Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Calling Down Miracles

My husband's business is in need of a miracle again. We've been here before, and are still alive and the business still up and running, so I do have confidence that we will be delivered. But when these crises come up again and again, the natural tendency is to panic, so we have to fight that emotion. It makes me wonder what we need to learn or if there is anything we can do to move past this trial. It seems to be the same trial over and over again - need more funding. On Monday he told me that they had a board meeting where his fears from the past few weeks was realized: none of the major shareholders are going to invest anymore. The company doesn't have money to make it through July. So, how will it end? He feels abandoned. Yesterday he came home briefly before having to take our oldest to band, and said "I'm a broken man. Will you pray for a miracle?" I called my prayer warriors (Nicole, Rachael, Mom) and they are praying too. How do we ask for miracles? Then last night Corey shared an article that his dad shared with him: Our Claim on Grace ~ we really liked this story:

A few years ago a friend of mine named Dan went out for a late night run around 11:00 p.m. on a little used path out from his home in New Mexico. Suddenly, there were several wild dogs that attacked him from nowhere, and began to bite him viciously! Being a strong man, he fought them off, but over time, it became apparent that their intent was to kill, and they were succeeding! 
The dogs bit him ferociously and forced him to the ground! There was no one around to help. He began to plead, “Father, please help me! Help me get away from these dogs! I have kept the Word of Wisdom from my youth!” Almost instantly, the dogs stopped biting him, and instead began to lick the blood, which was all over him. During this little reprieve, he started to crawl towards civilization as the dogs were licking him. Amazingly, at that late hour, a man came down the path, and saw his plight. He was able to rescue Dan and save his life. 

Because of his lifelong adherence to the Word of Wisdom, Dan had the amplified faith he needed at that moment to ask the Lord for a miracle. It’s significant that the more obedient we are, the more confidence we have to ask the Lord for miraculous intervention and Grace. 

In the Bible Dictionary it states that, “The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but TO SECURE for ourselves and for others BLESSINGS THAT ARE MADE CONDITIONAL ON OUR ASKING for them.” The Lord wants us to ask for blessings, In fact, he has asked us to ask. What are you not asking for that he wants to give you? What is your obedience level? Can you claim miracles with it?

So, that is our challenge to ourselves for now, to have more power in our prayers as we ask for the blessing and miracle that the company needs. And we're trying to work to make our faith amplified and unshaken, that we have confidence that He hears us, is aware, and will grant us the miracle we seek and ask for.

The end of the Grace article says:

What is your claim on Grace? Obedience gives us personal power that we can draw from as we need help. Even if it is simply, “I have been faithful since I repented.” OR, “I did what you asked me to do!” Obedience is powerful!

The Lord has said, “For if you keep my commandments …you shall receive grace for grace.” (D&C 93:20) So could this mean that as we GIVE GRACE (Sacrifice, service, obedience to commandments, etc.), we are empowered to RECEIVE GRACE in return? Look deep into your life and think about the sacrifices and Grace you have yielded: Tithing? Word of Wisdom? Chastity? Sabbath day? Family History? Love and service? Could you use any ONE of these to save your life as Dan did? Obedience is very freeing. It enables us to “look in the eyes of God” with confidence instead of trepidation. It increases our spiritual ability, and gives us added strength in our prayers to ask for and receive miracles. Do you have the power to claim the grace that God wants you to receive? Look deep at your sacrifices and muster your faith. I bet you do!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...