Waiting on the Lord

   A dear friend of mine shared with me the following poem, and it greatly encouraged me to pursue in one of the most challenging areas of life, waiting upon the Lord!  Please, take a moment and read the following. 

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.  

Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied. 

I plead and I wept for a clue to my fate, 

And the Master so gently said, 'Child, you must wait.'

"Wait?', you say, wait!" My indignant reply. 

'Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!' 

Is your hand shortened?  Or have you not heard? 

By FAITH I have asked, and am claiming your word."

"My future and all to which I can relate

Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to WAIT?!"

I'm needing a "yes", a go-ahead sign, 

Or even a "no" to which I can resign"

"And Lord, you promised that if we believe 

We need but ask, and we shall receive.

And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:

I'm weary of asking!  I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate 

As my Master replied once again, "You must wait." 

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut

And grumbled to God, "So I am waiting...for WHAT?" 

He seemed then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine, 

And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.  

I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run. 

All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be. 

You would have what you want...but you wouldn't know ME." 

"You don't know the depth of my love for each saint; 

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint; 

You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;

You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I 'm there; 

You'd not know the joy of resting in me

When darkness and silence were all you could see. 

"You'd never experience that fullness of love

As the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove; 

You'd know that I have and I save...(for a start), 

But you'd not know the depth of the beat in my heart." 

"The glow of my comfort late into the night. 

The faith that I give when you walk without sight, 

The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked

Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST."

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee, 

What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for thee.' 

Yes, your dreams for your loved ones overnight would come true, 

But, oh, the loss!  If I lost what I'm doing in you!" 

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see 

THAT THE GREATEST OF GIFTS IS TO GET TO KNOW ME, 

And though oft may my answers is still but to WAIT.

"And though oft My answers seem terribly late, 

My most precious answer of all is still, WAIT!" 

Poem by

~Russel Kelfer~

Trust and wait upon the Lord dear friends because in this process, we have the privilege of getting to know Him better!  Have a great weekend! 

~Grow in Grace~

(2 Peter 3:18)

The Great Pursuit

     "The Holy Spirit's work in transforming us more and more into the likeness of Christ is called sanctification.  Our involvement and cooperation with Him in His work is what I call the pursuit of holiness.  That expression is taken from Hebrews 12:14: 'Strive for [literally:pursue]...the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.' 

     This pursuit requires sustained, vigorous effort.  It allows for no indolence, no lethargy, no halfhearted commitment, and no laissez-faire attitude toward even the smallest sins.  In short, it demands the highest priority in a Christian's life because to be holy is to be like Christ- God's goal for every Christian.

     The word pursue in this context means to strive to gain or accomplish.  In Philippians 3:12-14, this word is translated 'press on'.  In the New Testament it is most commonly translated 'persecute', carrying the word's common meaning- to track down in order to harm or destroy. 

   At the same time, however, the pursuit of holiness must be anchored in the grace of God; otherwise it is doomed to failure.  That statement probably strikes many people as strange.  A lot of Christians seem to think the grace of God and the vigorous pursuit of holiness are antithetical - in direct and unequivocal opposition. 

   To some, the pursuit of holiness sounds like legalism and man-made rules.  To others, an emphasis on grace seems to open the door to irresponsible behavior based on the notion that God's unconditional love means we're free to sin as we please.

    Grace and the personal discipline required to pursue holiness, however, go hand in hand.  An understanding of how grace and personal vigorous effort work together is essential for a lifelong pursuit of holiness." 

         -Jerry Bridges

Are you pursuing Christ-likeness?!

The Unborn Child

   This is such a beautiful poem written by two amazing friends of mine.  I wanted to share it with you!

   The Unborn Child

Mother, can you hear my voice,

Calling from within?

I am here; my life is real,

And waiting to begin.

Can you hear my beating heart

Waiting for my life to start?

Can you feel my hands reach out

Loving you without a doubt?

Can you see me? No, not yet,

But our time to meet is set.

Can you wait until I’m here,

So your arms can hold me near?

Will you love me, through your fear?

Oh please love me, Mother dear.

-By Sarah Injerd &

Charlotte Hill

Did you know that at just 21 days old in the womb, the baby has a heart beat?!  So amazing!

Psalm 139:13-          

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb."

  

We are beautifully and wonderfully made by our Creator! 

Incredible Inheritance

    This morning I read a great devotional by Jerry Bridges.  It is based on the passage in Ephesians 3:8- "To me...this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."  Pastor Bridges writes,

"Years ago our pastor told about a southern plantation owner who left a $50,000 inheritance (perhaps equivalent to half a million dollars today) to a former slave who'd served him faithfully all his life.  The estate's lawyer duly notified the old man and told him the money was deposited at a local bank.  

 Weeks went by, and the former slave never called for any of his inheritance.  Finally, the banker called him in and told him again he had $50,000 available to draw on at any time.  'Sir', the old man replied, 'do you think I can have fifty cents to buy a sack of cornmeal?'   

That story illustrates the plight of many Christians today.  Paul wrote of preaching 'the unsearchable riches of Christ' (Ephesians 3:8) - referring not to financial wealth but to the glorious truths of the gospel.   It's as if each of us has $50,000 available in the gospel. yet most of us are hoping we can squeeze out fifty cents' worth.  We don't understand the riches of the gospel any more than the former slave understood his inheritance. 

Suppose also that the slave was not only poverty-stricken but also deep in debt for back rent.  With his inheritance, he could not only pay off the debt but also buy his house. His inheritance, he could not only pay off the debt but also buy his house.  His inheritance far surpasses his debt.  This is the truth of the gospel.  We owe an enormous spiritual debt to God; there's no way we can repay it.  The gospel tells us Jesus Christ paid our debt, but it also tells us far more:  We're no longer enemies and objects of God's wrath.  We're now His sons and daughters, heirs with Christ to all His unsearchable riches.  This is the good news of the gospel." 

Thank you for reading, and have a great start to your week!   

~Grow in Grace~ 

2 Peter 3:18  

Description of Sin

    A few days ago, I listened to a great sermon while cruising along the freeway heading across town in my little, black car.   It was a great message by Joshua Harris on media and entertainment.  He challenged believers to really examine and think about what kind of lyrics we listen to in our music, what images we set our eyes upon from what we watch on t.v. and in movies, and what we allow our minds to engage in and dwell upon as we read books and magazines, etc.

    Are the words we listen to in music honoring to the Lord?  Is what we watch acceptable in His sight?  Are the words we read in a book or magazine causing us to think upon good things?   Joshua Harris was challenging the congregation and whoever else was listening (like me) to really think about these issues and to answer these questions honestly and accurately.

     As he was ending his message, he read a portion of a letter written by John Wesley's mom to young Wesley himself while he was away at college.  However, backing up just a bit, John Wesley had first written his mother, asking for her advice and for some insight on what he should do and not do in certain situations.  He basically wanted her to give him a list of what would be wrong for him to do and what would then be right when it came to certain issues.  Instead of writing out a grocery list of what he can and cannot do, she gave him this great nugget of wisdom:

"Whatever weakens your reason, whatever impairs the tenderness of your conscious, whatever obscures your sense of God, whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind, whatever takes away your zeal for spiritual things, that to you is sin, no matter how innocent to you it is...it is sin." 

    Wow, that is some great advice, huh?!  So often we either succumb to the seemingly trivial things that in the long run may cause us more harm than good, and we become blinded to the fact that sin often takes root in the smallest areas of life.  Do not go against your God-given conscious whatever the issue!  If what you are listening to is causing you to continually think upon things that are not pure and right, then listen to different music! If what you are watching is leading you to dwell upon that which is unrighteous and unholy, then you should turn it off!  If what you read is creating mental pictures and images in your mind that are leading you to think upon that which is not good, then close the book!

   I remember one afternoon when I was driving in my car, and I was listening to the music station I almost always turn on, when a couple thoughts came suddenly into my head. "Could I pray to the Lord right now while these songs were playing in the background?  Would I honestly be able to worship Him right there and then while I was listening to that music?"  I realized then, after I asked myself those questions, that I could NOT honestly start praying to the Lord and feel good about it while I was listening to that station.  Maybe that was a good indicator that I should not be listening to that particular station as much as I was or maybe I should not be listening to that kind of music at all! 

  I am not sharing this with you in order to gloat or to make it sound like I am all wise and good (which I am NOT), but I mentioned this in order to challenge YOU to really think about what it is you listen to, what it is you spend your time watching, and what it is you choose to read.   I know that I have often had the mentality of, "oh it's okay, it's not THAT bad,"  or, "I like it and it makes me feel good, and its not like it's downright wicked," when it comes to certain subjects.  Is that really a good way of thinking?!  Is that even an accurate way of thinking through things? 

  As the Lord has graciously shown me through the pages of scripture, we are not to have this "accepting view" of what is wicked and not good, even if it does seem trivial and somewhat insignificant.  As Philippians 4:8 states, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  

   Are you honoring the Lord with what you listen to, what you watch, and what you read?!   Don't take it lightly, really think about it?!   Are you striving to please the Lord in EVERYTHING that you do?! 

     As Mrs. Wesley wrote to her son, "whatever weakens your reason, whatever impairs the tenderness of your conscience, whatever obscures your sense of God...whatever takes away your zeal for spiritual things...that to you is sin."

    Thanks for reading, friends!

~Grow in Grace~ 

2 Peter 3:18

Have Patience, Don't be in Such a Hurry!

Did you ever learn that song about patience when you were a kid?!  I remember singing this in my younger days-

"Have patience, have patience, don't be in such a hurry.  When you get impatient, you only start to worry.  Remember, remember, that God is patient too, and think of all the times when others have to wait for YOU!"

I saw this video on YouTube of this cute little girl singing this song: 

Yep, I remember when my mom had to remind me of that song when I was a little girl, and she even encouraged me to sing it whenever I was being impatient!  It probably would do me good even now to sing it whenever I forget to have patience!  

It may be a cute little song that reminds us to be patient, but we do need to constantly be reminded to WAIT AND HAVE PATIENCE! 

 

What is it that you are impatient about?!  

Whether it be waiting in long lines at the grocery store or sitting in traffic for what seems like eternity, we are even in those instances, to practice patience.   

However, what if the situation is on a much grander scale verses standing in long lines or sitting in your car for hours?!  What if a relative is experiencing severe health problems and he/she has been struggling with pain and sickness now for years?!  You even have prayed and prayed that the Lord would deliver that loved one from their misery, yet; seemingly your cries for help have gone unanswered.   Whatever the situation may be, have you felt surges of impatience towards the Lord or even discouragement concerning a particular situation?!

Just recently, I was dealing with this very frustration.  I was expressing my doubts and even a lack of understanding concerning why the Lord seemingly has not seen fit to answer my prayers about different issues in the ways I have been asking for.  Are my prayers even right?  Am I desiring good in my requests?  I can even honestly say "yes" to both of those questions, and so the doubts and confusion come rushing through me like waves on the shore.   "Why, Lord, why, have you not seen fit to grant my requests?!" Over and over again I ask this question.  

Even though it would be SO amazing and wonderful for me to literally hear the voice of the Lord like Moses and Abraham did, and to hear Him explain why He hasn't granted my requests or to give me some kind of assurance that He has received them, I realize that I already have His answer.  It is in the pages of scripture.   He gently encourages me to trust in Him when I do not understand (Proverbs 3:5-6), to wait upon the Lord and to be of good courage for He will strengthen me (Psalm 27:11), to submit myself under the mighty hand of God and in due time He will lift me up (1 Peter 5:6), to not grow weary nor lose heart (Galatians 6:9),  to wait upon Him (Isaiah 40:31), and to be patient during difficulties, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12).  The pages of scripture are filled with the Lord's answers to our doubts and fears.  

I am rebuked for forgetting and reminded from reading God's Word that He does hear my petitions, and that He will answer them in His timing and way because He knows what is best.  Reading Luke 11:11-13 describes the nature of our Heavenly Father.  He being holy and righteous knows how to give good gifts to His children.  He knows what is best for His own.  I simply need to be reminded of this truth and to trust in Him.  I am to be patient because when I become impatient, I only start to worry, and that is wrong.

Go sing the "Have Patience" song to yourself dear friends and be reminded of the truth that God does hear our requests, and in His time and way, He will answer them!  In the mean time, we are to be PATIENT and to wait upon Him!  

Grow in grace and have a Christ-centered Friday!

Who Am I?

This is such a great song containing powerful truths!

 

Looking Over the Fence

Compare- "Estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between".  

When I think of the word "compare", I often do not associate it with good things.  I connect this word to feelings of unthankfulness, dissatisfaction, and discontentment.   This is the case because I frequently compare myself with others and as a result, I am left with a sense of ingratitude concerning whatever it was on which I was focusing.  I tend to dwell on the dissimilarities between myself and others.  I tend to "look over the fence at the Jones' house", so to speak, and I glimpse over to see what they are doing.  This is simply not right, and it is something I need to work on!

The only person I am to compare myself to is CHRIST!  He is the only One I should look at and check myself to see where I am dissimilar to Him.

It is extremely easy to compare our lives to others and to be envious and think that, "I should have that" or "why do they have that and not me?"  These thoughts can lead us down a very dark road to discontentment and even to sin.  In Exodus 20:17 it discusses the very issue of coveting what others have.  It says "Do not covet..."   It is very dangerous to want what others possess because it can reach  to the point where you are unthankful about what you have and jealous towards others.

Jealousy- "resentment; covetousness; bitterness; spite towards". 
Envy- "a feeling of discontentment or a resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions." 


In Proverbs 14:30 it portrays a very gruesome picture of how envy can destroy us from the inside.  "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."  I want to have a heart at peace! 

Comparing ourselves to others and being jealous can come in all forms, shapes, and sizes.  Whether you compare what you look like in appearance to another, what job they have and you don't,  or what possessions they have in contrast to you, we are to be thankful and satisfied with what we have and to beware of jealousy!  

In today's world, it is so easy to compare and to be discontent.  All you have to do is simply turn on the T.V. and watch a commercial.  "I don't have THAT car", "I want THAT T.V. or THAT house", or "I want THAT glamorous life of that celebrity." Do not get caught up in this way of thinking! (Saying this also to myself of course)

Oh how easy it is to "look over the fence" instead of being thankful for what God has given and to be satisfied with just that.

What does scripture say:  Thessalonians 5:18- "...In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."


Are you constantly looking over the fence and comparing yourself to the Jones'? \





Think on this as you start your week, friends.  Have a good Monday!

I Have Hope

"Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me.  This I recall to my mind.  Therefore I have hope.  The Lord's loving kindness indeed never ceases.  For His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.  'The Lord is my portion', says my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him.'  The Lord is good to those who wait for Him.  To the person who seeks Him."

Lamentations 3:20-25

Did you have any doubts or worries when you woke up this morning?  Well, this verse will remind us of the Truth about our King and blow those unwelcome, distressful thoughts we may dwell upon OUT OF THE WATER!

Think on the Truth friends.  Don't allow what you feel to be an indicator of what is correct (I am speaking this to myself too).  God bless!   Have a Christ-centered Friday! 

Whatever My Understanding of God is...it is WAY Too Small

A friend posted these wonderful words from a section of the hymn, God Moves in a Mysterious Way, on facebook, and it was such a timely reminder for me and so encouraging to read!  I need to "preach" these words to myself everyday-

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace....

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter, 

And He will make it plain. 

-(Cowper)-

How often we judge God by what we ourselves think of Him based on certain circumstances we are facing or by what we think He is doing.  We ultimately cannot fully understand who He is.  We will spend the entirety of our lives discovering just a fraction of His Person.  We have been told and have been given a glimpse of who He is through His very Word, the Bible.   We can only pray that He will reveal Himself to us more and more and give us the understanding we need because we cannot know who He is without Him opening our eyes to see Him, as He is.   This I do know...whatever view I have of God now is WAY too small.  I want this to be my prayer everyday:

"Lord, reveal to me more and more of Yourself.  Forgive my lack of understanding, but give me an intense desire to seek you continually.  I cannot presume to know what you are doing or what your sovereign plan is, but please, lead and direct me in your ways!  May I trust you day to day and lean not on my own understandings, but in everything I do, acknowledge you, for you have promised to direct my paths!" 

Do you desire to know Him better? 

 

Think on These Things

"I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone Oh Lord, make me dwell in safety."

(Psalm 4:8)

~

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

(Psalm 28:7)

~

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

(Psalm 23)   

~

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

(Psalm 55:22) 

~

 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
(Matthew 6:34) 

~

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
(Philippians  4:6-7) 

Focus on the Truth in scripture dear friends!  When you are discouraged, disappointed, hurt, in pain, dismayed...etc go to the One who gives comfort!  He will never forsake His children.  It is so clearly stated in scripture that He is the One upon whom we are to depend (John 15:5).  What an amazing God we have!!  God bless and have a good weekend!