Laced With Grace

Recently my husband and I received an unusual envelope. It was addressed to Mr. & Mrs. George Mueller. Yes, our last name is Mueller, but my husband is most definitely not George. He is, in fact, Greg. I laughed at the obvious mistake, realizing immediately that the sender must have come from a Christian circle. But my husband, who is relatively new to Evangelical circles did not get it. I began to explain to him who George Mueller was, and the significance that he played in the history of Christianity. I quickly laughed off the incident, but the envelope has come back to my mind several times over the weeks since we received it.

Soon afterwards, I relapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital. For the past month, I have not been able to leave bed, and I have found myself frequently frustrated. One night I found myself asking God what good I was doing Him when I was stuck in a bed with no end in sight. I even dared to ask when He had ever used anyone else when they were this debilitated. Service is supposed to be active. Not sitting in a bed. Who could possibly ever be used that way?

Again, the envelope came to mind. Having nothing better to do at the moment, I decided to do a little reading on Mr. George Mueller. I came across a blog specifically about George Mueller and began to read in fascination. I had often heard stories of his faith, his hours spent in prayer, and his refusal to ask anyone for money. As I sat there reading, I began to wonder what had inspired that kind of faith. You see, I’ve known a lot of Christians, and there have been a lot more that I’ve never known; but very few have ever had the reputation that Mr. Mueller had. I have also been around enough to know that this kind of faith does not come by accident, and it doesn’t come easy.

As I continued reading, I began to learn what had developed his faith so greatly. On two different occasions early in his ministry, George Mueller had developed severe illnesses that required him to be confined to bed. On both occasions, doctors were doubtful that he would live, and confident that he would lead a confined life. During those times of confinement, George Mueller decided to make wise use of his time. He decided that if he could do nothing else, he would read his Bible and pray. So, for over a year at time, he committed himself to reading nothing other than the Holy Scriptures, meditating on them, and communing with God.

Upon his healing, George knew that his life would never be the same. He committed for the rest of his life that he would live simply by the Scriptures no matter what the world did around him. He would not depend on others to provide his needs, but he would trust that His Father would provide his needs so long as Mr. Mueller asked God for the provision. He was faithful to ask for everything that he needed; and God would consistently provide for him, usually at the last possible moment.

As I read this, I was humbled and troubled. Here I have sat for the better part of two years in my bed. I have read books, watched lots of meaningless television, and played quite a few video games. I’ve definitely read my Bible more than I did in the past, and I’ve developed a prayer life that I never had before. But it made me wonder how much more I could have done if I had committed to only spending time with my Savior.

Could I have been healed sooner? Would I be out ministering? Or is my deepest fear true: will I never leave this bed and be able to minister to others in the way my heart desires?

But there again, God brought me comfort. After facing two illnesses early in his ministry, Mr. Mueller went on to run his orphanages until he was over 70 years old. At that point, he stopped only because he and his wife felt called to missions. For the next 17 years, George and Susannah traveled the world (reportedly over 3,000 miles) reaching everyone that they could for Christ, still without asking one cent from anyone for their needs.

If God could heal him and allow him to serve for that long throughout the world, then there is still hope that God can use me too.

How about you?

Have you ever been at a place where you felt like you were being put on the shelf? Are you there now? What did you learn while you were there?

Are you at a cross-roads in your life? Do you think that perhaps there is something a little more out there, but the path is unknown and you are not sure of your next step?

God has promised us that He will guide us each step of the way.

Isaiah 30:21 tell us, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

Have you taken the time to be still and learn to recognize that voice? I encourage you today to take a few extra minutes. Find a quiet place, and be still. Open your heart and mind to that still, small voice; and be prepared to listen. I promise that if you do, your life will be changed. Probably not in an instant, but one step at a time.

My sweet Jesus, thank you today for the precious sisters that you have brought together filled with desire to know more about you. Perhaps there are some reading today who have no idea how they got here; but once they started reading, they knew they had to continue. Perhaps there are others who have been seeking for answers. Whisper in their ears even now. Spirit, comfort and soothe each of us today. Bring us quiet and peace in the midst of the storms that we will face. Father, you have said that you will direct our paths. Lead us today one step closer to Your glory. In Jesus’ precious name we ask, amen.

Everything.  Every single thing we do should begin with prayer. 

Now, before you think I’m nuts, I am not talking about asking God to help you pick out a pair of socks.  For crying out loud!  He gave us a brain to decide for ourselves….

What I am talking about is giving our day to Him before it begins…  Deciding at the onset of the day that we will use every opportunity to glorify Him and praise in in everything.

  “Always be joyful. 

Never stop praying. 

Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 GWT)

The “whatever happens” is where we all get hung up.

This time in 2008 we found it hard to give thanks in “all things”….but we pressed in, and pressed on, and did it regardless.

What happened when we gave thanks?  When we praised?  Our minds left our problems and focused in on God the Father.  OUR FATHER.  Who is Soveriegn above all–and HIS decisions can be trusted.

I love to drive down the road with Jesus.  We have the MOST amazing times!   I’m not some super-spiritual-woman-of-God…but I am a woman who loves time with her Lord and Savior….so when I get in the car–it is a purposed act to invite Jesus to be part of my day–especially our “time” in driving.

This act of purposed praise and prayer began several years ago when I would leave the house for work too early for me to even think about getting a Bible out for devotion.  I bought a New Testament on CD–which is totally read by women.  It was like having a few girlfriends along sharing the Word!

I would start the drive off by talking to Jesus.  Praising and praying about the day.  Then I would pop a CD in to hear what He had to say.  Sometimes I would just sing and my sister, Aimee would call me and we would share some tidbits from the Word or from a small devotion book we were reading at the time.

Mostly in my driving, I would pray.  Out loud.  That’s just me–I need to hear with my own ears sometimes what I’m saying to my Father.  I had about an hour drive–and I after struggling with that drive for many years without spending needed time in prayer–I discovered the best part of my day was the drive with Him.  Through the times of silent prayer—or out loud prayer–HE WAS THERE.

I found that the more time I spent praying and praising–the better I could handle whatever what thrown my way that day.  If I neglected it…well, you can just imagine how it might have been handled.  Not southern sweet tea style for sure!

Begin with prayer.  In everything.  Every single thing you set out to do–begin with prayer.  You will be amazed at how God will speak to you, through you, and how His very presence will go before you!

What are some things you can change to  give Him MORE?

• Get up a little earlier, even if it’s just 15 minutes. That habit will grow you–and you will soon find you are getting up even 30 minutes earlier. (Use it for time with Him though, not computer, not laundry, etc.)
• Pause before your tasks throughout the day and thank Him for the ability to do what you are about to do.
• Praise Him throughout the day….OUT LOUD.  He loves this!
• Share Him with another.  Give a sister a hug and tell her that Jesus loves her–so much that HE gave HIS ALL.  He expects no less from us.

Pray the day through…then let’s begin it!

© Angie Knight 2012–The Knightly News. All rights reserved.  Used by permission.

The sun bounced off the surface of the water, leaving diamonds in its wake. A crisp, cool breeze ruffled the leaves in the small trees planted along the edge of the sidewalk. It was a perfect day for a walk,  one of those days that somehow draws us a little closer to heaven.

I walked breathing in the cool, fresh air and, as often happens when I walk alone, I began to pray. There have been so many desperate needs in recent months – needs that are beyond the ability of mere humans to meet. Apart from the Lord’s intervention, there would be no hope. It is a comfort to place the burden into His capable, gracious hands and know that He hears and answers prayer.

I crossed the street and began walking near the man-made pond, with its fountains shooting plumes of water into the air. The ducks, sunning themselves in the grass,  saw me coming and waddled quickly down  into the water. They have made the long journey from the north and are wary of strangers. A little thought flitted across the my mind as I watched them – a little problem that had been worrisome. I brushed it aside, saying with the mental gesture that I didn’t think it was important enough to pray about. Or more correctly, saying I didn’t think the Lord would want to be bothered by anything so trivial.

In that moment I felt a gentle reprimand – a reminder that there is nothing in my life He considers insignificant. Every need, every care, every sorrow, every struggle, every disappointment, every thing that affects me is important to Him. He is the God who knows “when I sit down and when I rise up;” who is “acquainted with all my ways;” who knows what I will say “even before there is a word on my tongue; whose  thoughts about me, were I to count them, ” would outnumber the sand.” (Psalm 139)

He is the God who “counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.” (Psalm 147:4)  Jesus said of Him, “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from Your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  (Matt. 10: 29-31).

Never doubt the depth of the Father’s love for you. Everything that touches you is important to Him. As far as He is concerned, there is nothing insignificant in your life. It all matters to Him. You can bring Him all of your “impossibles” and all of the little things that don’t seem worthy of His attention. He bends down low and listens. He delights to hear your voice. He longs to draw you close and love you lavishly. You are absolutely safe in His care.

Blessings,

Linda

Picture: the little sparrows who have come for a drink from our birdbath – the sparrows He sees and cares for