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Faith of a Child – Harriet Michael
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Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Psalms 37:3 NASB

As a child growing up in Africa where my parents served as missionaries, I attended Ojoaba Church (pronounced awjaw awba, it means “King’s Market” church in English). Both of my parents were fluent in the native language so instead of attending the large English-speaking church near the mission, we ventured deeper into the village for our Sunday services. For many years, our church met in a small building with mud walls and a thatched roof. My siblings and I weren’t fluent in the language, but we loved church just the same. Smiles, love, and joy are the same in all languages and our parents interpreted the rest for us in whispers.

After several years in this little mud structure, our church decided to build a new building. We took on our own version of a building program. The plans and prices for the new building were announced. The congregation was encouraged to raise funds for specific parts of the sanctuary. My parents pledged a door, all they felt they could afford at the time.

As my siblings and I sat in the church listening to all of the pledges, we whispered among ourselves then walked down the isle and pledged a window, costing thirty pounds or about $135. To say my parents were surprised would be an understatement.

Knowing my parents couldn’t bankroll our pledge, my brother, sisters, and I worked all summer to raise the funds. We donated our allowances – about two dollars a week for ten weeks. To cover the rest, we sold baked goods, babysat for the other missionaries, did yard work, and sought out contributions. It took all summer. To everyone’s surprise, and by God’s grace, that last week of the summer we walked down the isle at church bringing the money we’d collected—enough for the window. The church was built – a lovely structure - and the windows were especially pretty. Little is much when God is in it.

Sacrificing to give to others is an act of love, a movement of the heart. God gave such an act in the gift of His Son. What would you give? Have the faith of a child.

Harriet Michael is a freelance writer in Louisville, KY. Her work has appeared in devotional and other Christian magazines as well as the anthology, Love is a Flame and the devotional book, The Women of Southern, A Walk Through the Psalms. Reared in Africa as the daughter of missionaries, she has been married for thirty-one years. She and her husband have four children and one grandchild. Follow Harriet at www.whatHehasdoneformysoul.blogspot.com.

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By Many or by Few – Harriet Michael
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Jonathon said to the attendant, who carried his weapons, ‘Come and let us cross over to the garrison perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’ 1st Samuel 14:6 NAS

My husband stood firm in his beliefs. It wasn’t easy, but He held tight to God’s word. He was appointed to the board of trustees of a seminary only to discover he was in the middle of a controversy over the nature of scripture. My husband stood firm in his belief that God’s word was inerrant and true even though for a while it seemed he was alone in his stand. By the end of his second term on the board, the seminary had changed directions.

King Saul’s son, Jonathon, attempted a solo military mission accompanied by only his armor bearer. The Bible relates the story of two brave men who attempted to conquer their enemy alone — with only themselves and God. And conquer they did! God handed a victory to the Israelites that day using just two men whose faith was great.

My father has always said, “One with the Lord is a majority.” The story of Jonathon proves my father is right. One with the Lord IS a majority. In fact, the Lord by Himself is a majority even if none should follow Him. Job acknowledged this truth when he said, I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

What is God speaking to you about today? Rejoice in whatever direction He is leading you. And if in doing what God has for you today, you find yourself standing alone, remember the truth of Jonathan’s words. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving (doing His work), whether by many or by few — or by one! May God show you His mighty hand today. When you are grounded in Him, stand firm.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your presence with us. Thank you that we are not alone, even when it seems that way to us. And we especially thank you for strengthening us and enabling us to do whatever it is You have asked of us.

Thought for the Day: Stand firm. You are not alone. The God who created you and called you for His purposes will accomplish what He has planned – whether by many or by few.

Harriet Michael is a freelance writer in Louisville, KY. Her work has appeared in devotional and other Christian magazines as well as the anthology, Love is a Flame and the devotional book, The Women of Southern, A Walk Through the Psalms. Reared in Africa as the daughter of missionaries, she has been married for 31 years. She and her husband have 4 children and 1 grandchild. Follow Harriet at www.whatHehasdoneformysoul.blogspot.com.
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Get Up and Pray – Harriet Michael
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The captain went to him and said, ‘How can you sleep? Get up and call on your God! Maybe He will take notice of us and we will not perish.’ Jonah 1:6 NIV

Susan is a joy. She loves the Lord and she’s someone I look up to. I enjoy hearing her opinion and getting her perspective on things. But in addition to being insightful, she’s also one of the funniest people I know.

Susan leads a women’s Bible study in her home. After each study, we share a casual lunch. At one of our first luncheons, I noticed an index card on Susan’s refrigerator that read: “Why are you sleeping? Get up and call on your God!”

“What’s this about?” I asked.

“Oh, this is a Bible verse. The captain of Jonah’s ship said it to Jonah when he woke him up as he slept in the bottom of the ship. Someone pointed it out to me once and I thought it was great. But sometimes I’m not so sure. When I wake up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason, this verse always comes to my mind. I begin to think of all the people and situations that need prayer. Often I get up and slip into the spare room to pray. After spending some time in prayer, I am always able to fall back to sleep but sometimes I wish this verse didn’t swirl around in my head in the middle of the night.”

I frequently think about Susan’s words and the verse that inspired them. Unlike my friend and others I know who sometimes battle insomnia, I don’t have trouble sleeping. I’m one of those people who can sleep anywhere, any time. For me the verse pops into my mind in the mornings rather than in the middle of the night. I wake up hearing the voice in my head telling me to “Get up and pray to God!” I’m reminded that the focus of my day should be my Lord.

When you feel God’s nudge to pray, don’t hesitate. He’s calling you to an important task.

Harriet Michael is a freelance writer in Louisville, KY. Her work has appeared in devotional and other Christian magazines as well as the anthology, Love is a Flame and the devotional book, The Women of Southern, A Walk Through the Psalms. Reared in Africa as the daughter of missionaries, Harriet has been married for 31 years and has 4 children and 1 grandchild. Visit Harriet at her blog www.whatHehasdoneformysoul.blogspot.com.

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God’s Phone Number – Harriet Michael
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Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NAS

My dad was discouraged. It was 1964 and he served as a missionary doctor in the African country of Nigeria. A chicken pox outbreak ravaged the area where we lived. It was Wednesday night, the missionaries were about to meet for their weekly prayer meeting, and dad had just left the bedside of a little boy who died. Dad’s struggle to slow the spread of chicken pox while healing those who suffered was all that was on his mind.

My father understood chicken pox was spread through droplets which float through the air. A good rain would wash down the floating droplets. So he prayed for rain at the weekly prayer meeting….but there was a problem with his prayer.

Nigeria, like so many other tropical countries has only two seasons – rainy and dry. For six months of the year, it rains at least once a day and for the other six months, it doesn’t. This chicken pox outbreak was in the middle of dry season. My father was so focused on the problem, he momentarily forgot how unreasonable his prayer request was.

After the prayer meeting, some of his fellow missionaries teased him about his prayer. But that night while they slept, a rare and strong storm blew up in the middle of the dry season. The storm was so fierce, part of hospital’s tin roof blew off. The chicken pox outbreak died down.

In Jeremiah, God tells us to call to Him and He will answer. My son once told me he knew “God’s phone number” — it was Jeremiah 33:3. God has a phone number and unlike us, His line is never busy when we call. We never have to leave a message. Although it may sometimes feel like we are leaving a message and waiting for Him to get back with us, we are not. God hears us when we pray. My father would tell you from his experience this scripture is true, even under the most unlikely circumstances.

Never doubt the power of God. Bring your needs to Him and present them at His feet.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for the privilege of prayer. Thank you for hearing our prayers when we lift them up to You. Teach us to wait patiently for your answers.

Harriet Michael is a freelance writer in Louisville, KY. Her work has appeared in devotional and other Christian magazines as well as the anthology, Love is a Flame and the devotional book, The Women of Southern, A Walk Through the Psalms. Reared in Africa as the daughter of missionaries, she has been married for 31 years. She and her husband have 4 children and 1 grandchild. Follow Harriet at www.whatHehasdoneformysoul.blogspot.com.

Read Harriet’s devotions.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!