The disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee with Jesus. (Mark 4). Jesus decided to take a nap. There was a sudden a great and furious storm. Then the disciples started trippin'! LOL! We used to say that in high school, "trippin'".
The story really hits home because as readers we realize how silly the disciples were knowing that the Son of God was in the boat with them!
"Master!!! Do you not care that we are dyyyyinnng?!?!" They yell over to the Lord across the storm tossed boat.
Jesus, though fully Divine, was fully human. He had been working in ministry and teaching all day. He spoke in many parables about the Kingdom of Heaven trying to help the people understand. Then after teaching he taught His disciples further revealing to them deeper meanings. He got onto the boat so that he could sit down and rest while he taught from the shores. After he finished teaching, Jesus just wanted to take a little rest on the water.
But the disciples' faith was immediately tested and they hardly passed the test. What would they have done if Jesus jsut slept through the whole thing? Would they have jumped off the boat and left the Lord sleeping in the boat while they tried to swim away from the storm?
They woke Jesus up with their yelling and panicking. "Peace, be still," Jesus says to the storm. Instantly, the waters were calm and peaceful.
Jesus gets up looks at the furious storm and says:
Then he turns to his disciples and says: "Why are you so afraid? Where's your faith?!"
The disciples have no answer. But they learned that day that their Lord could control the weather!
As a child, in my mind, I always imagined Jesus rolling his eyes and going back to His nap! LOL! But the Lord responded in love to His disciples, and I think that a renewed sense of calm and trust began flowing between Himself and the disciples...and the weather. Perhaps, they all settled down for a nap. But the Scripture says that the disciples were in awe and their fear of the storm turned to fear of the Lord after seeing His authority over the storm!
What amazes me is that the Lord always takes care of our Spiritual needs and our physical needs. Food for the soul, rest for the body, peace for the mind.
I would be very worried if I was in the boat and Jesus was NOT in there with me! Are you going through a storm right now? Stay in the boat with Jesus! Trust Him. No need to worry! Stay where Jesus is because there is peace in the center of that storm.
Thought
Are you going through one of life's storms right now? Look for Jesus and trust that HE is your peace in the center of that storm!
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to learn how to trust You more. Even when life is tossing us about like a raging and furious storm! Give us Your peace and hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Read Mark 4
Song in My Head
'Lord, I could sing of YOUR goodness all day long. For YOU are so amazing to me! I lift my hands in adoration to YOU!' -Forever Jones
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Struggle Into Your Strength
Have you ever stopped to look at a caterpillar in a cocoon? A cool little mystery the way it gets all neatly wrapped up and snug and warm, sleeping in there all cozy. Hmmm. Yet there it is in a seemingly deep and refreshing sleep. Ahhh sleep. But in the middle of the dreamlike state the caterpillar outgrows its surroundings! One day, it begins to burst forth out of its cocoon!
I’ve heard stories about a young boy who saw a caterpillar struggling to emerge from a cocoon. He was filled with a great deal of compassion. He wanted to help the poor thing. He wanted to make the caterpillar's life easier. He ran inside the house and begged his mother for a pair of scissors.
The boy's mother knew that he was up to something. She followed him outside. He knelt down and looked again at the struggling caterpillar. It had beautiful wings protruding from its back! But it seemed to be in a great deal of pain as it tried again and again to rid itself of the cocoon that contained it.
The boy, with tears in his eyes cut the cocoon from the caterpillar. He was amazed to see a beautiful butterfly as the remains of the cocoon fell away to the ground.
The butterfly stumbled, limped really, and began dragging its wings behind it. The butterfly’s wings were too heavy. He seemed to not have enough strength to lift his wings an fly!
“Mommy, why isn’t the butterfly flying?” the boy asked his mother with tears in his eyes. She too was crying.
“Honey, you helped too much. That butterfly needed to build his muscles, but you made it too easy for him. He needed to struggle his way out before he could fly.”
“Mommy, I was trying to help him. He was looking’ like he was in pain.”
As the story goes, the butterfly never flew, nor did it ever come to know its full potential. It was crippled for life and continued to drag its wings until a few hours later it died brokenhearted, too weak to go on.
When tough times come the easy and quick fix seems to be the best way to make things better. Tough love is still love! I am a witness that in your struggles through life, you will gain strength! But you must keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. Always go where Jesus goes. If He is standing still don’t move ahead of Him or fall away. Just stand still with Him. Patience is a virtue, a gift. To learn it well is a priceless thing for every believer.
I believe that the Lord is reminding us all in the body of Christ, and also individually about not living up to our full potential in Him. There are believers who would rather stay cozy in their cocoons rather than to try and trust in the Lord. God is not boring. He’s not deaf. He’s not some old guy sitting on a cloud with a large bottle of tobasco sauce! (Like in the old super bowl commercial, LOL!)
The Bible says that God is love. (1 John 4:7-8.) And now, "Love" as in God wants you to be the best version of you that you could ever be in Him! Embrace your trials. Allow them to push you closer to the one True Living God. Take time to struggle into your new strength! Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, do not lean to your own unerstanding! (Proverbs 3:5-7) Now, watch God move in your life as you move, as you struggle into your new strength! And remember this: you 'can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!' (Philippians 4:13).
Thoughts
Have you outgrown something in your life? Is the Lord telling you to move on up to the next level in your walk of faith with Him?
Prayer
Lord, for those of us who may be struggling to grow, help us to have the right attitude and mind of Christ! Make us stronger
Read
Psalm 121, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 12:9
Song In My Head
‘Glory! Glory in your sanctuary! Splendor and majesty Lord! Before You all life adores You! All the earth will declare that your love is everywhere!’ -All the Earth, Don Moen
I’ve heard stories about a young boy who saw a caterpillar struggling to emerge from a cocoon. He was filled with a great deal of compassion. He wanted to help the poor thing. He wanted to make the caterpillar's life easier. He ran inside the house and begged his mother for a pair of scissors.
The boy's mother knew that he was up to something. She followed him outside. He knelt down and looked again at the struggling caterpillar. It had beautiful wings protruding from its back! But it seemed to be in a great deal of pain as it tried again and again to rid itself of the cocoon that contained it.
The boy, with tears in his eyes cut the cocoon from the caterpillar. He was amazed to see a beautiful butterfly as the remains of the cocoon fell away to the ground.
The butterfly stumbled, limped really, and began dragging its wings behind it. The butterfly’s wings were too heavy. He seemed to not have enough strength to lift his wings an fly!
“Mommy, why isn’t the butterfly flying?” the boy asked his mother with tears in his eyes. She too was crying.
“Honey, you helped too much. That butterfly needed to build his muscles, but you made it too easy for him. He needed to struggle his way out before he could fly.”
“Mommy, I was trying to help him. He was looking’ like he was in pain.”
As the story goes, the butterfly never flew, nor did it ever come to know its full potential. It was crippled for life and continued to drag its wings until a few hours later it died brokenhearted, too weak to go on.
When tough times come the easy and quick fix seems to be the best way to make things better. Tough love is still love! I am a witness that in your struggles through life, you will gain strength! But you must keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. Always go where Jesus goes. If He is standing still don’t move ahead of Him or fall away. Just stand still with Him. Patience is a virtue, a gift. To learn it well is a priceless thing for every believer.
I believe that the Lord is reminding us all in the body of Christ, and also individually about not living up to our full potential in Him. There are believers who would rather stay cozy in their cocoons rather than to try and trust in the Lord. God is not boring. He’s not deaf. He’s not some old guy sitting on a cloud with a large bottle of tobasco sauce! (Like in the old super bowl commercial, LOL!)
The Bible says that God is love. (1 John 4:7-8.) And now, "Love" as in God wants you to be the best version of you that you could ever be in Him! Embrace your trials. Allow them to push you closer to the one True Living God. Take time to struggle into your new strength! Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, do not lean to your own unerstanding! (Proverbs 3:5-7) Now, watch God move in your life as you move, as you struggle into your new strength! And remember this: you 'can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!' (Philippians 4:13).
Thoughts
Have you outgrown something in your life? Is the Lord telling you to move on up to the next level in your walk of faith with Him?
Prayer
Lord, for those of us who may be struggling to grow, help us to have the right attitude and mind of Christ! Make us stronger
Read
Psalm 121, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 12:9
Song In My Head
‘Glory! Glory in your sanctuary! Splendor and majesty Lord! Before You all life adores You! All the earth will declare that your love is everywhere!’ -All the Earth, Don Moen
Thursday, November 18, 2010
We Make It Harder Than It Has To Be (Part 2)
Jesus said that it is harder for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven than it is for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle! (Matthew 19:24) Wow! Jesus was pretty clear on this concept. This tells me that the love of money and things and power will keep you from truly experiencing the fullness and wholeness of the love of God that he freely gives!
Why allow yourself to love money and things more than truly experiencing love from a Living God who actively pursues us with His grace and mercy? David says that no matter where you go in life, God is there and if He is not, He can see you and know your heart. (Psalm 139).
It is not hard to become a Christian, but if your heart is not willing to accept Him, you will suffer the trials of this dark world in the worst way, without His help and guidance. You cannot have both this dark world and the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy… (Romans 14:17).
And once you have Jesus, He has promised to send you the Comforter, that is the Spirit of God to guide you. As Christians we are in the world, but not apart of it. But you have to accept Jesus into your heart
Jesus said that in this world you will have trouble. (John 16:33) He goes on to say that He has overcome the world. Why not put your trust in the One who has already overcome this troubled world?
Thought
What must I do to be saved?
Ask God to reveal Himself to you in a real way. Pray this prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I am a sinner. Please forgive me of my sins and be Lord of my life. Show me the way, the truth, and the life. Help me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer
Dear God, Put a sense of urgency in the hearts of all who read this blog and are not already saved that they might come to understand how important it is to call upon your name, Lord Jesus, and be saved.
Read
St. John, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:1-10
Song in my Head
‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, Alleluia!’
Why allow yourself to love money and things more than truly experiencing love from a Living God who actively pursues us with His grace and mercy? David says that no matter where you go in life, God is there and if He is not, He can see you and know your heart. (Psalm 139).
It is not hard to become a Christian, but if your heart is not willing to accept Him, you will suffer the trials of this dark world in the worst way, without His help and guidance. You cannot have both this dark world and the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy… (Romans 14:17).
And once you have Jesus, He has promised to send you the Comforter, that is the Spirit of God to guide you. As Christians we are in the world, but not apart of it. But you have to accept Jesus into your heart
Jesus said that in this world you will have trouble. (John 16:33) He goes on to say that He has overcome the world. Why not put your trust in the One who has already overcome this troubled world?
Thought
What must I do to be saved?
Ask God to reveal Himself to you in a real way. Pray this prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I am a sinner. Please forgive me of my sins and be Lord of my life. Show me the way, the truth, and the life. Help me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer
Dear God, Put a sense of urgency in the hearts of all who read this blog and are not already saved that they might come to understand how important it is to call upon your name, Lord Jesus, and be saved.
Read
St. John, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:1-10
Song in my Head
‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, Alleluia!’
Saturday, October 30, 2010
It’s Not That Difficult!
Some people have the idea that becoming a Christian is difficult.
What does it mean to be a Christian?
It means following Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. It means that you have made a decision to live your life with God’s will in mind. You accept in your heart that Jesus died a terrible death for you out of love. And that He arose from death after three days as a conqueror over our sins, and over all evil! To be a Christian, you must confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord of your life and accept His love for you and His path for your life.
It is a life changing experience! All of the worldy things that weigh you down, addictions, hatred, bitterness, etc. Such sins that are heartbreaking to the heart of God are washed away. With Jesus, all things are become new. You will be a new creation in God’s kingdom!
Jesus said it: to enter into the kingdom of heaven you must have faith like a little child. Trust only Him. (Matthew 18).
The apostle Paul wrote that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and declare that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, (Romans 10:9).
Why Jesus? Most everyone on the earth can see that we live in a broken world. God was moved with compassion and sent His only Son Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice to pay the cost for our sins.
Jesus‘ time spent here on earth, being fully human and fully Divine, was a historical and ground breaking event. The world has not been the same since! He not only died a terrible death: the worst form of capitol punishment ever inflicted on an innocent person. He regained territory in Hell by taking back the keys to death, Hell and the grave away from Satan. And on the third day, after His seeming defeat He arose from the grave victorious so that he might sit at the right hand of God the Father.
Now we may boldly approach the Throne of God the Father with Jesus as our mediator! Such grace and mercy poured out onto a broken world!
Over 500 people witnessed Jesus walking about the earth after he was supposed to be dead! It is written down in history. No one can say that Jesus never existed!
He is historical, He is a prophet, He is a teacher, He is mission-minded, He inspired the writer’s of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark Luke and John), He fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 53), He is the Messiah! But most importantly He is the Son of the Living God and He did it all in love for you, for me, for all of us.
It’s not all that difficult to understand that a God who loves so deeply the people that He has created wants so terribly to have a relationship even to the extreme of sacrificing His only Son, Jesus.
The problem with the world today is that people do not understand such pure unconditional love from a living God through His only Son. Most feel inadequate for receiving such love. The love and forgiveness of Jesus is free. In child-like faith will you accept the love of Jesus today?
Thought
Accepting Jesus is only difficult if you have already chosen to reject Him.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Jesus I declare you as Lord of my life! Please forgive me of all my sins today. I believe that you are the Son of God and that He raised you from the dead. Thank you for saving me, please make me whole in you and show me the way of truth, life, righteousness, peace and joy! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Read
The Gospel of St. John
Song in my Head
‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you, Allelu-Alleluia!’ -children’s Bible song
What does it mean to be a Christian?
It means following Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. It means that you have made a decision to live your life with God’s will in mind. You accept in your heart that Jesus died a terrible death for you out of love. And that He arose from death after three days as a conqueror over our sins, and over all evil! To be a Christian, you must confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord of your life and accept His love for you and His path for your life.
It is a life changing experience! All of the worldy things that weigh you down, addictions, hatred, bitterness, etc. Such sins that are heartbreaking to the heart of God are washed away. With Jesus, all things are become new. You will be a new creation in God’s kingdom!
Jesus said it: to enter into the kingdom of heaven you must have faith like a little child. Trust only Him. (Matthew 18).
The apostle Paul wrote that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and declare that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, (Romans 10:9).
Why Jesus? Most everyone on the earth can see that we live in a broken world. God was moved with compassion and sent His only Son Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice to pay the cost for our sins.
Jesus‘ time spent here on earth, being fully human and fully Divine, was a historical and ground breaking event. The world has not been the same since! He not only died a terrible death: the worst form of capitol punishment ever inflicted on an innocent person. He regained territory in Hell by taking back the keys to death, Hell and the grave away from Satan. And on the third day, after His seeming defeat He arose from the grave victorious so that he might sit at the right hand of God the Father.
Now we may boldly approach the Throne of God the Father with Jesus as our mediator! Such grace and mercy poured out onto a broken world!
Over 500 people witnessed Jesus walking about the earth after he was supposed to be dead! It is written down in history. No one can say that Jesus never existed!
He is historical, He is a prophet, He is a teacher, He is mission-minded, He inspired the writer’s of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark Luke and John), He fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 53), He is the Messiah! But most importantly He is the Son of the Living God and He did it all in love for you, for me, for all of us.
It’s not all that difficult to understand that a God who loves so deeply the people that He has created wants so terribly to have a relationship even to the extreme of sacrificing His only Son, Jesus.
The problem with the world today is that people do not understand such pure unconditional love from a living God through His only Son. Most feel inadequate for receiving such love. The love and forgiveness of Jesus is free. In child-like faith will you accept the love of Jesus today?
Thought
Accepting Jesus is only difficult if you have already chosen to reject Him.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Jesus I declare you as Lord of my life! Please forgive me of all my sins today. I believe that you are the Son of God and that He raised you from the dead. Thank you for saving me, please make me whole in you and show me the way of truth, life, righteousness, peace and joy! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Read
The Gospel of St. John
Song in my Head
‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you, Allelu-Alleluia!’ -children’s Bible song
Friday, October 1, 2010
Lord, I Want to Say "Thank You!"
In Pixar’s hit movie The Incredible’s there is a scene with Elastigirl jumping from a plane with two of her children. They had been under attack from the enemy and had no choice but to jump. Elastigirl's first instinct is to protect her children. She has a gift for being extremely flexible so she spreads herself like a sheet and becomes a human parachute. She and her children safely land in the water below and swim to shore.
This is an odd movie scene to remember, but it speaks volumes about a Mother’s love and instincts. How much more does God love us and instictively know how to protect us? He is all-knowing, all-powerful! Think about it. How many quick prayers do you breathe every day? Imagine all the prayers going up to God right now:
Lord, please help me to get to work on time… Dear God, please don’t let there be traffic today. Please let me get an “A” on my test… Oh my God! Help me through this meeting! Dear God, please let my daughter be standing in front of the school when I pick her up today… God? I know I don’t talk to you much, but could you please let the team win tonight? …And God if you’re not too busy, let us win that trophy? Please let it be sunny today, God! Dear God please let it be windy enough today so that I can go out in my boat…. Dear God, I hate the heat! Please let it be cold tomorrow! Dear God, we come before you today asking that you would bless the food that we are about to partake…. God please let me have green lights all the way home! Please let there be hot water for me to wash with… Please take care of my dog while I am gone today… Dear Lord Jesus, please help me when I speak at the convention tonight. Give me the words to say… God please help the gas in my car to last longer this time! …Oh God, help me to find my keys!…Please let me be the first in line for the movie tonight, God...Please let there be money in my account today...
It may seem that many of these are silly prayers. However, God cares enough to answer them all. He is very interested and attentive to us. (Matthew 6).How many prayers have you whispered to God today? The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. (I Thessalonians 5).
But when He answers, do you remember to go back and say “thank you for answering my prayers, Lord!”? We’ve all done it. I sure have forgotten to go back and say thank you, but then I get my feathers all in a bunch when someone doesn’t thank me! LOL! Like when you’re driving and you give someone a break in traffic and they just take it without giving you the thank you wave or mouthing the words “thanks!”
How much more important is it for us to remember to go back and thank God for saving us, protecting us, healing us, watching over us as we sleep, waking us up in good health, and so much more? How you pray reflects how much you know about God. But one cannot know God without spending time and praying to Him and worshiping Him!
Questions
When was the last time you took time to just thank and praise God for all that He has done and is doing in your life? Are you grateful to Him?
Prayer
Dear God, help us to be more aware of all the things that you are doing for us and through us in our lives! But most of all help us to never take You for granted. Thank you so much, Lord God for Your love and for lavishing love on us when we least deserve it! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read
Psalm 9:1-2, Psalm 51:15, Psalm 103:1-2, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, I Thessalonians 5
Song in my Head
‘Thank you for the cross, Lord! Thank you for the price you paid! Bearing all my sin and shame in love you came and gave amazing grace! Thank you for this life, Lord, that you for the nail pierced hands! Wash me in your cleansing flow. Now, all I know is your forgiveness and embrace! Worthy is the Lamb seated on the throne!’ -Darlene Zschech
This is an odd movie scene to remember, but it speaks volumes about a Mother’s love and instincts. How much more does God love us and instictively know how to protect us? He is all-knowing, all-powerful! Think about it. How many quick prayers do you breathe every day? Imagine all the prayers going up to God right now:
Lord, please help me to get to work on time… Dear God, please don’t let there be traffic today. Please let me get an “A” on my test… Oh my God! Help me through this meeting! Dear God, please let my daughter be standing in front of the school when I pick her up today… God? I know I don’t talk to you much, but could you please let the team win tonight? …And God if you’re not too busy, let us win that trophy? Please let it be sunny today, God! Dear God please let it be windy enough today so that I can go out in my boat…. Dear God, I hate the heat! Please let it be cold tomorrow! Dear God, we come before you today asking that you would bless the food that we are about to partake…. God please let me have green lights all the way home! Please let there be hot water for me to wash with… Please take care of my dog while I am gone today… Dear Lord Jesus, please help me when I speak at the convention tonight. Give me the words to say… God please help the gas in my car to last longer this time! …Oh God, help me to find my keys!…Please let me be the first in line for the movie tonight, God...Please let there be money in my account today...
It may seem that many of these are silly prayers. However, God cares enough to answer them all. He is very interested and attentive to us. (Matthew 6).How many prayers have you whispered to God today? The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. (I Thessalonians 5).
But when He answers, do you remember to go back and say “thank you for answering my prayers, Lord!”? We’ve all done it. I sure have forgotten to go back and say thank you, but then I get my feathers all in a bunch when someone doesn’t thank me! LOL! Like when you’re driving and you give someone a break in traffic and they just take it without giving you the thank you wave or mouthing the words “thanks!”
How much more important is it for us to remember to go back and thank God for saving us, protecting us, healing us, watching over us as we sleep, waking us up in good health, and so much more? How you pray reflects how much you know about God. But one cannot know God without spending time and praying to Him and worshiping Him!
Questions
When was the last time you took time to just thank and praise God for all that He has done and is doing in your life? Are you grateful to Him?
Prayer
Dear God, help us to be more aware of all the things that you are doing for us and through us in our lives! But most of all help us to never take You for granted. Thank you so much, Lord God for Your love and for lavishing love on us when we least deserve it! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read
Psalm 9:1-2, Psalm 51:15, Psalm 103:1-2, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, I Thessalonians 5
Song in my Head
‘Thank you for the cross, Lord! Thank you for the price you paid! Bearing all my sin and shame in love you came and gave amazing grace! Thank you for this life, Lord, that you for the nail pierced hands! Wash me in your cleansing flow. Now, all I know is your forgiveness and embrace! Worthy is the Lamb seated on the throne!’ -Darlene Zschech
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Are You Getting Ready?
Have you ever tried to do something important that took time to achieve? It is human nature to desire success. For example, if you are a student in school you know how hard it is to get the “A+” in every class. It takes hard work, preparation, time in the library, time in study groups, money, prioritizing your time, buying books, reading the books, taking notes, going to class, going to class on time, and a ton of effort.
Not sure if this blog will make sense to anyone, but it’s on my heart: Time to get ready for work in God's kingdom. Think of all the people in the Bible who had to get ready: Moses (Exodus 2-40), Elisha (1 Kings 19-2 Kings 13), Joseph (Genesis 37-45), just to name a few who had to wait a long time in preparation for their callings.
Getting ready takes time. Sometimes you have to go back and fix something so that the big picture can function as a unified whole. Sometimes you have to be tested and tried for endurance before the race. If you are ill prepared, it may not show right now, but it sure will come out later. for example, you might be able to slide by in school by “bluffing” or “cheating”, but the truth is that one day it will matter. It matters to God. What will you say to God about the "A+" you received because you cheated?
I often think about Joseph in the Bible and how he was in prison for a long time for something he did not do. But it was during that time that God blessed him. He became a man of God while down in that prison. However, Joseph remained faithful to God. He probably had a lot of time to fast and pray which made him ready mentally and spiritually for the next level in his walk with God. Is it possible that Joseph would have made a good advisor to the Pharaoh if he had not first gone through all those struggles in Prison and the many setbacks that life threw at him? I doubt it. God rewarded Joseph for his faithfulness and steadfast devotion to the one true and Living God.
Are you getting ready for something that God has for you to do in His kingdom? And when the time comes for you to run that race, or take that test. You will be able to say that you did everything possible to be prepared.
As a young musician, I took private music lessons. A very wise music teacher once told me: “Don’t just practice the first bassoon part! Practice the second bassoon part and the third bassoon part and the contrabassoon part! Be ready!” You never know how being over-prepared can lead to promotion. And how being underprepared can lead to shame, even demotion.
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15:
‘Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.’ (AMP)
Being ready means that you can be used by God in any capacity whenever and however He so chooses. Are you ready to get ready? God is always ready for you.
Questions
What are you needing to get ready for today? Are you getting impatient?
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to be ready to do your will at any time whenever and however You might need us. Let us prepare ourselves in patience and grace before You for work in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read about Joseph in Genesis Chapters 37-45 (NIV)
Also check out 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
Song in my Head
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see You. To see You high and lifted up shining in the light of Your glory! Pour out You power and love…’ -M.W. Smith
Monday, September 6, 2010
Wait On the Lord
I’ve been thinking about this particular blog idea for several weeks. The idea of waiting for something can be overwhelming for a lot of people. It’s like when you’re at the DMV waiting, and waiting, and waiting playing that weird Bingo game wishing your number was up. Do you pack a lunch and take a book with you to the DMV? I certainly do, LOL! Or when you go to the doctor and the whole office is behind schedule because one person was late and now everyone in the waiting room has to wait. But this is how life is sometimes. You grow up, you learn to wait. And if you never learn how to wait, you end up looking childish over and over again.
Gotta pass this test otherwise, I’ll have to take it again. Gotta learn how to wait on the Lord.
I saw a t-shirt advertising the movie Forrest Gump one time and it said: “Gump happens.” Sometimes, life happens, but it is in these moments of waiting that our character is truly seen. Like gold in the fire, once purified, it stops jumping and popping and all of the impurities are burned away.
The thing about being a child of God’s kingdom is that you must learn certain things in order to grow. One of those difficult lessons is learning how to wait properly on the Lord.
Wait quietly, seek God’s face, study His Word, memorize His Word, sing worship songs to encourage yourself, encourage others to wait for the things of God right alongside you. Talk to people who’ve waited on the Lord and have seen His promises fulfilled in their lives. But most of all, while you wait put your hands to good use in the Lord’s work.
Learn to wait well and the Lord will honor your waiting. Wait, wait well, warrior!
Questions For Reflection
How well do you wait? Are you waiting on the fulfillment of God’s promise today?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Help us to wait on You and to be strengthened as we wait. Make us ready so that when the time is right for the fulfillment of Your promises in Your Holy Word, we will be fully immersed in Your will. Let us not look to the right or to the left, but always to You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read
Some of God’s promises to those who wait: Isaiah 40: 28-31, Psalm 37:9, Psalm 27:14
Song in My Head
‘Wait, wait, wait on the Lord and you’ll see that He will always keep His Word! You must just trust in Him don’t be dismayed…’ D. McClurkin and Karen Clark Sheard
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