Friday, August 25, 2023

God is Working



God is working
I am waiting
Hope is born
Anticipating

God is working
I am waiting
 in my soul
His life creating

God is working
I am waiting
peace is born
 pride is breaking

God is working
I am waiting
His promise true
Invigorating
~Anonymous

God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event. 
~Matthew Henry


There are always uncertainties ahead, but there is always one certainty--God's will is good. ~Vernon Paterson 

Hope is patiently waiting expectantly for the intangible to become reality. ~Avery D. Miller 


The Work of Waiting

There is some times an explainable deeper work done in the heart when time has said “wait.” 

 We are tried in what we wanted, or did not want and are then faced with our inability to do anything about it. A heart that wrestles with waiting does not understand fully the REST of God. 

 Maybe, we have tasted it, but have hardened our hearts when our Father wanted to lead us to a much FULLER land of His abundance. 

The Israelites, 
wanted Promise without pain. 
 They wanted riches without having to reign over giants. 

 We want, without waiting. 

 Good things come to those who wait.

Why? Because they are not allowing WANT to lead, and will not settle for anything less than what the Father desires.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” Is. 40:31

A good life makes a man wise according to God and gives him experience in many things, for the more humble he is and the more subject to God, the wiser and the more at peace he will be in all things.” 
~Thomas a Kempis


Monday, July 31, 2023

Cultivating Faith or Feeding Doubt


Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as wellas unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Heb. 4: 1, 2

The people of God stood at the brink of entering into a land that promised the rest that they had longed for. Gardens already planted and houses ready for their dwelling.

As a mother with children standing by her side, having traveled in barren lands, today held something more than a longing! Stability, food other than manna, water always available, grass instead of dirt, etc.

Did that young mother realized that she was one more doubt away from losing it all? Did she understand that her walk through the desert was a test to strengthen faith for this very day. The Israelites lack of faith to enter into the promise land started back at the Red Sea, and continued each test they met along the way.

They practiced doubt, and the habit of it became so much a part of their lives, that when the ultimate test came they were blinded from seeing the goodness and grace that God was offering them.

We must be very careful not to underestimate the power of doubt, in every little test we face.

Today if you hear his voice, 
harden not your hearts.”

Each new day holds the challenge of cultivating faith or feeding doubt. One leads to rest, and seeing the goodness of God, the other leaves us standing there, watching others enter in.

Faith is the mother of virtues. Faith is the fire which consumes sacrifice. Faith is the water which nurtures the root of piety. If you have not faith, all your graces must die. And in proportion as your faith increases, so will all your virtues be strengthened, not all in the same proportion, but all in some degree. ~Charles H. Spurgeon

"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." ~Thomas Aquinas
"The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials." ~George Muller

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Little Steps

Little steps could very well represent major crossroads in our lives.

Anna took her first steps at six years old (with the aide of a walker). Alan, I and several friends witness the event with tears and cheers.

Some time after that event, I saw a beautiful word picture expressing the importance of these little steps. I saw people in the gym who saw a 6 year old that looked normal, doing something that showed to them a little girl with great need.

Those who knew Anna, and how far she had come from saw the same steps taken, as great strives, and the beginning of more progress to come.

I saw my self holding tight to my walker taking the next step that my Father was telling me to take, hearing Him cheering me on, 

“YES, daughter, that's it!”

It was then, I realized how I lose something very precious, when I stand like those who look on from the outside without understanding, at how very significant these steps are.

Whether I find myself behind the walker straining to take the next step, or on the side lines, cheering others on, may I never lose sight, that obeying my Father's call is the key to reaching His mission for my life, however small that step may appear.

"We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." 
Hebrews 3:14

Anna turns 34 years old.  I was 34 years old, when she took these first steps.   Don't underestimate the power of the little steps you take, each day.  Keep your eyes on the One leading you, and you will find, with each step, you are no longer the same person, then when you started out on this journey.   
Above: Anna with my Dad...around the time period she began to start walking on her own.