Change in the Works

Innovation is a process that discovers new and better ways of doing things, or just doing things differently. Many innovations take place quite regularly.  For example: TV programs change; Logos of companies receive upgrades; Long-standing food menus are revised; Styles of worship vary. When personal things become mundane or feel like they do not meet needs, we may want to innovate.  Consider personal innovation from the spiritual realm.  Are you satisfied with the direction your spiritual life is heading? Are you pleased with your devotional life?  Are you happy with your prayer life?  What about your Bible reading or Bible study regimen?  We need to have a willingness to change the way we do things if the innovation will provide personal improvement.  However, as we innovate, we need to make sure that the message of love, grace, and hope in Jesus Christ remains constant.

Scripture reminds us that each of us should conduct our lives in an excellent way.  Why?  Because God is aware of everything we do.  The text says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). Notice four aspects of these verses.

(1)   “Whatever you do” suggests Activity.  We ought to be concerned about any and every activity in which we are involved.

(2)   “Work at it with all your heart” implies Action.  The things that we do ought to be carried out with a willingness to be fully engaged with all the effort we can exert.

(3)   “As working for the Lord” entails Method.  We need to realize that there should be a spiritual dimension to the actions or activities that we undertake.

(4)   “An inheritance from the Lord as a reward” points to Motive.  As we work for the Lord, we should do so because of our love for Him.  However, when the work is rewarded, that becomes an additional blessing.

Nothing but the best is required for any activity in which we participate.  The degree to which we put forth effort to do our work should be no less than one hundred percent.  So, innovate and make changes which will help you be your best for the Lord.

The Promise of Christmas

All of us have had someone make a promise to us.  It may have been the promise of a gift, a visit, or to complete a task.  Promises are fun to receive, especially if the person who makes the promise follows through with what they promised they would do.  However, there is great disappointment if the promise is broken. In the book of Acts we are told of a promise that God made to us.  Since the promise is about Jesus, we’ll call this a Christmas promise.  The Bible verse says, “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised” (Acts 13:23).  Notice three things about this special Christmas promise.

1)      The Christmas Promise comes from God.  The text says, “as He promised.”  We can always be assured that when God makes a promise, He will fulfill it.  It will come to pass.  The Bible says, “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does” (Psalm 145:13). God always does what He says He will do.  That is the Christmas story.

2)      The Christmas Promise involves God’s Action.  Scripture reminds us that Jesus was born in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem.  But His birth in that town, at that specific time, did not just happen.  The text says, “God has brought.”  It was God’s activity.  He sent His one and only Son demonstrating His great love for us.  That is the Christmas story.

3)      The Christmas Promise Intent is Salvation through God’s Son.  The text tells us that God brought to Israel “the Savior Jesus.”  Why do you and I, and all mankind, need a Savior?  It is because all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (or His holy standard) – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  The penalty of our sin is death – spiritual separation from God – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Jesus came to die on the cross for us to pay the death penalty that we owed. That is the Christmas story.

Many years ago, at the World’s Fair, when electrical gadgets were new, an electrical building had a door with no door handles.  You could not enter the building unless you stepped on a mat outside the door.  When you made that step, the door would open.  That action is almost like the Promise of Christmas.  God’s promise of Christmas is for everyone; but the only way we can claim that promise is by faith.  We take a step of faith when we put our trust in what Jesus has done for us.  Believing in Jesus and receiving by faith will enable us to claim salvation as God’s Christmas promise to us.

The Wonder of Christmas

Wonder is part of Christmas.  The word “wonder” means “to marvel, to be amazed, or to stand in awe.”  So, what is it about Christmas that causes people to wonder?  Some people wonder at Christmas time because they see such things as: Christmas trees and brightly colored lights. Others have a sense of wonder when they see the snow glistening in the moonlight or hear the snow crunch under their feet as they walk.  Still others tend to wonder when they see beautiful Christmas decorations, hear or sing Christmas carols, or watch a church Christmas program.  These things, enjoyed by most everyone, are all part of the Christmas season.  However, there is something else about Christmas that causes people to wonder.  This wonder is found in the most famous verse in the Bible – John 3:16 – which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Let’s examine the wonder of Christmas from this biblical perspective.

1)      God’s Motive.  The wonder of Christmas begins with God’s motive which is one of love.  Why did God send the Christ-child to be born in a manger?  Why did God speak to the shepherds on the Bethlehem hillside telling them about the Savior’s birth?  Why did the wise men come to worship the newborn king?  God did these things to share His love for us.  The verse begins, “For God so loved the world,” means that He wrapped his love in the person of His one and only son, Jesus, and sent him to “The world” – to all people, including you and me.  “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

2)      God’s Method.  The wonder of Christmas continues with God’s method which is the act of giving.  The verse simply says that “He gave.”  At Christmas we give gifts to family members and friends to demonstrate our love for them.  God did the same for us.  He loved us so much that he gave us his son to show his great love for us.  “He [Jesus] himself bore our sins in his body on the tree [cross], so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (I Peter 2:24).

3)      God’s Miracle.  The wonder of Christmas is God’s miracle which is explained as eternal life.  When Jesus died on the cross he made it possible for us to have a right relationship with God and experience “eternal life.”  This miracle is available for everyone who “believes in Him.”  Belief in him is needed along with reception of him.  The Bible tells us, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

Maybe it is time for you and me to look at Christmas in a new light through this significant bible verse.  Think about it: God’s motive is love, God’s method is giving, and God’s miracle is eternal life.  “He who has the son has life; he who does not have the son of God does not have life” (I John 5:12). This Christmas wonder can be yours when you believe in Christ and receive him by faith.  Why not make the Christmas wonder part of your celebration this year?

Get Ready. Get Set. Give Thanks!

What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things in your possession that you thanked God for today?  If that were the case, what might you have to enjoy or share?  If you are honest with yourself, most likely you could count on one hand what you thanked God for yesterday and probably have some fingers left.  By human nature we are an ungrateful people.  We so easily fall into the rut of thinking that things will be much the same today as they were yesterday, so we get in the “lean back and relax” mode.  If it were not for the grace of God, we would be woefully lacking in many of the necessities of life.

Usually, the Thanksgiving season is the time of year when people express thanks in some manner.  It is good for us to give thanks.  The Bible helps express this importance when the Apostle Paul instructs people to give thanks.  Notice that along with thankfulness, joyfulness and prayer are also included.  He says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).   In another place he says, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything” (Ephesians 5:20).  Look carefully at the qualifications for these three activities.

1)      Joyfulness is to constantly be a part of our lives

2)      Prayer should be made repeatedly

3)      Thanksgiving should be expressed in all situations

According to these verses the giving of thanks is not to be reserved for just one season of the year.  Thanks to God ought to overflow from our hearts and be expressed from our lips every day of the year.  Here are three questions to ask yourself as you work your way through the Thanksgiving season.

 1) Am I joyful always?

2) Do I Pray continually?

3) Do I Give thanks in all circumstances?

Giving thanks should be a daily activity.  Let’s make sure that the fruit of our lips express thanks to God and the actions of our hands and feet show our thankfulness to Him and to others.  Let’s not relegate the giving of thanks to Thanksgiving Day in November.  So, Get ready. Get set. Give thanks!  And – and give thanks again and again.

Complete Transformation

Often a home or a facility can be refreshed and transformed on the inside without a change being seen on the outside.  For example, the addition of a fresh coat of paint can make a dramatic change.  The drab turns attractive; the dull becomes bright; the dreary turns out to be cheerful; and the uninteresting develops into something attention-grabbing.  I believe a dramatic change can happen not only in a facility, but in the lives of people.  Obviously, people do not need a coat of paint, but they need a transformation.  The Apostle Paul suggested a life-change for individuals when he wrote these words: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2). Here are three questions about human transformation.

1)      What does it mean to be transformed?  To transform means to renovate, refurbish, repair, restore, or mend.  In the verse above the word that was used for “transformed” has to do with a metamorphous – a complete change.  This change is similar to the way a butterfly emerges from a cocoon that was spun by a worm.

2)      How does transformation take place?  Transformation is made possible by a force that is outside of the individual.  The Bible tells us that force is “the Lord” who is “the Spirit.”  Scripture also says, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (II Corinthians 3:18). It is God the Holy Spirit who transforms individual lives.

3)      In what way does human transformation take place?  Change takes place through renewal.  To “renew” means to restore or to make new.  It is God who does the renewing as shown in the text – “comes from the Lord” – and the renewal begins with our minds – “renewing of your mind”.  “Renew” here means that the transformation is continuous, and the change is ongoing.  In another scripture the Apostle Paul reminds us that we are being “made new in the attitude of your minds” (Ephesians 4:23).  God makes the transformation in the minds, hearts, and lives of people.  And it is by faith that we need God’s help as we become more like Jesus daily.

Think about these questions: (1) Are you determined that you will not be conformed to the pattern of this world?  (2) Has your life been transformed by God?  (3) Has the attitude of your mind been made new by God’s renewing power?  You can enjoy a complete transformation and be part of God’s forever family when you put your trust in God.  Scripture tells us that, “He gave the right and the power to become children of God to those who received Him. He gave this to those who put their trust in His name” (John 1:12, NLV).  It also tells that that we can enjoy eternal life, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever” (John 3:16).  Let God completely transform you and make you a brand-new person.

Being Refreshed

It is easy to bend under a load of concern and the burdens of life which tend to weigh us down.  Whether the weight is physical, mental, or emotional we become exhausted and extremely tired shouldering this concern.  Sometimes we are so tired that we do not even have enough energy to pray.  Of course, God knows all about that inability but He still wants us to come to Him despite our feelings so we can be refreshed.

If we want to do the best job that we can possibly do, we need refreshment – physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual.  To be refreshed means to be energized, restored, rejuvenated, or invigorated.  Often, we experience refreshment when we simply take time to rest our bodies.  Other times refreshment comes to us when we spend time in quiet meditation – reading God’s Word and thinking about what it says.  Periodically we can also be refreshed by people, especially those that excel in expressing positive words and acts of kindness.  Here's what the scripture tells us about being refreshed.

1)      God’s word always refreshes.  “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul” (Psalm 19:7).

2)      Refreshing comes when we turn to God.  “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

3)      Refreshing someone else can bring personal refreshment.  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).

4)      Friends can supply refreshment.  “May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains” (II Timothy 1:16).

5)      Some refreshment comes from eating.  “Refresh yourself with something to eat” (Judges 19:5).

6)      Other refreshment comes as we rest.  Of God it was said, “On the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:17).

We constantly need refreshment, and we need to remember that we can also assist in the refreshment of others.  Why not ask God to help you experience the refreshment you need and make you a good refresher of others through the words that you say, the actions that you take, and the care that you give.

Summer's Lesson

When people think about “summer” the name seems to conjure up different meanings.  For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is the season that falls between spring and fall, from late May to late September.  To others summer is the three months of June, July and August.  Still others consider summer to be the months of July and August – the hottest months of the year.  Can you believe that some people consider summer as just the month of August? The Bible has a lot to say about summer and here are some of the things it explains.

1)      God created the summer.  “It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17).

2)      Summer will always bring heat.  “For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:4).

3)      As the earth exists there will be summer.  “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22).

4)      Some people use summer for saving food.  “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!  It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8).

5)      Wisdom considers summer a time to gather produce.  “He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son” (Proverbs 10:5).

6)      Living water will one day flow in both summer and winter.  “On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter” (Zechariah 14:8).

All of these things are interesting; however, think for a moment about another idea regarding summer.  Summer and harvest represent God’s opportunities for us to repent. That is an interesting concept, but even those times will pass as the scripture states.  “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).  How would you answer these two questions: (1) Have you repented?  The Scripture says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).  (2) Are you ready for the Lord’s return?  The Bible says, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). So, let’s learn a lesson from summer and take the action that God suggests in His Word.

Spiritual Freedom

Something that all Americans enjoy is patriotic freedom.  We live in a land that has been bought with a great price paid by many Americans sacrificing their lives to assure our liberty.  We need to thank God for the freedom we have and remember those who gave themselves so we might enjoy our country’s independence.  Patriotic freedom, however, is not the only freedom available to us.  The Bible tells us about spiritual freedom.  In the scriptures we discover where spiritual freedom is found, what it does, and how we can experience it.  Here are five truths from the Bible about this freedom.

1)      God wants us to be free.  The Apostle Paul said, “You, my brothers were called to be free…” (Galatians 5:13). Peter reaffirmed that statement when he said, “Live as free men…” (I Peter 2:16).

2)      Freedom is found in Christ.  Again, Paul notes, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…” (Galatians 5:1). He also said, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (II Corinthians 3:17).

3)      God’s Word directs us to freedom.  The Psalmist identified where he found spiritual freedom when he said, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts” (Psalm 119:45). Jesus adds to that statement by saying, “…the perfect law gives freedom…” (James 1:25).

4)      Having faith in Christ means that we can boldly come into God’s presence.  Scripture proclaims, “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12).

5)      Freedom should never be used for ungodly practices.  The Apostle Peter said, “…Do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil…” (I Peter 2:16). Paul comments, “…But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13).

Are you grateful for your patriotic freedom?  Are you experiencing spiritual freedom?  Why not take a step towards the Savior today?  If you have never responded to God in faith, do it now.  When you do you will enjoy the spiritual freedom about which the Bible speaks.

Worth and Dignity

When we hear the words “worth” and “dignity” when applied to people we should remember that everyone has been created by God and made in His image.  That means that each person has intrinsic value and God views them as having great worth.  Since God has such a high view of people, we should view them the same way.  These two concepts should be more than nice-sounding words to us.  They should be backed up by the actions we take that show that people are extremely important.

“Worth” has to do with the great value people have because they are the handiwork of God.  “Dignity” has to do with honor, esteem, and respect.  Both worth and dignity are terms that should be used to emphasize that every individual has an essential right to be highly valued, honorably respected, and sensitively treated.

The Bible affirms the worth and dignity of everyone when it says, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).  Notice several aspects of this verse.

1. “God” - The God of the Universe conceived, designed, and formed people exactly the way He wanted them to be.
2. “Workmanship” - God’s craftsmanship has been exhibited with divine skill that indicates his creation is the very best possible work that could ever be done.
3. “In Christ Jesus” - The image in which we have been created is that of Jesus Christ, God's one and only son.
4. “To do good works” - The purpose individuals need is to be involved in excellent good works – the very best that we can possibly do.
5. “Prepared in advance” - The good works we are to accomplish have been planned for us by God Himself and take place though us living a godly life.

The principles of fairness, justice and honorable treatment are meant for everyone.  In scripture, the Apostle Paul reminds us that this principle needs to be broadly applied to each person when he said, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” (Galatians 6:10).  How do you view other people?  Do you see them as individuals having great worth and dignity and worthy of great respect according to God’s standards?  Ephesians 2:10 (see above) should give us the motivation to make worth and dignity top priority as we interact with people.

Stop and Remember

Memorial Day is a day for remembering those individuals who have died in our nation’s military service. Throughout the Bible the people of God were encouraged to remember what God had done for them.  The Bible says, “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.  Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done” (Psalm 105:1-6).  The eleven bold-faced, underlined, action words (or group of words) in this biblical reference suggest ways to remember.  Maybe it is time for you and me to stop and remember by using one or more of these action steps during the Memorial Day weekend.  Regarding Passover, a major Jewish holiday, they were told, “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come” (Exodus 12:14).

You and I can (and should) use Memorial Day as a day to continue to celebrate our freedom and remember the many who fought and died for us.  As we celebrate, we can honor their lives and praise God for the many blessings we enjoy as a result.  Remembering brings us back to the reality of the dedication of the many military men and women who stood strong for us.  Remembering should also stir in us a sense of gratitude and appreciation, as well as strengthen our resolve to do our part in serving God, country and others.  At a family gathering you may want to stop and remember and then offer a prayer of thanksgiving.  Above all, take time to show honor and respect for those who served our country or are still serving.

Praising God

Many people praise God, but most who do so have not thought about praising Him in places other than where they go to worship.  Obviously, the church, synagogue, or temple is a place to praise the Lord.  However, we need to be aware that we can, and we should, praise God anywhere and at any time.  Generally, praise is the expression of warm approval or admiration of someone or for something special they have done.  Christian praise is considered an expression of gratitude and respect towards God because of His goodness and the blessings He has provided for us.

The six verses of Psalm 150 expand on Christian praise. They explain a lot to us about praise and help us understand aspects related to the worship of God.  In this Psalm we learn the following:

1)      Places to Praise the Lord.  We are told that we should praise God “in His sanctuary” and “in His mighty heavens” (verse 1).  Although we may often think of praise as happening in a church building, praise can be expressed to God anywhere in the whole earth where God has displayed His power.

2)      Things for which to Praise God.  The psalm identifies “His acts of power” and “His surpassing greatness” as things for which to praise God (verse 2).  God orders and controls all the forces of nature and His divine power stands behind His greatness.

3)      Instruments with which to Praise God.  Many different instruments can be used for bringing praise to God (verses 3-5).  A few of the nine instruments noted in these verses include “trumpet, harp, strings and cymbals.”  It is important to remember that the praise is not in the instruments themselves, it is in the hearts of the people who use these and other instruments as they worship the Lord.

4)      Persons and Things should be United in Praise to God.  “Everything that has breath” should be involved in praising the Lord (verse 6).  If you have breath, you should use it to express your praise to the wonderful God who created you.

The Psalmist concludes Psalm 150 by saying, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (verse 6).  Maybe it is time for all of us to evaluate our expressions of praise to God including how, where and with what we offer our gratitude and show our respect to Him.  Are you ready to praise the Lord?

War in Our World

We all cringe when we see on TV the terrible things that are happening in our world today.  The war that is going on in Ukraine including the bombing of civilian homes, the people (women and children) scurrying to try to get out of the country, the people staying in underground subways to avoid bombs and missiles, and the thousands of refugees fleeing for their lives.  What a tearful sight to see orphanage children being displaced, the bombing of a children’s hospital, civilians being killed and others begging for food and water, with many needing shelter, and safety.

Whatever is happening in our world – be it good or bad – does not mean that God is sitting on the sidelines wringing his hands because the good isn’t good enough or the bad is too terrible.  We need to remember that nothing is beyond God’s control.  He is sovereign.  There is nothing that happens that is outside of His influence and authority.  God has no limitations, and He has the right to govern His creation as He sees best.  The Bible says that He “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11).  It also says, “God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne” (Psalm 47:8).  It further states that “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).

Despite the calamity we see happening in Ukraine, God is in control.  He is in charge.  However, we wonder if there is anything we can do.  The psalmist asked this same question when he said, “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3).  Yes, there is much that we can do.  Many people are already responding to help organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse which is providing medical and other assistance.  We can rest in the fact that God is sovereign, even though we don’t understand why these atrocities are taking place.  In addition, we can pray.  The Bible affirms that prayer is efficient action when it says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). We should pray for a quick end to the conflict, for safety of innocent people, and for those who are Christians who may be persecuted under the aggressor. Are you resting in God’s sovereignty?  Maybe all of us need to get to work on our knees before God.

Peace Through Difficulties

None of us need to be reminded that we will have problems in life.  Difficulties may be small, or they may be large, but it goes without saying that we will experience trying times.  Calmness, tranquility, or peace - the opposite of difficulty - are what most people desire.  However, it seems that the harder we try to work through our difficult times the worse they get.  So, where should we turn when problems are heaped upon us?  The Bible says, “You [God] will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

• According to this verse the “You” refers to God.  That means that calmness of mind and spirit comes directly from Him.  God is the ultimate, divine source of peace.
• The peace that God gives comes through minds that are “steadfast”.  This means that when our minds are completely committed to God, they are not subject to change and are securely set in place.
• The way we enjoy God's peace is through personal “trust” in his character, strength, truth and reliability - all of which gives us great confidence.

The New Testament says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).  Having God’s peace as we go through difficult times will help us confidently rest in His strength to protect us emotionally (our “hearts”) and mentally (our “minds”).  With God’s peace we will experience a calm assurance because He is in control.  Where does all this come from?  The verse continues to say this happens “in Christ Jesus.”

Obviously, it is always easier to talk about trust than it is to do actually trust.  However, God wants us to move forward in life, and that will happen if we do not stray from putting our trust completely in Him. What difficulty, problem, or concern do you have today, or have you had recently?  Are you trying to figure things out using your own strength?  Why not enjoy the abundant peace that God gives?  Why not rest peacefully in His strong arms of love and care?

Why Wait?

Much activity in today’s world is based on speed.  For example, we want our food quickly, so we go to a fast-food restaurant. We turn on our TV to get the news in an instant.  Our smartphone keeps us informed about world events as they happen.  At church we want the pastor to preach a sermon in no more than 30 minutes.  We sit at a stoplight and are frustrated when the light does not turn fast enough. We order online so we do not have to go to a store to get the merchandise we want or need.

It seems that people in our culture (including me) are always in a hurry and want things to happen quickly.  It is interesting to note however that God is never hurried.  The Bible tells us, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).  Waiting on God is important for spiritual growth.  To wait on the Lord is to trust Him with complete confidence for the help He will provide.  Notice four benefits derived from this verse for individuals who wait on the Lord.

1)      “Renew their strength” – This means that God will change us, revive us, and cause us to flourish.

2)      “Mount up with wings like eagles” – To do this means that we will retain vitality even in an advanced age.

3)      “Run and not be weary” – To be vigorous, elevated, tireless, and sustained in our activities will help us do this.

4)      “Walk and not faint” – Endurance will be ours without weakening or being fatigued.

These are great benefits for people who are willing to wait on the Lord.  People who wait will become strong in faith; they will be able to contend with spiritual foes; they will have victory over sins; and they will be able to meet the trials of life with God’s help.  Isaiah summarized the importance of waiting when he said, “Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18).  Living in our fast-paced society seems nice but it is not always the best for us.  Why not slow down, take your time, and wait on the Lord?

Time to Examine

Some time ago I purchased a clock for my office that had a picture of a steam locomotive on it.  But more than that, every hour, on the hour, for about 10 seconds, the clock made the noise of an old-time locomotive.  Sometimes the sound was a whistle, sometimes it was the “clickety-clack” of an engine rolling down the tracks, and sometimes it was the clanging of a bell.  Each hour, when I heard the sound of the whistle, the engine, or the bell I usually had one of two responses.  One response was frustration because the noise irritated me.  The other response was an opportunity to think.  Rather than focus on the frustration I chose to do some thinking. The sound I heard reminded me that another hour had passed in the time that God had allotted me here on this earth.  So, when I heard the sound, it was good for me to spend a few moments thinking about and examining how I had spent the previous hour.  Did my actions during that hour count for eternity?  Had I taken time to encourage someone else?  Did my thoughts turn to God or His Word?  This kind of thinking and spiritual examination was good for me.

Two times in the New Testament of the Bible we are told to examine our lives. First, before participating in the Lord’s Supper.  The Apostle Paul said, “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (I Corinthians 11:28). An examination of our relationship to God is important.  Do we know Him as Savior and Lord? Second, the word “examine” in Scripture is used in connection with an evaluation of whether or not we are a Christian.  Paul puts his instruction this way, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.  Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless of course, you fail the test?” (II Corinthians 13:5). He is suggesting that we need to carefully examine our lives to see if we are rightly related to God. Do we have Jesus Christ in our life?   Do we know Him in a personal way?  If we do, then we can say that we are “in the faith.”

Maybe it is time for you to examine your life.  You do not need a locomotive clock to do that.  Make sure that you are a member of God’s forever family.  If you should die tonight, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven?  You can be certain.  But you need to examine your life.  Compare your life to what the Scripture teaches regarding a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and then take appropriate action to make sure.  The Scripture clearly says, “He who has the son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I John 5:12). It also says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).  Have you believed in Jesus’ name?  Do you have the Son of God in your life?  Have you personally received Him?  If this is true of you, you should thank God for all He has done for you.  Now is the time to evaluate and take action.

Time to Rest

In the whirlwind of our fast-paced society it is sometimes difficult to stop or even slow down.  However, amid our hectic activity of work and service (no matter how good the service we provide) we need to program rest into our schedule.  Amid a very busy schedule for both Jesus and his disciples He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).  There was a reason for His request.  Jesus needed rest and His disciples needed rest.  You and I need rest too!  Notice several things about this comment by Jesus. He said:

1)    “Come” – The invitation was a personal calling for the disciples to take action that would lead to what was necessary for them.

2)    “With me” – The source of the invitation was also personal because being with Jesus was where they would gain the most.

3)    “By yourselves” – The exclusivity of being apart from the hustle and bustle of the crowds was important as it would ensure uninterrupted time.

4)   “To a quiet place” – The destination was the only location where their minds and spirits could be calmed.

5)    “And get some rest” – The purpose of this activity was to provide refreshment and relaxation where they would receive strength and renew their energy.

Periodically you and I need to STOP.  We need to stop what we are doing.  We need to stop our work.  We need to stop our activities – even the good activities that we do.  We need to stop worrying.  We need to stop thinking about concerns that weigh us down.  We cannot keep working and serving without rest for our minds, bodies, and spirits.  Here are a few suggestions that may help you put yourself in a position to receive the rest that you need.

1)      Ask God to help you be willing to take the rest that you should and which you need.

2)      Learn how to say “no” to additional work and multiplied activities.

3)      On your day off make sure you take time doing something you do not usually do and which you enjoy.

4)      After your regular work or activity, get in a position where you take time for yourself.

5)      Take a vacation and use all the time that you are allotted.

6)      Focus your mind on something other than your work or the service that you render.

7)      Encourage your spouse or a friend to “come apart…and get some rest” with you.

When you rest, you will be more effective for the work that you do and/or the service that you render.  Just do it!  It’s time to rest.