see or hear what we are going through and His presence is always accessible.  

We do not have to carry life's burdens alone.  Lay them at the foot of the cross and ask our risen Savior to assist you through your day.  May you find rest and peace in whatever struggle you have before you.  God bless! 

Mid-Week Message - Feeling Insignificant

 "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."  Matthew 10:29-31  (NIV)

Stop what you are doing and come close.  I want you to completely tune in to today's topic.  Answer this question - how do you feel about yourself?  Think before you answer because I want you to truly examine your heart before you respond.  I ask this question because an alarmingly large proportion of those living today struggle with feeling insignificant.  This idea of ourselves can begin in countless ways but the end result is the same.  We wonder why we are even here.  

Notice that I include myself in this.  It is a battle I have fought for most of my life.  Sadly, we spend far too much time feeling as if we don't fit in and far too little time seeking, examining and acknowledging what our Father in Heaven has to say.  This must greatly please the enemy because when we are feeling sorry for ourselves our focus is not on the wonder and majesty of the Lord. 

One of the things you will see me write often is how intimately the Lord desires to be involved in our lives.  Psalm 139 tells us that He was with us in our mothers' wombs and saw us being formed.  It also says that all of our days were written in His book before we even came to be.  So important are we to Him that, as Isaiah 49:16 tells us, our names are engraved on His hand.  

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was born for you and me.  He left the beauty and perfection of Heaven to begin His life in a feeding trough.  He spent His life teaching about who He is, and declaring His love for us.  Ultimately, He was brutally beaten, belittled, spat upon and horrifyingly nailed to a cross and that also was for you and me.  He gave His life to buy our pardon.  So great is His love for us that He took upon Himself every sin that had ever, and would ever, be committed.  Nails had no power over the Savior.  The only thing strong enough to keep Him on that cross was love.  Then He fulfilled His greatest promise and rose again.  Even now He intercedes for us before the Father.  Does this sound as though He feels we are insignificant?

I am all too aware that each of us faces hardships of one kind or another and that it is easy to feel that nothing ever seems to change for the better.  We can feel isolated and that life is passing us by.  When we sit and focus on ourselves we open the door for the enemy to whisper in our ears that our lives count for little, that few people care about us and that we have very little to contribute.  

But, think about this....Almighty God, perfect in every way, chose to create this world and He didn't think it was complete without you.  He made only one of each of us, so it stands to reason that we each have a purpose.  You may never know how many lives you touch, how many hearts you impact.  Like in the movie "It's A Wonderful Life", if you or I had not been born then this world would be totally different.  Just consider -  our children or grandchildren would never have been born.  Do you think the world is a better place with them in it?  

We have to change our focus.  Spending more time in God's Word will fill our minds and hearts with His thoughts.  Reaching out will lift up others who are struggling too.  There is always a way to make a positive contribution.  Ask the Lord to reveal to you a talent you may be unaware of or how to better use one you are aware of.  Strive to bring joy to someone.  Even if you just impact one life, to that one person you may be the most significant soul on earth.  

I pray that we all might align ourselves with how Jesus sees us then find a way to share His love with as many other people as possible.  May your day, and life, be blessed.  

 

Mid-Week Message - When Life Is Hard

 "The Lord is my strength and shield.  I trust him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."  Psalm 28:7  (NLT)  

When we were young, we dreamed of being older.  Didn't we all wish for the time when we would be on our own, making our own decisions in life and be out from under our parents' control?  We dreamed of being able to do the things we wanted to do when we wanted to do them.  We idealized our future careers, dreamed about meeting our life partners and planned for how we would raise our own children.  We would be different.  We would do better.  How naïve were.

We had no idea what adult life was truly like.  We didn't know how onerous the responsibilities would be.  Not being able to see the future, we didn't have any idea what troubles we might encounter.  Our fantasies didn't include financial problems, job losses, caring for elderly parents, battling disease, worrying over addicted children or dealing with our own mortality.  We certainly couldn't have foreseen political unrest or a time when this nation would turn against those who put their lives on the line every day to protect us.  

The reality is that we have no way of knowing what tomorrow will bring.  I can remember my mother telling me not to wish my life away and to enjoy being young as long as I could.  Those were wise words that I did not understand at the time.  Now, how I long to go back and let someone else be in charge so that I can live oblivious to the problems that life inevitably presents.  Wouldn't you like that as well?  

Life is not just hard, sometimes it is too hard.  Many days we awake not knowing what our next step should be.  It may be that the money is not there to pay the bills or that our job may be eliminated. Maybe a marriage is on the rocks or a child is in danger.  There are so many possibilities that can be thrown at us.  What are we to do?  

Just as those who came before us had to do, we have to find away to cope with all we are handed.  Thankfully we serve a God who has promised never to abandon us.  Though we find ourselves weak and worn, He is strong and faithful.  He says that His grace is sufficient for us and that is a grand promise because much of the time that is all we seem to have to hold onto as we lift our voices and cry for help. 

Praise God that we have Him to run to!  There is nothing that happens in our lives that catches Him by surprise.  Psalm 139:16b says, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  This is our assurance that before He even created us, He already knew everything that we would encounter.  He has walked the road ahead of us and knows how to lead us through whatever we are facing.  Though the way seems dark, He is the light that will guide us.  

Are you crying out for help?  He hears you.  Does it seem as though the help never comes?  I promise you that He is not ignoring your pleas.  He is there.  Listen for the gentle whisper of His voice.  Sing praises of thanksgiving, not because you see the answer, but because you know that He is in charge and will provide it.  Trust Him.  Believe Him.  Follow Him.  He will not let you down.  

Mid-Week Message - Precious In the Sight of the Lord

"So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said.  The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place."  Deuteronomy 34:5-6  (NLT)

Tuesday, November 6, 2007 is a day I will never forget.  I got a call from my mother that morning.  When I answered she said, "I can't wake your father."  I asked her if she had called for an ambulance.  She hadn't.  I instructed her to do so and headed as fast as I could to the duplex where they were living.  I arrived before EMS did and went into their living room where I found my father seated in his recliner.  I searched for a pulse.  When I did not find one, I got him onto the floor and began CPR.  When help arrived I was instructed to continue until their equipment was set up then they took over.  While they were working I began placing phone calls because I knew in my heart that my Daddy would never again open his eyes.

As the grief began to set in, I also started asking the Lord to reveal to me how He viewed the death of His earthly children.  Almost all of us have lost someone close to us.  We know the intense sadness of knowing we will not see them again during our time on this planet.  And we know that He endured watching the torturous death of His only Son.  I guess I just wanted to know that even though our lives continue as we transition to Heaven, that when a life ends on earth, it means something to Him.

Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants."  I have read this verse many times during my Christian life.  However, during my time of grief and searching, it took on new significance.  

My father loved the Lord.  During the last years of his life especially, he spent much time in prayer.  After he retired, he had little time to enjoy himself because my mother's health declined and he took on a new role as caregiver.  He did it without complaint and out of love for her but he told me once that he wished he could just get in his van and drive away.  He was tired.  He had his own health problems to deal with as well and his strength was waning.  I believe with all of my heart that he was ready to be done with this life.  I asked him once what he was looking forward to most in Heaven and his answer was, "running barefoot."  As a boy he ran everywhere he went and was usually barefoot because his family was poor.  I found it very touching that, of all the possibilities he could choose, what he really desired was being able to run barefoot once again.  

I know that as he took his last breaths that morning he was not alone.  In today's verse we learn that  it was the Father Himself that buried Moses when he passed away.  It shows great tenderness along with presence and involvement.  Does Almighty God feel anything when a death occurs?  Oh yes.  Just as He is present with us as we live, so He is present with us as we leave our earthly bodies.  I believe my father was met with heavenly rejoicing and that he was able to feel the ground beneath his bare feet as he ran into the arms of our Savior.  

We grieve over what we see as a loss.  But dear ones, those who go to be present with the Creator experience greater joy than we can even imagine.  They are not sad, nor will they ever be again.  As much as I miss my Daddy and wish that I could see him again on this side of Heaven, I would never want him to leave where he is.  How could I ever ask him to re-enter a world of pain and trouble?  But one day, after I have entered the heavenly realms for myself, I will worship at the feet of Jesus along with my beloved earthly father.  God bless you.  

Mid-Week Message - He Knows Our Thoughts

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit or stand.  When far away you know my every thought.  You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.  Every moment you know where I am.  You know what I'm going to say before I even say it.  You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head."  Psalm 139:1-5 (TLB)  

Have you ever wished you could read minds?  How much easier would communication be if we never had to wonder what the people around us were thinking?  The problem with it would be that we would know even the negative thoughts and be privy to things we would really rather not know.  Would it help our relationships or harm them if we always knew what was on another's mind?  

Good communication is of utmost importance with those that we are close to.  Marriage especially is deeply effected when the partners are negligent in sharing their thoughts and feelings.  It causes distance and misunderstandings when they are attempting to figure out on their own what is going through the mind and heart of their mate.  Counselors stay busy trying to unravel issues that could have been avoided with adequate communication.  

Another relationship that suffers is the one between parents and children. Especially when my daughter was a teenager, I longed for her to talk to me and tell me what she was thinking.  I would know she was struggling with something but I had no idea what.  It was frustrating because I loved her and wanted to help her through her difficult times but I had no idea what to say or do.  No matter how deeply we care for another person we will never be able to be as close to them as we wish to be because we do not have the ability to truly know their mind and heart.  We know only what they choose to share.  

Psalm 139 says that the Lord has examined our hearts and knows our thoughts.  His love for us is so great that when He created us he reserved for Himself the ability to know our every thought and feeling.  He knows what we think and feel and all the reasons why.  He knows what we are going to say before the words are ever uttered.  If He desires to be that close to us, what should our response be?  

Personally, I want Him to be honored by my thoughts.  I want Him to find a clean heart and honorable attitudes.  My desire is for Him to find love, sincerity, gratitude and humility when He draws near.  I want Him to know that His Word is sacred to me and that I seek to keep it.  I want Him to know that when I speak, the words will be honest and praise-filled.  Simply put, I want to be as close to Him as He desires to be close to me.  If I concentrate on fulfilling these desires then my relationships with others will be improved as well.  

Life happens to each of us daily and I realize it isn't always easy to keep the lines of communication open.  However, if we start with our relationship with the Lord, realizing that He has this intimacy with each of us and learn to share openly with Him, He will assist us in our relationships with our mates, children, friends, co-workers, etc.  I wish everyone a blessed and peaceful week.

Morning Scripture Reading - Psalm 105:1-4

Psalm 105:1-4 New International Version (NIV)

1 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
3 Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - What Does God Think of Us

During the early 1950s, ad agencies began to push more than products. They began pushing lifestyles. It wasn’t enough to provide the benefits of a product in an advertisement. They began to tout the notion that you would be envied by your friends and neighbors for owning a particular car or wearing a certain dress. Those same ad agencies made it clear that all should worry about how others think of them. If you didn’t own a particular car or wear a particular dress, you would be a social outcast and your friends and neighbors should avoid you like the plague. Take a look at today’s advertisements in magazines, newspapers and the flyers you receive in the mail. Look at the commercials on television. If you do not eat in a particular restaurant, you are not part of the “in crowd”.

After seeing these insidious advertisements, we begin to want and desire things not because we need them, but, rather, we want them to make us look sophisticated and part of the “in crowd” Even our children are affected by these commercials. By not wearing the right sneakers or wearing the right clothes, they risk ridicule from their classmates. If they own the wrong video game console, other children will pick on them for their choice. 

It is not enough just to have nice clothes or a dependable car, you are being told that you have to have an item because it will make you look cool to your friends. Instead of concentrating on more important things, we begin to worry about our images and wonder if we are truly “keeping up with the Joneses”. We constantly compare ourselves to those on television or in magazines and strive to become those perfect individuals.

When we begin to live our lives in this fashion, we are constantly worried about what others think about us. We live our lives through their eyes and their opinions regarding our lives. We soon forget the things that are truly important to us. We begin to move away from God and concentrate on what appear to be the most important things.

When Jesus enters Jerusalem on the back of a donkey on that beautiful Palm Sunday, the people welcomed him. In less than a week, many turned their back on him and wanted his execution. In John 12, Jesus talks about the people who do not believe in him completely. Starting with verse 42, John writes, “42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.” 

Although they may have believed in him, they still let the world drive their opinions of themselves. They preferred the praise of those around them rather than the praise of the Father. They wanted to hear the words that would tickle their ears and make themselves feel good about their decisions. We act the same way even today. We still allow others to dictate how we should act and feel when it comes to doing God’s will. We will sometimes shirk our responsibilities in favor of currying favor with others and garnering their approval of our lives.

As we continue down this path, we move farther and farther away from one whose view of us should matter most. We do not seek out God, but rather we work to gain the approval of others. The more we do this; the more we fail to serve God and we begin to serve our own vanity and feed our pride. 

Instead of being slaves to the opinions and dictates of others, we should dedicate ourselves to God the Father. He created us. Let us look at the beautiful story of Genesis regarding the creation of man. Reading from Genesis 2. “7 Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person.” God created all living things, but man was special. God personally fashioned him from the dust of the ground and breathed life into him. God did not do that with the fish and fowl of the seas and skies or with the animals that walk the dry land. Those were just created. God took special effort with man and made him in His own image. 

In verse 26 of Genesis 1, God says that man “will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” God places man as the steward of His work and gives him power over creation. God thought that much of man. 

Let us look at Psalm 139 and see what David says about God and His view of us. “1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”

God knows everything about us Jesus tells us in Luke 12, “6 'What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.'” Once again, God shows us what He thinks of us. We are so very valuable to Him.

If we examine Psalm 139 again, David tells us that God delicately knitted us together in the wombs of our mothers. He knew us before we were born and laid out each step of our lives. David sums it up best. “17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” God thinks about us every single moment of every single day. He guides our every step without fail. His love is unending and everlasting. 

To show you how much He loves you. Let us look at possibly the most quoted, memorized and profound of all Bible verses, John 3:16. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God provided for our salvation by giving us His son as our sacrifice for our sins and transgressions. That is how much He thinks of you. Certainly more than all those around us.

When we concentrate on God and seeking His approval, we make Him the center of our lives and live as He intended that we should. We no longer allow others to judge our lifestyles and do not seek their approval.

If you do not have a relationship with God who loves you more than you can ever imagine, listen to your heart. If you hear someone knocking on the door of your heart, that is Jesus asking to come into your life. He wants to give you something that others cannot give you. He wants you to know about a love that is everlasting and undeserved. It is love that will engulf you completely and give you a wonderful peace.

When you have God in your life and His love that will fill you to overflowing, you will know just how much God loves you and be able to stand firm in His grace.

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. 
~ Numbers 6:24-26 New Living Translation (NLT)

Daily Word of God - Psalm 52:9

Psalm 52:9 New Living Translation (NLT)

I will praise you forever, O God,
    for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
    in the presence of your faithful people.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 20:4

Psalm 20:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

May he grant your heart’s desires
    and make all your plans succeed.

Why Should You be Fearful or Tremble?

Psalm 27:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?

Palm Sunday - Psalm 103:2-4

Palm Sunday - Psalm 9:10

Daily Message - God Actively Listens to Us

There are times in all of our lives when we feel that God is not listening to us. Think again.

Third Sunday of Advent - Joy (Psalm Reading)

The Psalm reading for the Third Sunday of Advent comes from Psalm 148.

Psalm 148:13-14 New Living Translation (NLT)

13 Let them all praise the name of the Lord.

    For his name is very great;

    his glory towers over the earth and heaven!

14 He has made his people strong,

    honoring his faithful ones—

    the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!

Daily Message - How to Live a Good, Godly Life

I walked into a Barnes and Nobles the other day just to look around and enjoy a cup of coffee. As I was walking around the shelves, I ran across the Self-Help section. I began to read some of the titles and then picked out a few to to read their back jackets. Each had a different way for me to be happy. Each almost promised the same thing. If I purchase the book and follow its instructions, I would almost be certain of being happy and joyful in my life. Really?

When people ask me how to be happy and joyful, I point them to some free advice from the Bible. If you live a righteous life, you will be happy. If you follow the simple principles of the Bible, you will be joyful. If you share your happiness and joy with those around you, you and those who listened to you will be living the way God intended for us to live.

I suggest that you read Psalm 119:1-7.

Psalm 119:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

1 Joyful are people of integrity,

    who follow the instructions of the Lord.

2 Joyful are those who obey his laws

    and search for him with all their hearts.

3 They do not compromise with evil,

    and they walk only in his paths.

4 You have charged us

    to keep your commandments carefully.

5 Oh, that my actions would consistently

    reflect your decrees!

6 Then I will not be ashamed

    when I compare my life with your commands.

7 As I learn your righteous regulations,

    I will thank you by living as I should!

First Sunday of Advent - Hope (Response Reading)

The response reading for the First Sunday of Advent comes from Psalm 122.

5th Kernel of Corn - God Hears Our Prayers and Answers Them

A father and mother were getting their child ready for bed. Just after brushing her teeth, they all got down on their knees and began to pray. Their young daughter began to say the pray her parents taught her. "Now I lay me down to sleep..."

As she was finishing it, she got into bed. Before her parents could turn out the light, she asked a question, "Does God really listen to my prayers?"

Her parent immediately responded, "Yes, God does listen to and answers prayers."

The little girl asked one more difficult question, "How do you know that He listens to and answers prayers?"

That is when the parents said that she had a long day and needed her rest and turned the lights out.

The last question is sometimes the most difficult question to answer. How do we really know that God listens to our prayers and answers them? This question brings us to the 5th and final kernel of corn. It reminds us that God listens to and answers our prayers.

The story of the Pilgrims provides us with the answers to the question of how do we know. While facing tragedies and hardship, the Pilgrims turned to their faith to get them through the problems that they faced. When we turn to our faith, we turn to God and we pray to Him for help, guidance and His mercy. However, we need to understand how we are to pray in order for Him to listen.

David, in Psalm 66, tells us that if we do not confess our sins, the Lord would not have listened to his prayer. (Psalm 66:18) When we approach God's throne in prayer, we must be free from sin. Part of our prayer is admitting our shortcomings and sins and asking Him for forgiveness. Once we have openly admitted our sins and sincerely asked for forgiveness, God will listen to our prayers.

God not only listens to our prayers, but He also pays attention to them. (Psalm 66:19) As our Heavenly Father listens to our prayers, He will answer them. In Mark 11, Jesus tells us that if we ask the Father for anything and believe that you will receive it, He will answer our prayers. (Mark 11:24) Jesus also goes on to say in verse 25 that we need to forgive those who have wronged us before we pray. We need to forgive those just as our Father will forgive our sins.

So, as we all enjoy our Thanksgiving meal, let us remember the 5th kernel of corn that reminds us that God listens to our prayers and that He answers. We should be truly thankful for a having a relationship with a Heavenly Father who listens to us and works miracles in our lives daily.

Psalm 66:17-20 (NLT)

17 For I cried out to him for help,

    praising him as I spoke.

18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,

    the Lord would not have listened.

19 But God did listen!

    He paid attention to my prayer.

20 Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer

    or withdraw his unfailing love from me.

Seeking Justice and Accepting the Consequences

In Psalm 7, David pleads his case before God and states his innocence. He also acknowledges God's justice and fully accepts the punishment.

O Lord my God, if I have done wrong

    or am guilty of injustice,

if I have betrayed a friend

    or plundered my enemy without cause,

then let my enemies capture me.

    Let them trample me into the ground

    and drag my honor in the dust. Psalm 7:3-5 (NLT)

If David is innocent, he asks for God's protection. He also asks God to declare him as righteous.

We, too, have the ability to plead our case before the Lord and ask for His justice to prevail. But, we also need to understand that if we have wronged those around us, we must be prepared to be judged as well. Part of that judgement is making restitution to those we have wronged. Yes, it is something very difficult to do, but it must be done. It is the act of a righteous individual who understands God's laws.

God defends the righteous and judges by looking deeply into their minds and hearts. By doing so, God is an honest judge. Once again, God is our judge and He is just and will seek the truth.

Then let the heavens proclaim his justice,

    for God himself will be the judge.  Psalm 50:6 (NLT)