Iron Rose Sister Ministries

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Published: 07 February 2020

• guest writer
• prayer
• walk with God

Written by Johana Batres, Iron Rose Sister Ministries volunteer

A year after I got married, my husband lost his job. I trusted that my husband and his good academic preparation would help him find a new job. What I earned was enough to cover the basic needs of the house. God wanted my husband to get closer to Him, so he put his talent into the service of His work. Eight months passed, long and distressing, but we never lacked God’s provision. We always had food and medicine. We were about to lose our house, and on one occasion they cut the electricity service. It is sad to remember those moments, but the most beautiful thing is that God was always there as our Provider, until, finally, my husband found a new job!

Why did I want to share this with you? Because in this world, we can only survive with provisions that come from Above. At that time, I learned that my trust must be placed in God rather than in well-prepared people. My husband started to serve in God’s work and to work with the youth group.

God, the Creator of the universe, our All in All, is the One who provides all that we need. Prayer is, for us, the important method to connect us with God.

Jesus urges us to pray, “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’" (Matthew 6:9-13).

‬At that time, bread was the basic food and it represented all the needs of the people. In the same way, besides physical needs, Jesus teaches us to pray for everything: comfort, health, encouragement and wisdom, among other things.

What is your need today? Pray to the Lord... “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

Prayer is the voice of faith of those who trust that God will provide what is necessary.

God bless you!

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Published: 05 February 2020

“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”
1 Corinthians 12:18-20

I've listened to many lessons over the years about how we each need to do our part within the church. The body of Christ has many members, and each member has a part to play, right? Preachers will often quote the scripture in 1 Corinthians 12 and list the various parts of the body, showing how each one has its own specific role to play.

I'm sure many of you have heard similar lessons, and it brings me to my question today:

What do you think of when you imagine doing your part?

Is it an active role? When you think of serving, are you up and about? Are you going to people's houses, cooking meals, talking with others, going on mission trips... what does it look like? I have always been a fairly active and social person, so I usually imagine myself going and doing, talking and reaching out, physically serving people in some way. Are these the only ways for someone to do their part?

I met a very encouraging man at Harding University’s Lectureship this past fall. He was moving from table to table in the lobby area, stopping to talk with whoever represented each ministry. It was difficult not to notice him as he moved around the room with his motorized wheelchair and beautiful service dog, and I was amazed to see how much time he spent talking to each and every person at the ministry tables. When he arrived to our area, this is how he introduced himself: “I have MS (multiple sclerosis), and I can’t always fit into the rooms where they have the classes. There isn’t a whole lot I can do for others, but I can pray. Can you give me a card about your ministry and tell me more about it so I can be praying for you?”

I have to admit that I have not always seen prayer as a way to serve others. It has been a way to communicate with God, and I know that He hears us. We often tell people we will pray for them when they are going through a difficult time, but is that always because we believe in the power of that effort? Or are we just offering words of comfort and encouragement in a difficult time when we aren’t sure what else to do?

This man spoke of his part in prayer as others might talk about going to other countries to build houses for people. He knew of its significance. It was his very real, very actionable part in the body of Christ, and I am so thankful for that.

*Written by Rachel Baker for Iron Rose Sister Ministries blog, Feb. 2020