When the Answer Comes Knocking at Your Door...

I received this story from my brother, George who received it from a friend in an email.  I've tried to verify the story, but haven't been able to determine if its true or just another "East Texas Tall Tale." 

 A TEXAS BEER JOINT SUES A CHURCH.....   In a small Texas town, ( Mt. Vernon ) Drummond's bar began construction on a new building to increase their business.. The local Baptist church started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayers. Work progressed right up till the week before opening when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.  The church folks were rather smug  in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.  The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court.  As the case  made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork.. At the hearing he commented, 'I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but as it appears from the paperwork, we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that does not.'

Whether this story is true or just another "preacher's story," it makes for a great parable about prayer.
Unfortunately, I believe there are many Christians who say they  believe in the power of prayer but who don't see it's power evidenced in their lives.  Too often, we seek God in prayer for miracles and then are surprised when they happen.  Do we really believe in the power of prayer?

In the book of Acts, we find an authentic story about real people, just like us, who were surprised when the answer to their prayers came knocking at their front door.  The story is found in Acts 12.  Here's the setting, the followers of Christ are experiencing harassment from the Jewish king, Herod and the religious leaders who are threatened by those who have proclaimed the gospel of the risen Christ.  Peter and the other disciples have become targets of this persecution are being arrested, beaten and released.  Some like Stephen, have been killed. Peter, one of the leaders of the followers of Christ, has been arrested and placed in chain in Herod's prison. The followers of Christ are deeply concerned for his well being.  In Acts 12:5, we find that..."So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."

At the very time that the church was praying, Peter was asleep, chained to the prison walls with soldiers guarding him.  An angel appears to Peter, releases him from his shackles, leads him out of the prison without his guards without be noticed. (It is important to note, that even Peter thought this may have been a dream. vs.9)  Once out of the prison, Peter made his way to the place where he knew he could find refuge, the house of Mary, which happened to be the place where many had gathered to pray for his deliverance.  Peter knocks on the door, and Rhoda, a servant girl, answers the door and recognizes that it is Peter.  In her joy, she runs to tell others without letting Peter inside.  She exclaims, "Peter is at the door!"

Now don't miss this...this group of believers who have been praying for Peter's deliverance respond, "You're out of your mind."  When little Rhoda kept insisting, they tried to convince her that it was Peter's angel.  While the church was trying to convince the servant girl that it couldn't be Peter.  Peter was still outside knocking at the door.  The answer to their prayers was knocking at the door. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. (Read it yourself in Acts 12:14-16)

It makes me laugh, not only because it's funny, but isn't it true of us as well?  Aren't we surprised when God answers our prayers?  Could it be that the reason that we are surprised is because when we pray, we believe that God can answer our prayers, instead of believing that God will answer our prayers.

Jesus said, "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."  Mark 11:24

The key to recognizing when God answers prayer, is not believing that God can, but that He will.  His word assures us of that fact.  Faith isn't believing God can, it is believing God will do just what he said He would do.  Let's start praying believing that the answer will come knocking at your door.





 

Hunting for a Trophy...

It's hunting season in East Texas and deer hunters have been preparing for months in the hope of bringing home a trophy buck. It's amazing to what extremes, hunters will go through in pursuit of their prize. They will mark the hunting season on their calendars months in advance. They scout their leases with motion sensitive cameras. They set out deer feeders to lure their prey and locate the ideal spot for their stands. They've been to Bass Pro Shop or Cabella's to purchase the latest in camouflage, guns and ammo for the season, which are not cheap. They will travel hundreds of miles with trailer in tow loaded with surplies and their ATV. They will get up before the crack of dawn and sit in their stands for hours in freezing weather in the hope of just getting an opportunity for a shot at the prize. You've got to admire their zeal and dedication.

Isn't it a shame, that we don't go to the same extreme in our pursuit of God. Now, I include myself, in this assessment. It's not surprising that we will go to extremes in our jobs, our recreation, social and family life to be or have the best. We will spend time, money and push the limits of our endurance to pursue those goals. Often doing so at great sacrifice of other things. Yet, when it comes to our relationship with God, we give at best our leftovers.

Is the reason that the prize (eternal life; a relationship with Almighty God, the creator of the universe; the forgiveness of our sins) is insignificant compared to other prizes we pursue? Is the realization that God loved us so much that He gave His One and Only Son, to die for our sins and rose from the grave to provide everlasting life for us, something less than worthy of our very best offerings? Are the promises of His power, presence and guidance for daily living, just advice that is easily discounted, unless there is really a pressing need?

I find it somewhat ironic that the apostle Paul, who as zealous as anyone, wrote these words...

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him,... But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:7-14)

Too often we can become caught up in pursuing trophies to hang on our walls or put on a shelf and miss out on the greatest prize of all. The prize and privilege of knowing Christ and experiencing Him at work in and through our lives every day. That's the trophy worth pursuing at any cost.