WEEKLY DEVOTIONS
FROM THE PASTORS
Senior Pastors David and Amanda Malone

Lord, this is a Mess

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness..." Romans 8:26 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a situation that seemed like such a mess you simply couldn't make sense of it? Like trying to straighten out
a tangled necklace, you wonder how in heavens' name did all these knots get kinked and twisted and pulled so tight. And in the
midst of trying to untangle a knot on one side you inadvertently form another on the other end.

It's frustrating when this happens with a piece of jewelry. And it's even more frustrating when it happens in relationships.

The other day I sat down to pray about a messy relationship and the knots were so consuming I couldn't even begin to make sense
of it all. I didn't even know what to pray. I kept trying to think of wise words to offer up to the Lord that would surely unlock pieces and
parts of this mess. But I was completely without a drop of insight. All I could see was a mess.

So, that's all I prayed, "Lord, this is a mess."

And then I just sat quietly and waited.
And waited.

And waited.
All that waiting time makes a doing girl like me feel like my nerves are going to bust out of my skin and start yanking my limbs into
action. So, with all my might, I made myself sit and say nothing at all except, "Lord, this is a mess." And you know what? It was
really hard to sit there with no answers. No wise words to pray. My usually very verbal self couldn't express anything but, "Lord, this
is a mess."

I believe it's situations like this for which Romans 8:26-28 was written:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes
for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit
intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV).

In our weakness we can't objectively search our mind and spirit. And often in our weakness we can't untangle our knots according
to God's will. We are too intertwined in emotion and assumption. That's why sometimes it's best if we just simply sit quietly and let
the Spirit do some groaning, untangling and working on our behalf.

Like verse 28 says, there is good to come out of this. God is working and will work good out of this mess. Sometimes I think the
only thing standing between our mess and His good work from it is our need to sit quietly. In the quiet beautiful things happen:

Please continue to pray for us! We need favor from God on this Situation

We love you! Sr. Pastors David & Amanda Malone
Associate Pastors Richard and Lori Comstock
If you have never asked the Lord to come into your heart and would like to or if you would like to
rededicate yourself to the Lord please read the prayer below.


Sinners Prayer:

Lord,

I am a sinner and I need you in my life. I ask you to forgive me of all my sins, and wash me white as
snow. Jesus I know that you died and rose again for me, and I thank you for making me a new
creature. I commit my Life to you and give you everything I have.
Be Lord of my life and teach me to walk with you.

In Jesus' Name I Pray,

Amen.


Re-dedication:

Father,

You are so holy and wonderful. God, I have sinned and I ask that you forgive me. I know that I
broke our covenant, but God you are merciful. Lead me, guide me, and direct me in the paths of
righteousness. Keep me close to you Lord and hide your word in my heart so that I may not sin
against you. Thank you Lord for your forgiveness.

In Jesus' Name I Pray,

Amen.




If you have prayed one of these prayers please let us know send an email to:
Pastordavid@cwcpalestine.com
brorichard@cwcpalestine.com