In 1924, Dallas Theological Seminary almost went bankrupt.  On the day it was to foreclose at noon, Dr. Harry Ironside, the president, held a prayer meeting in his office.  That day he prayed a prayer he had often prayed: “Lord, we know the cattle on a thousand hills are thine.  Please sell some of them and give us the money.” 

As he prayed with some staff and faculty, a tall Texas oilman walked into the receptionist’s office and told the secretary: “I just sold two carloads of cattle in Fort Worth.  I’ve been trying to make a business deal go through and it won’t work, and I’ve been compelled to give this money to the seminary.  I don’t know if you need this, but here’s the check.”  The secretary burst into the room where the men were praying and said to Dr. Ironside, “Harry, God just sold the cattle!” *

Ps. 46:1 says “God is our refuge & strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”  Verse 2 goes on to say, ‘so we will not fear’.  Life is full of challenging times, but if you are the child of the King of the Universe you don’t have to be afraid.  Rom. 8:28 says “all things work together for good for those love the Lord”.   When challenges come don’t forget to ask God to help you.  James 4:2 says “you have not because you ask not”. 

If you don’t yet know God as your father, I challenge you to ask Him to show himself to you.  It doesn’t have to be fancy.  It can be as simple as saying, “God if you are real, show yourself to me in a way that I will know for sure it is you.”  He will answer.  Maybe not immediately, but soon you will hear from Him in a way that you will clearly know it is God.  When you do, thank Him for reaching out to you and get yourself a Bible in easy to read English such as the New Living Translation or the English Standard Version.  Set aside a few minutes everyday to read a little from the Bible and ask Him to speak to you through what you read.  The Bible is God’s message to mankind.  I suggest you start reading in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.  These books tell the story of Jesus. 

If you have any prayer requests or have questions please contact me at nihe@earthlink.net

*Taken from Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent by Ben Patterson Copyright (c) 1989 by Ben Patterson. Published by InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL. www.ivpress.com