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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #446 March 18, 2002 Be Careful There is a lot of truth in the old maxim, "Be careful what you pray for you might get it." My sister Jean tells a delightful little true anecdote. One morning, some years back, she was driving home from work and it began to rain. The rain was making driving a little hazardous so after muttering a bit, she exclaimed "God do something about the weather!" He did! At that precise moment it began to snow instead. She laughs now and talks about the need to be specific about how we prayer. Many times we ask God for something that in the long run wouldn’t be in our best interests. Israel wanted a king and wouldn’t listen to God. He gave her a king and she struggled from then on. We ask God to change someone who annoys us, when what we really need is to be asking what God wants US to learn. We ask God for plenty when we need to be learning to be content in all circumstances. We are called to take all the things of our life before Him. We are also called to trust in Him as our Father to know what’s best. We complain at times that He doesn’t answer our prayers. Sometimes it is a good thing that He says no. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:1-3 NIV Have you prayed God give me a raise so I can tithe? Perhaps He’s waiting for you to be faithful with what you have first. Have you prayed, Lord heal me and He hasn’t yet? Perhaps the timing isn’t right and He hasn’t accomplished all that needs to be done through your illness. I’ve asked for healing of people with terminal illnesses and they died. Yet I have found that they received true healing with accepting Jesus, or reconciliation with family or comforting those around them while dying. Many times, I’ve prayed and received a different answer than I wanted. In virtually every case when I look back, I can see how His answer was better. If you’ll excuse a pun based on an old television show "Father Knows Best." Until next time, keep on praying. Even if the answer you get is not the one you want or seems to be silence, know that He is at work and He is in control. Hallelu Yah Kevin Do you know the God who is in control of all things? The one who cares enough to listen to AND answer your prayers? Email me and I’ll share some Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. Or simply begin the relationship by saying a prayer along the lines of: Dear God: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer let me know and I will direct you to some free non-denominational resources that will help you grow in that newfound relationship. To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page on our website
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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