Our Miracle

 by Chris Jones

Last week in church, there was a strong message encouraging us to tell stories of the prayers God has answered in our lives. They are evidence of God’s provision in our lives. Instead of just celebrating them in the moment, let us see them as monuments that tell others about the greatness of the God we serve. No matter the impact in our lives, whether big or small, the stories of these miracles represent our unwavering faith in God. This is the story of one of our little miracles.

Our Promise To God

As most young married couples do, many of my wife’s and my early conversations involved our desire to have a family.  Unfortunately, when we decided to pursue that dream, our efforts didn’t go as one might plan.  The initial result was three miscarriages in one year.  Doctor visits and confusion ensued.  Despite every attempt to find a cause, it alluded us.

I clearly remember several of my conversations with God during this time.  The frustration I felt as a husband unable to supply my wife’s deepest desire, overwhelmed me.  Why does God allow His children to endure such hardship?  I was reminded of the instance in John 9, when Jesus indicated that some obstacles are in place so God’s power may be demonstrated in our lives.

My wife and I decided to make a very specific request.  We prayed that God would lead the doctors to find something they previously overlooked.  Further, we prayed that the remedy be something simple, like taking one little pill.  We committed to making that our request.  I promised that, if He would answer our prayer, we’d be sure to share the story of our miracle with everyone.

We probably shouldn’t have been surprised to get a call from the doctor in the following days.  They requested an appointment, telling us they discovered something from an old test.  It was found that my wife had a condition that caused her blood to clot at an abnormally high rate.  That clotting kept the fetus from receiving an adequate blood supply, resulting in miscarriage.  The remedy: one baby aspirin a day.

We were blown away.  If you’ve been through miscarriages, you know we felt like we were given a second chance at life.  In reality, we were given a chance at two precious little lives.  From the moment she began taking one baby aspirin a day, she didn’t have any more miscarriages.  She had two flawless pregnancies and deliveries.  The Bible says, “the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16 NLT)  You can be sure they do.

My Encouragement to You

I encourage you to share your story. Share it with us at info@witnessrunner.com so I can feature it in a post on Witness Runner, like I did with JB and baby Charlotte. You never know what a story can do.

Moment of Tension

 by Chris Jones

It’s inspiring to me how, in a moment of tension, people come together.  These moments are experienced during a major storm.  Neighbors check on one another, help clean debris, repair damaged property and share vital resources.  Tragedies create moments of tension.  We offer aid, dropping everything to tend to the greatest and most primal need, survival.

In a world that seems to grow increasingly chaotic year after year, moments of tension bring out the best in us.  Suddenly, it’s acceptable and appreciated when you express your faith in God’s providence.  In those moments, it’s OK to pray for God’s protection.  In those moments, the “rules” change.

As Christians, it’s important to live in that moment of tension.  I’m not suggesting that we obsess over it, but that we live in the realization that each day is a matter of life and death.  You never know when you might be the last chance someone has to hear a message of hope and acceptance.  Be aware of God’s purpose in everything you do, every place you go.  Pray unceasingly.  Make the world aware of God’s promises and provision.

Allow God to lead you in the moment of tension.  …and go confidently, knowing that the tension changes the rules.

God’s Abundant Blessings

 by Chris Jones

A funny thing happened on the way to work yesterday.  I was talking to God about various needs that exist in our family.  At one point I said, “God, show me your abundant provision.”  The words were barely out of my mouth when the door in front of me burst open.  Through it walked a well-dressed man, who appeared very wealthy.  Laughing to myself, I said, “No God.  Show your abundant provision in MY life.”

That night, we received just such a blessing, an unexpected gift that completely satisfied a significant and very costly need in our family.  As soon as I was told of this, I thought about my earlier conversation with God.  I shouldn’t be surprised that He would show His provision, in response to my request.

I think about Philip at a moment like this.  Why Philip?  He’s the one Jesus asked, before feeding the crowd with the fish and bread, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”  You can read this story in John 6.  Philip’s reply reads something like, “Forget about ‘where’, Jesus.  Let’s talk about ‘how’.  We don’t have anywhere near enough money for that kind of purchase.”

It’s interesting that Philip’s focus immediately turned to the thought of where the money would come from.  This isn’t at all what Jesus asked Him to consider.  Ultimately, all Philip needed to do was receive.  Jesus already had it all planned out.

What might have happened if Philip responded differently?  If Jesus so desired, He could have rained down bread from Heaven.  Do we forget this?  What will it take for us to live confidently in the knowledge that God can provide to meet all our needs.  Size doesn’t matter.  Cost doesn’t matter.  Sometimes, that provision comes through hard work and preparation.  Other times, it’s a simple matter of us just asking and receiving.

Confident Trust and Patient Endurance

 by Chris Jones

It’s been a rough last couple of days!

Yesterday, my laptop decided to get weird on me. I couldn’t get it to boot.  Frustration quickly set in.  If it’s happened to you, you know the feeling well.  We depend so greatly on these devices, especially when you’re trying to manage a blog.  I worked late into the night without any success, waking up for the aggravation to settle on me fresh the following morning.

I so appreciate my wife sending me sweet little pick-me-up messages throughout the day.  I certainly wasn’t doing anything to help myself.  Honestly, I kind of just wallowed in self-pity for a good part of the day, as work piled on.

Mid-way through the day, I noticed the You Version (Bible app) verse of the day.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT) “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!  Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Why do we so willingly trade victory for defeat, throwing away the confidence in which we should live?  Is it really so difficult to endure, with patience, the road bumps in life?  I’m thankful there is a God in Heaven who provides to meet our needs.  His timing and His ways are perfect.  We will always have all we need to walk the paths He lays out for us.  Just keep walking.