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My husband works for himself doing renovations. He loves his work as it gives him great pleasure to see the happy faces of the people whose homes he works in. He also has an amazing ability to speak Jesus into their lives. Sometimes, it is not well received, but sometimes, people listen quietly. Both responses are okay as he is doing what we are all called to do.
Acts 22:15 – You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. (NIV)
His latest job brought opportunity to witness again, but in a way that he had never imagined. As he arrived to work on this particular day, he was met at the door by the homeowner, who was very distraught. She told him that she had looked everywhere but could not find one of her cats. A few minutes later, my husband's helper came in and said that there was a cat lying in the ditch out front. The homeowner went out and said that it was her cat. She wrapped the cat in a blanket and brought it into the home. She wandered the home grieving the loss of her cat. The cat was dead, and yet, it didn't have a mark on it. At some point, she buried the cat and went on with her day as best she could. About three or four hours later, she went to get the workers some drinks. Also, about this time, my husband said this simple prayer: "God, couldn't You do something?"
As the homeowner returned with the drinks, she was met by her cat sitting on the stairs. As anyone who has a pet knows, pet owners know their own pets very well. There was and is no doubt that the cat that was found in the ditch was her cat, and an even bigger no doubt that the cat that was now sitting on the stairs was her cat. God performed a miracle and a witness to this homeowner as to Who He is. As the days went on, she tried to rationalize and figure it out, but there is no other explanation except God.
Psalm 66:19 – But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. (NIV)
It would be easy to read this and think, That couldn't happen to me. But that's not what the Bible says:
John 14:12 – I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (NIV)
This Scripture is a message for each and every one of us; it does not speak of a select few. We need to be in a relationship of prayer and communion with the Father so that He can do great things through us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that You hear all our prayers, whether long or short, and grant them according to Your will. Thank You that You choose the times to make Yourself be known to the lost. O Lord, how awesome are Your ways! Your love and grace are bountiful and far-reaching. We continue to pray and lay our requests at the foot of the cross, and we make ourselves available to do Your work. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Thursday, January 16, 2025 – In the Middle East — Right now, the highlight of my week is my informal language lessons with my friend. I really enjoy discussing different topics with her and asking cultural questions. A few weeks ago, I told her the story of Jesus's death and resurrection. Pray that God continues to speak to her, and that she would come to faith in Christ.
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Thanks for a good word Julie.
Thank you Julie.
May your Thanksgiving weekend be a beautiful one.
Julie, that is just an amazing devotional. Thank you for sharing it with
us. Enjoy you Thanksgiving.
Thank you for this amazing information! He surely works in mysterious
ways!
Great story! Thanks for sharing. I have been reading about Jesus’ miracles this morning. Nothing is impossible with God! Hallelujah!
HI Julie, I believe in miracles and I liked this account. However, it left me with one question. How did the cat get out of the ground where it was buried?
Julie;
I always enjoy your devotionals, but this one comes at a time when I need the reminder about God’s faithfulness in answering our prayers, in His ways. Thanks.
I was surprised and felt as receiving a present given by your far-reaching words!
I wish you continue to bless all interested people in God’s living words! Between our distraught human race, with a lot of people wandering without a way, God can create warriors of His Holy Spirit and spread them in our planet, whether in presence or by bountiful words, like His and yours.
(Brazil)
This was a very nice story. I am a lover of all animals. I will capture a poisonous spider and release him into the wild versus killing him. There is a story about the Rainbow Bridge (forgotten who said it). But the person who said it, said if there were no dogs in Heaven, then he would join them over the Rainbow Bridge. I am sure God has all the animals in Heaven; he created them, he will save us all.
Thank you again, God bless.
Dear Julie:
Our family and many friends are experiencing the miracle of a 1 lb. 14 oz. baby at birth, just reaching 1 year old. He had 8 major surgeries in the first 2 months. Facebook has reached many with the requests and offers of prayer. Even medical people are amazed at this happy bubbly child and we are so grateful. Only God could have brought him through the many pitfalls this past year, a new problem almost every month. We continue to uphold him.
Thank you for writing of your husbands experience.
My dear Julie:
What a great story, and I have one for you too that is almost, as great, I think…!!!
When my husband was a young man, his best friend’s cat became a nuisance around the home. His mother warned him “you must get rid of this misbehaving cat.”
He became tired of listening to his mother complain so he placed the cat into a heavy burlap bag, joined by several heavy stones, to hold the bag down when thrown overboard and left on his mission to “get rid of the cat.”
Into the row boat he went, the bag and the cat and he then rowed the boat to the middle of the Harbour where he threw the bag over the side of the boat, and then headed back home.
Surprise….When he arrived home, low and behold there was the cat sitting on the back step, soaking wet, but as loveable as ever. As always as misbehaving as ever. The fright did not change her actions.
Now there were no prayers said for that poor cat, nor the owner, but I am sure a great lesson was learned by the family. God gives life and God only takes it away.
Your devotional was indeed a mind catching story with much depth to your illustration.
Always good to be reminded. I enjoy thus very much & look forward to these Daily devotions.
Keep up the good work.
Dear Julie,
Thank you for your inspiring devotional! I always enjoy your writing, but being an animal person was particularly moved by today’s “Simple Prayer”.
Twice in my life I’ve prayed for something and had the prayer miraculously answered. Both of those times I felt a unique strong sense of assurance and peace even as I was praying, and felt in my heart that God had heard my prayer and would answer yes And both of those instances were prayers for things that other people might consider ‘small stuff’ in the grand scheme of things, so I’m often conflicted about including those stories in my witness for fear of raising questions about why God would answer those prayers and allow people to die and other serious suffering.
I don’t know why God saved my pup and not my sister who I’d prayed for for years, or my children who both continue to suffer with mental illness and addictions, or stepped in any number of other extremely difficult situations. But I’m a person of simple faith, aware that we live in a fallen world in fragile bodies that aren’t intended to last forever. I know that we’re just passing through, and am thankful for God’s presence and help along life’s way and content to let God be God. I tend to believe that God cares for all creation and has gifted some people especially as caretakers of it, but am not sure how much theology there is to support those inclinations.
Your devotional was a wonderful affirmation for me that animals do have a place in God’s plan for man however, and that my miracle was not a coincidence but a legitimate way God chose to show himself and his love when I needed it badly.
Thanks again for sharing hope through your writing. May God continue to bless your life and ministry!
Dear Julie Bowles,
The cat could have dug its way out of where it was buried. Or are you suggesting something else?
I’d like to know what you mean.