God Is Listening

I wanted to start off this morning with a little story about something that has been going on with my morning Sunrise weekend trips for the past few months.

As you all know, I treasure these times with God as I truly do feel His presence as I watch the Sun coming over the horizon. I begin to feel the warmth of the Sun take over the day, warm the Ocean and light-up the sky removing the darkness from my morning. To me, this represents a new day, a new start and a new beginning.

I never fail to drop to my knees and give thanks for all that I have and all that will come to me. I don’t usually ask for anything from God as I know He knows all that I need. I do, however, ask for His graciousness in other people’s lives. You hear each Sunday the many people we pray for and the numerous illnesses or difficulties they may be facing.

We eagerly accept prayer requests as it is our sincere wish that, once God has heard our pleadings, He will grant those we pray for, a softer heart and allow them to feel His presence as we so often do in our own prayers.

Jared’s Visits

My story this morning starts a few months ago while I was visiting the shore. I usually arrive a little before the Sunrise as I like to give myself the time to “settle-in” at my “private spot” along the Ocean.

I completed my prayers and sat on the little bench in the sand to await God’s calling. I was sitting quietly, the wind from the sea gently caressing my face, listening to the shore birds making their daily pass along the beach looking for their morning meal.

Something soon caught my attention. I heard someone behind me struggling to come down the stairs of the boardwalk behind me. His feet were shuffling in the sand on the wooden flooring as he was trying to ensure he didn’t fall. He had his right hand on the railing and his left on a cane as he tapped his way down to the sand.

I rose from my bench and offered my assistance. I said, “Sir, can I help you down to the beach? It can be rather dangerous on those sandy steps.” He responded with, “I’m just trying to get to that there bench and I’m fine all by myself!”

It seemed he was pretty determined and must have been here before as he knew exactly where he wanted to go and how to get there. Even though he insisted I not help him, I shadowed him closely just in case he might start to fall.

He reached the little bench in the sand and took a seat. He looked up at me as if to say, “See, I told you I’d be fine!” I just smiled and asked him if it would be okay if I sat with him. He grunted a little and nodded his head yes.

We sat there for about an hour. He told me his wife had died just a short while ago. They both would come here every Sunday morning as she liked to pray here. He, simply along for the walk. He wasn’t a big believer in God and actually seemed a little angry with Him that He took his wife away before him.

I proceeded to tell him that was why I came here as well… to pray. I then asked him if he would like to pray with me before I left. Once more, he grunted and shook his head no! “Told ya, I’m not a big believer in the ‘God-thing!’”

Nonetheless, I knelt down in front of our little bench, gave thanks to God once more for the day and thanked Jared for his company. I also told him I would be there every Sunday should he change his mind about saying a little prayer with me.

Surprisingly, Jared began showing up a little earlier each Sunday and, again to my surprise, he would sit with me on our little bench and simply listen as I said my prayers.

This has been going on for a while now and I have more to this story but, right now, I’d like to talk a little more about my favorite subject… prayer!

As much as we love responding to prayer requests and accept them willingly, with open arms, we need you to understand something. God listens to you too!

How Should We Pray?

I was speaking with someone earlier this past week about my favorite subject (prayer) and the following questions came up.

• How are we supposed to pray?
• If God already knows what we need, what is left to ask for… why should we pray?
• Does God or Jesus even hear our prayers?

Good questions, don’t you think? If you are a believer and already follow Christ, you already know the answers. For those that may be a little unsure, let me try and clear things up a little bit for you.

How? Unfortunately, in our world, people have put far too much emphasis with the “holier-than-thou” approach to prayer. If you read through the New Testament, you will see in several places, this is simply not the way.

Jesus wants us to keep our prayers simple, and not like “The Hypocrites” as He tells us in…

Matthew 6:5-8 – “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

He also went on in verses 9-13 to teach us what we all know as The Lord’s Prayer.

That spells it out pretty clearly doesn’t it? When you want to pray, find a little secluded spot where your conversation is just between you and God. Keep your conversation simple and just “talk to Him!”

Why? Yes, you are absolutely correct! As we just read earlier, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Yep, He sure does! So, what’s the point of asking?

First, we should be reminded. Prayer should not be used solely as a means of asking for help but, equally as important, it should be a means of giving thanks for all that you have and all that is yet to be delivered to you.

So, why should we pray?

Matthew 7:7-8 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Sometimes God pushes us. This, of course, isn’t God being mean or trying to hurt us. It’s merely God testing our resolve; building our character; strengthening us and trying to turn us into better people.

We’re weak. We’re never as strong as we could be which is why our Lord puts these things before us. He knows this! So, when your facing trials, and you get to the point you feel your losing… ask Him! “Lord, I’ve done as much as I can. Please help me through this!” Rest assured. When our Lord hears your plea and sees your frustrations, He will respond!

Don’t forget also, when other people may not have your beliefs, they too may need your help. Be willing. Be receptive. Pray for others and ask them to believe as you do and their prayers will be answered as well.

Now, the Biggie!

Does He Hear Us?

If you are already a believer and follower of Christ, He tells us quite clearly in…

John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Jesus tells us here, if we do believe that we DO hear His voice and we will follow Him.

Why would the God of all Gods, the Father of all Fathers and a most kind, caring and compassionate God not hear you? Aren’t most of us parents or do we not have parents that raised us? Then here is Jesus’ question to us…

Matthew 7:9-11 – “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Through His Word (The Bible)

The first thing we should do when we are troubled is, pick up our Bible. Pick a chapter. Find a verse. I assure you if you scan through the Bible every day, you will find words from God that will bring you comfort.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Through the Holy Spirit

When we read God’s word, and we pray, we will be filled by the Holy Spirit. This, is the third part of the Holy Trinity (The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.

John 16:13 – “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

How many times have you done something wrong, felt something wasn’t quite right or just didn’t feel as good about a decision you may have made but did so anyway? What is this…  some call it our conscience but I prefer to call it The Holy Spirit.

I advise you strongly about these feelings. Don’t take them lightly and, as we always talk about our “gut-instinct,” believe in them! For all you know, and I think it is, it’s probably God answering your prayer or trying to get a message across to you.

Through Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ

How many times have we talked about this at Church? In today’s society, this one makes perfect sense to me. We all come here to give worship, glory and praise to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Some of us have been at this for a good long time. Some of us have had experiences others have not had the opportunity to go through and, in some cases, we hope they never do.

Talk to a fellow follower. Talk to me or any other of the leaders in this Church. As God’s children, we’re all here to help one another… no matter what the circumstances may be. What you feel is trivial to you and you shouldn’t bother others with, may be of major significance to someone else.

People – What about people in general? How many people have come into your lives that you had no reasons to understand. No similarities; different likes and dislikes; nothing at all in common to you. But what purpose did they serve?

How about the people that have gone out of our lives? Haven’t there been people in your past that were more of a hindrance than a help to you? God has removed them, hasn’t He?

We Can Make a Difference

Before I get back to the story I started with this morning, I’d like to convey a message to you from God. Yep, He and I had another lengthy conversation on this topic and He wants you to know… you can have a serious impact on someone else’s life should you follow the Gospel and the Commandments of God.

Pray your prayers every day. Talk with God, chat with Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit. You will become the light that Jesus told us we all were and you may shine on another person’s future bringing nothing but good things into their otherwise troubled lives. Make a difference to others!

Back to Jared

Just a week or two ago, I was running a little behind for my Sunrise visit. I left a little later than normal, encountered a little more traffic than usual and just wasn’t going to make it there on time. This bothered me as, I thought, that Jared might once again be there and waiting for our talk.

I arrived at the beach and backed my bike into my normal parking spot. I grabbed my phone from my saddle-bags and swapped-out my night glasses for my sunglasses and made my way to the beach.

I was moving at a hurried pace but now came upon the boardwalk which led to our little bench in the sand. I slowed down here as I didn’t want to startle Jared if he was, in fact, there today.

I walked slowly now, moving around the slight curve before the stairway down to the sand. I looked hesitantly over the bushes and this is what I saw.

The Sun had risen and was beginning to warm the ocean. The wind was slight but let you know it was there. The shore birds had begun their breakfast hunt as they dive-bombed the unexpecting fish near the top of the waters.

All of this seemed insignificant to what I witnessed next… there on the sand, kneeling down before our little bench, with his cane leaned against it and his hands crossed and head bowed, was Jared!

I stood quietly as I struggled to hear what he might be saying and whom he might be talking to. This is what I could make out…

“Good morning God. I’m sorry, I’m not real good at this but my friend isn’t here. I hope you can hear me okay and I am not interrupting your morning. I just needed to ask you to say Hi to my wife. I know she’s okay now but I wanted you to let her know I miss her and love her still. Please take good care of her as I know you will and I’ll see her soon. Oh, and thank you for listening to me. Amen.”

I then walked over to him and helped him up from his knees. I apologized for being so late. He saw the tears in my eyes, grunted and said, “What’s the matter with you? Got something in your eye?” I simply laughed, gave him a little hug and sat down with him to share more stories.

I cannot tell you the joy I felt in my heart when I saw this grumpy old man on his knees and talking with God. I couldn’t help but think, “Maybe I had something to do with this?” If only that were true. How pleased would my Lord be with me and how happy He must have been having another soul reaching out to Him through prayer!

How Simple? – How simple was Jared’s little prayer? There were no complexities whatsoever, just a quiet little conversation with God. Humble in nature yet meaning a lot to the man who prayed the words. I can assure you, God heard Jared that day!

The Parable of the Lost Coin – Rejoice!

Luke 15:8-10 – “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

We are sinners. We are surrounded by sinners… but, every time we pray or every time we teach someone to pray… The Angels of God Rejoice!

In Conclusion

God does hear our prayers. He does listen to us and will respond to us in ways we may not even understand. Learn to recognize the “little” signs given to us. Don’t take anything “out of the ordinary” for granted… it may be our Lord.

In our prayers, and through our beliefs, we too may change another person’s life. Be the light of the Lord. You may turn them around as you introduce them to your God, your Savior and fill them with the Holy Spirit.

Go with God; be good to one another; always stay humble; always be kind… God Bless!