Month: February 2021

When God Seems Silent

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”  But He answered her not a word …    Matthew 15:22-23a ESV

Did it ever feel as if God wasn’t paying any attention to you? That is undoubtedly exactly the feeling that the woman in today’s verse experienced. She cried. She begged. She fell to Jesus’ feet. But nothing she could do or say seemed to touch the Lord. Her story reminded me of the Bangladeshi people who come to work the gravel of the dry river banks in North India. They are rejected by most of the local people and forced to take the lowest and most menial jobs. Yet at the end of the story we find that not only did Jesus care but that He did answer her cry and in fact He had made this – His longest trip of His lifetime just for her . 

But when it feels like Jesus is not listening and other believers tell us that it is no use, we have a decision to make. Will we continue to pray or will we give up? For all of us there comes that single moment when we have to decide what to do God’s silence. This woman who appeared to have no background, no friends and no hope leaves us with a testimony of hope, not only that God is listening but that He cares enough to hear and answer prayer! Think of it as if Jesus made His trip to earth, just for you, and keep on trusting till an answer comes!

Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:28

Every Detail His Design

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment 
 
 
Every Detail His Design

 The Lord is my Shepherd. I have everything I need. Psalm 23:1 ESV 

Drifts of snow on lonely hills
 Pot-holed city streets
 Blossoming of lilacs
 Each keep their chosen beat
  
 To the melody that God composed
 Through slow and racing days
 Each calling our attention
 To His almighty ways
  
 Yes - everything we need is ours
 But not all things we would
 Every detail his design
 Of all things for our good 

Every detail His Design by Peter Caligiuri
copyright 2021 all rights reserved

Joy Unspeakable

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Years ago we lived in a small upstairs apartment and the only telephone was on the wall in the kitchen. It may be hard for young people to imagine but then the ringing of the phone meant an important message and everyone in the family ran to answer it. Around midnight when we were all sound asleep, the phone began ringing. Concerned that it must be terribly important my wife shook me by the shoulder, ” Honey! Wake up! You have to get the phone!” she called.

Obediently I stumbled to the kitchen still half asleep without bothering to even flick on the light. By the time I picked up the receiver my mind couldn’t focus any longer and so I just mumbled something incoherent and hung it back on the hook. Then shuffling back across the dark apartment I plopped back in bed.

“So who was it?” Nancy asked.

Who was what?” I answered and fell fast asleep! This last year of the Covid-19 crisis reminds me of that phone call. Everything is dark and is seems like everyone is calling us to action but we are exhausted. Even when we do pick up the phone we no longer have the energy to hear what is being said. But God has great news for all of us fighting this invisible enemy that has sapped our strength. He has an unspeakable joy to give us that is full of glory. In fact the Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength!