[Discoveries] 12-10-08 An answer to your prayer -- Luke 1:13

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*For those struggling financially ...*/
/*God didn't shortchange you on time. You have all the time you need. 
Don't forget to take time for what's important. When you're in financial 
trouble, it's easy to think, I desperately need to work my way out of 
this mess. I need to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If only there 
were more hours in a day. No. God created cycles of work and rest, of 
achievement and celebration, of labor and relationship. There is a time 
for everything. Work hard when it's time to work. But when the workday 
is over, commit what you couldn't do to the Lord. He will take care of 
it. */

/*But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer 
has been heard...." -- Luke 1:13*/

Sometimes our lives are defined by a single prayer. It may be a prayer 
for a child, as was the case with Zechariah and Elizabeth. It may be a 
prayer for healing or deliverance. It may be a prayer for blessing, as 
was the case with Jabez.

I want you to think about your prayer. Look at what the Lord did. 
Zechariah and Elizabeth could no longer have what they longed for. They 
were too old. Their dream had died. It may be that you can no longer 
lift your face heavenward. Maybe your dream has died.

Think about your prayer. There were so many years of silence. Pleading 
with God. Faithfully obeying His commandments, yet moving through life 
with a silent cry of anguish. No response. Nothing. Where was God?

Think about your prayer. Who can understand the ways of God? Zechariah 
is chosen to enter the Most Holy Place and burn incense before the Lord. 
A great privilege, but a weighty responsibility. The assembled 
worshipers were praying outside. Zechariah went in with ropes tied to 
his ankles, so that if he or they did anything to displease God, 
Zechariah's dead body could be pulled from the temple without anyone 
violating God's sacred space.

In this moment of great fear, God's silence is broken. "Yes, I have 
heard your prayer."

"Yes." God is preparing an answer to your prayer.

Be encouraged!
Dwight

What happens when you partner with Dwight Clough Ministries? Victims of 
violent crimes and survivors of abuse are finding peace, wholeness, the 
power to forgive and the strength to set boundaries. Those ensnared by 
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face persecution are finding strength and encouragement. Young believers 
are learning how to walk with the Lord, and people are coming into the 
faith for the first time. None of this happens as a result of one 
person's efforts, but rather this is God's work as He blesses the 
sacrifice of many people including yourself. We partner with you, with 
other ministries, and, most significantly, with the Lord. That's how the 
supernatural happens.
Discoveries Devotional -- Inspiration in Your Inbox is provided daily by
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Sun Prairie, WI 53590 USA
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