A Blind Man Prays
Of course, he was a man of prayer. Perhaps at first he prayed that his sight might be restored, but the light never came. Then he prayed for courage, wisdom and strength to face life with this handicap.

Did he ever ask, in Jesus’ name, that this handicap might be lifted? Paul did. Probably Paul was afflicted with partial blindness. We know that he prayed three times that his “thorn in the flesh” might be removed, and after his third prayer, the answer came. “My grace is sufficient for thee.” In the grace and power of God, Paul went on with his ministry to the nations, and from his fertile, consecrated, restless mind came much of our New Testament.

Check out “God is 100% - Count on it!” in our Teen Resources section under Spiritual Growth.

This is a great reminder for ALL of us about who God is and that we can trust Him for all our needs. We’ve included reference verses and ways to apply it to our personal lives.

MOCHA AU LAIT
Combine and place in a decorative container to give:
1 1/2 c. nonfat dry milk
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. instant coffee crystals
2/3 c. mini chocolate chips

Include the following directions on the gift tag:
Pour 2/3 c. boiling water into a mug and add 1/4 c. mix. Stir until dissolved. Enjoy! Optional: Add whipped cream on top and stir with a cinnamon stick.

For MORE GIFT MIX IDEAS, visit “Our Kitchen”.

If you go to our Before His Throne, you will notice a statement we’ve issued: It matters not to us your political affiliation or who you voted for. As Christians, however, we have a moral responsibility to pray for those in authority over our land. Too many are complaining about the leadership of our country without falling to their knees first. I Timothy 2:1-4 and Romans 13:1, 2, 4-5

Many Christians have “settled” and have forgotten how to issue the battle cry. We have settled for mediocrity and, too often, think others will do it for us. But as believers in Jesus Christ, we have the responsibility and privilege to come before the Throne of Grace to seek God and His will for our lives and nation. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” As one people, let us ask Him to move mightily on our nation’s behalf to preserve the sanctity of marriage and family, the sanctity of life, and take back truth, justice, and the freedoms that were originally established by our forefathers.

Sadly, we have allowed ourselves to be stripped of the right to pray in many public places, including our schools. Do your remember the outcry of believers when the Ten Commandments was removed from many government institutions? If there was an outcry, it was either stifled by the media or it was just a whisper that very few heard. Many just shook their heads and did nothing. While Christianity has decreased, other religions have increased. When did we become so apathetic? We should be trembling, ashamed, and more than ever before, have a reverential fear of Almighty God. The same God that parted the Red Sea, healed the sick, was resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is the same God that can save us from the deception and lies that penetrate our existence. 

But, we must pray and pray hard to move His hand. Pray that His power and blessing would rest upon us and our still great, but tested, land. Ask Him to raise up a mighty army to defend us and to protect our country as He did in days of old. Pray that He will give us victory. The battle is His but we must call on Him without ceasing and unite our voices and hearts in prayer and fasting. It has been shown time and time again that blessing follows obedience! But for change to happen, it must begin with each one of us praying in the power of the Holy Spirit and it must begin NOW.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

We say it over and over again… God is SOVEREIGN and He is in CONTROL.  God has always moved (and will move) according to His purposes. He also moves according to His timetable, not ours. This has been evident throughout history and will, once again, be known when He’s ready to usher in the “end-times”. However, as long as we continue to exist this side of Heaven, we must not be silent. We must lovingly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world and stand up for Truth according to God’s Word while there is still time. Our battle cry should be, “Save us, O Lord! Deliver us from the atrocities against Your commands, to stop those who would take Your name out of our country and government. Raise up godly men to lead us and protect us, to forgive us the sin of apathy and to protect us from the evil that is upon us.” 2 Chronicles 7:14  We should unite in our prayers and pray from the depth of our souls as if our country and lives depended on it, because they do! Too often, we go through the motions of Chrisianity without real sincerity and passion. It’s time we put passion back into our relationships, first with God and then others. It’s time to make our love for God top priority. It’s time to get serious and turn away from apathy and slothfulness. It’s time to pray intently and dig deep into God’s word! Allow the Holy Spirit to move and work in our lives in ways as He never has before. Just as each vote counts in an election, each and every prayer counts for eternity! 

Hopefully, all of us prayed with urgency for those running for office and left the results in God’s hands. And after the election, no matter who wins, we will still get up the next morning, tend to the demands of the day, and trust God for His guidance and direction. Nevertheless, we must never let our guard down and return to the mediocrity we spoke of before. We must pray with fervency because, as we mentioned earlier, our lives (and country) most definitely depend on it. God is patiently waiting for us to raise our voices to Heaven, privately and corporately, to not only lift up those in authority, but to raise up Christians around the globe to be the love of Jesus to all mankind; to be His light in a dark world. Wake up believers. Time is short and it won’t be long before we hear the sound of the trumpet. Jesus is coming soon. Remember, “This life ‘twill soon be past but only what’s done for Christ will last!” Don’t miss the call to prayer. Don’t miss the call to action. 

No Matter Who Wins the Election -
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

ISN’T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL? 

This was written by an 83 year old woman but is a RICH MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES.

I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.

I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I’m not “saving” anything; I use my good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.

“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I’m not sure what others would’ve done had they known that they wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, or for whatever their favorite food was. I’m guessing; I’ll never know.

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and children how much that I truly love them often enough.

I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

If you are in the golden years of life, put these to practice for in them you will be blessed. If you are younger, remember, practice makes perfect. Then, you too will reap the blessing.

VISIT “OUR KITCHEN” (left column) for new recipes. It’s updated often.  Right now, we have some delicious AUTUMN FAVORITES. You’ll definitely want to add these to your recipe file. Here’s a SPICE PUMPKIN CAKE you might enjoy…

1 spice cake mix
1-3.5 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding
1 - 15 oz can solid pack pumpkin
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup egg beaters
1/2 cup water
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves

Preheat oven 350. Spray bunt or tube pan with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients and blend. Pour into pan. Bake 50-55 mins. Cool in pan 10 mins. Then invert. Makes 10 servings. Top each piece with fat free cool whip. Number of Servings: 10

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

I open the door to the laundry room with a sigh, knowing what I will find. The towering mound of clean laundry waiting to be put away is still there. It’s always there and seems to be continually growing, a Mt. Everest of socks and T-shirts and tiny toddler jeans reminding me of all that I didn’t accomplished today. A heaviness settles in my chest, a nagging feeling that somehow I have failed again.

For me, the “yoke of slavery” that Paul describes in Galatians 5:1 is almost always self-imposed. How often I find myself burdened by rules that God never intended for me to follow. I tell myself that my house isn’t clean enough and the meals I cook for my family aren’t healthy enough, my children watch too many videos and read too few books, I need to give more of my time to others, yet spend more time alone with God, I should eat less and exercise more and most of all, I’m too uptight! No wonder I struggle with finding joy in the Lord; like my pile of laundry, I’ve built a mountain of shoulds, ought-to’s and musts that keeps me from seeing and delighting in my loving Father. This isn’t the abundant life Jesus promised for those who would follow him, but a poor imitation bound up in false guilt and a false religion of to-do lists and spiritual chores that I’ve convinced myself will somehow make God happy.

How difficult it must be for the Lord to watch me, fumbling like a prisoner for the key to my cell when the building has already been torn down around me. For the truth, I go to God’s Word. The Bible tells me that God takes great delight in me (Zephaniah 3:17), has loved me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), daily bears my burdens (Psalm 68:19) guards my heart with peace (Philippians 4:7), forgives and cleanses me (1 John 1:9), gives me power when I am weak (Isaiah 40:29), restores my soul (Psalm 23:3) and sets me free (Galatians 5:1.) Here there are no impossible rules, no disapproving God, but a tender, merciful Father.

I shut the door to the laundry room, feeling lighter somehow and content to leave the pile for another day.

8 ounces apple juice
1 tablespoon cinnamon syrup (below)
whipped cream
caramel syrup
nutmeg
cinnamon

Bring apple juice to a boil. Add 1 Tbsp. of cinnamon syrup to the bottom of a large 12 oz. mug. Add boiled apple juice. Generously add caramel syrup to juice. Top with whipped cream, if desired. Sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Cinnamon Syrup:
1 cup sugar, pinch of salt
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cups water

Combine ingredients and boil until thickened. Stir in 2 Tbsp. butter.

Please note: The following request for prayer does not designate our position for one candidate over another. It doesn’t matter what your political affiliation is. As Christians, we have a responsibility to pray for those in authority (and who will be in future authority) over our land. Instead, too many are complaining about the leadership (at every level of our country) without falling to their knees first. “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16 It is commanded that we pray. (Read I Timothy 2:1-4 and Romans 13:1, 2, 4-5). Remember, God is and always will be in control. He is sovereign! And, He is the final authority over all things, including this election! Now, that’s a praise!

Please join us in praying for America through Election Day and beyond. Let’s stand in the gap on behalf of our nation and may we be of one heart and mind. Let’s “plead the blood of Jesus” over the entire election and over all the candidates who truly seek God. Remember in your prayers, the voting registrations, the voting equipment, election judges, and workers. Pray that all who confess Christ as Lord will be able to get to the polls and, with a clear conscious before God, cast their ballots for the candidates they believe line up with His Word and perfect will.

Pray that the truth will be made known to all peoples and that all fraud of every kind, including what might be in the media (Psalm 140:11-12), be banished according to Luke 12:2 “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” Therefore, we ask that God would quickly reveal and expose to the light of truth all that has been done in secret and illegally with the intent of being covered and hidden. May He remove the veil of deception from the hearts of all people across this great land.

In 2 Samuel 23:3 it tells us what sort of a ruler God wants to give His people: “He who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is as the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds…” Let us pray that God in His mercy will give us one with a heart such as this to lead America.

Pray Psalm 140:1-10 over America and insert its name to make it relevant and personalized for our nation.

Psalm 140:13 “Surely the righteous will give thanks to thy name; the upright will dwell in Thy presence.”

Jesus says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

At the age of eighteen months, George Matheson’s (1842-1906) mother discovered that his eyesight was defective. Gradually through the years his eyesight became dimmer. For seventeen years the boy and his parents fought against the ever-encroaching darkness. But before he had finished his course at Glasgow University, he became totally blind.

The Mathesons did not blame God for what had happened. When George graduated from the university with honors he went on to study for the ministry. At twenty-five, he became the assistant minister in a Glasgow church. The next year, he became the minister of one of the largest churches in Edinburg.

How could a blind man minister to a large city church? He memorized everything - the sermon, the hymns, even the scripture readings. In addition to the innumerable calls on his time, he found time to write twelve books, many articles for magazines and newspapers, and he spent hours every day having various people read to him in three languages.

CCF- Application
There is much adversity and suffering in life and most of it is for the simple reality that we live in a sin-filled, fallen world.  It seems (sometimes despite our best efforts) there is very little we can do to remedy it.  Or is there? George’s family did not blame God for what happened. Instead, they trusted Him to turn the heartache of tragedy into something good and productive. Something that would bring God glory and bless George beyond all that they could hope for or imagine. God can and will turn the disappointments, the hurts, the offenses, the tragedies of our lives into something eternally beautiful if we but put our trust totally in Him and seek Him with all our hearts.

Haven’t you noticed, in your own life, that blessing follows obedience? God is far more concerned about our character as He conforms us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, than the “stuff” we go through in this old world, our temporary home. Surrender your all to Him and allow Him to do a good work in you!