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“But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John’” (Luke 1:13, NIV).

I love the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth.  It is a story of hope; a powerful story revealing that our God is One who listens to our hearts cries and hears our prayers.

Recently, I had been reading through the story of John the Baptist’s conception and Christ’s birth in the gospel of Luke.

When the angel of the Lord came to Zacharias he said, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard”.  Zacharias and Elizabeth were old in age and remained barren.  As we know, in those days it was a shame to be barren.  When I read this story however, I began to wonder what it was truly like for Zacharias and Elizabeth.  What was it like to live knowing within themselves that they probably would never conceive, (unless it was a miracle) only for this moment to occur?

I began to imagine the years that Elizabeth and Zacharias spend in tumultuous prayer, weeping before God, and grieving within their hearts over their barrenness.  I could almost hear their cry and see their faces turn numb over the years. Their hearts must have broken from grief and sorrow.  I’m sure they questioned and doubted where their God was in this seemingly “unanswered prayer”.  I thought about how they might have questioned God, but still remained faithful to Him and His Commandments.

And all the while, I could almost hear the voice of God calling from Heaven saying, “Just wait your time is coming!  You have no idea what I have in store for you. You don’t even have a clue of what I am about to bless you with.  Please wait and hold on a little longer!  Keep hoping, and even if you lose hope, I have still heard because I am God.  I am the One who hears the needs and the desires of my people.  And I have a purpose in all of this.  If you just wait, it will come to pass, and you will have what you desire.”

In truth, Zacharias and Elizabeth had no idea the plan that God had for them.  For years they had to trust God and stand on His faithfulness.  Eventually, out of Elizabeth’s womb would come the greatest Prophet of Old, paving the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ Himself!

Here’s the thing:  God is in the business of resurrecting our dreams!  He longs for those things that He has placed inside of you to be accomplished.  And even when we lose hope, our prayers are never ever lost, rather they are heard by God, and God remembers them.

I want to encourage those of you who have prayed, and have longed for things to come to pass.   God hears your prayers and your cries!  He knows your hearts’ desires.  And, maybe, just maybe, He is holding out for something you couldn’t have even imagined!  And if you just hold on,  He will bring back to life and resurrect those desires that seem to have died long ago, in His perfect time.

Our God is a God of resurrected dreams!  Know that with God, nothing is impossible.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all those reading who have dreams that have died.  I pray God, that the Word over their lives would be accomplished and that you would fulfill the desires of their hearts.  I thank You for hearing their thoughts and knowing what You have placed within them even before the foundations of the earth were laid.  I thank You that You are faithful to perform Your Word.  I pray for a measure of hope to be reinstalled within them, and a faith to believe that with You, nothing is impossible.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Questions: Can you tell us about a time when you felt that God was not hearing your prayers? How did you keep on trusting Him in spite of the situation?

About the Author Brigitte Straub

“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” (Psalm 16: 5-6).

This scripture is underlined in my Bible and next to it is written “Charleston ‘96”. Fifteen years ago I was living in the lovely southern town of Charleston SC—a transplanted Canadian from chilly Alberta. Charleston was truly a pleasant place of timeless splendor.

Boundary lines used to make me think of restrictions. Many people assume that giving God control of their lives will limit their freedom. It’s true that when we give our lives to God he does begin a changing work in us, and with the prompting of the Holy Spirit we begin to cut things from our lives that at one time we held on to.

When I read this scripture, back in 1996, I sat by golden marshes in the early morning. I was sure God’s boundary lines referred to physical space. Over the years, this scripture has come to mean so much more.  Boundaries are God’s presence with me always, His proven faithfulness, security, His daily presence, and most of all His unfailing love. I’ve walked beyond His boundary lines and only found sorrow and confusion. In repentance I returned again to His loving care, and there I discovered such grace and forgiveness.

Now boundary lines in pleasant places are not about the splendor that surrounds me, or a lack thereof, but the assurance that the lot that he has assigned, is right for me. I can trust Him with all that I am and all that I desire to be because he knows what is best.

Father God, I thank you for the serenity of your boundary lines. I can see that even the everyday routine that you have allotted for me can be lived large—in the wide expanse of your goodness and faithfulness. You know what is best for me. Thank you that I can trust you with my life.

Question: Are you walking within God’s boundary lines? Do you see Gods boundary lines for your life as limiting or freeing?

About the author Beverley Rayner

Are you hurting from the pain of having lost a loved one? We care and want to pray for you.

The name Jeremiah is Hebrew in origin. It means “the Lord exalts.” Jeremiah is the author of the book of Lamentations. To lament is to express sadness with weeping. It is to mourn. The opposite is to celebrate — yet that’s precisely what Jeremiah does!

In the middle of his sorrow, he finds hope and comfort in his God. Jeremiah said, “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him’” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV).

Babylon had plundered Jerusalem. Yet even as smoke was still rising from the ashes, Jeremiah understood these tremendous keys:

1. God’s compassion never fails.
2. His mercy is new every morning.
3. Great is God’s faithfulness.

How could anyone cry out, “Great is your faithfulness!” in the middle of loss? The answer is that Jeremiah knew God could turn tragedy into triumph. He had a revelation of God’s steadfast love. A love that is resolute despite surrounding circumstances.

Lamentations & You

How about you? Has there been a loss in your life? Have you seen disaster in your home or family? Have you experienced a heart break of any kind?   If so, be encouraged. As you lift your head like Jeremiah and look up, you will see the triumph of Christ on the horizon. God will take the damage you have suffered and turn it into gain. God is your portion. No matter what has occurred in your life, He is your eternal inheritance, lasting measure, and life share.

God is Your Standard for the Flood

Many hundreds of floods occur each year; some are greater in intensity than others. To prevent flood damage, men build defenses such as levees, dams, and reservoirs to deter rivers from bursting over their banks.

One of the greatest dams ever constructed is the Hoover Dam in Black Canyon on the Colorado River, about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It took 21,000 men, more than 5,000,000 barrels of cement, and 726 feet of height to erect the giant barrier and control the flow of water from Lake Mead. The Hoover Dam power plant generates hydroelectric power for use in Nevada, Arizona, and California. It produces more than 4 billion kilowatt-hours a year. That’s enough to serve 1.3 million people.

If a man made dam can do this—what can God Almighty do for you?

Isaiah declared, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” (59:19, NKJV).

The Lord declares that He himself will stand as a supporting base against the thing that would seek to bring harm to you! Imagine the power of God in your life! Yes, disaster comes. It came to Jerusalem. It came to Jeremiah. It will come to you. But your lamentation during a disaster can turn to unexplainable joy as God’s dynamic power rushes over you.

God alone causes the clinching of man’s heart to cease:

* He did it for Joseph as Joseph knew God’s promotion and ruled in Egypt.
* He did it for Esther as Esther knew God’s providence and saw the deliverance of the Jews.
* He did it for Ruth as Ruth knew God’s redemption and became the great grandmother of David.
* He did it for David as David knew God’s loving-kindness and led the nation of Israel.
* He did it for the Lord Jesus as Jesus knew God’s sovereign will and died on the cross for your and my sins.

God was steadfast to all of them. And He’ll be steadfast in love to you.

The name Jeremiah means “the Lord exalts.” God will exalt you above your lamentation and sorrow today—just as He did for his prophet of old.

“All your waves and billows have gone over me, and floods of sorrow pour upon me like a thundering cataract. Yet day by day the Lord also pours out his steadfast love upon me” (Psalm 42:7-8, TLB).

Questions: How can your lamentation during a disaster can turn to unexplainable joy?

About the Author Jacqueline Overpeck

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loves us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17

Are you weary today? Is your strength failing?

Often we find ourselves in situations that require us to pour out physical and emotional energy at such a pace that there is little or no time to be replenished.

Raising young children is one such season of life. There aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish all that needs doing; the necessity for constant vigilance is draining and a moment of rest seems weeks away.

Being the primary care giver to someone who is sick or aging is another period of unrelenting demands on your energy. Beyond the physical demands, grief often takes an added toll.

Perhaps it is the strain of broken relationship that is exhausting you. Estrangement from a friend, sibling, or son or daughter exacts a heavy price from your peace of mind. Confession, forgiveness and working through the issues take more strength than you possess.

Many times we desire to do these good things that God has called us to, but become discouraged and tired.

Thus it is wonderful to discover that our God gave us eternal encouragement and good hope! More than a momentary pick-me-up, by God’s grace and love we have access to a continuous supply of hope and encouragement.

Feelings fluctuate, but God and His word stand firm forever. Keep clinging to Him.

Please allow me to call on God on your behalf today:
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loves you and by his grace gave you eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your heart and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.

Questions: What does eternal encouragement and good hope mean to you? How has it been a reality in your life?

About the Author: Suzanne Benner

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8, NKJV)

God gave Joshua three things to do that would assure him that his way would be prosperous and that he would have good success. First, he was to keep God’s Word in his mouth so he would have the truth and the sure knowledge of the difference between right and wrong.  This would give him guidance and direction in the decisions he would have to make. This same Word was also a plethora of promises that he could draw upon in his time of need, and a weapon (sword of the Word) that he could use in the face of battle.

Secondly, he was to meditate on the Word day and night. Meditating is like a cow chewing on its cud. As we go about the day the Word of God comes back to mind and we further mull it over (chew on it), breaking down its contents, and consider how it applies to our own circumstances. As we digest the Word, revelation and insights are the result, and our understanding is opened up as the Word starts to become part of us, energize us, and give us strength.

Thirdly, God commanded Joshua to “observe to do” what is written in the Word. It is the action in response to the Word that actually demonstrates that we believe what we read, and brings the whole process to fruition in our lives.

So let the Word of God be richly in your mouth, speak it out, read it out, pray it out, declare it over yourself, your family and your community; think on it, digest it, let it become a part of you; and act on it to see the end result of God making your way prosperous and giving you good success.

“Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.” (Psalm 119:92, NJKV)

Question: Which of these three “keys” do you find most difficult, and why?

About this Author: Emmie Stanley

Please open your Bible and read: Daniel 4:1-27

The prophet Daniel faced some tough situations. His unflattering interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream could have cost him his life. And one of the Bible’s most popular stories recounts the man’s decision to pray even though the punishment was a one – way trip to the lion’s den. (Daniel 6:6-10)

Those hard circumstances arose from Daniel’s own commitment to his convictions. The king might never have known if he had received a false interpretation of his dream. And Daniel could have stopped praying, or at least made his daily prayers less public. But dishonoring God seemed far worse than death. While his convictions often put him in a vise, his principled life was also rewarded by the kings he served.

Today, we have the same choice to live by conviction or preference. Do other people know you as principled – someone who cannot tolerate dirty jokes or gossip, who refuses to pad his time sheet, and who responds to hurts with forgiveness? This is not an example of a super – saint; this is the God – honoring role believers are called to fulfill every day: we are to know Scripture and consistently model righteousness.

Some days, while trying to live out our convictions, we will feel like Daniel facing the lion’s den. But God provides courage. If we are willing to make right choices, our determination intersects with His divine bravery at just the right moment. The result is a life full of godly influence that will earn these words from our King: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)

Question: How were Daniel and his friends able to endure when their situation seemed hopeless?

About this Author: Charles Stanley

Are you suffering from pain in your life? Would you like us to pray for you?

Trouble, pain and sorrow can correct our thinking and provide motivation to change our behavior. Just as the pain of a burn can teach a child to use caution around a stove, so the discomfort of a speeding ticket can produce restraint in a new driver.

Much of the trouble we experience comes as a result of our own sin. We just want our own way, so we plunge recklessly ahead, heedless of warnings from others or our own consciences, never considering the consequences of our selfish actions. Too often, when adversity follows we don’t stop to consider its source.

The Psalmist knew the good that came from being afflicted:

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” (Psalm 119:67)

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” (Psalm 119:71)

“I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.” (Psalm 119:75)

The Psalmist allowed trouble to be his teacher. When he suffered the results of sinful behavior, he acknowledged his responsibility. Then he determined not to repeat his error.

We too need to understand that God’s laws were given to protect us from the anguish of sin.

Therefore when problems arise, it is good to assess if they come as a result of our own disobedience. If so, we can then confess our sins and return to the shelter of God’s commands.

God, help me to learn obedience from affliction. I want to do Your will.

Questions: How has affliction taught you obedience in the past? What lesson can you learn from the trouble in your life right now?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Are you asking God for something? Can we join you in prayer?

What do you need today? Scripture invites us to ask our Father in Heaven for everything.

“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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” ( Matthew 7:7,8).

My husband and I are first generation believers; our parents didn’t serve God. We longed for them to know Jesus, apart from faith we wouldn’t see them in Heaven.

We spent years asking, seeking, knocking (a-s-k) for their salvation. It took 35 years for Dad Prater; he asked Jesus into his heart 2 weeks before he died. Don’s mom trusted Jesus 2 hours before she went to Heaven, at 94. Talk about the skin of your teeth!

I prayed for salvation for my own Dad forty years. Nine hours before an incapacitating stroke and four days before he died, he asked Jesus to be his Savior and Lord. Mom surrendered her life to Christ at 81, two years before she died. Wow, pretty close calls! But we serve a faithful God.

Forty years is a long time to pray, a lot of askin’, seekin’, knockin’. What if we’d given up? But we didn’t. We believed God’s word and kept knocking until Jesus changed their doubts to faith. And although we live 600 miles apart, Jesus nudged me home at the right time to lead them all in the sinner’s prayer right before their death. How awesome is that! Talk about faithfulness to the intercessor.

Webster’s dictionary defines what ask, seek, knock mean. You might be as surprised as I was at what I found.

Ask: “to request, to require, need, or desire.” We request with our voice, our mouth.

Seek: “to look for, search for” We look or search with our eyes.

Knock: “to strike or hit, especially with a noise.” We strike or knock with our hand.
(My Amplified Bible says we should knock “reverently”.)

So my voice requests, my eyes, both spiritual and physical, look for God’s answers, and my hand is knocking, by faith on His door. All three senses are involved in prayer. I hadn’t understood that before. Persevering faith believes God. And He answers, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

Jesus said if we know how to give good gifts to our children, “how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11

What gift do you need today? Are you asking God for help? For healing? For salvation? Need rent money? Ask out loud, Jesus will hear. Seek His face, fasten your eyes on Him. Keep on knocking ‘til Heaven’s door swings wide. He loves to meet our needs.

Lord Jesus, I pray for my friends. Give them the gift of faith to ask, seek, knock. To persevere in prayer until they hold the prize they seek. We trust you, Generous Faithful Father. Amen.

Questions: What do you need today?

About the Author Petey Prater

Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.

Jesus asks you to come closer to Him. Grow closer to God through our “Portraits of the Christ” online interactive Bible studies.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

The cry of the Christian faith is the gentle word, “Come.” The Jewish law harshly said, “Go, step carefully on the path in which you walk. If you break the commandments, you will perish; keep them, and you will live.” The law was a burden even as it was a blessing, which drove men and women before it harshly; the gospel draws with arms of love.

Jesus is the good Shepherd going before His sheep, urging them follow Him, and always leading them onwards with the sweet word, “Come.” The law repels, the gospel attracts. The law shows the distance which there is between God and man; the gospel bridges that awful chasm, and brings the sinner across it.

From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are ushered into glory, the language of Christ to you will be, “Come, come to me.” As a mother puts out her finger to her little child and woos it to walk by saying, “Come,” even so does Jesus. He will always be ahead of you, urging you follow Him as the soldier follows his captain. He will always go before you to pave your way, and clear your path, and you will hear His winsome voice calling you after Him all through your life. Later, in the solemn hour of death, His sweet words with which He will usher you into the heavenly world will be “Come, you who are so blessed of my Father.”

This is not only Christ’s cry to you, but, if you are a believer, this is your cry to Christ: “Come! come!” You will be longing for His second coming; you will be saying, “Come quickly, come Lord Jesus.” You will be yearning for nearer and closer communion with Him. As His voice calls to you “Come,” your response to Him will also be “Come, Lord, and live with me. Come, and occupy alone the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and dedicate me entirely to Your service.”

Questions: When God calls you, are you ready to hear and obey? How can you prepare your mind and heart?

About this Author: Charles Spurgeon

Serving and giving are two verbs that describe the essence of the Christian life. I wish this weren’t true because I have trouble with both of these. Serving is something I have expected others to do for me, and giving is something I often put off until I have more. My warped thinking goes something like this: When I have enough to spare, I will be more than happy to be a generous person. You will never have seen such a generous person! In fact, I will break the bank on generosity – just you wait and see – as long as I have enough left over for my needs. And since I rarely have enough for my own needs that means I don’t have to worry about this giving stuff.

Right about now, some of you are thinking that I’m not a very spiritual guy. Well, I don’t know about how spiritual I am; I’m just being honest. This idea of characterizing my life by giving and serving is hard. It’s not an easy thing to serve and give when you are thinking about yourself all the time.

Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. He called his disciples to him and said, “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Mark 12:41-44 (NLT)

This widow blows a big hole in my excuse theory, doesn’t she? She simply gave what she had. She wasn’t waiting for anything. Actually, according to Jesus, giving and receiving works opposite to what we naturally think. We think, “Once I receive, I will start giving.” Jesus always said, “Give and you will receive. Be faithful with the little that you have and I will give you more.”

A widow once brought a paltry little offering to the temple, but in Jesus’ economy, she out gave the wealthy, because she gave all she had.

Lord, make the subject of my thinking someone other than me for a change. Make me aware of others. Help me to think about those around me before I think of myself. And help me to learn to give, not like the great philanthropists whose wealth I so often envy, but like this poor widow, who, according to you, knew the true measure of giving.

Question: What are some ways that you can encourage yourself to give more freely?

About this Author: John Fischer