Answered Prayer

Read: Luke 1:23-25

In 2008, the Lord lead me to launch Into the Field. It has taken me around the world, including ten trips to China. As I go and serve, I have a particularly soft place in my heart for kids—millions of them longing for families of their own. I would pray for them, for their future families to come, knowing that they weren’t me.

Like Elizabeth, one of the deepest prayers of my heart was to be a mom, and I questioned if it would ever be my turn. I watched those around me having kids and more kids. Unlike Elizabeth, my dream of a husband has not yet been realized, so I figured the prospects of motherhood were approaching somewhere between slim and none.

But the Lord is faithful and good. His plans are so much better than anything we can imagine. In 2012, at the age of 41, I walked into a foster home in China to lead VBS. I picked up Olivia and knew something was different. He tapped me on my shoulder and…”In these days, he has shown his favor…” and I knew that instead of praying for her family, that I was her family.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you have any unanswered prayers that have consistently poured out of your heart for years on end? Take a moment to pray again.

2. When was the last time you stood in awe of an answered prayer? Take a moment to thank the Lord.

PRAYER:

Thank You, Lord, for the perfect timing of answered prayers. Thank You that You sometimes answer in unexpected ways. Continue to grant us Your favor.

Jennifer Cameron

Christian Fellowship

Several years ago I travelled to China on business. I went a couple of days early, to sight see and  to adjust to the time change.

A Temple of the Forbidden City

 

For two days I walked the streets of Beijing. I did not take a taxi because I was not able to express my desires to the driver. The major streets had smaller English signs under the Mandarin signs, but the smaller streets may have just as well been unmarked. I got lost a couple of times, but eventually came to a larger street where I could get my bearings and carry on.

 

My efforts were rewarded with visits to Tianamen Square, the Forbidden City, Silk Alley and other places. I was excited at what I had seen, yet I was lonely because there was nobody to share my experiences with.

 

It was good to get to the office and carry on business. Most people spoke English and it was refreshing to have a conversation. I needed to interact with somebody, anybody!

 

Today’s reading is Acts 2:41-47. The church was in its infancy. The believers enjoyed each other’s company, dining with each other and studying the Apostle’s teaching. They even pooled their resources so that the needy were on an equal financial footing with the well to do, so to speak.

 

Most of the believers had jobs in the Pagan world. They interacted with many unbelievers for most of the day. It must have been very refreshing for them to enjoy the fellowship of other believers when  not at work.

 

Our needs today are no different than those believers of the early church. We work throughout the week in an unbelieving world. We take our children to various activities, many outside the church, perhaps. We need the fellowship of other believers. Without it, we can feel a bit like I did in China. Alone, we have nobody to share our spiritual experiences with.

 

Christian fellowship is part of a balanced spiritual life.

 

Happy New Year!