DID YOU THINK TO PRAY?

Did You Think to Pray?

By Keith Bellamy

The song by Mary Kidder, was published in 1876. The first verse says, “Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray?”

So, did you think to pray when you started your day today?

Many years ago, a man came into my office and tore into me for something I had said the previous day. The man was visibly shaken. Instead of arguing with the man, I asked him if he would pray for me. He did, and the man started simmering down.

Another incident made me understand the power of prayer. There were several home Bible studies going on in our church family. So, on one particular Wednesday, the church leadership announced that we were going to pray instead of having our regular Bible study. At the conclusion of that prayer session several people responded to the gospel and were baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). Before the month was over there were about thirty baptisms.

I believe prayer works!

When you hear of so many tragedies as we hear of today, do you think to pray?

When you hear about all of the evil going on in our nation, do you think to pray?

A little boy came to me years ago and wanted to know if we could pray for his sick young bull. We prayed. And you know what? The little bull got better.

When you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?

Notice the words of James 5:16. “…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (NLT)

Prayer works! Try it.

At a Loss for Words

At a Loss for Words

By Keith Bellamy

Have you ever been at a loss for words? Believe it or not there are times I am at a loss for words. Sometimes in writing this column I go brain-dead, if there is such a description. There are other times, too, when I just don’t know what to say about a given subject.

For example, when we get the bad news of a dear loved one or friend being terminal, we often don’t want to accept it. So, we will say something completely off the wall or we will not say anything. I think not saying anything is better.

There has been a lot of bad news lately. Some of this news is on the national realm and some is bad news locally. One example of this is learning that some good friends are dying. And the sad fact of the matter is that we are all dying. It is just a matter of when. And I don’t say this to trivialize the agony some very good friends are going through right now.

I think Jesus would want us to just be there for people. Sometimes in chaplaincy work some well-meaning person thinks we should start jumping all over a person who is sick about their salvation. Do you really think Jesus would do that? I think not.

What I do know is that Jesus would be there, and He would weep with those who weep and He would sympathize with those who have that need. He would not force Himself on anyone and He certainly would not be rude.

Remember, “Jesus wept!” (John 11:35).

Sometimes, when I’m hit with bad news, I am at a loss for Words.

I am at a loss for words right now!

It's Just a Mailbox

It's Just a Mailbox

by Keith Bellamy

I was relating to a friend about our mailbox being knocked down...again. Usually this happens during western weekend. So, my friend asked me if anyone was hurt. Was it an accident? The answer was no, so my friend said, “it’s just a mail box”. Now my friend wasn't trying to be cute. My friend was stating something that maybe we all need to think about… there are other things that are more important (take out this other) than a mail box.

Many years ago, my wife and I had the privilege of hearing Ira North speak. He was a wonderful preacher. He was talking about what was really important. He said he and his wife decided to break anything in their house that they might cry over. He joked about paying his grandson to break one of Mrs. North's vases. He didn't really do that, but he got his point across.

This gets me to thinking about that mail box again. It has been replaced with a new one. It's just a mail box.

When your dad dies when you are only seventeen and your mother dies five years later, mailboxes are not all that important. When your high school love marries you and then abuses you, mail boxes are not that important. When your child dies, mail boxes are not that important. When a child is abused, mail boxes are not that important. When you are told you have the “Big C”, then mail boxes are not all that important. When you have a fire that burns your house down, mail boxes are not that important.

Mail boxes can be replaced. But what’s really important is more important.

Thanks to my friend for telling me it was just a mail box.

Jesus put it this way. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:33, 34; ESV).

So, are you seeking first His kingdom and His Righteousness?