Personal Reflection: Answered Prayer
Isn’t it amazing how we can go through life knowing about all the wonderful things God has provided for us, all the times he has interceded to save us from bad situations or even harm, then choose to ignore these when it isn’t convenient?
The King David is known for the many praises and songs he wrote praising and thanking God for His steadfast love and faithfulness, yet David had his times of turning his back purposely and yielding to temptations. Even so God was always there to pick him up and forgive as He gently reprimanded and sets David back up on his feet.
I think David’s greatness as a king was his confidence in God’s faithfulness no matter what was going on his life.
How many times have we prayed then were surprised when our prayers were answered? Like the recent Sabbath morning I got up early since we were having our Sabbath School Class over for potluck and discovered we had no water! We soon discovered a part of our water pump had come apart. The part was very tiny but when my husband tried to put it back in place it fell and disappeared. No amount of searching provided results. All the time I was mumbling in the back of my mind, “O Jesus, help him find it.” “Oh, please help us find it.” When all of a sudden it dawned on me. My mindless muttering was just that, muttering. Why wasn’t I just praying? So I did. I let Jesus know all the reasons He already knew why I thought we really needed that tiny little part to make our Sabbath complete. Just as I was saying “amen” my husband said, “Here it is.” The pump was fixed and worked till the potluck was just finishing--then fell out again.
I have had prayers answered before about what I considered important, life-saving events; however, the immediate, timely response to a tiny little spring shows me what a great personal Lord we have.
“On the day I called, thou didst answered me, my strength of soul thou didst increase,” Psalm 138:3.
Greta Pellecer
and Sam have been married over 50 years. They have three children and five grandchildren. And just last month, she became a great grandmother. They have been at Hood View church for about 45 years and have been involved with PACs quite a bit. Greta is a retired occupational therapist assistant and Sam is a retired medical technologist. Their hobbies include gardening and landscaping on their three-acre property as well as traveling and seeing their grandchildren.
Bible in a Year: Matthew 28, Mark 16
This Bible reading plan explores The Word based on the chronological order in which it was written, and is unrelated to the daily character devotions.
The Word of Promise audio Bible is used by permission. For more information and to purchase the complete audio Bible go to https://www.wordofpromiseapp.com/.
Matthew 28
He Is Risen
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
The Women Worship the Risen Lord
9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Mark 16
He Is Risen
1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord
9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
Jesus Appears to Two Disciples
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
The Great Commission
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Christ Ascends to God’s Right Hand
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.