Debbie W. Wilson

Refreshing Faith

Does God Hear My Prayers?

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I love instant answers to prayer. But have you noticed the big prayers, the ones you care about most, take the longest to answer? Unanswered prayer can shake our faith. We feel like stepchildren. If God loves me why doesn’t He hear my prayers?

Perhaps God answers the moment we ask. We just can’t see the answer. Or maybe my prayer is tied to a bigger story.

In Luke 1:13, Zacharias was stunned when an angel announced his prayer had been heard. “Elizabeth’s going to have a son!” Zacharias scratched his head. He’d prayed for a son—decades ago!

He and Elizabeth had prayed for a baby. God needed a forerunner to His Son. To fulfill their prayer and His plan, Elizabeth had to wait—and wait—until young Mary was old enough to become the mother of Jesus. Of course, Elizabeth didn’t know why her prayer wasn’t answered. Before the angel’s announcement do you think Elizabeth felt special? My guess is she felt neglected.Continue Reading

Lonely, but Not Alone

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I’ve discovered  that when I feel like God is taking things away from me, He is taking me away from things. He is drawing me to Himself.

Jesus said, “The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it,” (Matthew 7:14, NASB). In our Christian walk, sometimes God puts us on a path that feels lonely. To follow the call in our hearts means to leave the familiar. When the call comes, sometimes we have only His voice to lead us. There is no visible path. We feel alone because we don’t know anyone who has gone down this particular path or see anyone joining us.

In such times we learn to recognize our Shepherd’s voice. We learn to be content without the people and stuff we thought we must have.Continue Reading

Security in Numbers

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Here’s my embarrassing confession. The number of Facebook likes to my posts affects me. This silly barometer on the value of my work made me consider the weight we give numbers. We use numbers to measure health, wealth, intelligence, security, satisfaction, and significance. We learn our cholesterol count and feel healthy—or not. We step on the scales and feel happy—or not. We look at our investments and feel secure—or not. We count our ratings and feel successful—or not. Like superstitious patrons at a Chinese restaurant believing the fortune cookies, we base our well-being on a number. But numbers don’t determine security.

Numbers told Israel’s soldiers to cower from mighty Goliath. He towered over any Hebrew soldier in height, weight, and strength. Yet David, a young shepherd, used a different math in facing this giant. He believed being on God’s side counted more than personal strength and military prowess. With only a slingshot and five stones, David told Goliath “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted” (1 Sam. 17:45, NASB). You know the rest of the story.Continue Reading

Is This Quirk a Curse or a Blessing?

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I have an eye for quality. It drove my mother crazy. I’d walk into a dress shop and zero in on an expensive outfit. The same went for shoes, purses, furniture, and fabric. Since my taste didn’t fit my budget, I viewed this trait as an irritating curse. I have friends who can buy cheap stuff and look great. Why didn’t it work for me?

In my single years I dated a man who looked at my ability to appreciate quality as worldly. But doesn’t God appreciate quality and beauty? Appreciating and demanding are two different things.

Through the years God has delighted me in surprising ways. Continue Reading

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