Unanswered Prayer: Learning a Lesson

Women's Retreat
I write to you today from the Lord of Life Women's Retreat at the Inspiration Retreat Center in Walworth, Wisconsin. Please keep all the the ladies in attendance in your prayers. I am thankful for all the women who made the difficult commitment to come in spite of busy schedules. Pray that God will doubly bless their commitment. Pray that it will be a life changing weekend. Pray for the Spirit of God to be so real and speak in this place. Pray for a spiritual renewal of passion and commitment to the Lord. That this retreat would be a catalyst for all the participants to go deeper in their walk.

Pastors' Appreciation
On another note, I also want to say thank you for the many acts of kindness and appreciation that have been shown to me during Pastor's Appreciation Month. I am truly grateful and humbled to serve as the Pastor of Lord of Life Church. Most of all I am appreciative of so many of you who sacrificially and selflessly serve without recognition and appreciation. Know that your good deeds do not go unrecognized by the Heavenly Father.

Unanswered Prayer Continued
As we continue the discussion on unanswered prayer, I cannot help but think of disappointment. There are many disappointments in life. We all listened to a the disappointing economic news this last week. Beyond the economic disappointments, often times, there are people in our lives that we count on that let us down and disappoint us. And sometimes it seems that God disappoints us.

But there is often a greater purpose in our disappointment. That greater purpose is for the lessons God yearns to teach us. One thing I have learned through the years is that sometimes in the my failed expectations there is a lesson God knows that I need to learn. Sometimes it is a lesson in humility. Sometimes it is a lesson in patience. Sometimes it is a lesson in submission. Sometimes it is a lesson contentment.

God's Word says, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 91:12 I pray that I would number my days, my expectations, and my disappointments in the right way.

Maybe the greatest lesson to learn is the lesson of repentance. Consider this verse: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 If it seems God's answer is slow in coming. Examine yourself. Consider where your heart may not be right with the Lord. A place where you may have you interests in place of the interests of God at heart.

Readings for next week:

26 Jeremiah 49:23-50:46
Titus 1:1-16
Psalm 97:1-98:9
Proverbs 26:13-16

27 Jeremiah 51:1-53
Titus 2:1-15
Psalm 99:1-9
Proverbs 26:17

28 Jeremiah 51:54-52:34
Titus 3:1-15
Psalm 100:1-5
Proverbs 26:18-19

29 Lamentations 1:1-2:22
Philemon 1:1-25
Psalm 101:1-8
Proverbs 26:20

30 Lamentations 3:1-66
Hebrews 1:1-14
Psalm 102:1-28
Proverbs 26:21-22

31 Lamentations 4:1-5:22
Hebrews 2:1-18
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 26:23

01 Ezekiel 1:1-3:15
Hebrews 3:1-19
Psalm 104:1-23
Proverbs 26:24-26