Weary

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10 NIV

We live in an age of instant gratification. People don't like to wait for anything. I know I don't need to belabor the point with a list of examples. We're all aware of it. 

Unfortunately, many times that same impatience is carried over into our relationship with the Lord. We've all heard the humorous prayer, "Lord, I need patience and I need it right now!" We've forgotten that we are to wait on the Lord. We've allowed ourselves to get weary in well-doing. We've taken our eyes off God and His purpose in our lives and have begun to look only at what WE are doing; at what it is costing US in time and energy or resources. 

It's easy enough to do. I'm not here to accuse, but to encourage. If you are weary and just want to quit, let me remind you where we find the strength to continue. It is ONLY in the Lord. Isaiah 40:31 tells us,  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Psalm 37:7-9 instructs us to Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry!
Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

Choose to trust the Lord and His Word MORE than the trials and circumstances in your life ...at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray Your Word in Psalm 27, We are confident that we will see Your goodness while we are here in the land of the living. We will wait patiently for You. We will be brave and courageous. Yes, Lord, we will wait patiently for You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Friends' Favorites - Difficult, Despite the Promise

When Esau was 40 years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They made life very difficult for Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 26:34-35 CEB

In verses 2-5 of this same chapter, God visits Isaac, the son of promise, and reiterates His blessing of Abraham, promising to keep His word with Isaac in regard to all the lands and the number of descendants too many to count and that all the nations of the earth will be blessed because of them. 

Can you imagine if the Lord came down and declared all that to you? Wouldn't you think you were set for life - and all the generations after you? "This is going to be a piece of cake - I got the Promise!" But that's not at all what transpired. By the end of the chapter, the in-laws were already outlaws. Verse 35 - They made life very difficult for Isaac and Rebekah. Their lives were "very difficult"  despite the promise!

How often do we get a word from God and think, "Oh, this is it! Everything's coming up roses now!" but then we find we're dealing with more thorns of life than roses? More fertilizer...  Do we turn against God? Do we get angry with Him? Do we doubt His Word? Do we become UNbelievers?

Let's do a heart check. What was the last thing you heard God speak to your spirit? Do you believe it? Has it happened? If not, do you still believe it? Has your life been difficult despite the promise? Don't give up. Don't stop believing. God is still on the throne and He's working His plan for your life. Trust Him.

Prayer:

Father,

          Bring back to our hearts all that You have spoken to us. Help us to do an honest check of our faith and trust in You. Grow us up in You, Lord. Help us to remain steadfast and immovable, always excelling in the work You've laid before us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

In the Hands of God

He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
1 Peter 2:23-24a NLT

I feel like I could just say "Amen" right there and leave it at that.

Yesterday, I was very insulted. I wanted so badly to retaliate! I wrote an email to defend myself, but got a check in my spirit before I hit 'send'. So I paused and asked my sister to proof it for me before I sent it (even though I still had every intention to send it). She totally nixed it. Completely. So I looked for an alternate way to defend myself. She nixed that, too. There is MUCH to be said (and to be grateful for) when walking with other believers.

I will confess that I was not instantly mollified. I knew I HAD to pray so I did. I chose to forgive and confessed it to God. (I still was feeling ticked off.) I had to CHOOSE to NOT continue to lick those wounds, to NOT nurse it and rehearse it.

This morning, when I got up, I remembered again the Scripture of Christ not retaliating, not answering a word, so I looked it up. And there it was, He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. And MORE!  He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. Dead to sin. 

Dead men don't retaliate. We must choose to trust God in all things, to leave it all in His hands...even the insults.

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray according to Your Word in James 4. Help us to fully embrace Your Word and its meaning. We know You are passionate that the spirit You have placed within us should be faithful to You. We humble ourselves before You, O God, and we will resist the ways of the enemy, so he has to flee. Thank You for Your generous outpouring of Grace! We want to be close to You. We want clean hands and pure hearts. We pledge our loyalty to You and You alone. We choose to trust You in all things, leaving it ALL in Your hands. Let us be dead to sin, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.