Some people say, “I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.” I’m still saying that! Just like our careers, our spiritual life can be like that. We are all under construction and are constantly changing and growing. The truth is: God’s not finished with us yet! We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us in our growth, and one day, we will be finished. 1 John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” Until then, let’s be part of the construction crew, growing in the Lord, starting with a firm foundation, our faith, until the day we are no longer “under construction.” God bless you!
Excellent!
We use many words to describe things that are better than average: neat, great, cool, radical, awesome. There is one word especially used in the bible to describe our Lord, EXCELLENT! Psalms 8:9 says, “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” He is indeed excellent and worthy of all our praise! Today, let’s give glory to the one who saved us. God bless you!
He is Risen Indeed!
A common exchange this weekend will be: He is Risen, and the response will be: He is risen indeed! Many of us may sing: We serve a Risen Savior, and indeed we do! Mark 15:6 says, “And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen, he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.” John 20:19 says, ” Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in their midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” We have much to be grateful for because we do serve a living Savior! God bless you this Easter Sunday.
Persistence in Prayer
It is not unreasonable to say that all real growth in our spiritual life – victory over temptation, peace in our time of trouble, hope in times of disappointment or loss depend on the practice of prayer. When we think God doesn’t hear our prayers, He is not ignoring us. Sometimes, our prayers are not the best thing for us, or perhaps the timing isn’t right, or maybe even a sinful habit is hindering our prayers. Remember, He knows what’s best for us. Sometimes He says yes, sometimes He says no, and sometimes his answer is not yet. He wants to hear from us. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” An anonymous author said, “A child of God ought to expect answers to prayer. God means every prayer to have an answer; and not a single real prayer can fail of its effect in Heaven.” So let’s be persistent in our prayer life. God bless you!
Facing Our Mountains
Mountain climbing is hard; I know because I’ve done it in my military training. When you look at a rock formation from afar, it seems smooth, but when you get close, you can see the bumps, cracks, and ledges. Those are the very things that enable climbers to conquer a mountain. In life, we face many mountains filled with crags and bumps, and as we handle them, it trains us to conquer our mountains. Paul said in Romans 8:38, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” I know God will be there to help you whenever you face a mountain. God bless you!
How Do We Begin?
Do you know if you’ll go to heaven when you die? It’s a good opening line when evangelizing. However, many of us are afraid to start the conversation with a stranger because we’re afraid of rejection, criticism, and maybe even anger and hostility. Honestly, we have nothing to be afraid of because the Holy Spirit will help us. John 15:26 says, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” We have nothing to fear, so let’s go forth and tell others of His saving grace. God bless you!
Can’t Sleep?
There are so many people who struggle with getting to sleep or staying asleep. Our minds are filled with clutter, things not done today, or things yet to be done tomorrow or maybe concerns about the future. There are sleep aids to help us, like melatonin or zzzzquil, and even sounds like brown, blue or green noise, but the truth is, we don’t need sleep aids when we have God. Psalm 4:8 says, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Who needs medication when we already have the great physicians, amen? God bless you!
What We All Long to Hear
Encouragement, acknowledgment, affirmation. All words meant to lift us up. We long for it from our spouse, our boss, our pastor. We all crave approval. It’s important to our growth and development as humans and as children of God. Matthew 3:17 says, “and suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Someday, hopefully we will hear those same sentiments when God tells us “Well done my good and faithful servant.” I look forward to that day. God bless you!
Courage – Even the least of us has it
Courage… a word normally used for heroes, not ordinary people. We, as God’s children, can be courageous in our work for him. I am reminded of an ordinary woman who was taken into the house of King Ahasuerus and rose to be queen. When her uncle Mordechai asked her to petition for the Jewish nation, she reminded him that anyone who came to the King without an invitation was subject to death. In Esther 4:16, she told Mordechai to have the Jews pray for her for three days and said she would go to the King, not according to the law. And she said, “and if I perish, I perish.” In the face of death, she showed great courage! How much more can we accomplish with that type of attitude and faith. God bless you as you reach others for Christ.
You Have Help!
Just because we’re saved doesn’t mean life will be a picnic. There are so many trails that each of us endure. It might be financial troubles, it might be sickness or the loss of a loved one, it might be an unwanted houseguest that causes you grief. In the midst of my issues, I am reminded of a song written by Gloria Gaither that says, “Because He lives (and my favorite part) I can face tomorrow… Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Aren’t you comforted to know that no matter what we are facing, we are never alone. God bless you!
