Category: Blog

How long is too long? I don’t like waiting; I prefer to do it now!

Patience is a virtue, but only some are willing to wait. Ask a child if they would like a gift about a week before Christmas. They say today is better than later.

As God’s children, we may sometimes exhibit childish impatience. If we aren’t careful, our prayer time can become a demanding session. It should include waiting on the Lord’s schedule. Remember, His timing is always perfect. Early may not be right, and lateness doesn’t work either.

Palms 130:6 puts life in perspective. “I wait for the Lord” (CEV). Calmness in faith is better; the apostle Paul says, “I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot” (Philippians 4:12 CEV).

Experience and reliance upon the Lord of all things is a great way to live. That way, I’ll be happy with what I have. I’m glad I don’t have some of the things. “Things” can potentially distract my life from the Creator’s plans.

Abraham is an excellent example of waiting on God. “After waiting patiently, Abraham attained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15 CEV). Don’t forget, this dear saint tried to help God by fathering Ishmael, a thorn to Israel.

Thanksgiving is another opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness. It’s a time to pause, appreciate, and express our gratitude for His provisions for you and those you love. Would you take a moment to do this?

Words flow through our minds and out of our mouths before we realize their power. Are they the words of the Spirit of God or just our thoughts?

“A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings” (Proverbs 25:11 CSB) is the admonishment of scripture. Choosing words wisely is not just a skill. It’s a responsibility. Pouring out fleshly words may not be the better choice.

Words have the power to heal or harm, and the choice rests within the heart of the speaker. Choose your vocabulary wisely. Isaiah knew the source of his speech. “The LORD God gives me the right words to encourage the weary” (50:4 CEV). Our God is our best source for resourceful words in every situation.

Knowing how and when to speak lies in our reliance upon the Lord. Are we willing to spend time with Him? Reading the Bible strengthens our spiritual foundation while seeking His guidance through our meditation. Meditation, in this context, is not about emptying our minds but filling them with God’s Word and listening for His voice. Prayer prepares us for the events of the approaching day and our situations. We don’t know what each day holds, but we know the One who does.

Starting your day with God is your guarantee that whatever is before you will be better when you ask for His guidance and depend upon Him.

Imagine what it will be like when you enter eternity. Angels will be waiting for you to take your last breath. The believer has a one-way ticket to heaven. The angels are not your escort because they carry you to heaven (Luke 16:22). Inside the pearly gates, the streets are pure gold and brightly gleaming, capturing your attention momentarily. You see everything is pure; maybe it’s then that you recognize you’re in your glorified body.   

The reception will be glorious. The throne room of God is, as always, magnificent. God the Father and Jesus are there. I don’t know if we are allowed to hug our Savior after we bow before Him, but I hope we’re permitted to do so.   

Imagine the thrill of meeting our loved ones and the saints we have read about in our Bibles. Picture asking Noah about his reaction to the first raindrops on the ark. Or conversing with the unnamed Israelites about their thoughts as they walked through the Red Sea. Then, listen to those who crossed the Jordan River on dry ground and hear the excitement in their voices as they describe their shout and seeing the walls of Jericho falling. Or hearing the angel’s excitement as he recounts his conversation with Mary, telling her she would be the birth mother of Jesus. We would love to hear Peter talk about speaking on the day of Pentecost and witnessing 3,000 people come to Christ.   

Just think about meeting saints from centuries past and hearing how God used them. You could reciprocate by telling how the Lord used you to reach your loved ones with the Lord’s marvelous story. Heaven is going to be great because of Jesus.   

After all the greetings are over, we will have the incredible privilege of worshiping Jesus for eternity. We can see Jesus and serve Him like never before. What an honor this will be for us.   

Serving Him here will prepare each believer to serve Him better there. 

Some people are multi-talented and have the ability to multitask. However, I’ve found that I do better by focusing on one thing at a time. Experience has taught me this lesson. I tried multitasking and accomplished much, but I couldn’t remember if each project I completed was my best or just good.  

Scripture has the answer and our due diligence in examining it for life’s answers. Focus is the key that unlocks doors. I searched several different versions of the Bible to find verses that best relate to the 21st-century individual. “One thing I do know I was blind, and now I can see” (John 9:25 CSB). This verse describes my spiritual journey. I can see life better when I apply Bible principles.  

Martha was upset about doing all the preparation work for serving and complained to Jesus that Mary wasn’t helping. Mary chose to learn Bible principles instead. The Lord responded to Martha saying, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42 NLT). Mary’s choice to learn about the Lord challenges us to do the same.  

In writing to the church at Philippi, the apostle Paul wrote, “But I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13 NLT). Paul didn’t dwell on the past, the good or the bad. He kept going forward and doing the best he could for the Lord. We should do the same.  

Peter wrote, “Do not forget this one thing” 2 Peter 3:8 NKJV). Peter came to realize the Lord is patient with his children. That’s not a license for us to delay doing the Lord’s work, but to be discerning and move when God is working. The Lord accomplishes His work when it’s best in His opinion, not ours. Remember to wait on the Lord, then act.  

The psalmist, David, became concerned about one thing in 27:4. “To live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life delighting in the LORD’s perfections” (NLT).  

When our focus is “one thing,” pleasing the Lord, then life has its most valuable meaning. 

Some people are multi-talented and have the ability to multitask. However, I’ve found that I do better by focusing on one thing at a time. Experience has taught me this lesson. I tried multitasking and accomplished much, but I couldn’t remember if each project I completed was my best or just good.  

Scripture has the answer and our due diligence in examining it for life’s answers. Focus is the key that unlocks doors. I searched several different versions of the Bible to find verses that best relate to the 21st-century individual. “One thing I do know I was blind, and now I can see” (John 9:25 CSB). This verse describes my spiritual journey. I can see life better when I apply Bible principles.  

Martha was upset about doing all the preparation work for serving and complained to Jesus that Mary wasn’t helping. Mary chose to learn Bible principles instead. The Lord responded to Martha saying, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42 NLT). Mary’s choice to learn about the Lord challenges us to do the same.  

In writing to the church at Philippi, the apostle Paul wrote, “But I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13 NLT). Paul didn’t dwell on the past, the good or the bad. He kept going forward and doing the best he could for the Lord. We should do the same.  

Peter wrote, “Do not forget this one thing” 2 Peter 3:8 NKJV). Peter came to realize the Lord is patient with his children. That’s not a license for us to delay doing the Lord’s work, but to be discerning and move when God is working. The Lord accomplishes His work when it’s best in His opinion, not ours. Remember to wait on the Lord, then act.  

The psalmist, David, became concerned about one thing in 27:4. “To live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life delighting in the LORD’s perfections” (NLT).  

When our focus is “one thing,” pleasing the Lord, then life has its most valuable meaning. 

“The teachings of Jesus were true because He is the truth, so we can know Him. He fulfills the truth, so we can trust Him. He tells the truth, so we obey Him. He models the truth, so we can emulate Him. He predicts the truth, so we can expect Him. And He comforts us with the truth, so we can love Him.”1

I came across these words of comfort and encouragement this morning. They will surely uplift and strengthen you as you walk your walk of faith. Our Lord is ALWAYS there for us as we strive to do our best for Him. Despite life’sunpredictability and challenging circumstances, our wonderful Lord will never fail to be with us. We serve a wonderful Savior, and one day, we will understand just how wonderful He is. May the Lord of the truth bless you this day. 

1David Jeremiah, Strength for Today (San Diego, CA: Turning Point,2020), 315. 

The Lord doesn’t necessarily work within the confines of a person’s intellect. His extraordinary abilities surpass our capacity for comprehension. Such would be the likes of Moses dividing the Red Sea (Exodus14:21), Elijah calling down fire on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-38), Daniel sleeping in a lion’s den (Daniel 6:22), or all the passengers with Paul making it safely to land (Acts 27:37-44).  

God is still looking for individuals who will rely upon Him. Our problem is commitment. That’s the issue that drives a wedge between believers. Commitment is the same issue dividing organizations, marriages, and churches.  

Three words come to mind when I think about commitment and faith. 

These words, Holey, Wholly, and Holy, are not just random choices for the title of this blog. They represent different levels of commitment, devotion, and society’s practice of these tells a history of mankind.  

Holey, by my definition, signifies a convenient commitment. Saying and doing what looks agreeable for the moment to impress somebody isn’t dedication, but a temporary solution while waiting for something better.  

The second word that comes to mind is wholly. The spelling is unusual but drives home the point—something different, a commitment to stay the course through thick and thin so everything fits together. For example, marriages have this dedication. Some churches have the same glue.  

Then, there is the third word in the title of this blog: Holy. It’s a descriptive word of deity, godly beliefs, and practices that go a step beyond being wholly committed. Humanly, it’s putting God first in our lives, on the good and bad days. The prophet Jeremiah was wholly committed to the Lord while practicing holiness and following God’s leadership. His dedication to his God was contrary to the powers in his surroundings. The result was great hardships for him, but holy he was in all his doings. Renewed dedication was his daily goal—unwavering loyalty to our wonderful God. 

When you think of yourself, which of these three words describes you? If you are not satisfied with your assessment, what are you willing to do? 

Kids are beginning to build their wish lists for Christmas. Yesterday, I babysat our great-granddaughter, who turns four within a month. She spotted the toy catalogs. They were on the couch for planning. As she began to turn the pages, her favorite expression was in the repeat mode. I want this, this, this, too, and on and on. “This” totaled about fifty items.  

She has high hopes. Hopes and dreams start early in life, wrapped in the innocence and purity of childhood. Sometimes, these hopes blossom into reality. Then, there are those other times.  

Adults are children in bigger clothes. They, too, have hopes and dreams. Some are willing to work long and hard for them. Contentment may arrive soon for some, but for most, it’s later, if ever. As age advances, earthly hopes may be fleeting.  

Spiritual hopes have a way of increasing as the days and years go by. Advanced age brings peace and hope for another day—with health. Tranquility creates a new norm for observing the youth with all their energy and aspirations.  

Hope has new meaning for those with wrinkles and a lack of energy—the hope of sparing the young and the not-so-young some heartaches and heartbreaks along the way.   

As we age, purpose and sharing begin to creep into the picture. We start to wonder what eternity will be like and how we can prepare ourselves and help others do the same. Hope becomes a guiding force, a new source, and a spring of freshness. It’s hope that fuels our actions and the belief that one day, they, too, will find hope for those they love.   

Hope for the day and tomorrow replenishes our spring of hope, which never really dies.  

“It is good that one should hope and wait quietly” (Lamentations 3:26 NKJV) 

What do you do? Are you striving for grandiose things? Fame and money may be elusive, but the influence is within your grasp. It’s about the impact you can have on others. Your sphere may be small, but it can also be powerful. 

I think of Ed Kimbel, an ordinary Sunday School teacher of young men. One of his students didn’t know the Lord. So, on a Saturday, he decided to visit the young man in his workplace. Kimbell led the salesman to Christ in the backroom of a shoe store. The young adult would become world famous. His fame drew tens of thousands. His audiences were huge. 

The interconnecting string of events is just beginning. Wilbur Chapman came to hear this ex-shoe salesman, and soon, he to would be a famous evangelist. One day, a professional baseball player came to hear Chapman. Billy’s conversion led him to quit baseball and succeed Chapman. His meetings, known as the sawdust trail, saw the conversion of another soon–to–be evangelist, Mordecai Ham. In one of his revivals in Charlotte, NC, a teenager would wander in to hear the message. Billy Graham came to know Christ because of those meetings. 

If you read the stats of Graham, over two BILLION heard this man proclaim the gospel. 

Mr. Kimbell couldn’t speak to a stadium full of people or stand before a television camera and broadcast his message to millions worldwide. However, he could enter a stock room and share the Good News to D. L. Moody. 

You see, obedience to share can still start a chain reaction—one that has the potential to reach people and places that you will never see. Obedience starts with you.  When you are the one, there’s no telling how great you will be in the eyes of God! Earthy fame isn’t important. You may be a nobody in the world’s eyes, yet, in God’s eyes, you are the one who will say yes to Him. That makes you a link to change the world. 

Numbers are digits and figures; they add up to make sums. Some stand out for one reason or another. Seven is the number of days in a week. That number also explains what happens on each day of the creation process. There are twelve tribes in Israel, and the Lord’s disciples are twelve. There’s nothing magical about the number, but something is special about them. 

It’s often said that life begins at forty. For me, life came together around that age. It was then that I realized what was important and why. Maturity seemed to come my way then, and I began to put things into the proper perspective.

People say forty is good. What about eighty? Is it twice as good as forty? The Lord seemed to like that number. Eighty is the age of Moses at the burning bush. 

The National Center for Health Statistics states, “The average life expectancy at birth is 77.5 years for both sexes, with males at 74.8 years and females at 80.2 years. Where is God in those numbers? God appeared and changed Moses at the age of eighty. In his first forty years, he was the adopted child in Pharoah’s family. For the next forty years, he lived in exile as a shepherd.

God met Moses in the lonesome plains while he was leading his flock to green pastures. Suddenly, he was shocked at the sight of a bush burning, yet the fire did not consume it! Out of curiosity, Moses crept closer. Then God spoke, summoning Moses to a new station in life, Israel’s new leader. No Preparation. No warning. God said, “You’re the one that I want.” 

New spiritual opportunities await every believer. You don’t need a burning bush experience. The small, quiet voice of the Lord will speak to you. You may be in a crowd or on a walk, but you may hear a voice or feel a tug at your heart, and you’ll know that the Lord is dealing with you.  

If we pay close attention, God’s work in our lives is continuous. He has more for you to do. As long as the Lord gives you breath, there is some place for you to serve Him. His plan for you is ongoing. 

The question is, how will you respond to the Almighty?