The beginning of the second half or 2015 – hard to believe we are on the down hill side of the year already.

Another hot, 110 degree day, the dogs are on the daveno and the cats are hidden somewhere, avoiding Wanda.  But they are all in a cool space, none seem to be in a hurry to get anywhere.

Even the hummingbirds are eating without chasing each other around.

Just received a text from Deed, they are evidently doing fine, should be here late tomorrow.  LONG drive, even with 5 of them able to drive. 

Over 3000 miles and 50 hours IF there are no problems, and there are fires between where they are and where we are complicating some of the travel, roads down to one lane with a pilot car, etc.

However, while they will be very tired at the end of this trip I can well imagine it was also interesting and entertaining as they reminisced and shared stories with each other – many of which Deed would not have heard and most not heard by Josh.

Acts 12:12-16  And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

¹³ And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

¹⁴ And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

¹⁵ And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

It is a good thing that God understands us.  Here these people were praying, and, I would imagine, earnestly since James the brother of John had already been slain with the blessings of the Jewish leaders, and Peter was incarcerated to be killed the next day.

They were praying for Peter, yet, not in total belief.  It was the only thing they could do, they felt helpless.

They couldn’t raise an army to storm the prison and free him, they were helpless.  They undoubtedly were also praying for themselves, what was going to be done to them by this crazed leader, Herod?

Then the knock on the door. 

Rhoda heard it, went to the door and recognized Peter’s voice.

Now, you would think that she would have thrown the door open and hugged him tight.  Instead she ran back to the group and told them, they didn’t believe her, at first, actually telling her she was crazy.

Finally, someone heard the continued knocking, by Peter, at the door, went to see who it was and opened the door. 

The, just stood there, in amazement and then, evidently, started asking questions, as one would do, and Peter quieted them and told them of his release.

We can look at this and chuckle, here was the answer to their prayer and they didn’t believe it!

How often have we prayed without really believing God was going to do anything?

How many times have we just said a brief prayer not really expecting God to answer, but just so we could say we prayed?

I believe these people were praying in earnest, yet, they could scarcely hope to be believed – and we need to remember they were living in a time when miracles were happening every, single, day.

So, we aren’t the only ones that struggle with praying and believing God will do what we ask.  It is almost like we don’t want to test God, by proclaiming He will answer us.

We do it all the time, we don’t want to jinx things so we don’t get our hopes up in fear of disappointment when what we want doesn’t happen – and it carries over to our prayer life.

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

After Rhoda came to the door, heard Peter and then ran back, leaving Peter standing there – he had three options:

He could have turned around and left, giving up.

He could have sat on the stoop doing nothing, since he had already knocked once, it wasn’t necessary to do it anymore, hoping that someone would eventually come to the door.

He could have continued knocking until he had an answer – and, of course, that is what he did.

We have the same options – and one more - not ask at all.

But that is not what God wants of us.  He wants us to approach Him through Christ, boldly asking for His guidance, mercy, grace and help in all of our needs.

We don’t know until we ask and if we don’t get an immediate answer He wants us to continue asking – it could be a test of our faith, it could be that the time is not right, it could be that our request is not of a right heart, it could be He has something else in mind and so answers the question but in a way we didn’t see coming – or it could be no.

But we need to continue in prayer until we have a message from God – and sometimes that is years in the sending. 

There are so many verses that God has given to us that says He wants to answer our prayers. 

WE but have to believe.

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again