The Encourager

What if God decided to install an answering machine?

Imagine praying and hearing this:

Thank you for calling my Fathers house, Please select one of the following: Press 1 for requests Press 2 for thanksgiving, Press 3 for complaints;For all other requests press 4

What if God used the familiar excuse, all angels are busy helping customers right now, please stay on the line and your call will be answered in the order it was received. Can you imagine getting these kind of responses as you call on God in prayer?

If you would like to talk to Gabriel press 1……..To speak to Michael press  2……For any other angel, press 3…..If you would like King David to sing a Psalm for you, press 6 .  

For reservations at my Fathers house press John 3:16   

For nagging questions about the dinosaurs, the age of the earth and where Noahs Ark is located……..wait until you get here!                                         

Our computers show that that you should have already called today…… Please call back on Monday.

Thank God that you can call as often as you want!                                   

You only need to ring once and God hears you!

Author unkown.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Whenever I am troubled and lost in deep despair

I bundle all my troubles and go to God in prayer

I tell him I am heartsick and lost and lonely too 

That my mind is deeply burdened and I don’t know what to do

But I know he stilled the tempest and calmed the angry sea

And I humbly ask if in his love, He’ll do the same for me.

And then I just keep quiet and think only thoughts of peace

And if I abide in stillness my restless murmurings cease.

Author unknown.

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have to come to you in prayer. Psalm 143: 7 - 8

I was reading this one day and thought I would share how it helped me. The words in the bible were so relevant to how I, and I’m sure you have felt at times. [When you read the Psalms you can see how it was said that King David suffered at times from depression.] Come quickly Lord…..my depression deepens………Please don’t turn away from me or I will die…. the verse goes on. But it finishes on a more positive note…… let me hear of your unfailing love in the morning for I am trusting you……….

Did you notice the link there? When David  wrote that Psalm he started with his pain and suffering but then turned to God in prayer and believed God for the answer. Show me where to walk, for I come to you in prayer.

He didn’t just sit there  complaining and occaisonaly asking God for help, he got on and did something, he was willing to actually do something. How many of us if we are really honest to ourselves, each other and to God SOMETIMES  just sit there expecting others and God to just fix all our problems while we sit back and do nothing. I know I’ve failed in that area at times. It’s like the new testament verse that says Faith without works is dead. We do need to each day come to God in prayer, then do what HE has said. But make sure it’s really God you’re listening to……it can be easy to be fooled at times.

I know I came to a point in my life where I finally realized that after being so called “pampered” by various government departments, friends, family, medical staff and sadly even other Christians etc, I had to DO something MYSELF. Sure all those other things (including prayer) are very important and have their place BUT, if we do nothing - nothing will happen. It’s basic laws of nature( or God, creation if you prefer) that if you sow wheat seeds, wheat will grow. If you sow carrots, then carrots will grow. But if you sow nothing, then weeds will grow. It’s the old quote of Jesus, you reap what you sow, just made a bit easier to understand.

Now I fully realise that we all have times when we have to almost totally rely on outside help to get through the day and we end up in hospital. Please don’t think I’m knocking that because I’m not. I need it too and still go into hospital myself at times and I also take tablets EVERY DAY to keep me on track medically etc. All I’m saying is we need to do our part.

 Finally I just say remember the last part of that verse………Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer…… David like all of us had to walk where God had showed him. God didn’t walk for him, but promises to walk with us always……. never will I leave you or forsake you…. See Psalm 23 and Mathew 28:20  Colourful - Dave Longworth