Tag: patience

May 24, 2023

May 24th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 1-2

Highlight Verse:

““Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you don’t think God has a sense of humor, read this again!

But then I realize that I can be like Elkanah.

I get so focused on myself and my situations that I don’t understand when things aren’t going well for those around me.

But God listened to Hannah. He answered her prayer. He provided.

Through Hannah, God provided Israel with Samuel. Samuel led Israel through a crucial time in its history including the anointing of King David.

Are you like Hannah? Can you trust God to provide when you cry out for help?
Are you like Elkanah? Can you opened your eyes and ears to try to understand how your loved ones are feeling?
May 21, 2023

May 21st, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 62-65

Highlight Verse:

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There’s a sign in front of a church on Federal Boulevard in Denver that says,

“You are God’s novel. Let Him write it.”

As a novelist, I can appreciate that.

When I write, I generally let my characters do what they want. That is, I try to be consistent with the characteristics I assigned to them.

Let me tell you, they don’t always do the best thing.

I know the overview of the story and how I intend the end to be, but the characters don’t know that so they act on what they know with their characteristics.

God knows the big story of each of our lives.

Yet He lets us make our own decisions and live out our own lives. More often than not, we’ll make our decision according to our own predispositions rather than God’s will.

We would do well to listen to Him as He shows us the way.

Do you have troubles figuring out what God wants us to do?
Is it difficult for you to do what God wants me to do?
May 16, 2023

May 16th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 33-34

Highlight Verse:

“Shechem wasted no time in acting on this request, for he wanted Jacob’s daughter desperately. Shechem was a highly respected member of his family,”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is another one of those stories that’s too messed up not to be true.

I’ll admit, I went into this praying, “Lord, what on earth can I pull out of this?”

Then the word “desperately” popped out at me.

Have you ever been desperate enough to do something foolish?

The Lord knows I have.

We think, “if I don’t settle for this person, I’ll never get married.” Or “I need a car so I have to accept these finance terms.”

Whatever the “desperate” situation, our desperation takes away our cognition.

We don’t think things through.

We agree to foolish terms.

In Shechem’s case, it cost his life and the lives of all the men in his town.

Is there anything that you are desperate about today?
Is there something you can do to recognize that your “desperate” situation may not be as desperate as you think?
Can you trust God instead of a foolish decision to get you out of those situations?
May 9, 2023

May 9th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 31-32

Highlight Verse:

“Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭32‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Say ‘Uncle’”

I can’t tell you how many times that was spoken to me as a kid. I can’t recall a single time that I said it to someone else.

Maybe the saying should be, “Say a blessing.”

There has been much theological debate about this passage.

Was it Jesus that Jacob was wrestling? If he really was wrestling with God, why didn’t the all powerful God just beat him?

I think those questions miss the point. Jacob absolutely refused to quit wrestling with God until he got God’s blessing.

I believe it is in God’s nature to allow His children to wrestle with him.

Maybe not physically. But He lets us come to him with our tough questions, bad situations, and even our bad attitudes.

Of course, those attitudes are likely to get adjusted. Like Jacob’s hip, God is will adjust our attitude in ways that can be just as painful.

In the end, we walk (or limp) away with at least a blessing and sometimes a whole new identity.

What have you been wrestling with God about lately?
Are you tenaciously seeking God’s blessing and His identity for you during this time?
May 8, 2023

May 8th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 20-21

Highlight Verse:

“(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.”

John 20:9-10 NIV

They were taught by Jesus Himself. They lived with Him for three years.

And they still didn’t get it.

Immediately following this scene is where Mary encounters Jesus outside the tomb.

She stuck around.

And she encountered Jesus.

Yes, it’s true that the other disciples encountered Jesus later that day and several more times before He ascended. But they had to endure a longer time of uncertainty because they didn’t wait where Jesus was last seen.

There are times of uncertainty in our lives; times when we have no idea what Jesus would want us to do.

We would do well to stay where Jesus was last seen by us.

That could be in fellowship with people we know have close relationships with God.

It always means seeking Him in the Word.

It never means wandering away from the places where we are likely to encounter Him.

In times of uncertainty, do you tend to wander closer to God or away from God?
April 14, 2023

April 14th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 43-45

Highlight Verse:

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One word leapt off the page at me – “when.”

Not “if.”

“When.”

Difficult times are not optional for humans.

Sure, some will have more suffering than others.

Many in this world suffer the effects of war, crime, injustice , and illness.

All suffer through emotional traumas, aging, and loss.

Not all will experience God’s comfort and support.

God does not force himself on anyone.

But for those who trust Him, He will comfort, support, and guide them through the fires and floods of life.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the circumstances of life?
Do you trust Jesus to be with you through the struggles?
April 11, 2023

April 11th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 24

Highlight Verse:

“One evening as he was walking and meditating in the fields, he looked up and saw the camels coming.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭24‬:‭63‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Through the wording of this verse, we can assume with some degree of accuracy that walking in the fields and meditating was a common occurrence for Isaac.

That, in itself, does not mean that it is a good idea for us to follow his example.

But then you step back and take a look at the whole chapter.

Isaac is about to get a wife through obviously divine intervention.

Did the walking and meditating have anything to do with that?

Maybe not but

living a lifestyle that leaves room for prayer and contemplation certainly leaves room for God to speak and act.

I admit that this is a lesson that I need to learn.

I do spend time in the Word of God and praying. But it is usually at least somewhat rushed. I need to find the time for regular contemplation.

Perhaps in a field.

Or a trail.

Or where ever I can find a place of peace.

Do you get a regular time of contemplation or meditation without rush or time limitation?
If you do, how have you seen God move in those times?
If not, what steps can you take to create that time?
April 3, 2023

April 3rd, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 15

Highlight Verse:

“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sounds harsh; maybe a bit painful.

When I was 40, I was 50 pounds overweight. I had to break up with my two best friends – Dr. Pepper and Little Debbie. It wasn’t easy. If you’ve seen me recently, you know I’m still not at my ideal weight. But I’m a lot closer than I was then. I’m not getting tons of cavities anymore either.

And that was a relatively easy pruning.

There have been more painful things that have been chopped off my life over the years. Stuff that has dragged me down and kept me from being who I can be.

I’m sure there will be more to come.

Some things God has had to to prune for me.

Others, I have laid down willingly.

Slowly over the years, I’ve seen the spiritual fruit improve. Some years have been more fruitful than others. Some fruit I’ve never seen but I know it’s out there.

Every successful pruning has been an act of God. I lack the power to make a clean cut.

The secret is being willing to be pruned.

Are you willing to let the Master Gardener prune your life?
Are there things you need to ask Him to prune today?
March 27, 2023

March 27th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 14

Highlight Verse:

“When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We had to wait a while for our lunch order to come today. I didn’t mind so much since we had good friends to talk with.

When it finally came, I was all the more hungry so it tasted even better than it might have.

Sometimes I want to ask Jesus, “when will everything be ready? This world seems ripe for your return.”

Then I realize that people have been asking the same thing for centuries. If He had said “now” more than 59 years ago, I wouldn’t be among those who get to enjoy His Father’s house for always.

How much longer will it be?

I don’t know, but I know that every day of delay will make the time more sweet. I also know that for every day of delay, more people join the party. At our church alone, dozens made decisions to join the family of God today (Sunday as I write this). In middle school alone we saw 7 join the family tonight.

The heavenly celebration gets sweeter with each day.

When it’s time, I’m ready. Until then, I will anticipate the party and invite as many as I can.

Are you hungry for heaven?
Are you bringing people with you?

Easter is one of the most likely times for people to accept invitations to church. I challenge you to ask at least one person to church for Easter. See you there.
March 19, 2023

March 19th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 33-36

Highlight Verse:

“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I can’t tell you how many times I have been at my wit’s end. I could see no way out. I didn’t know how I could go on.

But God did.

Every single time, when all the doors were shut tight, padlocked and barred, God opened an escape hatch. Sometimes I had to do some crawling or some climbing but I got through every time.

I think that’s where David is coming from in this verse. He saw God come through so many times, even before he became king, that he automatically knew he would be alright.

And he was.

God’s timing might not be my preferred timing. His answer might not be my preferred answer, but I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, He will always pull me through.

What situations have you seen God pull you through?
Is it getting easier for you to trust Him after each rough patch?

Tag: patience

If you don’t think God has a sense of humor, read this again!

But God listened to Hannah. He answered her prayer. He provided.

“You are God’s novel. Let Him write it.”

God knows the big story of each of our lives.

We would do well to listen to Him as He shows us the way.

Have you ever been desperate enough to do something foolish?

Whatever the “desperate” situation, our desperation takes away our cognition.

Maybe the saying should be, “Say a blessing.”

I believe it is in God’s nature to allow His children to wrestle with him.

And they still didn’t get it.

We would do well to stay where Jesus was last seen by us.

Not “if.”

“When.”

All suffer through emotional traumas, aging, and loss.

But then you step back and take a look at the whole chapter.

living a lifestyle that leaves room for prayer and contemplation certainly leaves room for God to speak and act.

Sounds harsh; maybe a bit painful.

Every successful pruning has been an act of God. I lack the power to make a clean cut.

How much longer will it be?

The heavenly celebration gets sweeter with each day.

But God did.

And he was.