Father's Day Tribute

Father's don't get much on Father's Day!  The good thing is that most don't want much.  Most fathers care more for the welfare of their loved ones than their own selves.  Obviously that's not always the case and that is always sad.  But for the Christian, you are blessed to have a heavenly father that always is there and always cares!

I am convinced that what our heavenly father wants most of all is wrapped up in two words...THANK YOU!  His love is unconditional for His children.  There is nothing you can buy Him or bake Him!  Nothing you can give Him or get Him that he needs from our human hands, but He longs for our fully devoted human heart!

Our earthly fathers are only here for a season and specific reason.  They usually try their very best, despite their limitations to meet our needs, soothe our hurts, comfort and provide for us, and we should honor them, respect them, and show them in a tangible way how much we appreciate them.  If they are no longer with you in your life, cherish the good memories and forgive the hurtful ones, because they are simply men who may have tried their best, and at times came up short.  But your heavenly father will "never leave you or forsake you" and will carry you all the way to the finish line of your life.

So take some time this Father's Day to Thank Him, and the man who gave birth to you as well.  It was all part of His divine plan.  If your earthly dad knew Christ as His Savior and Lord, you can look forward to a heavenly reunion that will blow your mind!  That's part of His plan too.  That's the deepest love you can ever experience!

So Dad's enjoy your day and the people near and dear in your life.  For those of us whose dad has passed from this life, remember the good, let go of the bad, and hang on to God's unchanging hand.  A new generation is watching us as we do.  I pray they will see that faith in God is worth it, and real! 

Have a life-changing day as you celebrate your fathers in the flesh, and warmly remember the fathers who have gone before you, giving thanks to the Heavenly Father who will hold you closely through whatever season you go through.  THANK YOU... for being my Heavenly Dad now and forever!

 Fred Hammond Musical Tribute to Fathers

TIME ALONE WITH GOD

from "When God Says Wait" by Darryl Harris on amazon.com

“Be strong and very courageous…be not afraid or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”!  Joshua 1:9

Christianity is not a religion
     It is not a ritual
            It is not a right of passage
                  Christianity is a relationship that’s real!

There is no way you can have a relationship with anyone, without spending extended and emotionally involved time together.  Time spent sharing the deepest complexities of your heart, one on one, soul to soul, in a way intimacy and ultimately harmony can be experienced in its fullness.  It’s very difficult for this to happen in the middle of a cheering crowd, on the bleachers of your kid’s high school football game.  It won’t happen as the doors open for the Super Saturday sale at the local Macy’s department store.  Intimacy only comes from time alone with God, interacting with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’ve learned, as we “stand on the rock” waiting for Jesus to emerge victorious in our life’s drama, that there are 8 things we must do to experience the wonder of His grace and the peace that passes all understanding.

REJOICE…  in the attributes of Jesus 
He’s so holy
     He’s so glorious
He’s all-powerful
     He’s all knowing
He’s everywhere at all times
       He’s marvelous and magnificent
He’s gracious and good
       He’s loving and longsuffering
He’s tender and tender hearted
       He’s the light of the world and the light of my life
He’s fully man and fully God
      He’s Jesus!

REQUEST… the mercy of Jesus
Thank God He doesn’t give us what we truly deserve

RELAX… in the sovereignty of Jesus
He has all things under control

REST…  in the comforting hands of Jesus
There is truly no safer place you can be

REPENT… of the sins that drove Him to the cross
While you wait, change the direction in which you are walking and follow Him

RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE…   His name is Jesus Christ, your Savior
Don’t neglect the one who changed your life

RECAP …the highlights you’ve had with Jesus.
Write it down so you will never forget all of the great things He has done for you

REMEMBER…He’s immutable and will never change. “He will never leave or forsake you.”  His promises will endure forever.

Falling in Love With Jesus - Jonathan Butler and Kirk Whalum

WAITING IS A PROCESS

from "When God Says Wait" by Darryl Harris on amazon.com

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”  Psalm 27:13-14

God is not on my timetable!  He is not on any religious leaders.  He is not on any political agenda.  He does not answer to any man who happens to attempt to exert authority that he may think he has.  If you never learn anything about our Savior beyond his incredible work of salvation on the cross, realize that God does things His way!
On His timetable
   At His discretion
      According to His plan
        According to His purpose
           And According to His will.
God has never called me up to ask my advice, my will, my desires and my predetermined outlook of any given situation, I may have found myself in.

One thing we do know…is that God will answer prayer.  Sometimes the answer is Yes
Sometimes the answer is Go
      Sometimes the answer is Slow
           Sometimes the answer is Show
                 Sometimes the answer is Yo
                          Sometimes the answer is NO
                              Sometimes the answer is total Silence…and when God is silent, in the moments, the hours, the days, the months, and even years, he’s quietly telling us to… WAIT!

The problem is that most of us hate to wait.  We understand No, and we long for Yes to roll off His compassionate lips.  But Wait?  We live in a microwave society. 
                     Instant food.
                 Instant fame.
               Instant fun
         Instant solutions to life most difficult problems are shown nightly on practically every TV show.  
Give Dr. House 60 minutes and he can find the cure to the most blaffling medical dilemmas which in real life could require time consuming attempts to resolve.
 
If we are hungry…run to McDonalds
   If we are sick…go to Urgent care
       If we need fast money…try Quicken loans
             If we need new friends…join Facebook

The thing that makes waiting tolerable is growing into the understanding, that in the midst of your waiting, …God always has a plan.  Your waiting has a purpose. 
The goal is never misery, but maturity.
                 The objective is obedience, not obscurity. 
                                             The outcome should be contentment, not contention. 
In waiting we exercise courage,
                     Demonstrate strength
                         Renew hope
                            Grow in maturity

SO ARE YOU WAITING OR WHINING?  IF YOU WAIT... IN THE END YOU WILL WIN! 

"The Lord Will Make a Way" by Heather Headley

Should You Give Your Pastor a Retreat?

A pastor's retreat is a short time away from the demands of ministry. It can be as short as one day or as long as four or five. Under normal ministry conditions I think a pastor needs two retreats a year. When things are more stressful in your church or his own life, your pastor may need to get away every month if just for an afternoon!


Pastors retreats are so important
that I believe they should be a
budgeted part of a pastor's salary.   Pastor retreats are not vacations. They are essential tools that help pastors accomplish a specific purpose. These purposes may include the following...

Why Pastor's Retreats Are Important

• Refresh. Pastors frequently work about 60 hours a week. Meetings and phone calls last into the late evening. Hospital visits and urgent phone calls can start about six in the morning. Your pastor rarely works fewer than six days a week... have you ever wondered why he has one day off? Ministry may appear easy but when done well is exhausting work. Pastors need times when they can get away and sleep in, take a casual walk in the woods, or read a non-ministry related book while lying on a recliner.
  

• Renew. Pastors need to renew their minds. Physical fatigue is usually accompanied by mental fatigue. They also need time to renew spiritually. Pastor retreats allow your pastor to renew his body, mind and spirit. 

• Recover. Your minister is involved in many stressful circumstances. He is doing crisis marriage counseling, ministering to a family whose newborn recently passed away, and trying to create peace between quarreling church members, In addition, he may have stress at home you don't know about. A pastor retreat gives him  the perfect opportunity to recover from a stressful circumstance. 

• Relax. There are periods - sometimes long periods - in every pastor's ministry where stress is intense and unending. Our bodies are designed to handle short periods of stress. But prolonged stress can cause physical and psychological problems. Pastor's retreats can help break the cycle of stress. (Stress kills and Sunday is always coming)
  

• Rekindle. When I pastored B.T. (before twins) my wife and I did almost everything together: visitation, counseling, committee meetings. But children introduced a different dynamic. It became more like tag-team ministry: one of us would stay home while the other went out. When you add to this the fact that many ministry activities last late into the evenings, your marriage tends to suffer. A pastor's retreat with his wife is an ideal way to rekindle the marital relationship.

• Refocus. It's easy to lose sight of the big picture when you are getting swallowed by daily details. A pastor's retreat can provide the time to assess ministry goals and strategy. It can also be a time to refocus spiritually. Pastors need periodic times of dedicated prayer and meditation.

So I encourage you to make sure your pastor gets a retreat a year.  Most pastor's make less than they did before accepting the call.  Some are bi-vocational and are doing heroic work.  And the final note is this...don't forget his wife also.  She works even harder than him in ministry and the home.  Your church will be so much better if you allow them to refill their tanks for just a short period of time.  Don't let your pastor's soul go thirsty, so he can return and minister to your soul weekly!

Living in the Last Days

Let's study the scripture with one of the premiere bible teachers of our era, Dr. John MacArthur, as he discusses the rapture of the church.  This subject is highly debated and often misunderstood.  The big question on most minds is not if...but when?  It will happen!  No one knows the date, or all the detail, but the church will be raptured!  The second coming of Christ is distinct from the rapture.  Listen as John discusses the distinction.  What if I disagree?  Well you have every right, but you better make sure your view has much biblical support.   

The key is to make sure you have a relationship with Christ before this event occurs!  Our world is going through rapid changes.  I just pray you take the time to really consider where you stand with the God of the universe and His Son, Jesus Christ!  Talk about serious business.  Really living doesn't start until you make this decision for yourself!

Dealing With The Tough Ten 10. Game Over

Game winning shot!

Former NFL Head Coach and now ESPN analyst, Herm Edwards, in a moment of exasperation following a tough loss, echoed these words that still ring in my ears five years later: "you play to win the game"!  Now Coach Edwards is not a student of theology, and you won't find those words in the pages of scripture, but in the game of life, when you come to the final quarter, the only thing that's going to matter, is did you play to win the game in the eyes of God!

Winning in God's eyes depends more a decision you make before the final shot than any heroic act that takes place in the final minutes.  The decision to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is the most important decision you will ever have to make in your life.  Bigger than what school you go to, bigger than who you marry, and bigger than how you raise your kids.  All important, even critical, but only one decision has eternal consequences!

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames."

If the foundation you are building your life on is not on the rock, Jesus Christ, you are building your life on sinking sand, and one day the Lord Himself will say these unforgettable, and unfortunate words to you... Game Over!  "I thought He was a God of love" you might say to yourself!  "I thought He was a God of Mercy" you might ponder!"  Well you are right on both statements, but the scripture is clear when He told us all the ultimate act of love and grace in Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  The death of Jesus Christ on the cross for your sins and mine was His all-sufficient demonstration of love, mercy, and grace.  To refuse His sacrificial gift, is a choice you will regret making for all eternity!

In his best-selling book "One Minute After You Die",  Moody Church pastor Erwin Lutzer states the undeniable truth: 

One minute after you slip behind the parted curtain, you will either be enjoying a personal welcome from Christ or catching your first glimpse of gloom as you have never known it. Either way, your future will be irrevocably fixed and eternally unchangeable.

Lutzer goes on to let us know that:
Those who find themselves in heaven will be surrounded with friends whom they have known on earth. Friendships, once rudely interrupted by death, will continue where they left off. Every description of heaven they have ever heard will pale in the light of reality. All this, forever.

Others—indeed many others—will be shrouded in darkness, a region of deprivation and unending regret. There, with their memories and feelings fully intact, images of their life on earth will return to haunt them. They will think back to their friends, family and relatives; they will brood over opportunities they squandered and intuitively know that their future is both hopeless and unending. For them, death will be far worse than they imagined.

And so while relatives and friends plan your funeral—deciding on a casket, a burial plot and who the pallbearers shall be—you will be more alive than you have ever been. You will either see God on His throne surrounded by angels and redeemed humanity, or you will feel an indescribable weight of guilt and abandonment. There is no destination midway between these two extremes; just gladness or gloom.

Nor will it be possible to transfer from one region to another. No matter how endless the ages, no matter how heartfelt the cries, no matter how intense the suffering, your travel plans are limited to your present abode. Those who find themselves in the lower gloomy regions shall never enter the gates that lead to endless light and ecstasy. They will discover that the beautiful words spoken in their eulogy bear no resemblance to the reality that now confronts them. If only their friends could see them now!

But the good news is this, if you are still breathing, for you the game is not over!  Even if you are on you dying bed there is still time for a last minute game winning shot.  All you have to do is:

1. ADMIT your sinfulness! (we all are)
2. ACCEPT God's substitute for your sin! (his name is Jesus)
3. ACKNOWLEDGE Him as Lord of your life!  (he's your new boss

Salvation is free, but it cost Jesus everything in an act of love that we can never repay.  You can't work your way into heaven!  Jesus made it plain when He said in John 14:6 ..."“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  There is no other way to win this game!  My prayer is that one day all will make this decision and hit the "game-winning shot" before your buzzer rings, and your game of life is over!  Make that decision today!


WHEN YOU ACCEPT JESUS... IT'S GAME OVER!


MY FAVORITE SONG REMINDS ME THAT ONE DAY...THIS IS IT!

Dealing With The Tough Ten 9. Trust

I'll never forget the afternoon as I was spending some precious quiet time with the Lord, when He whispered a seemingly simple question to my heart... Do you trust me?  You would think it would be an easy question to answer, but as my lips began to form the word yes, He whispered, "Even if I took everything you have, money, home, material goods, health, family....would you still trust me?

"That's a lot Lord and to be honest I can't really say yes because I wouldn't understand."  Little did I know but that began a journey that continues in my life today, but I now can honestly tell him, after trials and tribulations...Yes!!

That day as I searched the scriptures The Lord gave me 27 reasons why the answer to the question should always have been yes!  So if you have ever struggled with that question like I have, may His Word bring total assurance to your heart, as you place your complete trust and confidence in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

27 REASONS WE SHOULD TRUST GOD

1.  We should trust in God… for our Salvation!
 Genesis 49:18 (NLT) 
I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!

2.  We should trust in God… because He is All-Powerful (Omnipotent)!
1 Cor. 2:5 (NLT) 
    I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom.

3.  We should trust in God… because of his Miraculous Works!
Psalm 73:28 (NKJV) 
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works.

4.   We should trust God…because of He is our Protector!
Psalm 18:2 (NKJV) 
    The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
    My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
    My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Nahum 1:7 (NLT) 
    The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in him.

5.  We should trust God because… He Hears our Cries!
1 Chron. 5:20 (NKJV) 
And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.

6.  We should trust God… because He Delivers us from our Enemies!
Psalm 37:40 (NKJV) 
    And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;
    He shall deliver them from the wicked,
    And save them,
    Because they trust in Him.
 7.  We should trust God…because He is our Helper!
Psalm 115:9 (NLT) 
        O Israel, trust the Lord!
            He is your helper; he is your shield.

8.  We should trust God… because He Brings us Success!
2 Chron. 20:20 (NLT) 
Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed."

9.  We should trust God… because He is our Defender!
Psalm 5:11 (NKJV) 
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.

10.  We should trust in God… because of His Mercy!
Psalm 32:10 (NKJV) 
    Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
    But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
11.  We should trust in God… because of His Strength!
Psalm 20:7 (NKJV) 
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

12.  We should trust God because… He has Demonstrated His Faithfulness!
Psalm 37:3 (NKJV) 
    Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
   
13.  We should trust God… because of His Righteousness!
Psalm 31:1 (NKJV) 
In You, O Lord, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.

14.  We should trust God…because of His Goodness!
Psalm 34:8 (NKJV) 
    Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
    Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

15.  We should trust in God… because His Word is True!
Psalm 119:42 (NKJV) 
    So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
    For I trust in Your word.

16.  We should trust in the Lord… because He brings us Joy!
Psalm 40:3 (NKJV) 
    He has put a new song in my mouth--
    Praise to our God;
    Many will see it and fear,
    And will trust in the Lord.

1 Peter 1:8 (NLT) 
    You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

17.  We should trust in the Lord… because He is our Provider!
Psalm 34:10 (NKJV) 
    The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
    But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
18.  We should trust God… because He is our Redeemer!
Psalm 34:22 (NKJV) 
The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

19.  We should trust God… because He Calms our Fears!
Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT) 
But when I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
4O God, I praise your word.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

20.  We should trust God… because He is our Hope!
Jeremiah 17:7 (NKJV) 
    "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    And whose hope is the Lord.

21.  We should trust God… because He Cares for Us!
Psalm 112:7 (NLT) 
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

22.  We should trust God… because He is Trustworthy!
Psalm 119:138 (NLT) 
        Your decrees are perfect;
            they are entirely worthy of our trust.
23.  We should trust in the Lord… because He is our Security!
Psalm 125:1 (NLT) 
        Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
            they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

24.  We should trust God… because He Loves Us!
Psalm 143:8 (NLT) 
Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I have come to you in prayer.

25.  We should trust in God… because He Directs Us!
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will direct your paths.

26.  We should trust God… because He Gives us Peace!
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) 
    You will keep him in perfect peace,
    Whose mind is stayed on You,
    Because he trusts in You.

27.  We should trust God because… He Rewards Us!
Hebrews 10:35 (NLT) 
    Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you!

Dealing With The Tough Ten 8. Aging with Grace

Ecclesiastes 12

1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” 2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. 3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.
 4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
 5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.
 6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. 7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it..
....
 13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

I hate to admit it...but these God inspired words are so true as we grow older in the seasons of life.  We can cover up, clean up, hide out, workout, color over, push over, lift up, throw up, weave it, sew it, slow it but ultimately we all will show it.  Some much later than others but aging is a part of life.  Few however age with grace!

Aging gracefully is so much easier if you remember the great days of your youth with appreciation!  God blessed you for a reason...and maybe only for a season, but he wants you to press on and finish strong!     Man judges you by the outside but God looks at the heart.

We all want to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.  The death rate is one to one last time I checked!  But you can enjoy the ride, and age with dignity and grace if you remember these words of wisdom as you joyfully travel along life's highway!

Dr Charles Stanley - Aging in Ministry with Grace


Meditate on this Classic Christian Hymn by Whintley Phipps

Dealing With The Tough Ten 7. Letting Go

On occasion, we’re amazed by a believer’s perseverance in adversity and confidence in God’s promises. Such people demonstrate a spiritual fullness that many of us long to have. A closer look reveals that they have followed Jesus’ example and surrendered all to God.

We may find it hard to submit to the Lord, because we like to be in charge. This has been man’s problem since the beginning. Adam and Eve, the first human beings, decided to ignore God’s warning and charted their own course, which ended in disaster. Like them, we often overlook the limitations of our understanding and ignore God’s wisdom and knowledge.

Another reason that we hold back is fear: perhaps we won’t like what the Lord chooses for us—He might ask us to give up a favorite activity or take on additional responsibility. How we are perceived by others also factors into our decision about submission, as we don’t appreciate criticism for being “too religious.” In addition, selfishness and pride can make us reluctant to let God take charge: we cling to our ideas and dreams and prefer to be independent.

The truth is the opposite of what we think. By yielding control to the Lord, we position ourselves to live the abundant spiritual life. We’ll experience His deep love, which satisfies more fully than any other. Our usefulness in His service will be maximized as we operate in the Spirit’s power. And obedience will also bring glory to Him as well as blessings to us.

Surrender is the way to abundance. Won’t you humble yourself before God and relinquish all to Him?
"Unconditional Surrender" by Dr. Charles Stanley 

Dealing With The Tough Ten 6. Broken Relationships/True Friendship

Without a doubt one of the toughest things we have to deal with in life are broken relationships!  Few things cause more problems and more pain, than fractures between people who have shared trust.  The reason for this are both complex, and confusing, plus no two relationships are the same.

So instead of playing Dr. Phil, let me instead reflect on the marks of true friendship shared with me by a highly respected Christian Leadership specialist named Ron Edmonson.  Whether in marriage, or dating; among college roomates or childhood buddies; in business, work or pleasure, if your relationship is not based on these eternal friendship principals, it simply won't stand the test of time!


So if you are tired of broken relationships in your life, let's focus on  5 Marks of True Friendship, and try to apply to our current relationships:

Here are 5 marks of true friendship:

1. Unconditional love - Regardless of what you do, what happens, or where life takes you, a true friend loves at all times.
2. Unwavering support – You don’t have to do the “right things” to keep a true friend. They support you (if not in actions as a person) whatever you choose to do.
3. Willingness to challenge – A true friendship makes you better. The Bible says “iron sharpens iron”. True friends will correct you if needed.
4. Consistent over time – True friendships aren’t for a season. They are for a lifetime.
5. Gives grace freely and generously – True friendship weather the sometime difficulties of relationships, forgive where needed, and love even when it hurts.

Remember these words of truth from the Word of God.   

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
   but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."   Proverbs 18:24
 
Do you have a true friendship with those whom you have relationships with?
More importantly, are you a true friend?  
If not, try being one today!  Thank God for the true friends in your life!





No matter if you face broken relationships in your life remember the friend who will never leave you in this song by the Winans!

Dealing With The Tough Ten 5. A Dream Deferred

It takes faith and hope to dream.  It takes courage to face a dream deferred!  I wish life was always as sweet as mom's pancakes and as easy as Sunday morning.  

But, that's not life like Jesus described in the gospels.  It's not like He didn't tell us.  He said "in this world you will have tribulations, but fear not, I have overcome the world" John 16:33.   Like Jesus we too can become overcomers, even if we face our dreams deferred!
 

• You may have dreamed of a marriage made in heaven, but instead face a relationship that seems straight from hell!

• You may have dreamed of the perfect family, but instead trouble seems to be your kids middle name!

• You may have dreamed of a career that lasts forever, but instead pink seems to be your most popular color!

• You may have dreamed of retiring with financial security, but instead face twenty more years of menial labor!

One of life's toughest realities is dealing with a dream deferred!  Some preachers may tell you to "name it, and claim it", but the only thing you have claimed is a life full of bumps and bruises, and a pocket full of lint!

So what do we do?  Do we kiss our dreams goodbye, and never dream at all?  My sister says we should DreamOutLoud,  http://www.dreamoutloudtv.com/  but make sure your dreams are God-given and not your own.  In the end His will must be done.  His dreams for you will come true because He loves you, and His plans for you will come to pass.  When you have a relationship with Jesus Christ,  your future is secure,  and He will sustain you day by day.

So how are we to live with this reality?

• Enjoy everyday as a precious gift from God!
• Thank Him for every blessing He gives in your life!
• Refuse to give up because games are sometimes one at the end!

Three things we must do every single day!

1. Laugh more!
2. Love more!
3. Learn more!

But never, ever refuse to dream again!  Life can be challenging, but trust God, because if you do, in the end you will win!  A Christian's victory can never be deferred!

Life's Tough Ten 4. Success

Shaka Smart, the 34 year old head coach of Virginia Commonwealth University,  is a brilliant and fast rising star in the world of mens college basketball.  After VCU's amazing run to the final four, several major colleges were battling behind the scenes for his services.  To most people's surprise, Coach Smart chose to remain at VCU, turning down a two million dollar offer from North Carolina State.

Now before you cry for the young coach, VCU gave him a salary increase that would take him from a $325K base, to a base of $1.2 million!  Shaka was staying put and would be handsomely rewarded.  By every standard in the world's eyes he is the epitome of the word success! 

But the ultimate question in life is will Coach Smart become a success in the eye's of God?  God doesn't measure success by the size of your bank account (that's nice), your job title, or the square footage of your home.   God measure's success by your absolute obedience to His Word,  your acknowledgment of sin in your life, and humbling yourself to receive His Son as the only acceptable payment for your sin.  Success God's way results in more than victories.  His road to success leads to a heavenly home with the King of Kings!

Coach Smart recruited my son while he was a senior in high school before deciding to go in another direction.  His basketball decisions have obviously been very wise, resulting in an improbable trip to this year's Final Four!   But my prayer for him and others in similar positions of acclaim, is that they would not settle for the world's definition of success, but choose success God's way.  Coach Smart has a lot of spiritual interests, but has yet to land on a definitive decision for Jesus Christ.  The good new is this.  As long as he has breath, there is still time.  My prayers are with him and I congratulate him for "Shaka-ing" the world of college basketball!

For every man who can handle adversity, there are two others who struggle with the "problem" of success!  Most of us want to do things our way.  God in His mercy, has given every man and woman the freedom to choose for themselves.  He did not make us robots, but wants us to choose Him for one reason ...We LOVE HIM!  Our ultimate reward is not a bigger paycheck, though we will walk the streets of gold with Him in Heaven one day.  The ultimate reward is found in six words from the Lord to summarize our lives..."Well done, good and faithful servant"! Matthew 25:19


The Lord told Joshua these words as he sought success in leading the children of Israel into the promise land in Joshua 1:6-9. 

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
 ⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

So the choice is yours.  Will you take the world's way of success and it's momentary pleasures, or will you choose the Lord's way of success and its eternal benefits and rewards.  As I pray for Shaka, I'm praying for you!  Joshua near the end of his life told the people these words in Joshua 24:14-15

¹⁴ “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ¹⁵ But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Make the best choice today!

ULTIMATE SUCCESS - "COME TO JESUS" Adrian Rogers - prince of preachers - VICTORY with JESUS!

Life's Tough Ten 3.Fear of Failure

One of the benefits of participating in sports is that it forces you to deal with failure.  A great football quarterback completes about 60% of his passes, meaning he fails 40% of the time!  A great basketball player makes about 45% of his shots, meaning he misses 55% of the time!  A great baseball player safely hits about 30% of the time, meaning he is grounds, flies, or strikes out about 70% of the time!  Players that meet those standards of success generally make millions of dollars for playing a game they would play for so much less.  What they learn is that failure is not fatal if you refuse to give up, learn from your mistakes, and give it one more try!

Fear is one of the most paralyzing emotions in the human existence.  We can fear all kinds of things, but the fear of failure not only paralyzes us, it disqualifies us in the game of life, because failure is a real part of every human life!  The bible is clear, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV.  Fear does not come from God...guess who?  Failure in life is both normal and inevitable.  However failure can also be profitable!  God has always used failure as one of His most powerful teaching tools.  The question is are you willing to learn and do what it takes to turn your present failure, into your future success.

All the greats in the bible did just that!  Abraham did it!  Joseph did it!  David did it!  Paul did it, and so many more.  All pointing to the sinless perfect one who would come as God dressed in human flesh to show us the ultimate way of escaping the fear of failure by His victorious sacrifice for each one of us on the cross, our Savior, Jesus Christ!  Failure displays our humanity.  Trusting Christ in all of life's ups and downs is the pathway to victory as He gives you strength in your times of need!

You can score a touchdown in life by trusting Christ in tough things!  You can slam dunk by trusting God in testing times!  You can hit a home-run by trusting God in the terrifying times, when fear threatens to halt your forward progress in the race of life! You can even turn your fear of failure into the thrill of victory, by making the wise choice to trust God at ALL times!  Remember only Jesus shot 100%!  So don't fear failure.  Embrace it!  Learn from it!  Grow from it!  As I wrote as a senior in high school, "It's better to try and not succeed, than to be among those of faint of heart, who didn't have the faith and courage to try at all"

WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID YOU WILL FAIL IN LIFE?  WILL YOU FOCUS ON CHRIST?  WILL YOU TAKE A STEP OF FAITH!  

HE WILL NEVER FAIL YOU!  AS A CHRISTIAN WE KNOW IN THE END, WE WIN!!!

Courage by Charles R. Swindoll Joshua 1:9

Someone once wrote, "Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap your character. Sow your character, reap your destiny."

Standing tall when tested takes courage---constant, relentless, never-give-up courage! You can be sure that the old flesh will fight for its arousal and satisfaction. All it takes is a little rationalization---just a little. Just look the other way. Just shrug it off. Don't sweat it. And before long you have a rattlesnake in your sleeping bag.

First: Standing tall starts with the way we think. It has to do with the mind. As I've said so often, being a person of inner strength is really a mental factor. It has to do with the way we think about God, ourselves, and others. Then it grows into the way we think about business, the way we think about dating, the way we think about marriage and the family, the way we think about the system that is designed to destroy faith and bring us down to a lower standard. 

Second: Standing tall calls for strong discipline. This has to do with the will. Disciplining the eyes, the ears, the hands, the feet. Keeping moral tabs on ourselves, refusing to let down the standards. People of strength know how to turn right thinking into action---even when insistent feelings don't agree. 

Third: Standing tall limits your choice of personal friends. This has to do with relationships. What appears harmless can prove to be dangerous. Perhaps this is as important as the other two factors combined. Cultivate wrong friendships and you're a goner. This is why we are warned not to be deceived regarding the danger of wrong associations. Without realizing it, we could be playing with fire. 

Sow the wind and, for sure, you'll reap the whirlwind. Eagles may be strong birds, but when the wind velocity gets fierce enough, it takes an enormous amount of strength to survive. Only the ultrapowerful can make it through the whirlwind.

 Set your eyes on the Lord!  He will give you Courage!

Dealing With The Tough Ten 2. Change

One of the toughest things we wrestle with in this life is change!  Most of us are creatures of habit whether good or bad.  It is normally easier to get a leopard to change his spots than to convince most men and women to change.  Change makes most of us uncomfortable and uneasy.  Change has a way to take us out of our comfort zone, but change is definitely a part of every life!

Well,  the bible is clear that God does all things for a reason and most things for a season!  The only one who cannot change is God!  He is Immutable!  God does not change.  That should bring the believer comfort in times of waiting and distress.  God is true to His Word and His promises endure forever!

However unless a man or woman embraces change they can never be saved!  Unless you are willing to change from your sinful self and embrace Christ's sacrifice on the cross for you, as payment for your sin, eternal life with Him is just a pipe dream.  Change can be good and change can be bad, but take this to the bank...change is coming to your life!

Transformational change has always been the Lord's method to mature you, grow you, develop you, and ultimately conform you to the image of His Son!  You may not like it, and you may try to fight it, but in the end, if change you face comes from the Lord, you need to submit and allow His will to be worked out in your life.  His love for you will never change!  His will must be done!  Change may bring tears or change may bring cheers.  However, remember that God "works all things together for good to them that love Him".  Romans 8:28

I look forward to the ultimate change one day, when we shall be changed forever to be with the Lord!  So buckle your seats and prepare for the ride of your life with Jesus Christ!  Change is coming your way!


¹ For everything there is a season,
      a time for every activity under heaven.
 ² A time to be born and a time to die.
      A time to plant and a time to harvest.
 ³ A time to kill and a time to heal.
      A time to tear down and a time to build up.
 ⁴ A time to cry and a time to laugh.
      A time to grieve and a time to dance.
 ⁵ A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
      A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
 ⁶ A time to search and a time to quit searching.
      A time to keep and a time to throw away.
 ⁷ A time to tear and a time to mend.
      A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
 ⁸ A time to love and a time to hate.
      A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8




^{Romans 8:31} "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

^{1 Corinthians 51-52}  "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed"

Life's Tough Ten 1.Interruptions

You woke up this morning like any other morning.  A big bowl of cereal and a fresh glass of orange juice gets your day off to a roaring start.  You hurry to the garage to get into your car and your cell phone's familiar ring tone goes off and you have to decide do I take it or just keep going on my day.  It's a beautiful morning and the sun is shining.  My desk is loaded and just waiting for me to tackle my tasks.

"I'll just take this one and head on my way".  It's the doctor's office and I wonder what they have to say?   "Hello this is Dr. Rosenthall, and we just got the results back from your test.  I'm sorry to say but growth on you abdomen was malignant!  We will have to do further tests but I think we've caught it early.  Please call my office in the morning and we will discuss the next steps." 

In just a split moment your whole world comes to a screeching halt!  He didn't really say what I thought he said, did he?  Not now...not me!  It can't be!  I'm going to San Diego on vacation this weekend!  What's going on?

INTERRUPTIONS!!

Life would be wonderful if it wasn't for the interruptions that come creeping into every life like a slithering snake looking for some prey.  It's at times like these that you have a serious choice to make.  Do I give God apiece of my mind that I can't afford to lose....or do I in humble submission, trust that He knows how I feel and exactly what I need?  Do I trust that "His will is perfect" and "He will never leave me or forsake me"?  Will He carry me through the storm or will I try to carry myself?

As painful as they may be, interruptions are still part of the mysterious but perfect will of God for your life.  His will must be done as painful and disrupting as it may seem to be!  Interruptions can shake you but they don't have to break you!  If God is God, He will walk with you through every interruption in your life and you can still emerge victorious despite the painful blow you've just absorbed.

So grab His Hand!  Believe His Word!  Trust His Heart!  You are His child if you know Christ personally as your Savior!  Daddy will take care of you!  The journey may be long, but you can experience joy on the journey and show a unbelieving world how great God really is, if you choose to trust God during the interruptions of life! 

Listen to this Word of encouragement by Joseph Stowell on handling the interruptions of life.  You are never alone!

Dealing With The Tough Ten

Life would be a piece of cake if we just didn't have to deal with the tough ten!  Don't even try,

• You can't avoid them!
• Get around them!
• You must deal with them!

So what are the tough ten?  Get ready, here they come:

1. Interruptions
2. Change
3. Fear of Failure
4. Success
5. A Dream Deferred
6. Broken Relationships
7. Letting Go
8. Aging with Grace
9. Trust
10. Game Over

We will deal with each one over the next month, but all I can say is hold on to your seat.  The ride might be a little rough, but in the end, you will be ready to deal with the tough ten.  The good news is this...in the end We Win!!

Enjoy this song, and remember that the Lord is with you as you deal with the tough ten!

No Greater Love by Charles Stanley

Perhaps the most intense love and protective instinct in the experience of mankind is that of parents toward their children. There is little that most mothers or fathers wouldn’t do for a baby. If a truck posed a threat to the little one, it wouldn’t surprise us if they jumped in front of the moving vehicle without a second thought.

Wouldn’t you like to be cared for with this kind of intensity? You are. In fact, the Lord’s love toward you is far deeper and more secure than that of even the most caring, tuned-in human parent. And what God did for us is proof. Romans 5:8 says that while we were living in disobedience, He sent His only Son to die on the cross for us.

Think about a father giving up his child for people who choose to rebel against him. What a tremendous sacrifice and cost! Jesus’ death took the place of the punishment that we deserved. If we accept this gift and decide to follow God, He no longer sees us as guilty. Rather, He justifies us, makes us righteous, and changes our ultimate destiny: instead of facing everlasting separation from Him, we will enjoy His presence eternally. What’s more, almighty God adopts us as His children forever. Our heavenly Father guides, protects, and counsels us as we walk through life—and promises us that we are secure in Him throughout eternity.

How incredible that the Creator of the universe would love you and me in this way! Do you know and experience the security and sweetness of His care? Gratitude and praise should flow from your heart. In turn, love others deeply out of thankfulness for the love that you have received.

Join us at Abundant Grace Fellowship http://www.agfchurch.org/ on February 25th to see the movie "No Greater Love" $5

How to Follow Well

Not only have many been called to lead well, we have all been called to follow well!  So here are a few thoughts on following:

1. Good followers are great finishers. They get the job done. Take projects across the finish line.

2. Good followers anticipate. They understand what needs to be done next before others, and are always looking for ways to make the process better.

3. Good followers criticize in private, and praise in public. Enough said on that.

4. Good followers are trustworthy. When given an assignment, a leader can be assured that it will get done. This is incredibly important.

5. Good followers are vision copycats. They take on, embody and live out the vision and mission of their leader, and of the organization.

6. Good followers make their leader better. They push their leader, and know how to lead up appropriately and intentionally.

7. Good followers lead themselves. They don’t need to be managed, and aren’t needy. They don’t need all the attention from the leader.


Following is not a dirty word in the Christian Life! Jesus said in Luke 9:23 "Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me."
Thank God for men and women who are willing to follow godly leaders and the Lord Jesus Christ! 

Even leaders MUST be good followers themselves. Remember whatever you do is not about YOU and not for YOU! Everything you do should be done for the glory of God! We must all learn how to follow well!


If you love Jesus...you will follow Him!

New Habits for the New Year

GOD WANTS YOU TO GROW IN 2011!

7 Ways to build Spiritual Muscle in the New Year!

1. DAILY DIE TO SELF!``
1 Cor. 15:31
I die every day--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Yield complete control of your life to Jesus Christ every day.

2. DAILY OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST!
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Every day, commit yourself to obeying God and His Word

3. DAILY BIBLE READING!
Acts 17:11
…they…examined the Scriptures every day to see if these things were so…
Spend time reading God’s Word everyday

4. DAILY PRAYER!
Matthew 6:11
…give us today our daily bread.
Devote time every day talking to God in prayer.

5. DAILY FELLOWSHIP!
Hebrews 3:13
“…encourage one another daily…”.
Seek regular fellowship with other Christians.

6. DAILY SHARING!
Acts 5:42
“Day after day…they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ”.
Tell others about Jesus every day in words and actions.

7. DAILY PRAISE!
Psalm 119:164
Praise God every day for who He is and what He has done.

February 2011 Bible Challenge Day - Book of Matthew (Read 1 chapter a day for 28 days)

Singing from the Book of Psalm for Today

Take time to list to these beautiful renditions from the book of Psalm!  Your day will not be the same after you do, so take a break to refresh yourself in the Word of God in a sweet sounding way.  You deserve a break today.  Let your soul take rest in the book of Psalm with some wonderful vocalists!

PSALM18
CLINT BROWN 



PSALM 3
BYRON CAGE

God's Timing is Always on Time by Chuck Swindoll

The timing is as critical as the involvement. You don't just force your way in.

Even if you've got the stuff that's needed . . .
Even if you hold the piece perfectly shaped to fit the other person's missing part of the puzzle . . . 

• You can't push it into place. 
• You must not try.
• You must do the most difficult thing for compassion to do.

You must wait.

Even if there is rebellion?
Even if there's rebellion.
Even if sin is occurring? Yes, often even then.
Even if others are suffering and disillusioned and going through the misery of misunderstanding, heartache, and sleepless nights? Believe it or not, yes.

There are times (not always, but often) when the better part of wisdom restrains us from barging in and trying to make someone accept our help. The time isn't right, so we wait.

Even the Lord waits, as when Isaiah reported to the nation whom the Lord called "rebellious children" (Isa. 30:1). These people were rife with shame, reproach, unfaithful alliances, oppression, and a ruthless rejection of God's holy Word. Their unwillingness to repent added insult to injury.

But what was Jehovah's response? Hidden away in the first part of verse 18 is the incredible statement: "Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you."

Instead of storming into the dark alleys of Judah, screaming "Repent!" and shining bright lights to expose the filthy litter of their disobedience, the Lord tapped His foot, folded His arms . . . and waited. Not even the Lord pushed His way in. He waited until the time was right.

Our Lord would love to piece together the shattered fragments of your life.
But He is waiting . . . graciously waiting until the time is right.

• Until you are tired of the life you are living . . . 

• Until you see it for what it really is...

• Until you are weary of coping . . . of taking charge of your own life . . . 

• Until you realize the mess you are making of it...

• Until you recognize your need for Him...

• He's waiting . . . 

God's timing is always on time.

Be Encouraged!

 

Taking the Time to Say Thank You in the New Year

For the majority of my adult life I have been blessed by the incredible bible teaching of men like Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Adrian Rogers, John MacArthur, David Jeremiah, Tony Evans and so many other gifted teachers of the Word of God.  Through the wonder of Moody Radio and other fine Christian broadcast networks, these men have imparted godly wisdom which has strengthened my walk with Christ daily.

Just as licking salt by a horse encourages thirst for the pleasures only water can bring, these men have been the salt in my life which has  has encouraged me to dive into the depths of the water of God's Word for myself, quenching my thirst for Christ through the scriptures.

But as we enter the new year of 2011, and we face another year of aging , I truly realize that most of these men are rounding third base in their lives, and will soon be off the scene.  A new generation of anointed teachers will be needed to carry the gospel baton to transform lives for the glory of God.

Adrian Rogers has gone to be with the Lord leaving an incredible legacy behind.  Most of these men are in their late 60's and several have experienced life's physical trials.  As I watch Charles Stanley on TV still powerfully preaching the Word, sitting down to conserve energy, it reminds me that others must step up and "stand in the gap,  proclaiming the Word without compromise to a new thirsty generation.

If you have been spiritually blessed by a godly teacher in your life you have a great reason to give thanks to God for the new year.  However, as the old year passes away, and the new year dawns, won't you take some time to thank the Lord for all the godly influences He has placed in your life.  So many times we take these blessing for granted until they have passed away, and then it is too late to every say thank you for being a blessing in my life.  Not that they are looking for it...but because they deserve a tangible token of your appreciation.

By doing that,  I believe you will enjoy the new experiences God places in your path this year in a deeper way.  Don't take the spiritual blessings in your life for granted.  Tears of sorrow will never replace golden memories of thanks and appreciation that the Lord may be asking you to give someone as you enter the new year anticipating new spiritual blessings in this new season!

NO GREATER GIFT- My Christmas Card to You!

It’s that time of year again. Jingle Bells ring as the cash registers sing. While we’re dreaming of a White Christmas, the merchants are dreaming of a green one. As children anxiously anticipate that extra special present, store owners drool over their extra profit. Even the threat of a sluggish economy cannot thwart a Christmas shopper’s pursuit of the “perfect” gift.

Motivated by many things, the world pursues Christmas giving with all the gusto of a wild stallion gone mad. By Christmas Eve, stockings will be stuffed, and trees will almost topple over with gifts that will likely please, but never satisfy. Missing amidst the beautifully arranged decorations will be God’s greatest gift made available to all mankind... Eternal Life through Jesus Christ. It comes in no wrapping paper, but it’s waiting to be opened. For those who have received it, the Christmas tree is never empty and the stockings are always full.

Jesus says in John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them Eternal Life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” What a gift! What a God! What a Savior!

As you reflect on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ this Christmas season, remember your priorities when you give and receive gifts. That watch from Macy’s may be marvelous. Those new jeans from Nordstroms may be wonderful. However, until you have received the glorious gift of Eternal Life through faith in our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ, Christmas really isn’t Christmas at all. God can give no greater gift. Let’s pray that many will know the joy of receiving it!

WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST GIFT AT CHRISTMAS? HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO GOD'S GREATEST GIFT? WHO WILL YOU TELL THIS YEAR ABOUT GOD'S GREATEST GIFT?



Israel Houghton and CeCe Winans

Benefits of Waiting on God by Dr. James MacDonald

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord." - Psalms 40:1–3

The longer I live, the more I come to understand that life doesn't have a lot of green lights. There are hardly any times where God is like, "Do you want that? Have it right now. Why didn't you ask sooner?" More often God is like, "I'd like you to wait."
 
"No! I want it right now!"

God is like, "Listen! You might think you want it now, but I'm going to give it to you when you're fit to receive it. I'm going to use the process of waiting to shape you into the woman or the man that I want you to be. Getting it now wouldn't advance My purposes for you. I want you to wait."

Waiting is not an easy thing. Waiting is not passivity. Waiting on God is not the absence of efforts. Waiting is "I've done everything I know how to do but it's not enough and now I am waiting on God to do for me what I could not do for myself."
That is such an important lesson to learn. Let me tell you about some of the benefits that you get when you wait on God. Here are five verses that spell them out.

• According to Psalm 40:1 when we wait on God, He hears our prayers: "I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me and heard my cry." 
•  
• According to Isaiah 64:4 when we wait on God, He acts on our behalf: "Nor has the eye seen a God like You who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him."   
•  
• That's what God is fired up about. He works for the people who wait. I wonder how many things we don't get because we're out there working for it ourselves beyond what we should and God's like, "Would you just stop that? I act on behalf of the people who wait for Me."
•  
• Psalm 25:3 says that when we wait on God, He keeps us from shame: "Indeed none of those who wait for You O God will be ashamed."
•  
• Isaiah 40:31 says that He gives strength to those who wait: "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength."
•  
• Psalm 37:34 tells us that those who wait for God are exalted: "Wait for the Lord and He will exalt you."

Bottom line; God always makes it worth our while to wait for Him!

IF GOD HAS BEEN GOOD TO YOU...WHY SHOULD YOU COMPLAIN?

Marvin Winans - I Won't Complain

Douglas Miller - My Soul Has Been Anchored