Frank’s Reflections

You can’t outrun someone’s prayers. You can try, but it won’t work. You think you can ignore them, but ultimately their prayers will catch up with you. God is working in your life even though you don’t sense His presence. Prayers are working, putting you in a strenuous situation. When the ultimate squeeze comes, you will look up and ask for God’s help. That’s the power of someone’s prayer.

Strange as it may seem, there is an individual or group of individuals praying for you. You may not know them. They may be a coworker of one of your family members or a distant neighbor. They could be a church member or someone in your past. Somehow, God places your name and circumstances before them, but the Holy Spirit is leading them to pray for you. Maybe it’s for your salvation, return to the House of God, or your surrender to do right. Whatever God sees in your life that needs improving, someone is a messenger for you.

The reason our Lord does this is for your good. God has a special place in His heart for you. He wants the best for you, and so does someone else. That’s the reason they’re praying for you. None of us understands how prayers and individuals connect, but they do. Only in heaven will we see the connection that started 2,000 years ago. When the Lord prayed for His disciples, He also prayed for those they won to Christ (John 17:20). That includes those who win others, and the others are connected through their spiritual ancestry to reach you. That togetherness is an unbreakable chain forged in the hands of God for you to complete His plans.

Back to the opening sentence. You can’t outrun prayers. Jonah tried to run from God’s plan for the city of Nineveh. It didn’t work. Heaven will reveal that someone was concerned about Nineveh’s spirituality. Their prayers prevailed, and that city experienced a great turning to God.

Someone is praying for you. Someone is asking God to work in your life. The sooner you listen and turn to do the Lord’s wishes, the better you will be! Be wise. Say yes to God.

Life is busy. So busy that we need a moment to catch our breath. But do we? We admit that sometimes we keep going, pushing ourselves to accomplish whatever is before us. Some of us stay on that track without wavering and always go as fast as we can to accomplish our goal.

Be still is a timely instruction from the Lord. Stillness is often the time that the Lord speaks to our hearts. Yet we hurry along, thinking that we can accomplish more for Him. That thinking can hinder the Lord from working through us, which is what He wants to do.

The Lord works best when we trust Him and realize that our efforts are accomplishing our intentions. The place of frustration is lonely. Our loneliness results from the absence of divine leadership.

I think of Elijah running from Jezebel. Elijah forgot how he called down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice before an ungodly crowd. But when Jezebel threatened him, he ran. Later, miles from where God had used him, our Lord found him hiding in a cave. God chooses to use us when we look to Him for guidance.

Companionship demands closeness. Closeness requires surrender. Togetherness happens with mutual communication. God is always available. The lack of closeness is always our problem. We choose occasional communication rather than close communication. In that decision-making process, we choose not to put God first in our lives.

Stillness still works. It’s only by slowing down that you and I allow our Savior to work in our hearts. For some reason, we put Jesus on the back burner in our lives, only to realize we’re selfish. It takes time to build trust, listen to instructions, and to gain encouragement in our life journey. When we find life is busy, slow down and listen to our Lord.

Big flakes describe what I see. The snow is falling, and so is the temperature. The white stuff reminds me of long ago. Did you ever try to catch a snowflake in your mouth while your face is splattered with them? It was hard for me to catch one. That’s a pleasant memory.

Age brings transformations. There’s something about listening to the falling snow. You can’t hear the flakes land. The quietness of falling flakes brings a tranquility that words cannot describe. The hush of the downward flow of white flakes brings peace to the searching soul. God is in control. That brings an unexplained calm and reflection. The quietness settles in your soul if you take a minute to enjoy God’s wonderful moment of wonder.

Your youthful heart wonders just how deep the snow will be. And can we make snowballs and snowmen? Adults, on the other hand, seem to forget their youthful thoughts, which give way to worry about the adult responsibilities of snow removal—clearing the driveway, removing the accumulation on your vehicle, and opening the entrance to your road after the snowplows barricade your driveway.

Like most things in life, everything will be back to normal in a few days. Such is the circle of life, but for the moment, can you stop and enjoy the presence of God? Peace, not the turmoil. The quiet reflections over the chaos. When we slow down and look at God’s creation, there’s no hurry, no adequate description, just the serenity of one of His wonderful creation moments.

The next time you see snowflakes fall, stop and enjoy what God is doing. If you do, there’s a big chance your outlook will change. Even if it’s only for a moment, make it a wonderful minute to let God be in charge, and you’ll make it a lasting memory.

Life is routine for most of us. We do the same things every day. We take the same route to work, and do the same jobs. Then go home and might even attend the games that our loved ones play.

Every now and then, something out of the ordinary happens. Something that we didn’t expect. We didn’t plan on it; life wasn’t routine anymore, like seeing an old friend or relative. In my case, a slip on the ice in the driveway. Ten ribs broken, hospital stay, rehab, met wonderful people (nurses in ICU/TRAUMA), and rediscovering what a wonderful wife I have.

Ordinary became extraordinary. Then came the reflection. God is good. Not just good but far beyond what words can describe. Truly, He cares for each of His children. No, we aren’t perfect. Quite the contrary, but He still loves us.

Our language or vocabulary is totally inadequate to describe or compliment Him, but there He is, caring for us! Loving us, providing for us, His grace is always there, whether we realize it or not. He gets us through every valley and even helps us to reach another mountaintop.

We are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” He never deserts us. Our “job” sometimes is to figure out why the valleys? What do we need to learn? How can we help those who are in their valleys?

God has a plan and a purpose for each of us. It’s not a selfish plan but a generous plan. A plan designed by the Almighty to help others. May we realize it and do whatever He intends for us to do. That’s His purpose for each of our lives. 

As you ponder, may you reach your destiny by being obedient to the Lord’s leading for you.

A special note:

I want to thank you for your prayers, but most of all, I want to thank the Lord. My recovery from a recent fall on the ice, where I broke ten ribs is going well. Once again, thank you.

Leave Something Behind

Seasons come and go. The book of Ecclesiastes, chapter three, records 28 contrasting times in people’s lives. Some are joyous, others are not, but each comes whether they were ready or not. In those periods, the Lord is with His children regardless of their position in life.

Our age sets a boundary to some of life’s learning experiences, but our circumstances don’t limit Jesus. His grace is always sufficient. He never leaves us. We belong to Him, and no one is stronger than Jesus. Plus, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit work in unison with Jesus, creating an unbreakable trinity. 

As I look out our window, I see our grandkids playing in sub-freezing temperatures. The snow is so hard from the freezing rain that the kids leave no footprints. It’s like they left no proof of their trek across the snow-covered yard.

Our life can be the same without the Lord. Our lives should leave footprints for others to follow. A path away from danger. A path for faith and encouragement for the trials of life. Our path, if well-trodden, is there for others to see and follow.

You may not be in the wintery mix of freezing temperatures. Your footprints may be on a sandy beach where the incoming waves wash them out to sea. Life may be in the muck left by soaking rain. The downpours of life seemed to wash away the footprints of your life. 

Life has a way of teaching us it’s not our footprints that have an influence. It’s the memories we cast into the lives of those around us—the ones where the snow, sand, and muck vanish without a trace.

Your time or season here has a purpose. Leave something behind that will influence those who follow—something that time cannot erase.

We hope you have had a wonderful week, enjoying the bone-chilling cold and beautiful snow. Unfortunately, we ended up having more ice than snow in many areas. That brings me to the reason why there was no new blog this week.

On Tuesday, around 12 noon, Frank thought it was a good idea to get the mail from Monday evening. There is a long driveway with a hill to the mailbox. He slid there only to find out there was no mail. As he began back down the hill, he fell on his back. Thank goodness, he did not hit his head and was able to continue his journey.

Sadly, the next part of his sliding adventure was much more catastrophic. He fell and slid down to a curve in the driveway. At this point, he was thrown onto the grass and continued sliding. He landed on his left side, fully conscious, but unable to get up.

No one in the house knew he was outside. My 10-year-old grandson came in and said, “Nana, granddad is lying in the snow on his left side!” We quickly ran through the garage and looked out. By this time, my daughter and her husband were there with him. It took a lot of work, but they finally got him on a sled and into the house.

He was taken to the Chippenham hospital by ambulance. The ER was full of people who had fallen on the ice, so we waited a very long time to see all the medical staff we needed. Nine hours later, he was admitted to the ICU TRAMA Center with 10 broken ribs on his left side.

This has been a very hectic week, but God blessed Frank beyond measure. He is in tremendous pain when he moves in most any direction, but there is very little that can be done for the ribs except pain medication. He told me today that he had been able to witness to several nurses and other hospital staff. Thank goodness! God is in control!

The community of Bethany grieved over the death of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, who had died a few days ago. When Jesus arrived at the tomb with Martha, he said, “Take away the stone.” Martha commented, “Lord, by this time there is a stench” (John 11:39 NKJV). Jesus replied, “If you would believe you would see the glory of God” (v-40). Four words brought my eyes into focus: “If you would believe.” 

My thoughts, and maybe yours, ask, “What do we believe Jesus can do in the 21st century, particularly in and around our lives?” Did your mind go back to God’s interventions in the lives of Bible characters? Mine did. Below are some verses to remind us all just how great our God is.

The three Hebrew children told Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:17), and God did.

Paul wrote, “Being fully convinced that what He promised He was able to perform” (Romans 4:21).

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

“For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

The book of Hebrews records, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe” (Hebrews 11:6). 

James emphasizes, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally” (1:5).

Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you” (Matthew 8:13).

What do you think about your reliance upon Jesus as you read these verses? If you’re like me, you believe your faith has room to grow. I believe that “All things are possible with God” (Matthew 19:26), and I want to be a person God can use to do His will. I hope that is your heart also.

Making mistakes can be devastating, even career or life-changing. God, in His infinite wisdom, included such people in the Bible. They are there for us to learn from their errors. Their sins didn’t eliminate them from God’s use. Their errors encouraged them to trust God despite their past. No one is perfect. God still chooses to forgive and is willing to use sinners in the future.

Below are some examples who rose above their past and allowed the Almighty to use them for the benefit of others.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, about the age of 50, watched your first-born Son die upon the cross. She didn’t run back to her home and say to herself, “Why should I try trust God now?” Instead, she went to the Upper Room and prayed with the Disciples (Acts 1:14). Then she saw the power of God and answered prayer on the day of Pentecost.

Peter, the big mouth disciple, said, “I’m better than others, and I will never deny you, Jesus,” but he did. Yet God used him on the day of Pentecost to speak, and 3,000 experienced a relationship with Jesus. Peter even wrote two books of the Bible. God does forgive and use repentant people in His work.

Samuel, an Old Testament prophet, was a foster child. Given by his mother to Eli, the priest, to raise. God spared Samuel from the lifestyle of Eli’s two sons. By his godly living, Samuel won the hearts of his community. Young Samuel could have resented his foster parent and his new family, but he didn’t. Living for God was his heart’s desire, which God blessed.

God chose to use Moses, another adopted child and murderer. At age 80, God spoke to him: “I want you to lead others, Israel,” and he did. Later, Moses failed to follow God’s instructions about securing water from a rock. Shortly after that, Moses spent 40 days listening to God, resulting in the Ten Commandments to Israel and the world. Proving that God uses people after they sin. Moses led Israel for 40 years. 

Paul, persecuted believers! Yet God used him to start many churches and to write much of the New Testament. The believer’s life wasn’t easy for him. Paul endured beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment, yet he kept serving God (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

The above individuals experienced the love and grace of God. By society’s standards, some of them should never accomplish anything for God. But the grace they experienced is the same grace that is available to you. With that knowledge, what will you dedicate yourself to do for our amazing God because your past is in the past?

This may be your time. You’re the beneficiary of someone’s prayer, or you could be an answer to your own prayer. Maybe you’re attending or participating in an event to prepare you for the future. Such is the case for me. This month is special. Years ago, I had an appointment to have a stent inserted into my heart. The doctor tried and then said he couldn’t do it. Open heart surgery was the solution.

As a result, I became the recipient of God’s plan to write while continuing to share the gospel on Sundays. Most Sundays, now, I’m filling in for some pastor, and weekdays I’m writing or editing something.

When I was training for the ministry, one of my professors told the class that someone should write. That was in the 1970s. Today I’m writing blogs and books. The fourth one, They Had To Ask, is due out shortly.

Life, like ours, is full of answered prayers. Some we prayed for. Others are answers to others’ prayers. God arranges His divine appointments for His glory—strange times, daytime, night time, unfamiliar places, familiar places, or where you are. 

God knows what He’s doing. His plan for you has always been His plan. He waited; He nudged you along patiently maneuvering you toward His destination. Even amid distractions and turmoil, trusting His guidance can bring peace. Do you believe, “A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24 NKJV). 

This year can be your breakout year or another year of nourishment to keep you growing. Whatever comes your way, you can rest assured that God is with you.

May this year be one of obedience and reliance on our Lord.

Most people under the age of 50 make New Year’s resolutions. Those over 50 have quit making them because they don’t keep them for more than a week or two.

The thought that comes to mind is, “What does God want you to do in the coming year?” Three things may be on your list. One, be faithful in attending God’s house; two, read the Bible on a regular basis, and three, do better in your praying.

Matthew 6:33 reminds Christians to seek God’s leadership in all matters. When believers decline to do so, they rob themselves of God’s blessings. We all have the same 24 hours a day. What we choose to do with those hours is the basis of our eternal rewards. As the above scripture reminds us, we are to seek God first.

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) emphasize the same thought. The first four Commandments encourage us to put God first in our lives. We are to have no other gods. We should not worship carved images. Nor use the Lord’s name in vain. And finally, we are to honor the Sabbath. If we put God first, then the remaining six commandments are easier to obey.

You may be thinking that’s Old Testament, but what about the New Testament? The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 reiterates the same principle. First, we are to acknowledge our heavenly Father; we are to honor Him as holy; we are to advance His Kingdom; and we are to respect the Lord’s Day for worship. By doing these four, God promises to supply our daily provisions for life. We can ask forgiveness for our sins and receive deliverance from the evil surroundings of our world.

When someone asked Jesus about the greatest commandment, He replied (Matthew 22:37-39). We are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and our neighbors. God is telling us to put Him first and then help others before ourselves. That doesn’t make sense to most of us, but that’s what He desires of us.

Back to our primary thought: Our priorities. Our most pressing matter should be about God, not ourselves. When we put God first, He takes care of the rest.

May the Lord God bless you in this coming year as you try to serve Him.