Day 29: Wednesday, March 29, 2017          Matthew 21:22

“And whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”

It was six months into my husband’s second deployment, and I was 1,700 miles away from family.  I was on my own with two boys, ages four and two.  As both boys are usually awake by 5 a.m., I was always short on sleep.  The stress of being both mother and father was wearing me down.  The past week had been particularly difficult, as I felt all I was doing was yelling at and correcting my oldest son, quickly losing my patience over small infractions.  One night after putting the boys to bed, I prayed for the opportunity to be a loving parent rather than a disciplinarian.  Just a few hours later at 2 a.m., CJ was awake with an impressive stomach bug.  I dutifully got him cleaned up, changed his sheets, and then we snuggled on the couch through the rest of the morning.  Sleep was precious to me, but I was more thankful for the chance to care for my sick boy.  No parent ever thinks he or she will be happy cleaning up vomit at 2 in the morning, but that was the answer to my prayer.  I wouldn’t have traded all the sleep in the world for those few hours on the couch with my precious boy that morning.

Prayer: Lord, grant us faith to trust in Your wisdom.  Help us to recognize when You are present and to be thankful when You hear our prayers.  Amen.

Contributed by Allyson Mather

Day 28: Tuesday, March 28, 2017               John 6:18-21

“A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.”

Have you ever asked for an answer to a problem only to be even more scared of the answer? The disciples may have felt that way when they were caught in a storm on a lake. They were searching for a way to survive the storm when they saw Jesus walking to them on the water. Instead of feeling comfort from His presence, they were frightened. What He was doing seemed impossible. How could they trust in the impossible? Yet Jesus     understood their confusion. Instead of admonishing them for being frightened, He spoke to them. Rather than looking at the impossible action of walking on water, they focused on His voice.

Sometimes Jesus shows us an answer that frightens us more that the difficulty we are facing. However, listening to His voice brings calm  assurance that whatever He is doing in the situation–however impossible it seems—is the only solution.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, too often I look at the circumstances surrounding my situation let myself be frightened by what I don’t understand. Help me to focus instead on Your voice, through prayer and Bible study, so that I feel the comfort of your presence and not see the impossibility of my situation.  Amen.

Contributed by Stacie Carrico

Day 27: Monday, March 27, 2017             Colossians 3:12

 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

During my 31 year military career, I became stagnated at one rank for 10 years, and I often prayed for advancement during this period. While on one of my five combat tours to Iraq, during a morale call to my wife, she explained how an unknown older gentleman approached her with a paper maché of a military rank with the message that I would wear this rank. When she turned to ask the gentleman a question, no one was behind her. Through untraditional methods, within a year I did obtain that rank.

Three years later, while on a combat tour to Iraq, I once again prayed to God that if it be His will, I would advance in rank. I asked God to show me a sign if my prayers was heard, A higher ranking individual approached me and handed me a military rank with the message that I would be wearing this soon. 

Prayer: Praised be to God; he has shown favor to my family. How great are His signs; how mighty His wonders; His kingdom is everlasting; His dominion endures from generation to generation. I seek His counsel. I give thanks to His holy name and glory in His praise. Through my lord and   savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Contributed by Willie Singleton

Day 26: Sunday, March 26, 2017           Hebrews 10

High Stakes Testing

As anyone who works in education or has a child in public school, Texas is one of the many states which requires several exams on top of course work to graduate from high school. In  Texas, students must pass English I, English II, Biology I, Algebra I, and US History.  And if you think these exams are easy and anyone can pass them, you would be mistaken.  I tried the online version of several of the tests, biology and algebra to name two, and I would have to sit the course to pass the exam.  Now, students may retake any exams that are failed as many times as the exam is offered, but there are some seniors that reach this time of the year, and they still have some exams to pass or they will not be able to walk the stage with their class.  And I’m the lucky testing coordinator who has to tell the students this heartbreaking news.  If I never have an 18 year old boy tear up in my office when he finds out he didn’t pass the English II exam again, that will be just fine with me. But missing the cut score by even one question negates an entire body of course work and all his 12 years in school.  I’m not always sure that is fair.

What if those same standards were applied to Christians?  What if we had a series of challenges we had to meet to get into heaven?  We could keep trying to meet the standard, and many would meet that standard the first time around.  But what if we got to the senior season of our life and we had one hurdle yet to conquer?  What if we couldn’t, even with the help of the pastor and all the good people from the church.  We just couldn’t finish, and we can’t get into heaven no matter how well we have done in every other aspect or test in our life.  We simply have to  accept that we were not good enough for heaven as we couldn’t fulfill all the requirements no matter how we tried.

Jews in the time of Jesus faced tests that they could not pass, laws they could not keep, and an afterlife that was not fully appreciated.  Six hundred thirteen laws to follow, most of which were impossible to follow, and blood sacrifice that was necessary to atone for the sins of the law breakers.

But those impossible standards placed upon Jews were negated by the blood sacrifice of our Savior.   Hebrews 10 states that all sin has been negated by the blood sacrifice of Jesus, God’s son.  For those who accept his gift, their gift is eternal life.  The last test has been passed.  The last hurdle overcome.  Heaven is ours for the taking.  And this promise is ours whether we accept Jesus as our Savior as a child or as a senior.  We can walk the stage at our graduation and know our family will be there to greet us on the other side.

Prayer:  May we reach the last stage of our life knowing that You are there to accept us as we walk across that stage to meet You.  Amen.

Contributed by Susan Frisch

Day 25: Saturday, March 25, 2017        Matthew 9:35-38

“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciple, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask the lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest.’”

Because God indwells all of human life with the gift of free will and the ability to choose between what is destructive or what is creative, life in that sense is essentially changed in every human being.  This applies to all persons, but when life follows the basic nature of the life and teachings of Jesus, the positive changes are remarkable.  All human walls of separation and division are torn down and dismantled, and the moral divide between races, gender, or religious preferences are replaced by the fact that every person is created in the very image of God.  This is fundamental to the very nature of our faith.

The old life, as it were, is gone; the new has come.  We leave behind all that is personally comfortable and comforting to us and follow as disciples of Jesus, whatever that discipleship requires for the good of humanity.   An excellent example of such a life is that of Albert Schweitzer, a famous musician, theologian, and medical doctor who left all major aspects of “the good life” in Germany and gave up fame and fortune to live among the poorest of the poor in Lambarene in his tin-roofed medical clinic. He scraped infectious lesions off blue-black natives in the steaming misery of equatorial Africa.  He championed the sacredness of all life.  Jesus’s command rang clearly in his ears: “Follow me,” and he did.

Prayer:  O God, who indwells all of life, we renew our pledge to do our part in healing the wounds of our tragic human divisions and bring about the noblest and finest  persons we could be, only by Your abiding and sustaining grace.  Amen.

Contributed by Rev. Boni Mequi

Day 24: Friday, March 24, 2017          Philippians 4:13

  “For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

As I cuddle with my two year old, terrible thoughts race through my head.  Will the fever ever break? Will he be able to sleep tonight? What if he stops breathing?  All these are thoughts typically running through a mother’s head who is dealing with a sick child. 

One time when I was states away from home I became very ill.  My mother and grandparents were very worried about me. State police had been notified in five different states to be on the lookout for me.  Finally they found me in a state bordering my home state.  Needless to say I was still very sick.  I had to be taken to a medical trauma center in another state.  I was hospitalized for many months.  One day I awoke and thought I could talk and walk and think, all to no avail.

I spent the next year in rehab learning to do these critical skills.  After this time I became closer to God.  It was God whom I prayed to to deliver me safely home. It was God who kept a complete male stranger from harming me sexually or physically.  It was God who gave me the strength to “live” again.  

Philippians 4:13 not only reassured me then, but reassures me now that even if something terrible happened to my sick child, God would be there to see me through the rough times.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please remind us constantly, through good times and bad, that you are there providing us strength to persevere. Amen.

Contributed by Daphne Madrid

Day 23: Thursday, March 23, 2017          Job 17:9

 “The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.”

I was listening to K LOVE the other day and heard about a guy that has been trying to get his motorcycle license. He had failed numerous times. He was about to give up, and something told him to try one more time. So he did and got his motorcycle license. As he sat at home, so excited, he was reminded that the finish line was right around the  corner. Never give up on your dreams. Never let Satan tell you that you are not good enough. 

That reminded me of my journey with school. There were times I wanted to give up. There were times I just wanted to go to sleep. There were times my lovely wife and I had arguments over me not quitting school. You see, I was working full-time and going to school at night full time. I did this for two years. 

Finally, in November 2016, I earned my degree and certification. I could not believe how this felt for me and for my family. 

God has a plan for all of us. We have to believe that He is there pushing us to be better. 

On 6 February 2017, I started my new career with the Hill County Transit District (HOP), doing what I went to school for. 

Prayer: In the midst of turmoil or conflict, we will not be shaken, for our hearts remain steadfast, trusting in You and Your overall plan for our life.  Amen.

Contributed by Eric Madrid    

Day 22: Wednesday, March 22, 2017             Romans 5: 1-5

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

You often hear the analogy that life is a journey. And often, there are little speed bumps along the way; there can even be little detours. But, sometimes there are forks in the road, and you have no choice but to take that unexpected fork that will change your journey.

Seven years ago, I was a busy wife and mom when I began having some mild issues walking. It was easily explained, and we weren’t too concerned. In 2012, I realized something was very wrong, and a year later I was diagnosed with a rare disease causing me to need to use a  wheelchair. Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment; doctors are only able to offer medications to treat the symptoms of the disease as it progresses.

There is definitely some not-so-fun and dark days, when the pain and other symptoms I live with can feel overwhelming. There are days where I can’t imagine feeling any worse, where the pain and tightness in my muscles can’t be helped, and I don’t know what to do. It’s a frightening place to be. Those are the days I am extra grateful I have a relationship with God. 

I learned that in the darkest hours, God is there to hear my prayers. It is such a comfort to know that He hears them all, even the softest, most feeble prayers. Sometimes all I can do is to call out His name, but that’s enough. There are days that are so dark, but I take comfort in knowing that God is with me to give me the strength to face that next day. Knowing that He is with me helps me to also find the joy and laughter in every day. I know that I have changed in character since I have been affected by this illness. I have a son with disabilities, so I have always been aware of disabilities around me, but my awareness has changed now that I am a woman with a physical disability. It takes perseverance and faith to face each day, knowing you may struggle. Never lose hope that life may have bright sides, and through the suffering of Jesus, we will live again healed of our own suffering.

Prayer: Dear God, as we face these struggles in our lives, please remind us of Your presence, calm our fears, and give us peace. Amen.

Contributed by Barbara Kane

Day 21: Tuesday, March 21, 2017  

1 Corinthians 15:17-19 (NLT)

 The Cross Is Not Enough

Jesus’ death on the cross is not sufficient to provide the abundant and eternal life God has promised us.  Does that statement shock you? If you are a Christian, I would expect you to be highly offended and perhaps not read another word.  But if you’ll hear me out, I think you’ll agree with me. The apostle Paul firmly believed the cross was not enough. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 

Peter also knew that our eternal hope depended on the Resurrection of Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, (1Peter 1:3-4 NIV) so why do we so often leave out the Resurrection when we share the Good News of Jesus?  We don’t forget to talk about the Cross.  And yes, praise God, the death of Jesus on the cross of Calvary provided the payment that my sins, and yours, had earned.  Our sins deserved the death penalty. Our sins brought us spiritual death and separation from our holy God.  But Jesus Christ took that penalty on Himself.  Without the Cross of Christ we would still be dead in our sins.  But that is only part of the Gospel message. 

Yes, Jesus’ death paid the price of our sin, but His resurrection provided our hope for life – both now and eternally.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Forgive us when we forget the sacrifice You made for us by giving up Your only Son for our sins. Amen.

Contributed by Laura Winckel