A Beautiful Thing -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Day 2 Devotional
Tuesday, April 12, 2011

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." -- Luke 11:9-10

Between August 2007 and April 2008, our family learned to pray while we endured three major life events – a divorce, a parent's death, and cancer.

In September, Jim was diagnosed with colon cancer. Family and friends gathered in the hospital waiting room the morning of his surgery. Before surgery, we prayed with his surgeon asking for insight and skill during the procedure and Jim's healing afterward.

Our family and friends also prayed another prayer, that the Lord would use this health crisis to open the eyes of Jim's heart -- that Jim would ask the Lord back into his life. Although he'd accepted Christ at Second Baptist Church in Corpus Christi when he was eight, he'd left the church and not attended in 38 years.

The next morning we were given the results we'd prayed for; the cancer was removed and no further treatment was needed. Joyously, we celebrated answered prayer. We did not realize the Lord's work had just begun in Jim's life.

Several months later Hillcrest members conducted a telephone campaign in our church neighborhood that culminated with a special church service. I volunteered to be a greeter and to invite a guest to sit with me during that service. As I prepared the night before, I explained my assignment to Jim. Smiling, he asked, "May I be your guest?" Surprised, I happily accepted his offer. Jim was baptized at Hillcrest in February, 2008.

The Johnson family experienced a miracle! We'd asked for and received such a blessing! A beautiful thing had occurred.

All glory to God, who answers prayers, transforms lives, and performs miracles. Thank you, Lord.

Prepared by Jim and Carolyn Johnson

To prepare spiritually during our “A Beautiful Thing” campaign, you will receive a devotional written by our own members every day, Monday through Saturday, for five weeks. If you do not wish to receive these daily devotionals, click here. To read the announcements from the “ABT Weekly Update,” click here.

A Beautiful Thing - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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Day 2 Devotional Tuesday, April 12, 2011 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." -- Luke 11:9-10 Between August 2007 and April 2008, our family learned to pray while we endured three major life events – a divorce, a parent's death, and cancer. In September, Jim was diagnosed with colon cancer. Family and friends gathered in the hospital waiting room the morning of his surgery. Before surgery, we prayed with his surgeon asking for insight and skill during the procedure and Jim's healing afterward. Our family and friends also prayed another prayer, that the Lord would use this health crisis to open the eyes of Jim's heart -- that Jim would ask the Lord back into his life. Although he'd accepted Christ at Second Baptist Church in Corpus Christi when he was eight, he'd left the church and not attended in 38 years. The next morning we were given the results we'd prayed for; the cancer was removed and no further treatment was needed. Joyously, we celebrated answered prayer. We did not realize the Lord's work had just begun in Jim's life. Several months later Hillcrest members conducted a telephone campaign in our church neighborhood that culminated with a special church service. I volunteered to be a greeter and to invite a guest to sit with me during that service. As I prepared the night before, I explained my assignment to Jim. Smiling, he asked, "May I be your guest?" Surprised, I happily accepted his offer. Jim was baptized at Hillcrest in February, 2008. The Johnson family experienced a miracle! We'd asked for and received such a blessing! A beautiful thing had occurred. All glory to God, who answers prayers, transforms lives, and performs miracles. Thank you, Lord. Prepared by Jim and Carolyn Johnson To prepare spiritually during our “A Beautiful Thing” campaign, you will receive a devotional written by our own members every day, Monday through Saturday, for five weeks. If you do not wish to receive these daily devotionals, click here. To read the announcements from the “ABT Weekly Update,” click here.