Wait on the Lord

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalms 27:14

It seems I am always waiting. Waiting for answers, for healing, for Spring, for tomorrow. Waiting for some time other than today, right now. 

What then? When I get "there" (where ever that may be) is that when I start living? Is that when I decide it is okay to relax now? Or is that when I find something else for which to wait?

To be sure, it is good to plan for the future. Where there is no vision, the people perish pr. 29:18. 

However, I need to ask, for what future am I planning? What is the ultimate goal of this plan?  If it is not eternity then I am bound for disappointment, bound to step from trial to trial waiting for an earthly rest that will never be attained. With eternity in sight I can celebrate every victory in Jesus, even those disguised as failures.

As Matthew Henry said, "this earth is the land of the dying." One way or another, some sooner, some later, our earthly bodies will reach the end of their appointed days. Then all our waiting will be over. How will I have spent those days? To profit eternity or clinging to a never-to-be-realized hope?

Lord, teach me to wait patiently and in that waiting to rejoice and be fruitful.

Godly Discontent

 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. - 1 Timothy 2:4 

In my last post we talked about the blessings of contentment.  Is there such a thing as godly discontent?  I think so.

Do we want all men to be saved?  Are we content to allow our unsaved friends and family remain in their dangerous state?

I believe godly contentment frees our hearts and minds for godly discontent.  Contentment comes when we stop dwelling on ourselves and how to better our situation.  We then look around and see that we are surrounded by those who need the love of Christ.

We should not be content with this.

This week let's allow our godly discontent to motivate us.  Let's leave our fears behind, walk in love and change the world for Christ.

The Blessings of Godliness and Contentment

   But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  -1 Timothy 6:6-8  

That sounds good doesn't it?  Just be godly and content and you will have "great gain."   As with most Biblical concepts, this is simple.  Yet, not easy.  

I used to fear that godliness was out of my reach.  I didn't understand what it meant.  Then I researched it a bit.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines godliness as ...belief in God, and reverence for his character and laws.  Well, even I can do that.  I do have belief and reverence for God.  It doesn't always show in my actions but improvement in this area is part of the Christian walk.

What about contentment?  Sometimes I struggle.  I don't (often)want more or nicer things for myself but sometimes I do worry about what tomorrow will bring.  Will we be able to provide for our children in this economy?  During those times I think of this verse:

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  -Hebrews 13:5

What more could I want besides a relationship with my Savior and the promise of eternity with Him?

If my Lord promised that He will never leave me or forsake me, how can I worry about things?  Do I really have a deficit of "stuff" in my life or do I have exactly what the Almighty Provider has given for today?

More and more I am learning to be content with such things as I have.  Therefore, I am learning to experience the "great gain" of peace and joy.

Lord Jesus, forgive my covetousness and lead me into a life of contentment and greater gain than this world has to offer.

It's All About the Love

Love originates in God...

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

We love him, because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19  

We reap blessings from Holy love...

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. - Psalms 119:165  

The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. - Psalms 145:20  

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18 

We are taught how to live through love...

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. - Galatians 5:13-14  

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.- Mat 22:37 - 39

Will you walk in love today?

Hiding from God

 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. ~Psalms 51:6 

This verse from Psalm 51 changed my relationship with God.  

A few years after becoming a Christian I was very busy being religious.  I kept striving to be godly, reaching for the next rung on the ladder to heaven.  

I said yes to every opportunity to "serve."  I had to.  The next good work might be the one that proved to God that I was not struggling.  

One day during my requisite Bible reading I came across these words...Thou desirest truth in the inward parts...  Those words flipped a switch in me.  I instantly realized that it was okay to admit my struggles to God.  Not just okay, in fact, it was His desire.

That was when I poured out my heart to God.  I told Him my struggles and my sins and you know what?  He wasn't shocked.  He already knew every inch of "the inward parts" of my heart.  He just wanted me to release it all to Him, to let Him in so He could heal my broken places.

And He did.

Thank you Jesus that you see our actions before we conceive of them, and hear our words before we speak them.  Knowing all this You still accept us and cover our sins.  Praise You Father.

Where Do You Dwell?

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  - Psalms 91:1-2

For most of my life my dwelling place was in fear and worry.  

By the time I married I had actually developed a philosophy of life based on fear.  I thought that if I imagined the worst case scenario in every situation, that I was protecting myself.  I would never be surprised by the horrible things life had to offer and therefore I would not be hurt by them.

I didn't realize that I was actually bringing all the hurt and pain into my life.  Not all of the terrible scenarios of my mind came to pass in the physical realm.  However, by entertaining the dark thoughts of "what if," I was dwelling among them in my mind and heart.

Every day we must decide where we will dwell.  

Are you being tempted to dwell in fear?  Run home to your savior.  Run to the secret place of the most High.  Declare that the Lord is your fortress, your hiding place where worries can not enter.  He will meet you at the gate and scoop you into His arms.  He will place you in the protection of His shadow.  

Lord Jesus, thank you for being our shelter from the worries of life.  Thank you for healing our wounds, for comforting us in our pain.  Keep us from the temptation of fear.  We rejoice in this day and praise You for this life.  Thank you for abiding among us.

in Jesus name, Amen.