Sunday, August 31, 2014

Patience and Action

Scripture: “Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’?" Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. ... “Son of man, the Israelites are saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’ Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’" Ezekiel 12:22-23,27-28

Observation: The timing of the Lord's is HIS timing. It might take centuries for his word to come to pass, and it might take seconds.

Application: When I pray, it is so easy for me to ask God for something to happen NOW. Or when I think of something that may come to pass in my life, I think "that will work out well SOMEDAY." That isn't how God works. God makes his will known, but the decides on his timing as well. This tests BOTH my patience, and my faithfulness ... am I able to wait, and am I willing to act.

Prayer: Lord, I do long for your guidance in my life, but I also hope I am able to understand your timing. Please do show me your will, and guide me in your 'when'.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Friend of sinners

What I listened to this morning.


Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for loving me when I was that lost cause, that outcast.  May I never lose sight of where I was when you found me, and what you have done for me, so I can serve you humbly here on earth.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

A time to begin

I always find a reason NOT to begin.

This statement stands true for many things in my life, but this has been a driving theme and issue when it comes to my daily devotions.  For two years, I have thought of beginning a discipline of devotion, but I have never done it.  There was always a workout, or a work task, or a family event, or another reason ... something that prevented me from finding 30 minutes a day to spend with my dad in heaven.

That ends now.

Beginning September 1, I will be doing SOAP devotions.  I won't blog about all of them, but I will blog about some.  Some days I will miss, and some days I will shortcut, but I will do more than I have.  I look forward to the impact this will have on my life, and the lives of the family around me.

This is the time to begin.