Together With God

“…..Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief”  (Mark 9:24b).

Along with seeing the desperation of  the father mentioned in yesterday’s devotion, we see a man who also  felt helpless and hopeless.  He had brought his son to the disciples but they couldn’t help him. He had enough faith to bring him to Jesus.  Was that faith going to be enough?  His son was going to need a miracle.  He believed, but, as we see in today’s verse, he needed God to increase his faith.  He needed help to trust God more.

We may face times that, in spite of what we believe, we may need to cry out  to God for help with our unbelief.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray especially for WNAC Bookkeeper Diane Conn, who is currently handling daily tasks and responsibilities within the WNAC office. Offer her your assistance.

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23)

Sometimes we question the  power of God, and our faith weakens.  In Mark 9, we see the picture of a desperate father seeking help for his son.  His son was possessed with a spirit and out of control.  For a moment, he even wondered if Christ could do anything.  Have you ever been at the point when you have been beside yourself with doubt and fear?  Just like this father, you weren’t thinking rationally.  Look to Jesus always as the voice of reason.  God is omnipotent in the face of our weakness.  He will always have the answer.

Christ didn’t scold the man, but tenderly told him he just needed to believe. Yes, it is that simple. Faith is just taking God at  His Word.  Take today’s verse and use it when all around you seems impossible.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray as churches and pastors make plans for Easter services. Invite someone to attend Easter worship with you. Invite them to lunch afterward.

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear…” (Psalm 118:6a).

There is no need to be filled with doubt and fear with God on our side. A companion New Testament verse, Romans 8:31b says”If God be for us, who can be against us.” We must empty ourselves of fear and doubt and replace them with faith and trust.  As a child of God, we are in His protective care.  I recently heard a radio preacher make this comment, “God is not afraid of what we face.”  That statement made me stop and think how foolish it is to not trust the One who “is on my side.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: How will you observe PreEaster Week of Prayer? Pray about partnering together with other women or holding a group prayer meeting in someone’s home.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him…” (Hebrews 11:6a).

We see in Hebrews 11 many names of those who had great faith and the proof of that faith.  Dependent upon God, they were from various walks of life. Were they perfect?

Did they, at times, sense doubt and fear?  As you read the chapter, you may sometimes wonder how certain ones made it to what has been called, “Faith’s Hall of Fame.”  These individuals didn’t allow their imperfections to keep them from trusting God.  They pleased God with their faith.  We can please Him, too, as we daily rely on Him and exercise our faith.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray as classes begin this month at the FWB Seminary/Bible Institute in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father”  (Romans 8:15).

Before we were saved, we walked in the darkness of sin with plenty to fear.  We were in bondage and stayed that way until Christ broke our chains.  We no longer should live in fear because we have been adopted into God’s family.  We can have a close personal relationship with God.  Through His mercy and grace, we have the right and privilege to call Him our Father.

Why would anyone choose to stay in bondage when there are so many wonderful blessings as a child of the King?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Trula Cronk, veteran missionary to India, entered Heaven in late 2009. Pray God’s comfort for her son Randy and beloved granddaughter Anka.

“Let your favor shine on your servant…”  (Psalm 31:16a NLT).

The concealer has been applied.  The foundation smeared on and smoothed out.  A top-coat of pressed powder has been brushed on.  Eyelids are highlighted, contoured and shaded.  Mascara is plumping and separating.  Blush has been carefully selected to highlight and accessorize my complexion.  One more thing and I’ll be ready for the day…

God’s favor.

Yes, God’s touch is what makes all men and women stand out in a crowd.  His favor is what leaves an impression.  His presence, usually seen on the face, often seen in actions, hopefully heard in our words is what will beautify us beyond measure.

You’ve primped.  You’ve curled, straightened, poufed and sprayed.  You’ve ironed and selected.  You’ve worked hard at presenting the very best you possible.  Now?  Now, sit a few moments in His presence.  Open His Word.  Spend a few minutes talking and then listen for His voice.

Aaah, there you have it!  That glow.  It just accentuates your beauty.  His favor looks so good on you!  Oh, the compliments you’re bound to receive.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: FWBIM is in a financial crisis; the dollar doesn’t go far in areas where our missionaries are serving. Pray God will give wisdom to leaders and donors.

“For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and the earth and put everything in place.  He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos”  (Isaiah 45:18 NLT)

I remember Grandma Browning telling me about being given her grandmother’s quilts. I can still picture her eyes as she told me the pattern names and the colors of fabric in each one. She told me of how she carefully wrapped and folded each one and placed them in a cedar chest to keep them clean and away from the traffic of her busy home. As she talked, her eyes began to cloud over. She then asked me what I’d do with one of her quilts if she were to give me one. Knowing good and well that I’d do the same thing she had done—put them away for special days or as keepsakes—she told me the rest of her story…

Those quilts? The timeless keepsakes of her grandmother? The quilted pieces of fabric folded neatly in the chest? The objects of art and fascination? They’re no longer with us. Grandma’s priceless treasures went up in smoke when their house burned to the ground. She never used them on her bed. She never displayed them for all to see. She never got them out to look at them, touch the stitches or show them to her kids. She kept them but never used them.

Grandma made me promise that whatever of hers was given to me would be used.

Some of us are doing the same thing with life. We’re saving up our praises for Heaven or waiting on a special relationship with God until “things are straightened out.” We are reserving precious memories for the holidays that litter the end of our year or single days of celebration marked on our calendars. We’re stuffing emotions and feelings until a better time. We’re holding onto our precious minutes of each day, wanting to use them for just the right thing—and then watching as they’ve ticked past.

Life’s too short to save up wonder, love and memory-making for another time.  Life is too short not to use and display the quilts of our lives.

“For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and the earth and put everything in place.  He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos.”  Isaiah 45:18

I love the words, “…He made the world to be lived in…”  He has not placed us in a display cabinet to bide our time until His return. He has not gingerly wrapped us in tissue and stored us in a corner for a single, special time. He has not intended for us to be statues sequestered by velvet ropes, for display purposes only.

On this orb, while we still have time, as we wait for His return, we are to be living. We are to be experiencing the bumps, bruises, sights and smells of life. We are to get our hands dirty attempting to serve Him. We are to live abundantly among the lost, making them wonder what it is that motivates and encourages us. We are to wear our bodies out serving others, kneeling at altars and stopping to pick the dandelions that grow in the cracks of the sidewalk. We are to be out and about our Father’s business.

God has made us to live in a way that glorifies Him. Are you doing that?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today that God will not allow fears and doubts to take root in the hearts of Creative Access workers.