As the Wind Blows

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5.
Nicodemus was astonished as well as indignant at these words. He regarded himself as not only an intellectual, but a pious and religious man…. He could not harmonize this doctrine of conversion with his understanding of what constituted religion. He could not explain to his own satisfaction the science of conversion; but Jesus showed him, by a figure, that it could not be explained by any of his precise methods. Jesus pointed out to him the fact that he could not see the wind, yet he could discern its action. He might never be able to explain the process of conversion, but he would be able to discern its effect. He heard the sound of the wind which bloweth where it listeth, and he could see the result of its action. The operating agency was not revealed to view…. No human reasoning of the most learned man can define the operations of the Holy Spirit upon human minds and characters; yet they can see the effects upon the life and actions….
He was not willing to admit truth, because he could not understand all that was connected with the operation of the power of God; and yet he accepted the facts of nature, although he could not explain or even comprehend them. Like other men of all ages, he was looking to forms and precise ceremonies as more essential to religion than the deep movings of the Spirit of God.
We may have flattered ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our life has been upright, that our moral character is correct, and think that we need not humble the heart before God, like the common sinner: but when the light from Christ shines into our souls, we shall see how impure we are; we shall discern the selfishness of motive, the enmity against God, that has defiled every act of life. Then we shall know that our own righteousness is indeed as filthy rags, and that the blood of Christ alone can cleanse us from the defilement of sin, and renew our hearts in His own likeness.
Conflict and Courage p. 292
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Prayer Request
—–Seems that the devil is attacking our family left and right. We need prayers. L
—–I have several prayer requests. Joe and Billy who have Cancer and  Shelby who is undergoing a brain operation. M
—– I have a prayer request for my 18 year old daughter. She keeps getting mysterious bruises. Tonight she showed me a huge lump and bruise on her leg. It just a appeared out of no where. I’m very concerned. Please pray for her, we think she had Lupus, we just can’t get a clear diagnosis yet. I’m so worried but I know God is in control. I’m going to have faith and trust in Him. Heather
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Dear Friends,
When I was pregnant for Ronnie Jay, Eileen was seven. One day we were in the store looking at baby things. A salesclerk came over and we began talking. After awhile, she looked down at Eileen, smiled, and said, “Are you excited that you are going to have a baby brother or sister?”
Eileen said, “Oh yes! I prayed and prayed for a baby and finally Jesus
said, “Oh all right, I’ll give you a baby.”
The clerk and I tried hard not to laugh. She said something like, “Isn’t it nice that Jesus answered your prayer.” The conversation ended.
As we continued our shopping, I began to think about what Eileen had said. Where did she get the idea that if we pray and pray, Jesus finally says with impatience in His voice, “Oh all right you can have your request.”? Did she hear me say those words to her after she begged and pleaded for something? I hoped not. I hope that she had remembered the parable in Sabbath School that Jesus told about the unjust judge? “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint, Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man, Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily ” Luke 18:1-8
Jesus was teaching a lesson in contrasts. Even men in authority, men who have not the love of God in their heart, will still grant requests, even if they do it for selfish reasons: but God is not like that. He loves answer our prayers. He wants the very best for us. He might not answer them in just the way we would like, but He does answer them. He answers them for our best good. He might not answer them the first time we ask, but He bids us to keep on asking. “Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 Our Dear Saviour wants us to crave for His blessings that we will give Him the glory when we receive them. We are to desire with our whole heart His granting our request.
Jesus continues. “Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:23, 24 When we press our requests to the throne room of God, we exercise our faith. It becomes stronger and stronger, we become nearer and nearer to our Dear Creator. He works upon our heart, molding it into His divine image, changing our desires that they may conform to His divine will. Jesus, when He was upon this earth often spent whole nights in prayer. How earnest, then, should we be, when we pray.
Paul tells us, “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6,7 James cautions, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3 John adds, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14,15
Let us bring our requests to our Heavenly Father with the faith and confidence of a little child. Let us accept His answer even when it is “No, that’s not good for you.” or “Wait awhile.” Let us glorify God when He grants our requests is my prayer.
Rose