The Ears of Christ

Lenten Devotional Message

March 22, 2006

† In the Name of Christ †

2 Thessalonians 1:2 (NLT) ² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Will God Hear?

I have heard a question asked, many times in my ministry. It is a question that is as hard to ask, as it is to answer. Simply stated, the question is,

Will God hear me?

It is a question that every person asks in their life, and I think, if we are honest, a question we are not sure of the answer of, especially when we, or someone we care about, is suffering. Or when our prayers seemingly go unanswered, because we fail to see the result that we desire. Example – we have prayed our house in Yucca would sell, and we have prayed for Darrel’s getting the HUD voucher, or Pr. Knotek’s wife memory improving, – those answers seem non-existent, in light of other prayer requests.

Often times, we come across as being trite, because we say God can also answer, NO, or Wait. Sure he can, but that doesn’t end the dilemma, it doesn’t bring much comfort to Pr. Knotek and Ruth, it doesn’t help move Darrel to the apartment in Escondido.

Wrong Question?

Did we hear Him promise to Hear?

Example – the friends bringing the deaf/lame guy

Israel’s crying for freedom, their cry for food, their cry for water

Their cry for forgiveness

The teaching of the Lord’s Prayer

I think we might be asking the wrong question, in asking if or will God will hear our prayers. I think we need to hear something, that rather leaves us in doubt, leaves our faith strengthened. Will God answer our prayer, leaves one in doubt, for it leaves to many other questions unanswered. But do we ask, did we hear that God asked us to place all burdens on Him? Do we know the promises that nothing can separate us from His love? That He will be with us, until the end of time?

Did we see the gospel story tonight, where Jesus heard the pleas of the friends, and the man heard and talked miraculously? Did God hear Israel in Egypt, or when they hungered and asked food, or water? Did He not hear? Of course He did!

He heard, and He promises to hear our cries.

Remember the words from Luke’s gospel, that follow Jesus teaching the apostles ot pray,

¹¹ What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; ¹² or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:11-13 (ESV)

God gives us himself, the Holy Spirit, to lead us, to guide us, to save us, to bring us comfort and peace. Even in the midst of the worst problems, the Holy Spirit is there with us, providing us the peace and comfort, that will allow us to act - in faith.

Even in the situations, where we walk in valleys unknown, we know that God has promised to be with us, to be the Shepherd who guides us with both staff, and rod.

Have we heard what God promises we can lay before Him, and know – He has heard?

Things like dealing with Temptation, and the devil

Things like forgiving those who have sinned against us.

Things like receiving the forgiveness of our sins.

Things like the necessities for daily survival.

Things like God ruling in this world, ensuring the outcome for His people.

All those things, Jesus has promised that we can pray to the Father about – and that the Father will hear.

Because Jesus is the response, the cross the tool, that ensures God willl listen, and forgive, and make right.

His death ensures, we can pray to our Father.

So tonight, we shall have a workout prior to dinner – an exercise of faith.

Our prayer tonight. a test in faith…

We, not I shall pray. I shall lead off, and as we pray, lay your burdens before God. Someone remember to pray for our church – that we shall deliver the gospel to people here, and through our missionaries – to the world.

Someone just ask God to bless our community.

This is not in detail – just ask God to bless those you are concerned about a few quick words – example – Lord – help the pastor’s house to sell, or God – take care of Darrel’s living situation. After a while, I will end as the bulletin says…

Let’s exercise our faith in God, not only for salvation, but in His promise – that He will here.

And having laid those burdens down, may the peace of God which passes understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

AMEN?