"Answers From Above" - Jun 4, 2010

[Chaplain Skip]

June 4, 2010

"Answers From Above"

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer."
- Psalm 17:6 (NIV)

Have you ever said, "I pray all the time. But, I don't think GOD is listening."? Think about things you have prayed about. If you are any thing like me, you have prayed for healing (for yourself and others), for your finances, for a job (for yourself and others), about a relationship or about just everyday life.

Now, have you ever said, "GOD hasn't answered my prayer"? Selfishly, I have. Yet, there are lots and lots of times where our REAL CHIEF does answer our prayers. Regrettably, we don't always recognize the answer because we aren't seeking or don't understand HIS answer.

Look at David's prayer above....

First, he is very specific on who he prays to: "You, GOD." He doesn't voice his plea to a human or to an "unknown" being... he makes his request to the Creator of everything.

Second, David makes a bold statement of faith: "for You will answer me." Nothing pretentious here. David believed and professed that his GOD will answer him. Notice he didn't say, "for you will answer me now" or "for you will answer me with the outcome I want." You see, GOD answers us in HIS time and in HIS way. Thank goodness He does it that way... HE knows what is best for us.

Finally, David makes two requests of his REAL CHIEF;
listen to my prayer
hear my prayer

What's the difference between hearing and listening? JESUS said of the non-believers that "though hearing, they do not hear or understand." (Mathew 13:13(c) NIV) They hear, but don't comprehend.

Does you wife ever start talking and then stops and says, "Are you listening to me?"

You reply, "Yes, dear."

She comes back with "Then what did I say?"

Oops. You see, you heard her talking, but you weren't listening.

I have seen GOD answer several of my prayers just in the last week. I look for the answers. I desperately seek those answers and when they do come, I take the time to stop and give HIM praise and thanks.

Keep a few things in mind; GOD doesn't always give you the answer you want or when you want it. But, HE does answer.

Our job, then is to keep praying. The SOG for life tells us to "pray continually" (1Thes5:17 NIV).

Pray for one another. Pray for your church. Pray for your leadership. Pray for this ministry. Prayer is the real work as you serve...

...On HIS Shift,
Chaplain Skip

Copyright © 2010 Chaplain Skip Straus and Emergency Ministries.

Emergency Ministries is an IRS 501.c.3 organization and donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. PO Box 9121 * Spring, TX * 77387
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On HIS Shift,
Chaplain Skip, NREMT-P, BCCC
Board Certified Crisis Chaplain
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress

Founder/CEO/Senior Chaplain of Emergency Ministries
www.emergencyministries.org

[micah9micah]

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience dear. I have also come through this problem, thanks for giving the solution.
Thanks..
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Nose Right