When We Can't Understand, Trust.

We often believe inside that we know better than God what we need and when. We don't voice that belief, we just hold it quietly.

Yet in our heart of hearts we know that God is all-knowing and all-loving; that He wants the very best for us, and He knows how to provide it.

We don't always understand the way God answers our prayers, and when we don't, it is time to trust in His goodness and power.

What We Fear

Fear of the unknown is one of the greatest fears. When Katie was five, she lost part of a foot in a terrible accident. When we asked a social worker in the hospital what to tell her, she answered, "The complete truth." The unknown was the real enemy bringing fear.

When it comes to this life and the next, God reveals to us the whole truth. Our lives here on the earth are brief and without promise of tomorrow, but our lives in Christ are eternal and centered in God's house where Jesus has prepared a place for us. We go from a rented tenement to a palace that is ours.

Read John 14: 1-7

a caution to the impulsive

rev. Bill does a pre marital inventory that gages where individuals are on a scale from impulsive to self disciplined. I think I fall to the impulsive side. But that trait, when not tempered with God's leading can make me go in a hundred non productive directions. Sometimes, if your like me, you have to mellow out and wait for a little"external evidance" of the leading of the Lord.

delayed graitification

I have been tyring to put my finger on a problem I see in myself but more so with my children.

I think it is the problem that has been enhanced by video games and other modern stimuli that reward actions in seconds. Consider the scope of the delay mentioned in the devotional and it begs the question: Does this genaration have the tolerance for delayed gratification as measured by Biblical standards? Do I?

Wait a Minute.

Those are three words that people afflicted with a lack of patience hate to hear. It is hard for us to delay gratification. Israel waited 400 years in the sojourn in Egypt. They wandered for 40 years in the Sinai on their way to the promised land. God had a purpose for those 440 years. He was preparing Israel.

Still, it is tough to wait for many of us. We want instant results. Sometimes God's answer to our prayer is, "Wait."

Doubt and Discouragement

Satan is a liar. It's in his name and in his nature. He will, at every opportunity, try to cause you to doubt God's grace and provision. He will try to turn your heart to discouragement. DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!

Read Philippians 4: 4-9.

Springtime Comes

It is beautiful that Easter is in the spring. All of nature reminds us of resurrection and new life. Trees have fresh leaves. Deer have new fawns. Birds have new peeps. Trees and flowers bud and bloom.

Without winter, spring wouldn't have such great an impact. Without trials and seasons of challenge, our victory in Christ wouldn't be as intense.

When there are times of winter remember, springtime comes.

flying w/o sight

Enjoyed Bill's commentary yesterday. I liked the passage today. Reminded me of the confidence experienced pilots have that can fly w/ instruments even in fog/clouds and darkness. The ambiguity of life can be unsettling. I liked the parts about patience and trust. have a great day.

Sting Back?

When we are attacked or insulted, our first inclination is to hit back. It is the natural response of our flesh. That also means that the inclination is probably wrong.

When He was assailed, Jesus did not respond in kind. When He was hung on the cross, he asked His Father to forgive us who were guilty of His death.

It is easy to respond in kind. It is Jesus-like to forgive.

The lesson from Job

I am convinced that the promises of God are really for true believers that hold to this idea that adversity will pay dividends no matter what they go through. Job, to me is like the navy seal of suffering. But all of us can relate in measure. I may not have the answers to suffering at hand. But I can continue and work patiently to see the other end of them. That is, with God's help. Have a great day all.

Pat

Like a morning zephyr

I have really been inspired this Easter by the reality of Holy Saturday.

The Lord was at work on Saturday even though the day does not have the pizazz of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Those "checks" and gentle "pressures" are underestimated in their importance from my vantage point.

But what is a "morning zephyr?

Pat