God Is Listening...

"For He has not ignored

the suffering of the needy.

He has not turned

and walked away.

He has listened to their

cries for help."

Psalm 22:24 NLT

Isn't this verse a comforting reminder that God does hear our cries for help? It doesn't matter what the circumstances of our lives are. If we are in need, He doesn't turn a deaf ear to us. God may not answer the way we want Him to, but He does answer in His timing, and in the way He knows is best for our particular need.

"He has not turned and walked away".......We can't always expect people to hang in there with us through our times of need. Some will, but many won't. But that's okay, we have reassurance all through the scriptures that God won't. He will never leave us or forsake us...no matter what!

Some trials go on for many years, it doesn't mean that God is ignoring us. If the mountain won't move, then we are to climb the mountain and bring glory to His name in the climb. How do we do that when the suffering can be so overwhelming at times? We abide in Him and draw close to Him through prayer and Bible reading...two simple things. We can't think for minute that Satan will not try to keep us from the rest and peace that comes as we abide. Be aware!

If you are discouraged and maybe needy today.....find comfort in knowing that God is listening and He has not turned away from you. Look for ways that you can see God working in your life, even if it's in the small things and then, give Him PRAISE!!!

"Don't be overwhelmed...

take it one day and one prayer at a time."

~Stormie Omartian~

His Eye Is On The Sparrow...

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
So, don't be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows."

Matthew 10:29-31

It was an early, summer Southern California morning, with the sun coming up over the mountain at the end of our street. Everything was quiet and still. All the windows were open, letting in the morning coolness. The heat of the day would soon settle in and the air conditioners would begin humming. This was the day the reports would be back from a biopsy taken on our Cocker Spaniel's ear. She was 13 years old and she had been a part of our family ever since she was a puppy. As I spent time with the Lord that morning, I prayed for our pet and asked God to touch this growth on her ear. Was it silly to pray for a pet? Would it matter to God? What was this growth on a pet's ear in light of eternity? As I pondered these thoughts, Matthew 10 came to mind, and I remembered that God cares for the sparrows and He knew when each sparrow fell to the ground. Yes, I could pray for a pet! Not only did God care for the sparrow and my dog, but He cared because it was a concern to me. Nothing was insignificant to the Lord, if it concerned me.

In the stillness of this morning, I heard whistling. I sat still and strained to hear. Who was up and out this early? As I listened, I recognized a familiar hymn. The whistling continued to get closer and closer. I walked to the screen door. As I stood listening, I saw an older man out for his morning walk and he was whistling, His Eye Is On The Sparrow. I knew instantly God had planned this moment just for me. My heart was over whelmed at the goodness of God. He wanted me to know that He had heard my prayer, and if it mattered to me, it mattered to Him. I didn't know what the outcome would be with our dog, but what I learned that morning would stick in my mind forever. Nothing was insignificant to the Lord, if it concerned me. He may not always answer in the way that I would desire, but I could come to Him with any need.

It was nine years later, and I was standing at my kitchen sink praying, asking the Lord what to do about the care of our Yellow Labrador Retriever. The Vet said a decision would have to be made. I turned from the sink to turn on the radio.....and once again, God wanted me to know that He had heard my tearful prayers. The song playing on the radio was, His Eye Is On The Sparrow. Oh, the goodness of God!

Don't we at times have difficulty asking God for the little things in our lives? Aren't there things in our daily lives that we could go to the Lord with, but we don't take the time to ask? Or maybe think that those things are too insignificant to ask God for?

"You do not have because you do not ask God" James 4:2

"The Lord will accomplish what concerns me." Psalm 138:8

Our Heavenly Father loves us more than the sparrows in the air. Won't you take the concerns of your heart to Him today and allow Him to meet those needs, no matter how insignificant they may seem? The chorus of this old familiar Hymn rings true in our hearts today.....

"I sing because I am happy, I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me."

The words of this hymn were written in 1905 by Cirvilla Durfee Martin. When visiting their friends Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, DR. and Mrs. Martin asked Mrs. Doolittle how they kept such an attitude of cheerfulness and brightness despite their afflictions. Mrs. Doolittle who had been bed ridden for almost 20 years and Mr. Doolittle who was wheel chair bound replied, "His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me." Mrs. Martin said, "The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, was the outcome of that experience."

The Battle...

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

James 5:16b

In a newsletter from Anne Graham Lotz, she stated that prayer has always been a struggle for her. She said, "In fact, I would describe it as the fight of my life." I know I shouldn't find comfort in the struggles of another person, but when I read that I did. At times I think I am the only one that struggles in my prayer time with my mind wandering, being sleepy, trouble concentrating and I can day dream and get totally sidetracked. So to hear that someone I respect says she struggles with the same things, encourages me that I am not alone.

"Prayer is the front line of the battle...it has been said that Satan trembles when he sees even the weakest believer on his knees. And for those of us who are not weak believers, he must not only tremble, but be enraged. I believe he launches a serious, all-out offensive to dismantle what the source of our peace and power and wisdom--the very heartbeat of our relationship with Jesus..which is our personal, private time of prayer."

~Anne Graham Lotz~

Why do I forget the spiritual battle that goes on for my prayer time? I am so quick to think it's me. It is me in part, because I forget that Satan comes to rob, steal and destroy and the best place to start is with the lack of prayer altogether or distract me when I am praying. I am more determined than ever to pray against those distractions. This was a good reminder for me. Thank you, Lord.