HE POWER OF PRAYER

"Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." (Acts 12: 1-5)

In these scriptures we see that Peter has been put in prison. But let's look at what happens when God's people unite their hearts to pray for a specific cause.

In the natural this looked like a very bleak and hopeless situation. We are told in these scriptures that Peter was heavily guarded with no way of escape, but the Bible tells us God's people had gathered together to pray for Peter. It says that they were earnestly praying and not giving up in prayer, but praying without ceasing.

Peter was in one place held in prison but in another place there was a prayer meeting taking place, and in these scriptures God gives us a glimpse of what happens when people are gathered together to pray.

When we pray we cannot see how God moves but he does move in answer to our prayer, so let's look inside this prison and see goes on when God's people pray:

1. First we see that Peter is carefully guarded by a soldier on each side to be sure he can't escape. He's bound by chains, and guards are in place at the gates, so it looks like it's impossible for Peter to escape. But God's people are praying without ceasing and divine intervention is coming for Peter.

2. We see an angel appear.

3. A light is shining in that dark prison.

4. The chains on Peter's hands fall off.

5. Iron gates that once signified no escape are opening for Peter to go through.

6. Peter acknowledges God has delivered him from prison.

So we see prayer at work. Having a prayer meeting can change what looks like a hopeless situation. When God's people realize the importance of prayer, great things happen.

When God's people prayed, God intervened and Peter is miraculously set free. Yes, there is power in prayer, and that's what God wants every believer to see. When we pray the wheels of God turn in answer to our prayers.

God moved in what looked like a humanly impossible situation. When we pray we don't know how God is going to answer our prayers, but He will move in response to our prayer.

The early church understood that whatever the situation, prayer can change things. Prayer was made to God, and God heard their prayer. When we pray, we are not wasting our time. It's not just something to do, it's something that can change situations which looks hopeless and impossible.

Christine from Canada

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DEALING WITH THE DEATH OF A DADDY

Today's Devotional: Dealing with grief is perhaps one of the hardest things that we, as humans, must do. Grief may be rooted in a death or illness, or it may be rooted in a loss, such as the loss of support, the loss of a spouse through divorce, the loss of a job, or even the feelings of abandonment that parents often go through as they realize they must allow their children to grow up. The upcoming 3 devotionals, that will be appearing in the next 3 Saturday editions of The Nugget, will be specific, personal stories of how we can help others when they are dealing with grief. Our prayer is that you will be blessed by this series, and that somehow, whatever it is you are grieving, the lessons presented here will help you to get through. For former lessons on Dealing with Grief, please go to www.scripturalnuggets.org/folder6/dealing_with_grief.htm .

Dealing with Grief, Part 9

In Dealing with Grief Part 8, we learned that when bad things happen, we need to remind ourselves that the ones who are left behind are the ones who grieve! God was the first to experience grief! He knows all about it! Today's devotional shifts focus slightly by bringing us an important lesson in how we can help others deal with grief:

DEALING WITH THE DEATH OF A DADDY

Who, at 37 years of age, still calls their father "Daddy"?

Only someone with a VERY special dad.

The special father who merits the title of "daddy" must be someone who is still so involved with his adult child that he will spend his vacation times repairing her house and babysitting her children. That special father must be someone who is a fountain of wisdom and knows how to make peace and provide encouragement, as well as gentle guidance. That special father must be someone who still brings his adult, married daughter flowers. That special father must be someone … Just like my daddy!

It was 11 years ago that I flew out to California for my younger brother's wedding. Though most of the details of the trip are very fuzzy in my memory, one thing stands out clearly: Daddy brought me a bouquet of flowers.

Unfortunately, I kind of took it for granted at the time. After all, it wasn't uncommon for daddy to bring me flowers. But the reason I remember the incident so clearly is that this was the last gift he would ever give me…

Daddy spent the next 5 months running 10 miles a day, slowly making his way across the United States on foot. He and my mother were in Biloxi, Mississippi when I got the call in the wee hours of the morning. It was my brother and sister-in-law: "Dad had a heart attack. He's gone."

We made plans in a rush. I would fly to Mississippi to be with my mother. I would then fly with her to California where my family would meet us. My suitcase was quickly thrown together, and although my plane wasn't going to leave until noon, we were at the airport by 9:30 a.m. Why so early? Because I needed something to keep my mind and my hands occupied, something to hold off the memories that I wasn't yet ready to deal with.

But now I had two and a half hours on my hands…

My original plans for that day had included going to church, and since my church at the time was only minutes from the airport, I felt drawn to spend the extra time with my church family. I remember clearly how they took me in. I remember their hugs and their tears. I remember going forward for special prayer. I remember the sacrifice of a church member, who, just before I left for the airport, slipped a 50$ bill in my hand. And mostly I remember the promises of these dear people to pray for me and my family.

Then I had to board the plane, and with nothing else to occupy my mind, the memories began to flow. But somehow, I was now equipped to deal with them. Although I cried most of the way to Mississippi, the tears were healing. Oh, I was tempted to shed some of the angry, bitter kind as well, but every time the hurt would begin to set in, I could literally feel the hands of God's angels picking me up and carrying me through. I knew that I was riding on the prayers of my church family.

While in Mississippi I had the opportunity, with my older brother, to run the last 10 miles of daddy's run, the miles he had run the day before he died. When we finished, we were just 7 miles from the Mississippi/Alabama border. We knew daddy well enough to know he would never have wanted to finish his run mid-state, so we alternately ran his last 7 miles for him, bringing his run to an official close in Alabama. I ran a total of 14 miles that day, a feat never before or since accomplished. There's no way I could have done it alone, but every time I thought about how tired I was, I could again feel those prayers picking me up and pushing me along.

The next weeks and months were the roughest of my life. Daddy's death spearheaded a chain of events that involved a major move for my family, changes in my children's education plans, changes in responsibility. And when I stand back and look over it all, I realize that I not only came through those months unscathed, but even stronger than ever. There's only one way this could have happened: It was the prayers of my church family!

Friends, there is only one way to get through tough times like these: Prayer! If someone you know is ever in this kind of a situation, your prayers make far more of an impact than you can ever know, and if you are ever faced with the death of a "daddy" in your life, whenever you feel the grief begin to overcome you, open your heart to God! Remember, there is someone out there praying for you, and their prayers will carry you through!

I still get tears in my eyes whenever I remember that last bouquet of flowers, the last gift of a loving daddy. But thanks be to God, they aren't tears of grief or sadness. Far more than that! They are tears of joy and thankfulness! Joy, because I know my daddy will be waiting for me in Heaven; and thankfulness to God for carrying me through this hard time, for sending me people who held us up in prayer, and mostly, for putting a Daddy into my life!

In His love, Lyn Chaffart*

Remember this next time you or someone you know is grieving: Your prayers make more of a difference than you could possibly know!

The next two devotionals will also be looking at how we can help others deal with grief. Join us next week for Dealing with Grief, Part 10: An Encouraging Silence.

* Lyn Chaffart, Mother of two teens, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, Www.scripturalnuggets.org , with Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org .

BONDS OF LOVE

"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matt 22:39 NIV)

My neighbor that lives just down the hill from me has "adopted" the family that lives across the road from her. She joyously calls their children her grandchildren and the mother and father her son and daughter. Watching them together touches my heart and lights up my soul. They share more than just cookies and chores together too. They share closeness, caring, laughter, tears, goodness, and love. They are a true family through both tough times and tender moments. They show me daily that the bonds of love are greater even than the bonds of blood and that we truly are one family in this world.

How glorious this Earth would be if only everyone followed their example. Wars would disappear overnight. Not a single child would go unfed. Joyous laughter would replace angry shouts. Hitting would turn into hugging. Smiles would sail from face to face, heart to heart, and soul to soul. Everyone would feel the love of God flowing through their hearts and through the hearts of their neighbors. And everywhere you would look you would see the shining eyes of another Child of God and member of your family.

Don’t be afraid then to build the bonds of love. Don’t be afraid to share yourself with others. You may even find yourself "enlarging your family" as you invite your fellow Children of God into your heart, soul, and life. After all, we were meant to love. We were meant to share joy. We were meant to give kindness to everyone we meet. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: "Let noone ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." That is how my wonderful neighbor and her "adopted" family live and that is how I hope to live as well. May the same be true for you.

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

Joe Mazzella is a writer and mental Health worker who lives in the mountains of West Virginia with his 3 children, 6 dogs, and 4 cats. He appreciates hearing from his readers: joecool@wirefire.com

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STOOPING TO CONQUER

Guess what is common to all billiard champions. They stoop to conquer! Standing tall and trying to play simply wouldn’t do in any game of the green baize. By the same token in the spiritual realm too, the proud, overconfident ones’ are warned that “So, if you think you are standing tall, be careful that you don't fall!” (I Cor 10.12).

There were Jesus’ disciples on the Night of the Last Supper arguing childishly amongst themselves, as to which one of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24) and what was Jesus’ response to their immature demeanor of demeaning one another? HE SIMPLY GOT UP AND WASHED THEIR FEET (John 13:5)! This, no doubt swept them, their pride and all, off their feet! With their hard-hearted pride dissolved, in the same night, some time later when Jesus disclosed that one of them would be the betrayer, each one of them barring Judas humbly asked the Master “Lord, am I the one?” (Matt 26:22-NLV). What a marked change in their nature wrought by our Lord’s exemplary posture!

The Saviour had effectively stooped to conquer their hearts given to selfish pride once and for all! Would they again resort to their puerile behaviour? No way! What about us? In case we have been wallowing in shallow murky waters of spiritual callowness, is it not high time, we stepped out?

* Prayer: Father, we commit ourselves into Thy hands with all our limitations. Make us more and more like Your Holy Son, who is our inspiration. In Jesus’ name!*

Suresh Manoharan

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WHO FEELS THE PAIN?

Today's Devotional: Dealing with grief is perhaps one of the hardest things that we, as humans, must do. Grief may be rooted in a death or illness, or it may be rooted in a loss, such as the loss of support, the loss of a spouse through divorce, the loss of a job, or even the feelings of abandonment that parents often go through as they realize they must allow their children to grow up. The focus of the upcoming 3 devotionals, that will be appearing in the next 3 Saturday editions of The Nugget, will be on specific, personal stories of how God can help you deal with grief. Our prayer is that you will be blessed by this series, and that somehow, whatever it is you are grieving, the lessons presented here will help you to get through. For former lessons on Dealing with Grief, please go to www.scripturalnuggets.org/folder6/dealing_with_grief.htm .

DEALING WITH GRIEF, Part 8

In Dealing with Grief Part 7, we learned that sometimes we have to stop focusing on "us" and "our" problems, and begin to focus on others. When we do so, our problems will begin to look so much less important! Today's devotional, brought to us by Sally I. Kennedy, though not specific to death, helps us to see grief from a slightly different perspective:

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:18)

Last week held a big step for two people close to me. My daughter had said, "I don't know if I can let him go!" And on Tuesday, my three year old grandson went to school for the first time. It's hard to say who felt the pain of separation more; my daughter or her first-born.

It was déjà vu for me as I was transported back in time. Our oldest child began morning pre-school at the same age. I suspect the parent feels the pain more than the child. The youngster is on to new and exciting adventures, while the parent is left behind in his or her same routine.

Maybe it's always easier for the one who moves on than the one who is left. My friend Ed, a counselor, says you grieve when you lose a person, place, or thing. It could be just about anything in life, little or big.

I thought about who was it that felt the pain more when we became separated from God back in the Garden of Eden? And who grieved the most? My guess is that it was our Father, God. His pain was enough to implement His plan to bring us back into that close former relationship with him.

It did finally happen. As all things came together, in the fullness of God's time, Jesus became the bridge between us and our heavenly parent. Happy endings are always good, and there is none better than this one.

That is definitely good news.

Sally Kennedy*

Friends, when bad things happen, we need to remind ourselves that the ones who are left behind are the ones who grieve! God was the first to experience grief! He knows all about it!

The upcoming three devotionals will shift focus slightly, to how we can help others when they are dealing with grief. Join us next week for Dealing with Grief, Part 9: Dealing with the Death of a Daddy.

* Sally I. Kennedy is a songwriter, the creator of Poppy the Penguin® preschool music videos, and the author of Irish Thursdays: More Little Parables, Words from the Heart, and 52 Little Parables from Ireland . She lives in south Florida, with her husband Ben. Please visit her website: http://www.sallyikennedy.com Email: sallyikennedy@bellsouth.net

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FAITH SERIES Does your faith need a boost? Why not "boost" it with a series of studies on the Faith chapter, Hebrews 11? Go to www.scripturalnuggets.org/folder4/Faith%20--%20A%20Miniseries.htm

THE FINE PRINT

There it was, at the very bottom of the document, in noticeably smaller size print. The disclaimer. Have you ever noticed these sections at the end of a contract or agreement? I’m reminded of the saying, “Read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.”

That little part stuck on at the end might sometimes be called “the catch”. When things seem too good to be true, they usually are. We ask, “What’s the catch?”

There is an amazing promise in the bible that might sound too good to be true. About a week before Jesus was killed and came back to life, He was talking with His close friends. He said if you believe, you can have anything you ask for in prayer (Mark 11:24).

Could it be that easy? Perhaps the very next sentence is the fine print to the promise. Practically in the same breath, Jesus continues, essentially saying that we have to forgive anyone we hold a grudge against first. Could even be ourselves.

The fine print of forgiveness. It’s a decision, not a feeling, a key to unlocking and releasing God’s promises. That’s good news.

Sally Ireland Kennedy,© 2009 Irish Thursdays Weekly Devotionals, http://www.sallyikennedy.com

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THE UNIVERSITY OF JESUS

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2: 15 KJV)

When we attend a college or a university, if we don’t get good grades we will not graduate with the rest of the class. It would be very frustrating to waste all of that time and spend all of that money on textbooks and the other things that we need and then not graduate. However, there is something far worse than not graduating from a regular college or university and that is if we fail to graduate from the University of Jesus.

Unless we major in the heart of Jesus with the Holy Spirit as our teacher and put what we learn into practice, we will never be able to serve Jesus the way He wants us to serve Him. We don’t have to pay money to attend the University of Jesus like we have to when we attend a regular college or university. It doesn’t cost us anything. Jesus has already paid the price for us to attend with His own blood.

How sad and tragic it would be if we spent four years of our life in a regular university or college and graduated with high grades but we are getting failing grades in the University of Jesus. I believe that we hurt Jesus deeply when we don’t spend time with Him. Take time to talk to Jesus. If you haven’t enrolled in the University of Jesus, I urge you to do it today. Jesus majors in our hearts so we should major in His heart.

Joanne Lowe

May 1, 2009 joannelowe8@cox.net www.hesetmefreeforever.blogspot.com

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The time is right and we are in need of many laborers. "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matt 9:37-38 NIV). If you feel compelled by God, let us know by sending an email to prayer@answers2prayer.org .

MAKING SENSE OF LIFE

Dealing with grief is perhaps one of the hardest things that we, as humans, must do. Grief may be rooted in a death or illness, or it may be rooted in a loss, such as the loss of support, the loss of a spouse through divorce, the loss of a job, or even the feelings of abandonment that parents often go through as they realize they must allow their children to grow up. The focus of the upcoming 4 devotionals, that will be appearing in the next 4 Saturday editions of The Nugget, will be on specific, personal stories of how God can help you deal with grief. Our prayer is that you will be blessed by this series, and that somehow, whatever it is you are grieving, the lessons presented here will help you to get through. For former lessons on Dealing with Grief, please go to www.scripturalnuggets.org/folder6/dealing_with_grief.htm .

DEALING WITH GRIEF, Part 7

In Dealing with Grief Part 6, we learned that one of the important secrets to dealing with whatever kind of grief you are going through is staying rooted and grounded in Jesus! Today's devotional, brought to us by Joe Mazzella, though not specific to death, tells us the attitude that we need to have when facing any kind of grief:

MAKING SENSE OF LIFE

"Does life ever make sense?" This was a question asked to me by a friend the other day. Like all of us this lady had seen a lot of suffering, a lot of injustice, and a lot of insanity in this world. She had seen parents having to bury their children, good people having to go through cancer, and hard working souls having to struggle to make ends meet. She had seen wars, famines, and natural disasters. She had seen cruel and selfish people prosper while others with more caring hearts dealt with loss and tragedy.

As she looked me in the eyes and asked me that question, I smiled back and said the first words that came from my heart: "only when you love." I think now that those words must have been sent to me by God, because the wisdom in them eased her mind and touched her heart. We talked peacefully a while longer and she thanked me before going on her way.

In truth, only love can make sense of this life. It is only when you love that you can grow better and more caring from the pains life brings you. It is only when you love that you can face injustice with a passion to make things better. It is only when you love that you can meet the insanity of the world with the sanity of your soul. Love helps you to see the precious value of every life no matter how limited or how brief. Love helps you to face a life threatening disease with a greater joy for living. Love helps you to see that true wealth comes from the soul and not the things you own. With love in your life you realize the senselessness of war and the pricelessness of peace. With love in your heart you see every famine and natural disaster as a call to help others even more. With love in your soul you feel God's love everywhere as well.

If you want to make sense of this life then just love. It won't stop the questions, but it will help you live the answers. It won't fully explain this life, but it will get you ready for the next.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing ... And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13: 1-4,13 NIV)

Joseph Mazzella*

It makes sense, doesn't it? Sometimes we have to stop focusing on "us" and "our" problems, and begin to focus on others. When we do so, we are really loving others the way God loves. And it's amazing how our problems begin to look so much less important when we do so!

Please join us next week for Dealing with Grief, Part 8: Who Feels the Pain?

* Joe Mazzella is a writer and mental Health worker who lives in the mountains of West Virginia with his 3 children, 6 dogs, and 4 cats. He appreciates hearing from his readers: joecool@wirefire.com

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LESSONS FROM PETS Did you know that there are hundreds of lessons to be learned through nature? To learn how pets have been able to teach their owners about God, go to: http://www.scripturalnuggets.org/Topics/lessons_from_pets.htm

TO FIND THAT PLACE

Years ago there was a television show called Cheers. Much of its popularity had to do with the idea that regardless of what might be happening in the characters' lives, good or bad, these people had a place to go where they could be with friends. The show's opening song echoed this theme...

Sometimes you wanna go Where everybody knows your name And they're always glad you came You wanna be where you can see Our troubles are all the same You wanna be where everybody knows your name*

In some way, we all have this desire. I go to certain restaurants because when I walk through the door, they recognize me and smile. OK, maybe not the one where I dropped my tray of food or where I poked my finger into what I thought was a display of a plastic chocolate pie or the one... Well, there are two places where they smile. Eagle's Landing and Folks. (And no, this is not to get free food.)

They know me well enough to know I prefer a booth and, regardless of the time of day, I'd like a cup of coffee. But more than that, these are places where I can find some comfort just in a smile and a friendly voice. And on those rare occasions when I need to linger a bit longer, they don't run me off. They all may not know my name or a lot about me, but they recognize me...and that's pretty cool.

I've been thinking about this whole 'name-knowing' thing, especially as it relates to the Church and these times we're in. When I say Church, I mean the entire Family of God, not simply a local congregation, although each is certainly included. And by these times, just look around. What a horrible mess.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if...with all the sadness, worry, illness, anger, confusion, disappointment and tragedies in our lives…we had a place where everyone knows our name and they're always glad we came? A place where all our troubles may not be the same, but they're shared because everyone cares?

We may look to the First United Community Temples (local congregations) to provide this for us, but many fall short. It isn't that they don't want to, they just don't know how, and are often too proud to seek help. We find that far frequently in this ministry. But while they may have some responsibility, the real obligation lies in the Church, the entire Family.

Regardless of the gathering, location or whether we all attend the same service, it is the duty of the Family to provide that refuge, that safe haven. It may be through five people who get together at work, thirty-five in a Bible class, or a thousand and five in a congregation. It may even be through sharing across the Internet with a ministry like Ciloa.

It is our responsibility to seek for ourselves and provide for others that place of comfort. We are called to be friendly, reach out our hand, speak and, as much as we can, know the names of those around us. It is a perfect first step for encouraging and loving one another, one that can create something amazing.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

There will always be troubles, but every day you can smile at someone and speak a kind word, every day you can let the light of God shine in your life, and every day you can find that place where everyone knows your name. It is there with others in the Family. It here with us in Ciloa. It is beside the One who is with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Every day...you can! Take care and be God's,

Chuck Graham

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Be sure to join us THIS SATURDAY for Dealing with Grief, a mini-series that is appearing in the Saturday editions of the Nugget through the months of May and June. We have all had to deal with grief at some point in our lives, and our prayer is that somehow, your hard times will be eased a bit by this mini-series.

MARKERS

The freight-train driver knows about driving to plan. He knows a fully loaded train needs to be carefully managed if it is to climb steep grades and remain under control down the other side.

He knows precisely where to begin lifting engine power or decreasing engine power to bring it to a stop.

It is a skill learned through years of experience in getting to know the road. He has to have traveled over the road many times to fine-tune engine power according rules of good management for his train load and the terrain.

He has ways of managing his train.

‘When you learn the road,’ he said, ‘you pick out markers that remind you of what is ahead. You might choose a red-roofed house near the line as being the place to put on the brakes. Or you might choose a distinctive tree near the fence as the place to begin applying power to go up the next grade.

‘As soon as you see the marker it reminds you of exactly where you are and what you need to do with your engine. If you ignore it, you will have trouble controlling your train.

‘One of my markers is at the foot of last grade where I power the engine to bring me to journey’s end. I have obeyed all the laws of good engine management, my trainload will be delivered, my long night’s work will be over, and I can take my rest.’

The train driver’s eyes filled with tears as he confided, ‘My marker for that last hill is the Memorial beside the line with the names of my uncles engraved on it. It has a little light above it that never goes out. On the darkest night, at the weariest point, I see the light and I power the engine to take me home.’

Jesus seemed to know about train drivers. He put markers all through Scripture to tell about powering up the engines. There is a tree, a slain lamb, a boat, a rainbow and even two tablets of stone where God wrote the laws of engine management.

My favourite marker of all time is the one made at the beginning when God said ‘Let us make man in our image’ and Jesus is ‘the image of the invisible God’, Colossians 1:15.

Like the light on the driver’s Memorial marker, Jesus is the light of the world shining over the laws of good engine management and he powers us home.

Elizabeth Price

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Would you like to make a difference in the world? Why not join the Answers2Prayer team? We have many volunteer positions. By joining in, you can help in carrying out the Great Commission: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" (Matt 28:18-20 NIV) The time is right and we are in need of many laborers. "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matt 9:37-38 NIV). If you feel compelled by God, let us know by sending an email to prayer@answers2prayer.org .

LIGHTENING STRIKES. DEALING WITH GRIEF, Part 6

Dealing with grief is perhaps one of the hardest things that we, as humans, must do. Grief may be rooted in a death or illness, or it may be rooted in a loss, such as the loss of support, the loss of a spouse through divorce, the loss of a job, or even the feelings of abandonment that parents often go through as they realize they must allow their children to grow up. The focus of the upcoming 5 devotionals, that will be appearing in the next 5 Saturday editions of The Nugget, will be on specific, personal stories of how God can help you deal with grief. Our prayer is that you will be blessed by this series, and that somehow, whatever it is you are grieving, the lessons presented here will help you to get through. For former lessons on Dealing with Grief, please go to www.scripturalnuggets.org/folder6/dealing_with_grief.htm .

In Dealing with Grief Part 5, we learned that whatever the nature of the grief you are going through, when you trust God with your deepest worries, no matter what their source, you open the door to His comfort. You allow Him to carry you through! Today's devotional, brought to us by Sally Kennedy, is not specific to death, as the last few have been; but rather, it looks at trials in general, and how to withstand them:

LIGHTENING STRIKES

"Then he said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other." (Matthew 12:13)

It stood as tall and as straight as all the other trees in the glen. Clearly visible right down the front of the trunk was a deep scar.

Lightning had struck the tree at some point. Slashed its exterior, gouging out a path. Now lightning is a killer. It didn't kill this tree, however. Nor did it cause it to catch fire and burn up.

No; this tree survived the strike. The wound sealed off, and the scar is the only evidence remaining that it suffered a near death experience.

Not only did it survive, it's doing great! It is healthy, and leafy. It stands tall and stately in the woods by the hiking trail for many to enjoy.

In our journeys, chances are we have, or will be, struck by "unfriendly fire". Debilitating diseases, personal and relationship crises.......many things can "hit" us in life.

If we hold on to the Rock, and we stay rooted and grounded in Christ, we can - and will - survive. We might be scarred. But that doesn't mean we aren't whole, healed, and happy again.

Lightning does strike.......and God does heal and restore.

That is good news.

Sally Kennedy*

And that's the secret to dealing with whatever kind of grief you are going through: You need to stay rooted and grounded in Jesus! Please join us next week for Dealing With Grief, Part 7: Making Sense of Life!

* Sally I. Kennedy is a songwriter, the creator of Poppy the Penguin® preschool music videos, and the author of Irish Thursdays: More Little Parables, Words from the Heart, and 52 Little Parables from Ireland . She lives in south Florida, with her husband Ben. Please visit her website: http://www.sallyikennedy.com Email: sallyikennedy@bellsouth.net

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POEMS!

Do you appreciate poetry? Why not check out the Poem page on Scriptural Nuggets? Just click on the following link, and enjoy! Www.scripturalnuggets.org/Poems.htm.htm . Or go to the Scriptural Nuggets home page ( www.scripturalnuggets.org ) and check out the new poems that are published each week!

A LESSON FROM THE FIG TREE

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree; as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door." (Matthew 24:32-33)

Last summer, to my regret, the fig tree my husband planted did not yield many figs. This year however, he covered the tree during the cold winter months taking extra care to keep it healthy hoping for better results this season.

I am not a gardener by any means, but I do take interest in trees and plants that our Lord spoke of, especially the fig tree. In today’s Scripture, Jesus uses the illustration of the fig tree to teach His disciples the “signs of His coming.” This parable is simple with a powerful message.

In Matthew chapter 24 Jesus predicts His return but not before a time of distress which the world has never experienced before. Our Lord describes these events as the “beginning of birth pains.” Yet for believers Jesus has this to say: “Lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” ( Luke 21:28 NIV).

Although I have been disappointed with my husband’s fig tree when fruit was not produced, it is certain as I see green leaves sprouting this time; we will soon see the expected fruit. The Word of God states, “Though it linger wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay.” (Habbakkuk 3:2 NIV)

Like the budded fig tree reminding us when summer is near, carefully observe the signs of the times. “While we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NIV) – let us remain patient and stand firm in our faith. Do not lose heart if our Lord tarry; surely He will come at the appointed time.

Prayer

Lord, we thank You for the profound teaching of the fig tree. Keep us watchful to discern the signs of Your coming. Give us wisdom to apply Your truth to our lives as we wait in the blessed hope of Your return. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

In His Love, Lori Ciccanti

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Be sure to join us THIS SATURDAY for Dealing with Grief, a mini-series that is appearing in the Saturday editions of the Nugget through the months of May and June. We have all had to deal with grief at some point in our lives, and our prayer is that somehow, your hard times will be eased a bit by this mini-series.

A SHORT WALK

"Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matt 7:1-2 NKJV)

When I was a boy my family and I lived in my Grandma’s old house by the woods. Along one side of it ran a river that separated us from the main road. The only way over the water was across an old, wooden, swinging bridge. Along the other side of it ran a set of railroad tracks. My Dad had taught me early on to always listen for the sound of the coming trains and to get off the tracks fast when I did. They only ran by the house a few times a day, however, so the rest of the time I could walk along the quiet, deserted tracks as much as I wanted.

I was surprised one day then to find another person walking down the tracks as well. He was a tall man dressed in orange coveralls. He had a bright smile and acheerful way about him. I ran right over and started talking to him. I don’t remember what we talked about but I will never forget how nice he was and how happy he seemed to talk to a boy only 5 years old. Our meeting lasted only a few minutes before I headed back to my home and he continued on his way. About an hour later I was startled to see two state policemen come running across the swinging bridge to our house. Their serious expressions, uniforms, and guns scared me far more than the gentle traveler had. He was the one they were after, though. It appeared my short walk had been with an escaped prisoner. It was hard to believe because he had been so kind.

Somewhere along the rest of my walk down life’s tracks I lost that childhood wisdom. I learned to judge people by the prison clothes they wore and not by the smiles on their faces. I learned to stereotype and to hate and it has taken me a long time to unlearn it again and find my way back to love. I still haven’t quite made it back to that boy’s goodness and trust but I am working on it. I heard that the police later recaptured the kindhearted prisoner and fellow Child of God who brightened my day back then. Where ever he is today, I wish him only love and joy.

Joseph J. Mazzella

Joe Mazzella is a writer and mental Health worker who lives in the mountains of West Virginia with his 3 children, 6 dogs, and 4 cats. He appreciates hearing from his readers: joecool@wirefire.com

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Would you like to make a difference in the world? Why not join the Answers2Prayer team? We have many volunteer positions. By joining in, you can help in carrying out the Great Commission: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" (Matt 28:18-20 NIV) The time is right and we are in need of many laborers. "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matt 9:37-38 NIV). If you feel compelled by God, let us know by sending an email to prayer@answers2prayer.org .