God’s Timing

Featured ~ servantone1 ~ Leave a comment

JESUS SPEAKING

The brothers of Jesus tried to goad Him into going up to the Feast of Tabernacles before He was ready. He responded by saying, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” (John 7: 6 – 9)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

When Jesus’ brothers attempted to manipulate Him into doing something before God’s ordained time, He rebuked them. He later attended the Feast of Tabernacles in secret, prior to publicly revealing Himself in the temple. It seems that all of God’s plans are perfectly timed and beautifully orchestrated. Thus, implementing God’s will requires great patience and unwavering trust.

In the Old Testament, while leading the Israelites through the desert, Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the 10 commandments. He was gone for a total of 40 days and 40 nights. The Jews encamped near the base of the mountain lost patience. Believing Moses was dead and not coming back, their faith in God waivered. They demanded Aaron create God’s they could see with their own eyes. In response, Aaron took their jewelry, melted it down, and made a golden calf; which they began to worship. Moses returned in anger and destroyed the Idol. He also punished those responsible. The Jews then turned their worship back to God. Moses ascended the mountain again and returned with the 10 commandments.

God’s timing is always perfect. Those who trust in the Lord’s promises must be ready to accomplish His will at any given time. We must show great patience and listen to the Holy Spirit as it directs our steps. May we know the will of God in every situation and never lose faith in the Lord’s plan.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we trust in Your plan for our lives. Give us the patience we need to wait upon Your promises. May we never lose faith in what you have ordained. All of Your ways are good and true. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name we pray, amen.” God bless all of you!

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Featured ~ servantone1 ~ Leave a comment

JESUS SPEAKING

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9: 26)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

When Jesus returns He will gather up every faithful soul. Only those who chose to spread the gospel message will inherit eternal glory. Individuals who failed to practice evangelism will be rejected. Without question, there is a measure of shame in everything that we keep secret, including our faith.

In 1921, years before becoming President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosavelt contracted polio; a virus that left him permanently paralyzed from the waist down. Although bound to a wheelchair, Roosavelt thought that American voters in the 1930’s and 1940’s would view a severely disabled leader as weak or unfit to handle the presidency. And so, with the help of the media and his inner circle, he successfully kept his condition a secret. To accomplish this task, he mastered the art of standing with heavy steel braces, holding onto an aide’s arm, or appearing behind podiums to trick observers into thinking he was recovering or able to walk.

Like President Roosavelt, the things we are ashamed of are also the things that we hide from the world. If we keep our faith in Christ hidden and avoid evangelism, then we are ashamed of the gospel. Let each of us strive to share our faith with others, and to be confident in the message we have been tasked with delivering to our fellows.

“Lord heavenly Father, may we surrender our lives to You. May we share the message we have been given with those who are unsaved, that they also might come to believe in You, as we have. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You. And we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Enduring Hard Times

Featured ~ servantone1 ~ Leave a comment

JESUS SPEAKING

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Everyone on this earth, including believers, will at some point experience difficult times. Whether it’s a life crisis, the death of a loved one, or a struggle with a difficult medical condition (to name just a few.) And yet Christians can maintain peace and endure trials with greater ease because they are alive in Christ Jesus. The God of all creation dwells in their hearts; preventing them from falling into despair and hopelessness.

As the story goes, in 1846 a large group of settlers known as the Donner Party got trapped in a remote mountain pass. The snow had arrived early; preventing them from escaping. Without rescue, the supplies soon dwindled, until they eventually succumbed to starvation. During this terrifying ordeal, many of the families chose to eat the flesh of other members who had died. However, there were two families, the Breen Family and the Reed family, who refused to eat human flesh; in accordance with their deeply held religious beliefs. Interestingly enough, when the rescue parties arrived in February and March, the only two families that suffered no losses were the two families who abstained from cannibalism. God had sustained them through this ordeal; preserving their lives because they trusted in the Lord.

There are times in life when we will endure hardship and difficulty. And yet, during these moments only those who put their faith in Christ will avoid falling into despair. Jesus has conquered the world, and so we may have peace no matter how difficult the circumstances might be. May we always trust in God and live according to His Spirit.

“Lord Father, when we endure hardships may we rest in Your presence; may we know peace in our hearts. Give us the faith we need to journey through this life without resorting to sin. May we always share in Your victories. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!