ANSWERS TO PRAYER
My mother, Fran, was diagnosed with a large tumor on her left kidney in early March of this year. We went to the doctor and saw the scan showing the kidney being pushed up by the tumor into the spline. We began praying that God would touch mom and heal her shrinking the tumor so that it would eventually be gone. Before we got through with all the presurgery visits, my mother fell and broke her hip. After about 2 months of recovery and rehab on the hip, we went back to the doctor that was going to do the surgery on the kidney. He went through what would happen at the surgery and explained the complications and risks. We were to see another doctor who may be needed to remove the spline if that would be necessary. He was delayed so we had several hours to wait until he could have the consult with us. The first surgeon had ordered a new scan, so we suggested that that be done during this time. We went to the lab to have the tests done. As we got to the meeting with the second doctor, he told us that maybe the surgery wouldn't be necessary. He had just looked at the new scan. He talked to us as though we would still go through the surgery and then we left. He called the first surgeon though. As we were walking out the door of the clinic, the first surgeon caught up with us. He told us that the tumor had shrunk significantly in size (and that usually does not happen) and that he suggested that we postpone the surgery and have a scan done in 4 months. He thought that the tumor would probably be gone by then. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
KAREN ZACHARIAS Submitted July 2009
An Open Door
Read Acts 14:1 through 16:40
Paul…having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia…. the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to…. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:6,7,9).
Twice God forbade Paul and his missionary party to go north into Asia, but directed them to Macedonia on the mainland of Greece. This caused the gospel to be spread in Europe instead of Asia. Because the gospel was planted in Europe it came to America on the Mayflower.
Because God directed Paul to Troas, hundreds of years later the United States of America was founded as a Christian nation and has been used of God to send missionaries all over the world. These few verses in Acts should cause tears of thankfulness and joy as we humbly realize, God in His sovereign grace sent Paul to Europe. What a challenge for Christians to take the gospel to those who have not received it!
Challenge for Today: When you are actively seeking the Lord’s will and He closes doors, watch for Him to open another door instead.
Quicklook: Acts 16:6–15
Devotional brought to you by God's Word For Today.
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Connecting through Prayer
A consistent prayer life is fundamental to establishing strong connections with God, others, and God's plan for our lives. Drawn from the booklet "Connecting through Prayer," this article is sure to enrich your prayer life.
