Frank’s Reflection

Obedience is elusive at times, but hard to do at others. It’s a struggle on certain days, but when it’s on, you’ll know it’s working. There’s an inner peace inside you. You know that. God is working inside of you. You can sense that something special is happening. Consistency does that.

Every individual is different. Time, maturity, and desire to be what God wants you to be take effort. Much of it involves failures and successes as we grow into who God wants us to be.

To be like Jesus is impossible. Our best efforts will fail. But stopping, even as obedient, consistent practitioners of His example, is unrewarding.

Someone inside each believer encourages us. He, the Holy Spirit, nudges us along. He’s always uplifting, encouraging, and cheering us on to keep trying, going, and striving every day. He doesn’t rest, sleep, or take a vacation. He’s always there. Available. He equips us to do what He wants us to do; we need an attitude of cooperation—obedience. That’s His will. His innermost desire for each of us.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t want robots, but willing obedience. If you’re wondering, He doesn’t want us bogged down by an overwhelming sense of duty. He expects us to enjoy life, families, and friends. If God wanted robots, He could have made them. He wanted you. He waited for millennia for you. Why? He wanted you to be the best you can be for Him—an obedient child of the King of Kings.

Our world is divided. Technology can fill our brains with facts, but it lacks compassion. People need people. We need each other for their warmth and companionship. It fills the empty spaces in our lives. Computers have voices, but their sound is cold and factual, lacking sincerity and a personal touch.

God created Adam. But Adam needed Eve to talk to and to share time with. Adam was lonely. God intervened and gave Adam a helper—Eve. The two could walk and talk together. They enjoyed each other’s company. Everyone desires companionship and someone to relate to.

Keyboards and screens can reveal knowledge but can’t convey emotions. Videos can’t bandage your heart, hug you when words aren’t enough, or smile with your heartwarming approval.

God knew what He was doing when He created families—bone of our bones (Genesis 2:23), our DNA with flesh and blood, a heart that feels like yours. Technology cannot do that. A hard drive can store info, but it lacks the individualized touch of love, and it can’t offer the sympathy that reaches out when you fail, get laid off, are in the hospital, or stand beside a grave.

Something is still missing from all mankind’s advances in making life easier and faster—the warmth of another person’s closeness. No machine, computer, or luxury item can match your family, neighbor, or friend. God made you unique. He endowed you with a conscience to do what is right for the less fortunate and give encouragement where needed.

The opportunity before you is a gift from the Almighty. Make the best use of it.

One day you will wake up and realize you aren’t getting any younger. It might be subtle or hit like a lightning bolt. “I can’t do what I used to do physically.” You can’t lift, walk, or reach like you could years ago. You don’t have the strength. Emotionally, your nerves seem sharper than a razor’s edge—in a bad way. Little things upset you for no reason, and it bothers you.

Then there’s the mental aspect. Your memory has chunks of blank spots. For example, how to get somewhere that you’ve been before, or where you left the keys—it happens to all of us. Maybe that’s the reason carmakers make new cars keyless. You have a list of passwords for your computer—if you can remember where you stored it.

The combination of the above wears on your self-worth and makes you feel: 

• helpless at times. 
• embarrassed about asking for help. 
• maybe refusing to ask because of your stubbornness.
• like no one really cares about me.
• Like you’re reaping what you sowed from years earlier. 
• Why should I change? After all, I helped others; now it’s their turn to help me.

So, what if you can’t do some things? Let’s turn our negative thoughts into positive ones. 

• I’m wiser. I learned from my mistakes. 
• I can help others avoid the same mistakes. 
• I’m ready to encourage those wallowing in self-pity. 
• I can kick down the barriers of doubt in myself. 
• I can help others see life’s roadblocks. 

Senior years are exciting years. God allowed you to live long for a reason; don’t forget that. Moses lived to be 80 before he began to develop his leadership qualities. Caleb set an example by conquering old foes and showing the younger generation how to trust God in his senior years.

Daniel served under three different kings. They finally realized they needed help from someone with experience. John, the disciple, wrote about the future while in exile on a deserted island. Anna was over 100 years old, waiting to see the Messiah.

Our most productive spiritual years are waiting for those willing to trust our ageless God. He hasn’t stopped using any of His children who are willing to walk with Him.

God’s soft whisper (CSB) speaks loudly to our hearts when the Lord wants to use us. He comforts a fearful believer with it (Isaiah 41:10). Our God gives us the peaceful presence of His company, which is not easily explained to the non-believer.

The Lord quiets our fears and empowers us to accomplish His instructions. That sounds too simplistic, but God works that way.

God accomplishes the little and the huge things in our world through individuals willing to trust Him. Trust is the byproduct of one’s prayer life. The kind that seeks and receives fellowship with God. Mutual companionship is the choice of two agreeing individuals. Their togetherness is a formula for heavenly results here on this earth. Supplying the kind of solution where God receives the credit, not the earthly individual.

Jesus enables our faith with patience and endurance. It inches us along His path to accomplish the task He has assigned. He chooses a way that requires faith on our part and trust in His enablement. Together, those two elements conquer all obstacles and adversaries.

The next time you sense God nudging you, pay attention. He’s about to do something spectacular.

This week marks the change of seasons, leaving summer behind. Autumn quietly opens the door to change, making our days cooler. Nighttime becomes a little longer. Trees begin to change color; the green leaves turn yellow and shades of orange before falling. Animals also seek change, either by heading south or preparing to hibernate. Nature changes, and so do we. Whether we’re young or old, our clothing changes as autumn transitions into winter. Times are changing.

What about your spiritual life? Will it be the same as in years past? Or are you ready for a change also? Are you still delaying your opportunity to serve or deepen your spiritual roots? Some will hunker down and decide later, if at all.

Life’s seasons always present opportunities for spiritual growth. Your spiritual advancement may not be in an activity but in something deeper. Who are you spiritually? Have you ever asked yourself that question?

If you’re like Moses at the burning bush, you may answer God in a noncompliant way. But when God taps you on the shoulder and says, “I have a mission for you,” it’s always best to say yes. God doesn’t call His children to defeat. He is the Great Enabler. He will see you through to the end. That’s His word. The journey will have some rough patches. Maybe like a Red Sea staring you in the face. But God prepares the way. He did it for Moses, and He will do it for you.

So, do you turn and run, or do you put one foot in the water and watch God work? As a new season is staring you in the face, are you willing to trust our all-knowing God? If so, God invites you to trust Him and watch Him work.

Have you ever thought about what you will do in heaven? Can you imagine what it would be like to be there?

What will it be like to be in God’s presence? Psalm 16:11 describes being with God as the “fullness of joy” (NKJV). Other translations use the word abundant instead of fullness. My thought is: how full is full? To me, full means there is no more room. We will have the maximum capacity of joy when we are in the presence of God.

The second thought: I will be able to praise God to the maximum capacity of my heavenly body. The amount of praise coming from my lips will be beyond my present vocabulary and my earthly ability to understand. Saints will have the power and might to praise God forever.

Not only will we be in God’s presence, but we will also have the ability to praise God and be part of the heavenly choir to do so. Can you visualize millions of heavenly residents praising our Savior in unison? That’s beyond our human understanding. 

Lastly, multiply all our heavenly abilities to honor our God for all eternity —not for an hour or a year, but for millennia—endless years to come.

Maybe the words above will stir your heart with encouragement, with words and thoughts to stimulate and revitalize your spirit as you serve our Lord while still earthbound. 

Prayer time is a special time!

My special time is sometime in the middle of my sleep time. When I wake up, I know it’s time to talk with my Heavenly Father.

This night was different: I positioned myself in my sweet spot—kneeling in front of my recliner and placing a small pillow on the floor for my tender knees. I began to reflect that I’m in front of God while I’m still trying to wake myself up. Then bam! A thought: “If you can’t wake up, get up.”

Don’t disrespect God with a sleepy heart. So, I got up and wrote seven words on a piece of paper. Why? I know myself; if I don’t write it down, I’ll forget those words later. That was one of God’s teaching moments in my life. An important one. Hopefully, I will practice this one from now on.

What about you? Do you have a special time with the Lord? A day without it usually means my day is unproductive. That is, until I set aside time with Him. That’s how it works for me.

I learn more from illustrations and personal events. Mistakes, near misses, and God moments leave a memorable mark on me. Maybe they are reminders for you and me to show up and pray with a non-sleepy heart. Or maybe it’s a wow moment that God wants to spend time with you.

Prayer is a privilege—an opportunity to spend time with the Almighty, the Father of our Savior. Jesus thought prayer time was special and often spent many early morning hours in prayer during His short ministry. That’s one reason He accomplished so much. His example can guide us as we spend time with God.

There will come a day when the Son shines. No more nights of gloom. No more pain or disappointments. Our tears will become a thingof the past. Everything will be bright and filled with boundless joy. This future, just over the horizon of our earthly life, is not a distant dream but a reality we can bring closer now by spreading joy and hope. 

However, Jesus has given us moments here that reflect the promised land. We experience times of joy and moments without pain, tears, or disappointments. Our joy radiates in our smiles that beam from ear to ear. In these ticks of time, we catch a glimpse of the eternal joy that awaits us. Yet, as we enjoy these temporary times, we sometimes forget our spiritual purpose here. We can share our inner source of strength and joy. The earthly well of jubilance never runs dry. It’s always ready to replenish our cup of refreshment. If we neglect to replenish our bucket, our spiritual joy will disappear. 

While you delight in your surroundings, do you see family, neighbors, friends, or coworkers who could use a cup of encouragement and hope? You hold the ingredients that can show them joy and hope—like a kind word, a prayer, or a caring gesture. Your smile, your prayer, or your caring gesture can often do more for you than they do for the recipient. You have the power to be God’s hand at work by reaching out in small, meaningful ways to others every day. We all need encouragement at times. That’s one of the many wonders of Jesus in you that gives you a glimpse of glory, where everything is all smiles and the incredible joy of being in the presence of God.

Imagine a future without pain, only joy. A future without disappointment, only glory. What a day that will be—Jesus, our hope and eternity!

Omniscient is a big word not in our normal vocabulary. It simply means all-knowing. A term used to describe our all-knowing God. He knew 10,000 years ago that you would be reading this.

Our all-knowing Lord knew the day you were formed (Psalm 139:13). He knew your every childhood hurt. Every skinned knee, bump, and bruise long before they happened.

He knew your every thought, dream, and word that would come out of your mouth. He knew your first steps that left your parents in awe, and your every step since then. Nothing about you surprises Him. He even knows the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30 and Luke 12:7).

He is with you beside the still waters (Psalm 23:2). He knows every detail of your life, even the day, hours, and minutes you will have till your last breath (Job 14:5). You see, He watches over you because He loves you.

It would be good to sit in a quiet place and reflect on God’s goodness in your life—His protecting hand, His timely provisions, and your prayers answered. All of this at a time of your need.

Somehow, we take the Lord’s daily provisions for granted. We underappreciate our health until it begins to fail.

If you’re still wondering about the big word omniscient, turn to Ecclesiastes 3:2-8. As you read these verses, you will be reminded that God knows everything about you, and He knew you before you were even born. 

Now ask yourself, why are you reading this? What is the Lord speaking to your heart about? I think He has a mission for you. He has arranged all the necessary things in place for you to accomplish this errand for Him—will you do it?

Life doesn’t seem fair at times. Bad things do happen to good people. We don’t understand why they are happening. Sometimes, we think God is punishing us for something. We even ask ourselves why but can’t find an answer.

There’s a lesson to learn in every circumstance. Things not to do, things to do better, and occasionally lessons to share with others. Patience is best learned through adverse circumstances.

God, in thinking about us, recorded experiences in the Bible for you and me. Below are several Bible experiences we can relate to in difficult times. 

Jeremiah, God’s messenger in difficult times of Israel’s history, was thrown into a pit of mud. His offense was warning Israel’s leaders about their future. But through God’s use of Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian, Jeremiah was rescued (Jeremiah 38:6-13).

You know Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den for being true to God. And the Lord shut the mouths of the lions and used them as a pillow for Daniel. God intervened and kept him safe.

Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers. Ultimately, Joseph ended up in prison for being moral. Years later, he was released to provide for his dad and his scoundrel brothers. Joseph even told his brothers that they had meant it for evil, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20).

The widow in Zarephath was down to her last meal. She was asked to share it. In her obedience and generosity toward Elijah, God provided for her until the famine ended.

The hardships of life can be depressing, yet God uses adverse events to prepare a people for a future service to the Lord (Luke 1:17).

If you wait, look, and trust, you will find that He is always willing to intervene and prepare you for later events. Your immediate circumstances are difficult to understand, and you may not see God’s hand in them, but His unseen hand is supporting you. There is light at the end of your dark tunnel. The twists and turns of events may make you think God doesn’t care or that He has abandoned you, but He hasn’t.

Somehow, someway, sometime in the future, everything will be clear. God is at work in your life for His glory. And these events are God’s invitation for you to trust Him.