As Long as I Have Breath

A couple of weeks ago we traveled with one of our grandsons, a granddaughter and her friend to a nearby festival. We decided to ride up the scenic mountain near there. We’ve driven up that mountain for quite a while, but the last two times we’ve gone on the scenic tour, we’ve had the same granddaughter and grandson with us.

Some of you may remember the story of the prayer for a bear. How I prayed out loud for God to let us see a bear and there she was right around the next corner! I shared that day with my grandchildren how they had living proof that God answers prayer and that will need to remember that all of their lives. If they ever had a need they knew that God would answer, because they experienced it!

Well, up we were on this mountain again. As the teenagers in the back seat were yacking and laughing, I was having another talk with the Lord. I wanted to ask to see another bear, but I didn’t want to be pushy. After all we’d seen one. Did I really want to ask to see another one? Did I really believe He might answer the same request twice?

I asked our granddaughter’s friend if she’d ever seen a bear in the wild and got a resounding no. They kept yacking and I kept wrangling with myself and with the Lord. Finally I leaned towards my hubby who was driving and prayed, “Lord, I know I’ve asked before, but we’d like to see a bear again today. Taylor’s never seen one.”

You guessed it! There he was right in the middle of the road! How good is God!? Taylor got to see a bear in the wild. God answered the same prayer again! I had been bold enough to ask in faith and God provided the answer.

How do I feel about it? I felt God speaking: you can always ask Me for anything because I AM the answer to your prayers. Even if you’ve asked for it and gotten it before, I still answer the same prayer over and over.”

Did I get instant answers to prayer? Twice? Yes and no. Here’s the thing most folks don’t know. I’d been looking for a bear on that mountain for over 40 years. That’s right. Praying, wishing, hoping…since the first time in 1973 we went over that road, I’ve been watching.  Why now? Why twice in two years?

Because God wants to show His children that they never have to shy away from asking, they never have to say they’ve asked enough, they never have to quit asking, quit seeking, quit knocking. In this case an instant answer was also an answer to continual requests for many years.

Oh beloved, the Lord loves you! And because He loves you He delights in giving you the desires of your heart. He won’t ever disappoint you, even when it seems your prayers go unanswered. Keep seeking His face, for it is the face of love. Keep looking for the answer! Keep waiting for the miracle, the provision, the blessing, the redemption…Whatever it is beloved, whatever you need, wherever you are, God hears you. He’s not deaf, He’s not indifferent, and He’s not aloof. He’s your All Sufficient Lord and He’s got your prayers in His hands and the answers on the way.

Rejoice when you talk with the Father, because it’s His good pleasure to converse with you and to bless you beyond your wildest imagination. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s what makes all the difference when you pray.

Psalm 116:1-2 I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.  Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

Psalm 18:6 But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears.

Matthew 7:7-8 Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.  For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

There is One Who Will Always Listen

 

Remember back in the day when the large discount stores would have blue light and red light specials?  Someone would speak into the intercom, “Attention customers, blue light special in aisle 7” or some such call to action.  Sure enough people who leave their regular shopping plans and file to the area where the light was revolving. Surely there was something that none of us could live without.  As soon as the temporary sale was over, the light would be turned off and everyone would disappear back into the store to continue shopping. 

Little children as well love to call out, “Attention everybody!”  This is a call for family to rally around as they do some cute cartwheel or make a speech that just melts the heart.  Even if it’s funny, the adults will take it seriously and play close consideration. All listeners lean in close to hear a child’s message.  Afterwards, hugs will go around as everyone delights in the child’s story.  Children enjoy the attention of their family.  It’s important to them to be recognized and appreciated for their unique abilities. 

Everyone wants attention.  There are times when you may even wish you had a light shining or a bell to ring.  You’ve heard some wonderful news and you can’t wait to share it. You dial a phone only to find no answer. You try tell your spouse or another loved one, but they’re busy. You may live alone without the comfort of another human being to share your life with.  You may feel that no one cares, or that there’s no one to listen as you so desperately want to share.

Oh beloved! There is One Who will listen to your joyful stories. There is One Who is always listening for you to share the wonders of your day. The Lord Himself, Maker of Heaven and Earth, doesn’t need you to shine a light or blow a horn! He hears you! In fact, He listens before you call out to Him.  He’s never too busy, He’s ready in an instant and He applauds your triumphs! When things are hard and you’re not sure where to turn, He is there as well. You reach out and find that God is your ever present comfort because His Word says so.  While others may not give you the time of day, God is your Audience of One. And with an audience like the Father, who needs anyone else? 

Run to Him this morning and share your day’s plans. He loves for you to include Him! And then in the evening, when the day is done, you can come to Him again and He’s not too tired, distracted or worn out, ever.  He will always listen, He will always applaud you, He will always be on your side to comfort, to enjoy and to reveal His love to your heart. His Word is your megaphone and when you call out to Him, He always responds. Why? Because He loves you and He’s on your side no matter what. And that’s worth seeking His face and rejoicing in His presence.

Psalm 116:2 Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

Isaiah 40:28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord delights in His people…”

Psalm 139:2 You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

Keep Asking - He Delights in You!

We will have new neighbors this week. The house across the street has been empty for several months now. It was full of life and fun just a year ago, before the owner’s wife passed away.  Then he moved back home to Tennessee.  It’s going to be nice to have someone in the house.  There’s more to that story…

I got some news recently that did not line up with what I’ve been praying. I was frustrated and hurt.  I thought I had seen signs of the prayers beginning to be answered, but with this recent turn of events I was floored.  In fact I was sure that God just wasn’t going to answer that particular prayer. 

I was sharing my dismay with the new neighbor, who just happens to be Stella’s mom and my daughter. She said, “I’ve got a devotional for you.” And this is what she related: “I prayed to get an opportunity to move to Arkadelphia.  All the time I griped daily. I would say to myself you’ll never get to move. Things will never change. Gripe,  complain, etc. But here we are moving into a big house with a great yard and two bathrooms.”  She continued, “God answered my prayers even though I was saying it just won’t happen. Even though I was complaining pretty much every day”.  Well? You guessed it.  I will continue to pray, no matter what my eyes see, no matter what the circumstances are. I know I am praying according to God’s will, so whatever comes I’ll keep praying.

Oh beloved, what have you been praying for? What is that heart’s desire that you just keep hoping for?  I want to encourage you this morning to keep asking, keep knocking, keep seeking! Don’t look to the circumstances or the situation, but look to the Lord! Remember that satan can throw roadblocks at you, things that seem to say there’s no hope, but he can’t stop God’s will.  There’s nothing God loves more than to answer His children with good and wonderful answers!   Press on to the One Who loves you; press in to the One Who delights in answering your prayers; press close to the One Who is for you. How blessed are you who speaks with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord about all your troubles, trials, hopes, fears and desires – knowing He always answers in His time and right on time!

Psalm 6:9  The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer.

Psalm 118:21  I thank You for answering my prayer and giving me victory!

2 Corinthians 10:4  We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

Luke 11:9 And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.