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Closing the Door on Prayer

April 7, 2022 by Ellen Leave a Comment

Have you ever heard of Rhoda? Noooo, not the one from The Mary Tyler Moore television sitcom. Although the way Rhoda acted, it could have been a Biblical sitcom. I’m talking about the Rhoda is from scripture. We can find her in Acts 12.

“He knocked at the door of the outer gate, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer.” Acts 12:13 CSB

Rhoda was with a group of believers at the house of Mary, John Mark’s mom. They were having a fervent prayer meeting, specifically to pray for Peter’s release from prison. As they were praying, an angel of the Lord went to the jail and rescued Peter. His chains fell off and he was free!

Peter then made his way to Mary’s house, where he knocked on the outer gate and Rhoda came to answer. 

But get this: Rhoda didn’t let him in!!

She recognized Peter’s voice, and because of her joy, she did not open the gate but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the outer gate. Acts 12:14 CSB

I’m sure Rhoda was pretty embarrassed by her comedic performance. But in her joy at Peter’s deliverance and the answer to their prayers, she left him standing outside the gate. I’ve gotta tell you, I would have looked at Rhoda and said “You left the Apostle Peter outside the gate?? Why didn’t you let him in??”

Notice the reaction of her friends. It was in stark contrast to her joy. They couldn’t believe their prayers had been answered so quickly and specifically. 

“You’re out of your mind!” they told her. But she kept insisting that it was true, and they said, “It’s his angel.” Acts 12:15 CSB 

Honestly, I’d like to condemn them for their unbelief. But don’t we sometimes do the same? 

We slam the door on answered prayer. 

When our answered prayers show up at the gate, we leave them there. Maybe it’s unbelief. Or maybe they haven’t been answered the way we wanted. Perhaps the answer involves work that we don’t want to do. Whatever the reason, we close the door to the answer.

“Lord, I see how you answered my prayer. I do need Your help. But what You’re asking me to do is much too hard. I can’t…”

“This can’t possibly be God’s answer! No way!”

“This has got to be a coincidence. I can’t imagine that the Lord would answer my little piddly prayers immediately and specifically.”

But, what if we prayed with great anticipation and expectation?  What if we began looking for God’s answers? And then, what if we squealed with joy and excitement over the answers? What if we couldn’t wait to run and tell others that our prayers had been answered, giving glory to God?

What if?

“Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 ESV

Grace be with you,

 

 

 

Do you know Jesus?

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The Don’t Wants and Can’t Help Its

May 14, 2020 by Ellen 14 Comments

{An oldie, originally published in August 2017. I find it has even more meaning today. Will you still yourself during this time, to hear God speak to you?}

I find myself in an odd mood – a funk, if you will – that has been hard to shake. Maybe it’s the unbearable heat and humidity down here in south Louisiana. I’m just not motivated to DO anything.

Perhaps it’s the summer doldrums: a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or depression. It’s not that I am care free, I am just free from caring…about anything. I’m not careless, I could just care less…about anything.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Psalm 42:11ESV

It’s what my Mama used to call the “don’t wants and can’t help its.” I don’t wanna do anything, and I can’t help feeling this way.

My normal prescription is to do the next thing. Whatever must be done next, just do it, keep moving, put one foot in front of the other and keep going. No. Matter. What.

Not this time. This go ‘round, I just stopped. Leaned into this feeling. Decided to take a sabbath rest. Go with the flow. I tried not to stress too much over WHY I was feeling this way, or WHAT I should do to correct my course. I just slowed down.

The Lord seemed to be nudging me to spend time with Him. I thought that was odd, because I already do that, each day.

My heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 NLT

What He wanted was my attention. Quality time. Distraction free. God wanted me to know Him more intimately and experience His provision during this season.

Green pastures and still waters of the twenty third Psalm called to me and slowed my hurried and harried heart. Soul restoration is what I craved. But how? How will He restore my soul?

Then I saw it: He MAKES me lie down, He LEADS me beside the waters. My thoughts and breathing slowed, calming the worries of my heart. He was ever so gently MAKING me take this time of rest.

Perhaps that’s the WHY of these “don’t wants” – so that He can grab my attention and make me slow down. He’s leading me to find green pastures and still waters. The Lord wants me to stop and lean in to Him.

Suddenly, I had the don’t cares again – in a good way. I didn’t care about the why or how or what, I only wanted His presence. The Who. Jesus. I felt Jesus stirring my soul to spend time with Him. To stop and listen to Him. So I did.

I began to practice listening, more than talking, during my prayer time. Expectantly, I waited to hear from Him. Let me tell you, when Jesus takes the lead in a conversation, He doesn’t disappoint.

Ever so slowly, I began to hear Him.

[tweetthis]My words quieted, and I heard His.[/tweetthis]

Jesus became my focus.

Make no mistake, the distractions are still there, and will be as long as Satan is around. But I’m fighting them, and training my brain in new habits (don’t pick up that cell phone before you pick up the Word of God!).

What I’ve discovered in the leaning in, is this: When you quiet and still yourself, your heart calms, your mind clears, and you can focus. With heightened senses, you feel His presence, hear His voice, and the busyness of the world fades away.

What’s the pace of your life right now? Do you need to stop, and lean in to Jesus?

Father, lead us beside still waters, make us lie down in green pastures. Quiet our words so that we can hear You. Amen

Grace be with you,

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Torrential rains had been pelting us for weeks. With the rains came weeds growing tall in the flower beds. But I noticed other new growth, too. It wasn’t colorful flowers. It was teeny, tiny little oak trees! Squirrels had been working hard, burying food for later. The rains had soaked and softened … Read More...

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