Keeping the Faith

This is a word of encouragement to keep the faith.

Sometimes waiting on God is hard, even when you've accepted the truth that His timing and ways are best. It's ironic how He can move faster than the twinkling of an eye yet other times be agonizingly slow.

When I try to figure it out I just get confused and discouraged.

But when I remember His love for Me (and for each of us, since He's no respecter of persons), and that He's Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11), I realize He cannot lie, He will honor His Word, and He will keep His promises (Numbers 23:19, Romans 4:20-22). I remember that He watches over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:11-12). I remember that "Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89). I remember that if I keep the faith, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), including to believe that He will do what He says He will do, no matter how I feel, what circumstances look like or what "the people say."

And I also know that in Him, I have the victory, and no weapons of doubt, disbelief or any other ungodly thing, will prosper against me (Isaiah 54:17).

I thank and praise the Lord for His goodness and for the fact that in Him "there is no variation or shadow of turning," (James 1:17) that He's the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

"And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4).

Amen.

Savoring the Now

Is it only me or do you find yourself getting aggravated when the days start getting shorter?

As August drifts away I've been noticing it more and more. It used to get dark after 8, now it's getting dark by 7:30. I see the creeping shadows and my mind fast forwards to thoughts of sinking temperatures, nights that never seem to end, and -- dare I say it? -- SNOW!

ACK!!!

And by the time I've reached this point, it's pretty much downhill from there.

But I also have been thinking that I need to change how I think about this "end of summer" thing.

I can choose to be angry and depressed about the natural cycle that happens every year, without fail, or I can savor the now and look forward to the good that will come out of the time ahead.

I choose in Christ to savor the now.

Integrity - Wishful Thinking or What?

I've been spending times in Proverbs, a book in the Bible that focuses on Godly wisdom, and the importance of applying that wisdom to everyday life. As a follow-up to "Daniel - A Man of Character" -- which I mentioned in my last posting, one Proverb in particular about integrity caught my eye:

"Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked." (Proverbs 25:26, Amplified)

Doing the right thing on a daily basis is definitely a challenge, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). The more we trust Him to help us, the more we will overcome the hurdles that are inevitable, even strategically placed in our lives by satan (and sometimes created by our own desires and stubbornness!).

In life I'm always about the "how," how does one do a thing, bring it from the vague to the practical. Things that seem so difficult become much easier when we trust God and let him take control.

King David knew a thing or two about really trusting God. In the Book of Psalms, chapter 28 and verse 7, he says:

"The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him."

David trusted God and God helped him. When we're willing, God does the same for us today.

With God, walking in integrity isn't an arduous path. There's less gritting of teeth, less stress and strain. With Him the integrity walk is easier, more enjoyable.

When we travel with Him and there's a roadblock ahead, when our ears are inclined to Him He gives answers about how to go over it, around it, or eliminate it. When there are forks in the road He guides us in the way we should go. And when others try to take us down a path that's headed toward a dead end He cultivates focus in us that keeps us moving forward, following Him.

In the process integrity becomes a natural part of who we are and how we function. It also becomes a witness to the world of the reality of Who He Is -- the Great I AM.

New posting on Hopelives.net!

When you have a few minutes, you're invited to check a new posting on the HopeLives website, http://www.hopelives.net/ called "Daniel -- A Man of Character," about the prophet Daniel.

Some years ago I seriously wondered if it was possible to honor God on the job and still get ahead. Can you scale the ladder of success without compromising? Daniel's story and life experience have shown me that it's not only possible, but that God can cause you to excel -- even 10 times more than the competition -- by doing this His way.

Counting Blessings

Have you thought today -- or any day recently -- about the blessings in your life? If so, have you ever bothered to count them?

Somehow the stuff that is going wrong tends to hog center stage. I'm guilty of that too. There's a special something about complaining, an inner inclination to hype the negative that can be extremely compelling. Yet blessings, from the Lord's perspective, bring life. In Deuteronomy 30:19 He equates blessing with life, and cursing with death, and calls us to "choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."

As we bless God and think about the blessings He gives us He fills us with life physically, mentally and spiritually. We then can share that life with others through our actions and words. Proverbs 12:18 says that "the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 15:4 adds that "A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit."

There's daily power and life in considering and counting our blessings.

Rejoice!

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice for the Lord lives!

His grace is limitless, His mercy is all-surpassing and His love immeasurable.

Choose Him for there's no better choice you'll ever make in life. It is His pleasure to love you, and He desires that no one should perish but all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Rejoice, and live in Him!

Unwind, Relax and Rewind

For me there's something special about Sunday night, my downtime before plunging into another week of work. It provides a moment of peace, a chance to sit back and relax, play some jazz and breathe.

Before I get caught up in the coming week's obligations, regulations and preoccupations, I typically spend time in my "moment." It helps me calm my mind and heart. It also gives me time to clear out the mental and emotional junk from the week, especially the daily irritations that grate on nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

Sunday nite downtime helps me unwind and relax so I can rewind to meet the unknowns that wait for me on Monday. I expect the Lord to ensure my success, for I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me (Romans 8:37). And when I trust Him fully, I don't just experience peace in the moment; the peace travels with me wherever I go. When I lay my questions and doubts aside, the peace flows.

Here's to extending that Sunday nite vibe through the week.