Perfect Timing

These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely,
the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day. (Habakkuk 2:3 TLB).

What is going on? I have prayed and prayed--and nothing seems to change. It seems that what I am asking is within your will. I don't think my motives are selfish. Have you ever felt this way? When your prayers seem to just hit a "glass ceiling", many times, we start to wonder.

I bet Zacharias and Elizabeth started to wonder. Remember, they were the parents of John the Baptist. He was born to them very, very late in life. In fact, it was at a point where having children was highly improbable, if not totally impossible--from their perspective.

Scripture is silent on this--but, I find it hard to believe that they had continued to pray to be blessed with a child at this stage of their life. I bet they had given up long before the angel Gabriel came to Zacharias and said. ". . . your prayer has been heard." Can't you just hear the dialogue; Zacharias:"Uh, what prayer?" And, Gabriel responds, "The one you prayed years ago. Don't you remember? You asked for a son."

We pray on our time, and God answers on His time. God encourages us in this time, "[d]o not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks." (Philippians 4:6 NIV). When we do, He further promises that "[a]nd God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (v. 7).

While we are waiting "on His time", He offers us His peace. In my life, I get anxious, at times. I want things to happen right away. But, I am learning to trust God that His time and His plan is always perfect. And, in the process, I have peace, His peace.

Stay Strong,

Dave

The Strawberry

Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to this life. . . . Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6: 25-26; 34).

This is Jesus' encouragement to His disciples and those gathered around Him during what is known today as the Sermon on the Mount. As applicable as these words were then, they may be even more applicable today. Jesus knew that we would tend to worry about things around us. Things and circumstances, that many times we have very little if any control over, that absolutely weigh us down. Jesus does not want us to be burdened with these thoughts. Instead, He desires that we place our trust in Him. Sometimes, this is easier said than done.

Recently, I came across a story that really hit this point home for me.

There was a man out for a walk in the country. Soon, he caught sight of a ferocious tiger racing through the brush straight at him. Terrified, the man began to run, and soon was closing in on the edge of a cliff. As he neared the edge, he glanced back to see the tiger about ready to pounce. The man then noticed a rope dangling over the edge of the cliff. This rope was tied securely to a sturdy tree. So, he grabbed the rope and began climbing over the edge of the cliff--just out of the reach of the tiger. The man then looked down and saw a quarry of jagged rocks five hundred feet below. He looked up and saw the tiger poised atop the cliff. Just then, two mice began to nibble on the rope. What was he to do? Just then, he spotted a wonderful, ripe strawberry that had grown on the edge of the cliff. So, he plucked the strawberry, ate it, and exclaimed "that was the best strawberry I've ever tasted."

If this man would have been preoccupied upon the rocks (the future) or worried about the tiger (the past), he would have missed the strawberry (the present). Since my accident on May 11, 2008, God has taught me to appreciate the moment. There is little I can do about the past, and the future is unknown. I desire every day to trust God in the moment He has me in. Does this mean I never worry? No! But, His life is transforming my life moment by moment. Through His strength, I am learning to look for the strawberries. It is amazing how many there are around!

Stay Strong,

Dave

The Source of Frustration

After this presentation to Israel's leaders, Moses and Aaron went and
spoke to Pharaoh. They told him,"[t]his is what the Lord, the God of
Israel, says: Let my people go so they may hold a festival in my honor in the
wilderness." "Is that so?" retorted Pharaoh. "And, who is the Lord?
Why should I listen to him and let Israel go? I don't know the Lord, and I
will not let Israel go." (Exodus 5:1-2 NLT).

The Israelites had been slaves to the Egyptians, but now was the time that God would show His glory and in that--bring the Israelites into the land that He had promised their forefathers. But, immediately, Pharaoh would flex his perceived muscle by punishing the Israelites for what Moses and Aaron had asked. Previously, Pharaoh had provided straw to the Israelites, which they added to the items used to make bricks. Making bricks was a major task Pharaoh had assigned to them. Now, they had to find their own straw and continue to make the same number of bricks each day.
This was a curve ball the Israelites did not expect. Like their
days were not already hard enough--now, they were made to do the same workload
plus more. If they did not meet their daily quota, they were subject
to beatings. Soon, even Moses became upset with God. Then Moses
went back to the Lord and protested. "Why have you brought all this
trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I
came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your
people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!" (Exodus 5: 22-23
NLT).

Things were not happening as Moses expected. He expected
faster results and fewer problems. I think I can relate to
that. When things do not go as we expect, how quick do we get
frustrated! The major source of frustration is unmet expectations.

In the life of the Israelites and in ours today, God uses challenges
(aka unmet expectations) to develop our patience, character, and faith. In
these situations, I encourage you to:

(1) Trust God to do what is best for you;
(2) Look for ways to honor God in the present situation;
(3) Remember that God will not leave you or forsake you; and
(4) That God has a plan for you.

Doing this, I feel we will see God in our challenges. With
that, He offers us a peace, His peace in those challenges. Enjoy
Him! He loves you and is drawing you closer to Him.

Beauty of Being in His Presence

Honor the Lord for the glory of His name. Worship the Lord in the
splendor of His holiness. (Psalm 29:2 NLT).

This morning, like many Friday mornings, I was driving my daughter to school. On our way, a song came on the radio that simply grabbed more than my attention. I felt like it gripped something deep inside of me. While I had heard this particular song before, I had never really listened to the words. This time, tears were rolling down my face and I was ushered into an amazing moment of pure and simple worship--right there in my car.

Isn't it amazing that God gives us these opportunities to just lay aside ourselves and enter into moments like this one. Times where we are just taken back by being in His presence. In these times, we give Him all the credit--and we give Him all the honor. He gives us peace, joy, and the promise of His presence.

God does not limit worship to specific times in specific places done in a specific way. Our life, as believers, can be a time of worship. It can be in a group or all alone. It can be somber or it can be animated. All He asks is for us to focus on Him and to believe in the truth of who He is in us and who we are in Him. Then, allow Him to do the rest.

I encourage you to open your mind to His amazing love for you through your worship.

Stay Strong,

Dave

Time Well Spent

Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should. (Psalm 90:12 TLB).

I was visiting with a friend recently. We were talking about how quick time flys. To us, it seemed like just yesterday that our kids were babies. We could remember our wedding day like it was just recent. I am sure you would agree--life is clicking by very, very quickly.

God told us that it would be this way--didn't He? I believe His purpose in telling us to "number our days" is to impress on us to do the things that last. So, what lasts? I think it is those things that show love to God and to those around us. Jesus stated, "[l]ove your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: '[l]ove your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:36-40 NIV).

I challenge you to think a bit about your day. Are you just doing things or are you doing those things that truly shows your love to God and to others in your circle? I know there are "things that just have to be done" in your day. But, where is your heart? Is it focused upon His glory or upon your own self (ish) interests? Even the most mundane of daily tasks that you do through His strength shows your love for Him and others.

Appreciate each moment of your day. Allow Him to truly live His abundant life through yours. Enjoy loving Him and those He has in your life.

I wish each of you a joyous and peaceful New Year.

Stay Strong,

Dave

Energized by His Plan

This time of year can tend to add pressure to your schedule. Christmas events such as your kids' Christmas programs or "Holiday" parties are good examples. Add to these, the urgency to finish your shopping, wrap the gifts, bake your family's favorites treats, prepare and send the Christmas cards, and you name what else--and your schedule seems to be a bit fuller this year than what you remember in the past. Please, do not get me wrong--these are all wonderful things per se. But, are they taking your focus off of the true meaning of this time of celebration.

For me and my family, the true meaning is Christ's birth. Don't get me wrong--we do all sorts of the items noted above. But, my hope and my prayer is that we consciously are focused on not the stuff, but the person at the heart of all that we do.

At times, God, in His amazing, loving way, re-focuses your attention upon what He wants. Yesterday, my schedule was full. And, I had full intentions of trying to add just a bit more as my day went along. Needless to say, I added a bit of self-imposed pressure to "get things done." But, God had other plans. A large weather system of freezing fog and snow has come through our beautiful area. So, guess what I got done? Not much, and that is ok. I got home on-time to have a wonderful dinner with my family and to enjoy a wonderful night with them. Isn't it amazing how peaceful a change in plans can be!

So, this time of year take some time to just step back and enjoy the plan that God has for you! Be open to His leading, enjoy just being in His presence--allow Him to energize you by His plan. He loves you--just rest in Him.

Merry Christmas.

Dave

How Much is Enough

"For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith--and this
not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can
boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

Recently, I was reading the label on a container of orange juice. On it, the bottler noted that one 8 ounce glass contained enough Vitamin C to meet the "recommended daily allowance" of this particular vitamin. (I felt like I was catching a cold, so I felt I should drink some orange juice.) So, I thought, "[w]ow, that is easy, just one glass at breakfast and that is all I need all day."

As Christians, sometimes, we wish the things we perceive we "have to do" were that easy. Questions such as:

• How long should I read my bible each day?


• How often should I go to church?


• How many people should I witness to each week?

The list could go on and on. Don't get me wrong--these are good things. But, Christ's death on the cross freed us from the bondage of "have to's" and "shoulds". Our relationship with Him is not contingent upon what we do; instead, it is His gift to us called grace.

To me, that is freeing. It frees me to spend time in His word, to go to His church, and to witness to His people--not because I have to, but because I want to. There is a huge difference. Think about it--wouldn't you rather spend time with somebody because that person wants to spend time with you, not because they have to. God is no different. He wants our hearts engaged with His. But, He does not force it. It is an act of our free will through faith in Him.

So, what "should" you do? Let your loving God guide you throughout your day and allow your love for Him to place in your heart and mind a desire to walk with Him. I think you will be truly amazed at what that may look like. Enjoy your time with Him.

Father, I do desire to not focus on what I perceive are the "have
to's" and "shoulds" of having a moment by moment relationship with you.
Instead, Father, please put in me a desire to spend time with you
throughout my day because I want to. I want to know you
more. I want just spend time worshipping you, not just on
Sunday, but throughout each day. Father, thank you for living your life
through mine. Amen!

Stay Strong.

Dave