Encouragement for Today - March 14, 2007
Building Faith
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew
Devotion:
I recently received a letter in my e-mail box from a friend. She sent it to quite a few people to share a story of how God was building the faith in her family. It read:
Hi friends, I want to share a quick story about my daughter Kara. In our home school, we always start with prayer time. Well, Kara had been "mailing it in" lately with her prayers. She would just reword whatever her brother Nick prayed. I told her that it is okay to agree with someone else's prayer but it is really important to tell God what is on your heart too. So, she prayed a very sweet prayer and at the end, she said, "Jesus, could you please make it snow. We haven't had any snow for years."
That day was a little colder than normal, but the sun was shining .Around
I have to tell you, when I hear stories like this I tend to think, “Yea, I’m sure you thought you saw snow….but I bet it was really big drops of rain or something.” I mean, snow was impossible on this particular sunny 45 degree day in
I had just picked my kids up from school. I noticed big drops falling from the sky. It appeared to be snow, but I figured the sun was just in my eyes and I wasn’t seeing clearly. When we got out of the car, the five of us just stood there in amazement. It wasn’t sticking to the ground, but it was snow, big flakes falling from the sky. The kids got so excited - you have to understand, around here, we see a few flakes and immediately envision days off from school and sledding. Wishful thinking. As quickly as the snow began falling, it stopped. It was time to stop the dreaming and get on to homework. School would definitely be in session tomorrow.
After reading the letter about Kara’s prayer for snow I wondered, Is it possible? Could it be that the snow falling from sky yesterday was a direct answer to a child’s prayer? “No way. It’s just a coincidence,” I said aloud to myself. Then I thought about the God we serve. Matthew
Not only did God increase the faith of Kara and her family, but through her story, mine increased as well. God cares about what we care about. Nothing is too big or small to bring to Him. If it’s on our heart, then He wants us to bring it to Him.
When was the last time you shared your heart with the Lord? I know He knows it all anyway, but I also know that He loves it when we come to Him willingly and boldly. Today, I invite you to spend some time talking to Jesus. Tell Him what the desires of your heart are. He doesn’t care how old you are or how your thoughts are worded. Just like a good daddy, He likes to spend time with you and have the opportunity to show you what He can do.
Dear Lord, what an amazing God You are! You keep showing Your greatness in the lives of Your children, whom You love dearly. Please help build my faith through prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer by Cheri Fuller
The Gift of Prayer, an ETC article
Application Steps:
What is on your heart right now this very minute? Stop reading this devotion and talk to the Lord about it.
Reflections:
Do you believe what you care about really matters to God?
Are you confident that He loves you enough to listen to all of your prayers?
Do you share your special God moments with others in your life so that their faith may be strengthened?
Power Verses:
James 1:6, “But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (NLT)
Matthew 6:30, “And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!” (NLT)
Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28105
