April 24

"What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there." Genesis 21:17.

God hears us. A child crying was the very first voice on record to be heard by God. There are times when we wonder if God even realizes we exist, but God knows when we need Him. This young man's suffering had a "voice" which our compassionate God heard and answered where and when he so desperately needed it. He does the same for us. Anguish has its own peculiar voice: "I am worn out from groan-ing...The Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy" Psalm 6:6,8,9.

"But when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry..." Numbers 20:16; "The Lord listened to Israel's plea..." Numbers 21:3; "Then we cried out to the Lord...and the Lord heard our voice and saw our misery..." Deuter-onomy 26:7; "There was never a day like it...a day when the Lord listened to a man" Joshua 10:14; "The Lord heard Elijah's cry..." 1 Kings 17:22; "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me" Jonah 2:2; and Jesus: "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me..." John 11:41,42.

We cannot doubt that God hears and answers prayer, as un-imaginative as it sounds. We have heard it over and over, but when the "waves and breakers" begin to drown us, we need to be reminded again that God is a viable and veri-table force, not so much to be reck-oned with as to be trusted. "Deep calls to deep in the roar of [our] waterfalls," (Psalm 42:7), and God is the Captain who asks us to keep our eye and heart on Him, as we walk on the roaring waves of life (Matthew 14:29-31). He asks us, too, "You of little faith, why did you doubt that I can rescue you; that I hear your faint cries?"

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3.

Pat Nordman ©

Today's Bible Question ?

What were the names of Job's three "friends?"

Previous question and Answer: Who were the two men who helped Moses hold up his hands while Joshua's army fought the Amalekites? Aaron and Hur. Exodus 17:12

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T H I N K A B O U T I T

Somethings to say to Children (If it comes from your heart.) 1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that. 2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one! 3. It's all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. When they feel. Big people cry too. I do. 4. You've made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It's all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you. 5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn't easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too. 6. I'm sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake. 7. You can change your mind. It's good to decide, but it is also fine to change. 8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever! 9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you! 10. I have a surprise for you. It's not your birthday. It's for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise. - Excerpted from an article called "Advocacy: Being the Voices Children Need to Hear" written by China Deaton

 

Today's  Devotion

 

 

 

But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.    Job 16:5 (NIV)

 

Officiating by Cathy Vinson   "you also...a holy priesthood" 1 Pet 2:5

The Old Testament tribe of Levi was called out and separated to be a priesthood to God for all of Israel. A priesthood is a body of those officiating as priests. Now as believers in Christ, we are EACH serving as worship officiators. One man used to carry out this function for the crowd. Now, we all are. What exactly is this sacred function? As officiators we are leading and bearing "up to a higher place," the same way that Jesus lead Peter, James and John UP the Mount of Transfiguration. What an authoritative service we have been called to perform! We have an audience and function: we are to bear up, carry up, LEAD our souls. We are all worship leaders for service of our soul to God. Each of us is leading our entourage UP making an offering. As we do, we are being built into a dwelling for our God. How does He regard such service? How does He receive it? Is it acceptable? "Acceptable" is not strong enough! Add "eu" well and "pros" towards. As it is offered, God is reaching favorably towards us. This is its reception. No matter what discourages, this "priesthood" is beautiful and needs to continue for all time its sacred officiation. © Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.

Each of us is leading our entourage UP making an offering.

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