He Got His Answer

Warriors Arise: July 28th, 2020

John 20:26-27 (NKJV) And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Eight days earlier, the other ten disciples shared that Jesus had been in their midst, had offered for them to touch the nail wholes, and then sat down to eat while their mind caught up with reality. Thomas had not been there. We don't know why, he just wasn't. Most likely, in his frustration of not being there or not knowing if the other ten disciples were trying to pull his leg, he spouted out his sharp response, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25)

Eight days later, Jesus stood in the midst of the disciples again. He spoke directly to Thomas and told him to do exactly what he had said he needed to do in order to believe Jesus was alive. Answered prayer happens more than we give God credit. Because, if we gave God credit for all themes He answered our prayers we would prayer more. Here, Jesus answered Thomas' demand.

A question I am asking myself, which I am asking each of you as well: In the last few months can you name at least ten answered prayers?

It is odd to me that after I get an answer from the Lord, even a positive answer, that I soon forget or don't even give recognition to the prayer request being answered. What does that say about me?

• Did the answer really matter?

• Did I just figure God would do it and if He didn't I would find a way to deal with it?

• Did it come so clearly without disruption that I didn't notice I received the answer to my prayer request?

• Did I accept the answer as a shrug of indifference?

• If it didn't really matter to me then am I praying about things that matter?

• Maybe I am not going deep enough in my prayers, asking for things that would be miraculous.

• Maybe my prayers are surface level cuts when I need to go for the enemy's jugular.

• Am I that unaware of God's intervention in my life, regarding things I feel were important enough to pray about?

• Am I praying about things because I know it is a good idea; the right thing to do or is there real purpose?

If I do not recognize God answering my prayer requests then He never gets credit for the things He has done in my life. There is no gratitude shown; no thankfulness given. Yikes! This kind of put me and others who are in this category as being spoiled brats. In which case, there really isn't substance or heart behind our prayers.

This is contradictory to my feeling the importance of prayer, to make my requests known to God. Because Scripture says that the fervent prayers of a righteous man shall avail much (James 5:16). So, if I can't see to acknowledge when God is answering my prayers, am I one who prays fervently? Do I believe what I am praying?

So I ask, what prayers has the Lord answered in the last couple of weeks? Did you recognize them when He answered? Did you thank God for answering?

My kids got to go to church camp and their relationship with the Lord strengthened.

The message of Sunday was powerful, life-changing.

Worshiping Jesus on Sunday was wonderfully intense.

I was invited to share my testimony to a group of mom's fighting for the lives of their children.

(Something that was stolen from me 6 1/2 years ago .God gave restitution two weeks ago.)

I was able replace Thanksgiving decorations I lost in the fire a year ago.

I was able to share my testimony with someone at work.

The Lord renews my strength every day. The pain in my ankles is gone when I wake up.

The Lord gives me a prayer strategy to share every day to rally the warriors.

After four years I have found someone who is teaching my three younger girls to sew. He provided someone who used to teach classes, a two to three month course!

My son didn't miss a workout session at the school with the trainer and it has impacted his perspective sports for this next year.

My son is making friends with students at the new school he will be attending.

Josiah and Lydia both enjoy marching band, even in the heat!

God directed me to have Charis' eyes checked and with eye exercises and corrective glasses she will soon be reading fluently.

Abigail is embracing adulthood, showing a good work ethic and taking responsibility well.

The death rate for COVID-19 is going down. (No deaths in Iowa this month.)

There is a medicine for those who are diagnosed with COVID-19 in the early stage to get well quickly.

There are still riots but less of them.

My daughter was kept safe during the Tulsa riots.

My Dad's surgery went well.

My sister-in-law's mother is doing well through her chemo treatments. The Lord is strengthening her when she feels weak.

Because of the pandemic a friend of mine was told she would have to wait a year before a doctor's office would open their doors for her clinical. Not only did God get her in for the summer but she has been received for the entire year!

Pain was causing another friend to be concerned about cancer returning but God intervened and she remains clear!

My family and extended family continues to be safe from COVID-19.

Our church opened up the last Sunday in May and we celebrate God together. (We had 34 in worship Sunday.)

What are your thoughts as I testified of the multiple prayer requests God has answered? Do you think I am in pride, because I told you the answer to my prayer requests? The answer to prayer is not about me. I am the one praying. God is the one answering. So, if I testify of the answered prayers it is not to brag on me; it is to magnify my God.

Some have told me I should not testify because what if...? What if I spoke too soon? What if someone in my family or extended family gets COVID-19? Then we have a new prayer request. The fact still remains: God has kept us safe from COVID-19 through its darkest hour.

I do not know the future but should I withhold magnifying my God for what He has done so far just in case disaster hits later? There is something wrong with that mentality. Thinking that I couldn't worship God and thank Him for keeping my family safe until it has all gone away is manipulation. God says that manipulation is as witchcraft. We all know witchcraft is of the devil. So to withhold my worship, my gratitude, my thankfulness because God's protection may not last through the COVID-19 scare, is manipulation known as witchcraft instigated by the devil, and means I am aligned with the devil. No! No! No! I will not be aligned with the devil!

My God is alive and active in my life. He hears my prayers just like He does yours. I will praise Him and remember the wondrous things He has done. I will not wait until I get to heaven to thank Him. I will walk out my salvation in fear and trembling. I will acknowledge what the Lord has done; because He is worthy of my praise and adoration but also because it keeps me from walking in pride. I will humble myself before the Lord my God because He is the one who protects and provides. He is the one who hears me when I pray. He is the one who warns me of the enemy's plans. He is the one who makes a way when there is no way.

• I will look to see what God has done.

• I will praise Him for what I see.

• I will magnify the Lord.

• I will be led by the Holy Spirit.

• I will embrace the path God has set before me.

• I will not wait for the disastrous "what-ifs" to control me.

• I will not withhold my praise.

• I will remember the Lord my God for His love never fails.

God does answer prayers. Some in eight days (Thomas), some in 25 years (Abraham and Sarah). What have you prayed for in the past few weeks or months? Has God answered? Did you praise Him? If not, will you now?

Father, there are so many thing I have placed before you. I have petitioned for You to intervene. I stand in awe of Your amazing love for me. You are holy. You are loving and kind. Your mercy is new every morning. You seek ways to communicate with me. You open the prison door so I can walk out. You have given to me freely. You have taught me Your ways and asked me to join You in great exploits. You have heard my prayers and continue to answer. You have protected my family and made provision for us through the pandemic. You have given me a boldness to encourage others. You have used me to testify of Your goodness and strength to overcome the adversary. I am thankful that I am never the only one praying. I am thankful for those who have embraced a warrior's stance and that together we push back the enemy. I worship You for all You have done just in the past couple of months and weeks! You are amazing! I stand in awe of Your love for me. Keep me focused on seeing You intervene, answering my prayer requests. I want You in my life every day. I ask for You to strengthen me when the battle is raging around me. I ask for You to give me wisdom so I know how to pray and what to ask for. I pray my mind would be alert to when You answer my prayers so that I can worship You in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.