How God Answers Your Prayers

God answers us in 4 ways:

• Yes....
• No....
• Wait... 
• or, "My grace is sufficient for your needs". 

Let's explain the last one a little further.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Sometimes God will use your life as a living testimony to others, for the glory of His Kingdom.

Let me give you an example.

In Acts 27 and 28, there is the story of Paul, who was supposed to be sailing to Rome when his ship encountered a horrible storm. This storm was unlike any other and God warned him that the ship would be destroyed but that the men would not be harmed.

As the ship began to break up, the guards thought they would have to kill the men who couldn't swim to shore. But instead, God allowed those who couldn't swim to float to shore on the broken pieces.

Even when they got to the island, their problems didn't stop there. They began to gather firewood and set up camp with the natives, and Paul was bitten by a hidden snake that leaped out of the fire. 

The natives said to themselves, surely this man must be a murderer. First he escapes the sea, and now he is bit by a snake! He will not escape God's justice for whatever he has done! He will swell up and fall down dead!

Here they were, talking mess about Paul, while warming themselves at the fire he had made!

But instead of listening to them and getting discouraged, Paul shook off the snake and kept working.

After they looked for a while and saw that he did not die, they figured he must be a god of some sort.

While he stayed on that island, he healed their sick, and he converted many lives to Jesus. 

Here are the lessons of this story:

1. God's grace is more than enough for your needs.

2. The storms of life will come, but stay in obedience to His will.

3. You can use the broken bits God gave you to save yourself and others.

4. People will talk about you, even as you are saving them. Use it as an opportunity for God.

5. Sometimes you will get bit by a snake. Shake it off. Thank God it bit you and not them, because your faith is much stronger than theirs. Your life will be used as a testimony to others.

(Just like this blog has done for me!)