Let’s Pray - Patricia Jordan

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16 ESV

Feeling excruciating pain in one of her eyes, Mary screamed for help. A coworker rushed to her side, then yelled, “Quick, call an ambulance! Mary’s eye has blood in it.” 

The ER doctor informed Mary she had suffered an eye stroke. When I saw her a few days later, wearing an eye patch, she told me about her health scare and her fear of losing vision in that eye.

Later, at her pre-op appointment for surgery, the ophthalmologist told her she might be out of work for up to seven weeks. A pre-existing health issue would complicate her healing. 

Naturally, she felt apprehensive about not returning to work sooner. Her husband, however, assured her everything would be fine and encouraged her not to worry. She needed rest after the surgery.

I saw Mary on the Sunday evening before her surgery on Tuesday. “Let’s pray,” I suggested, and she agreed. 

“Can we include Monica?” I asked. I found Monica and asked her to pray with us. We formed a prayer circle, with each of us praying for the surgery and Mary’s complete healing. 

Including Monica in our prayer circle helped. She is a firm believer in God and His Word and fluent in Spanish, Mary’s first language. When Mary and I talk, she sometimes tosses in some Spanish because she can’t describe what we talk about efficiently in English. Thankfully, I always grasp the big picture of what she says.  

After praying for Mary, we went our separate ways. When I saw Mary again, I saw no eye patch. Her eyes appeared normal to me, and she was driving, so I asked how the surgery went. 

The surgery had gone smoothly, and she had completely healed over the two weeks since our prayer time. Additionally, the doctor had cleared her to return to work.

God gives us wonderful opportunities to intercede for others. Make time to pray for others. 

Yahweh Rophe, You are the God who heals. Our hope is in You, O Lord. Amen.

Patricia Jordan is a seventh-generation southerner from the Appalachian Mountains. She is thankful to return and live there after living in various parts of the world with her retired military husband. They have raised three daughters. She has published You Are Valuable (Westbow), which is her story of how she overcame chronic low-grade depression through Bible study, prayer, and talk therapy. Lately, she has turned her writing talents to writing devotions about walking with God.  

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

 

When the Game Plan Changes - Martin Wiles

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NLT

The week had been slow, but I’d been in full-time ministry long enough to know things could change in a second. And they did.

Besides my regular schedule, the only thing I had planned for the next day was to pray with our church mission team at 6 a.m. They were leaving for Myrtle Beach, SC. Then I received a call from a church member. Her husband would have surgery at 7 a.m. On the way to church that evening, one of my wife’s brothers called. He was on the list to receive a heart transplant and had just left the doctor’s office. They wanted him at MUSC in Charleston, SC, at 4 p.m. the next day. He had no one to take him. Without the heart, his days were numbered.

Suddenly, my game plan changed—and not only for us but also for our two children. Since my wife was caring for our grandchildren, a change in our game plan meant a change in our son’s and daughter’s plans as well. They had no dependable backup plan, so a last-minute call from us could put them in a quandary. But they knew I was on call 24/7. Things could change in a moment.

I like to initiate change—when it’s needed and when the result will entail a helpful alteration—but I don’t like it thrust upon me. I’m a creature of habit, and this change meant getting up two hours earlier as well as a four-hour drive to the hospital—and to an area of the city I dislike. We’d be lucky to get home by midnight—a long day. And I’d have to work from the car.

Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and depending on him rather than our understanding isn’t easy—or always convenient. A part of following him means making ourselves available to opportunities he sends—even when they change the game plan. Our mission team needed prayer, and so did the man having surgery. My wife’s brother also needed our help. Three opportunities. Three chances to serve.

When God changes your game plan, trust He has a reason. Then enjoy the chance he’s giving you to serve.

Father, although I don’t enjoy changes thrust upon me, help me trust that you have a reason.  

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The Final Appointment - Martin Wiles

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27 NLT

“Did you hear that Richey* died?”

The early morning text came from my cousin, a first responder in the town where Richey lived. She had seen Richey’s sister’s post on Facebook. He had experienced headaches for a few days with no relief. After Richey missed supper with his parents the night before, Richey’s dad walked over the next day to check on him and discovered him dead. 

Richey and I had been best friends during high school—and for a few years after that. We also worked at the same grocery store in our local town, where we both bagged groceries. After high school, Richey went to work for a small business, where he remained for the next twenty years.

But my life took a different turn. I worked locally, too, for a few years, but a layoff took me several towns over to find another job. Eventually, I went back to college. After graduation, I moved from one city to another—and even to another state, before finally coming back to my home state.

Throughout my transitions, I lost touch with Richey. I thought of him often—after all, he was my best friend. After Facebook was born, I searched for him. I found his sisters and brother, but never located him. I guess he wasn’t a Facebook fan. Now, he was gone.

I’ve heard it said that no parent should have to bury a child, but Richey’s mom and dad had buried two: Richey’s youngest sister and now Richey.

Even though it is appointed for us to die, very few want to. “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NLT).

Depression drives some to an early death by suicide. Pain and disease plague others. And some get tired of living in a world that seems to have gone awry. Dad fell into the last category.

Dad’s first heart valve lasted one year. When doctors told him he needed another one, he didn’t want it. The family talked him into having the surgery, but he matter-of-factly informed us he would not be coming home from Atlanta, Georgia, after his surgery. He had lost the will to live. He had lived the seventy years God had promised and was ready to go to heaven. Dad was right. He never made it home.

Christians believe in heaven—a place where gold lines the streets, where pain flees, where everyone gets along, and where time is erased—but most people I’ve met are in no hurry to get there. Not if it means we must die. We want to enjoy earth as long as possible before passing through the unknown.

Death separates us from earthbound family and friends. But, of course, some of our friends and family—barring a change—won’t make it to heaven. They have no interest in God. In that case, death separates us forever. Not a pleasant thought.

We can’t do much about this death thing though. Unless Christ returns, we’ll all experience it. Exercising and eating right won’t prevent it. Nor will freezing our bodies after death, hoping scientists will one day find a way to bring them back to life. God has appointed death, and it will happen.

As I age, I find myself scanning the obituaries of local newspapers--the same thing my grandparents and great-grandparents did. They lived before the internet when the only sources of information were the local newspaper, the local television station, the local radio station, and the local busybody who knew everything about everybody. As I look over the names, I hope I won’t see anyone I know—but I will because dying is what we do.

Fortunately, we don’t have to live with dread over death. God has made a wonderful, eternal place for us. Jesus said when He left earth, He would return for His children—at His Second Coming or our death. And heaven will inhabit beauty and circumstances we’ve never experienced before.

Before we get there, our earthly sojourn allows us to invite others to travel to heaven with us. This journey also gives us time to accomplish God’s plan for us. To do all the good we possibly can to as many people as we can for as long as we can. Finally, when our time is over, God will usher us into heaven and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I don't know about Richey. As a teenager, he never had time for God. I hope somewhere along the way, he changed that. 

Enjoy your time on earth, but don’t forget to prepare for eternity.

Father, let me enjoy my time on earth, but prompt me not to forget to prepare for my death and eternity.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

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The Art of Contentment - Martin Wiles

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:11 NKJV

Four months and several medications later, my wife finally discovered the art of contentment.

A casual walk around a local college’s track with our grandson brought on what she hadn’t been troubled with in quite some time: PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). A visit to the doctor and an EKG revealed numerous PVCs. The doctor issued several options: take medicine, have an ablation, implant a pacemaker, or do nothing and risk weakened heart muscles. We chose medicine, but several months and several medicines later, the doctor informed us the medicine route wasn’t working.

After the four-hour surgical procedure was over, the doctor entered the room. The areas where the PVCs occurred were extensive. He got most of them, but some lay in risky areas. Hopefully, he burned enough to give her relief. As the nurses rolled her back into the room and hooked up the blood pressure and pulse monitors, we anxiously awaited the first reading. Contentment came when we saw the first reading. Blood pressure was good, and her pulse rose to a higher range. 

Paul learned the art of contentment over a lifetime of serving Christ. He often endured unpleasant circumstances—some even life-threatening—but as he neared the end of his life, he confessed he had reached his contentment goal.

I can’t say I’ve reached the pinnacle Paul had, but I’m learning. Life experiences continually remind me God has my circumstances under control. I couldn’t fix my wife’s heart problems any more than I could a precarious financial situation. Or a broken relationship. Or an unwanted employment termination. What I can do is trust the One who can.

My wife and I have also learned contentment comes from laughing through difficult times. If we can’t fix them, we might as well laugh at them. Laughter is good medicine and doesn’t diminish our trust in God. Instead, it reflects the joy in our souls and our faith that God will bring good out of all situations.

Take somemeasured steps to help you learn the art of contentment.

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How Long, Lord? - Martin Wiles

My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me? Psalm 119:82 NLT

Rachel knew God’s promises but couldn’t help but ask, “How long, Lord?”

Rachel was a young woman with health problems the size of an older person. Degenerative arthritis plagued her joints and back. Several female operations had left her unable to have children. She was fortunate her situation hadn’t turned into cancer. Other surgeries had taken care of a diseased gall bladder and a protruding hernia.

Now, she faced a malfunctioning heart. Her heart flopped and fluttered. Tests revealed severe PVCs. Medicine didn’t seem to help. If doctors didn’t calm them down, they could damage her heart. Through all of her health challenges, Rachel never stopped trusting God, but she couldn’t help but wonder when God's promises to care for her would come true. 

Perhaps Ezra the priest was the author of this lengthy psalm. Unfortunately, he was caught up in the Babylonian captivity. Seventy years would pass before God would raise a new ruler who would allow the people to return to their homeland. Ezra would have the privilege of leading some of them back, but he languished in sorrow for a number of years before he saw God’s promise come true.

I too have meandered through lean periods when I wondered if God had forgotten his promises to me. I’ve never been homeless or had completely bare cabinets, but I have lived in undesirable places and had less to eat than I wanted. Like Rachel, I’ve endured medical issues that seemed to last forever and wondered when God was going to come through with a healing. And though God promises not to let temptations become overbearing, there have been some I didn’t seem to see a way out of.

Though God’s comfort occasionally appears slow in arriving, it always comes—in the correct measure and at the right moment. He never forgets his promises nor reneges on them. He always sends an answer to our prayers, comforts us in our pain, and assures us through our misunderstandings.

Let God’s promises be your stronghold in life’s tough times.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your promises that are steadfast and sure. 

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Forsaken - Martin Wiles

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Psalm 22:1 NIV

Silence was his way of forsaking his father—and it wasn’t golden.

Sam had two children. His oldest, he saw regularly. The youngest, more infrequently. He and his family lived one hour away, which made seeing them more inconvenient.  

When Sam’s wife received a worrisome diagnosis from the doctor, Sam quite naturally told his daughter and put the news on Facebook so friends and family members could pray. But he forgot to text his son. Through a mutual friend, his son found out before Sam remembered to text him the next day.

Now Sam heard only silence from his son. Although he apologized, it wasn’t enough for his son. His anger and hurt remained. Time will tell how long the silence will continue, but in the meantime, Sam feels forsaken by one he loves—his own flesh and blood.

Some days, the silence deafens Sam, and he sends another text or tries to call. But the message never shows read and the calls go unanswered.

Though the trial is unknown, experiencing it motivated David to write the psalm. The words also rang prophetically. Jesus would utter them years later as He hung on the cross. Old Testament Joseph also knew a little about being forsaken. His brothers sold him, Potiphar enslaved him, Potiphar’s wife accused him of rape, and the butler who was jailed with him forgot him. Years passed before his release and promotion.

While others may forsake me in life, God is never one of those people. He hadn’t forsaken David either; it merely felt that way. I’ve experienced the feeling myself. When there wasn’t enough money to pay the monthly bills—and I was doing all I could to earn money. When friends or family members didn’t call to check on me when I was going through a tough time. When a loved one walked away—and didn’t return.

Feeling forsaken by God is just that—a feeling. Feelings are fleeting and fickle. They aren’t good foundations to make important decisions on. If I feel God has forsaken me, I am experiencing just that—a feeling. Seeing life from a flawed perspective.

God promises never to leave or forsake me. Feelings can fool me, but the truth sets me free from worry, anxiety, foolishness, depression, and discouragement.

When you feel forsaken by God, remember He never leaves those who belong to Him.

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Prayer: Father, thank You for never leaving us and for always remaining close by our sides. 

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Throwback Tuesday - Helping Hands - Martin Wiles

Helping Hands

The doctor’s words shocked us: “You have one on each foot. I can do one at a time or both at the same time.”

We decided for both, and for the next two weeks, I helped my wife recover from planter’s wart surgery. If we went to the store, I pushed her in a wheelchair. At home, I helped her from point A to B by holding one of her arms while she hobbled on her heels. Without my helping hands, she would’ve been confined to her recliner. Read more...

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