Darn....I Should Have Waited....

Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

          
          Timing is everything....a fish is caught if you yank the line at the right time, the groundhog pops its head out at a certain time....the sun comes out and sets at a certain time...a child is born and someone passes at God's appointed time....such is life....all things happen in God's timing...I know sometimes I get impatient and decide for myself when I will do something....if anyone has watched the Bible on the History channel this past Sunday from 8-10 pm eastern time (they will show the entire Bible in 9 more weeks every Sunday...it's a must see)....we saw Sarah telling Abraham that there was absolutely no way she was going to get pregnant...she was so old for crying out loud....so Abraham hung his head low and did the deed after Sarah told him to have a baby with her maid....he came out of Hagar's tent with an even lower head...so Abraham and Hagar did have their own baby....but he wasn't the baby through which the line of Jesus would come from....well....you know the story....one day Sarah does give birth to Isaac...and you guessed it...tension arose between Sarah and Hagar......the rest you can read in Genesis 21. Trusting God equates waiting for Him to answer...sometimes the wait is long....very long in Abraham and Sarah’s story....many will say it was an unbearable wait...but along the journey of waiting....I think God changes our character to be more Godly: temperate, self controlled, gentle, less rough around the edges, more tolerant and compassionate...and isn’t that what it’s all about? 

Things to Think About:

What are you waiting on the Lord for? Keep waiting....

May I Pray? Lord, you tell us to wait on you....thank you for all your provisions...along the waiting...thank you for pruning us and restoring us a little at a time....help us to wait...give us your peace along the wait....we love you Lord! In Jesus name, Amen.

Shhhhhhh

BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

PSALM 46:10

          

          In today's world, life is all about planning, researching, analyzing, comparing, contrasting, yada, yada, yada....I mean these are all good things right? We need to plan to succeed, and plan wisely....we need to weigh the pro's and con's and figure out the best decision....well...all of these are good things...within balance...but what about the verse above? How does one be still and acknowledge God in the storms of life? In major chaos, sickness, death....how do we? Well....this is not easy folks....sickness, death, personal problems, addictions....these are all hard and the process to work through them are more than hard....but I do believe that through it all....when we get down to it and get on our knees and humbly seek the Lord's direction and provision....He tells our hearts to trust Him...yes....footwork is necessary....hey no one's going to ace the SAT's without studying....chuckle chuckle....no one's going to find work without searching and having our eyes wide open...but I do believe God is sovereign....He is in CONTROL....and that is what this verse means to me....to realize God has a plan in motion....and if we align ourselves with Him....he will gently knudge us....go get certified for this....check out that....talk to this person...go on that mission's trip....skip that one....time to work on this....We need to be still and listen for His voice....be still and look for Him in scripture and through our relationships with our friends and family....God will make Himself known. 

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:7

MAY I PRAY? Father, thank you for another day! As we are in the Lent season, we come before you and want to listen for your direction. Quiet our souls and make your presence known to us. Help us be still and acknowledge that you are sovereign and in control. Help us to trust you! In Jesus name, Amen.

The Secret....

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

 Philippians 4:10-13

          This is my pug....Noel is wrapped up in an old blanket....She is the epitome of being content...:))) Sometimes she is fed...sometimes not...sometimes she's walked...sometimes not....sometimes we play with her....sometimes we are too busy....she never complains....what a dog!   
           Paul tells us in this passage the secret to his contentment....what is it? Drum roll please...resting in the ONE who strengthens him...our Lord Jesus...Paul didn't say he was content by working harder, getting more food to eat, having more people converted, or being more comfortable with nicer clothes and better living conditions...he didn't say he was content with a horse to ride, a bed to sleep in, or new sandles for his feet. He said he learned the secret of being content in all situations...whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want....Paul had to choose to go to the LORD FOR RENEWED STRENGTH. God strengthened him....So often in today's instant gratification world we live in....we feel content with getting something new and improved...or having new gadgets...losing a few extra pounds. Even though all these things are nice....esp....the losing a few pounds....did I mention losing a few pounds? But our greatest source of help in the contentometer is being strengthened by our maker. 

Things to Think About:

Have you asked Jesus for strength and confidence today? Or is there someone you can pray for that needs God's strength at this moment?

MAY I PRAY? JESUS, thank you for being our source of contentment! Thank you for making us complete in you! Strengthen each one of us as we serve you as we travel to all different parts of the world to further your kingdom with all the different talents you've given your body. Give us confidence to let your light shine in each one of us even in the hardest moments....carry us and be strong in our weak bodies. As Paul did, help us to truly learn contentness as you strengthen us. Thank you in advance for pruning us and molding us to be more like you! CONTENT! IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!