Wait patiently.

Learning patience is not easy. Yet, the Lord calls for us to cultivate this virtue. The world in which we live encourages impatience because in our bid for survival we are constantly rushing and there is not much time for waiting. Waiting patiently is certainly not the thing to do in this fast paced world. It is much more natural for us to hurry...hurrry...hurry.  We hurry through devotions. We hurry to work. We hurry to our doctor's appointment. We hurry to the supermarket and waiting in line is an awful bother.

Why does the Lord ask us to exercise patience? Could there be any important spiritual reasons for waiting? Think about it.  Firstly, waiting can refocus our attention away from things and back to God Himself.  There are so many times when our attention is riveted on the material things that we need rather than on God, the giver of all good gifts. In waiting on the needed article we are given the opportunity to rechannel our thoughts and to really focus on God rather than on the gift.

Secondly, waiting allows us to develop a clearer picture of our own motives and desires. As we wait we are given time to do some introspection. Do I really need this article or do I desire it just to keep up with my neighbours? Will I use this item to glorify Jesus or is it a means of self glorification? In this way waiting can be really beneficial to us.

Waiting also develops spiritual strengths such as perseverance, faith and trust. We learn to hold on to God's unchanging hands determining never to give up. We are able to trust that He will do what is best for us when it is best for us. We learn to live by faith since we may never know the reason why we have to wait.


Finally, my friends, waiting allows God to fill in the blank spaces. He completes the puzzle by putting down the other pieces of the bigger picture. Many times we wait with some degree of impatience in some line or other. We cannot understand why God would allow us to miss our bus and face the displeasure of our boss because we are late. It is only when we receive the news of the terrible accident in which the bus was involved that claimed many lives that the puzzle is complete...the blanks are filled in and we can see that our waiting was as a result of divine interposition by which our lives were saved.

Wait patiently, friends of mine, and remember always: Stop and Smell the Roses

Love,

Verne

Learning His Song

In the full light of day and in hearing of the music of other voices, the caged bird will not sing the song that his master seeks to teach him. He learns a snatch of this, a trill of that, but never a separate and entire melody. But the master covers the cage , and places it where the bird will listen to the one song he is to sing. In the dark he tries and tries again to sing that song until it is learned, and he breaks forth in perfect melody. Then the bird is brought forth and ever after he can sing that song in the light. Thus God deals with His children. He has a song to teach us and when we have learned it amid the shadows of affliction we can sing it ever afterward. (The Ministry of Healing, pg. 472)

It is difficult to envision God actively leading us into situations which brings hurt and suffering into our lives. We prefer to blame the devil for all our pain, heartaches and griefs. Yet it is none other than the master himself who carries the bird into darkness. Yes, my friends, God actively takes part in leading us into dark and dismal situations where we experience deep anguish and sorrow. At such times we are sorely tempted to doubt God's leading.  Sometimes we even pray for the crisis to be removed, not recognizing that its intended work has not yet been accomplished in our lives.

Like the Israelites of old we do not fully comprehend why God would lead us to a barren wasteland or to the bitter waters /of Marah where our thirst cannot be assuaged. What about when He leads us to a Red Sea experience where we are bound on both sides; the enemy is behind us and to step into the water seems to invite death? Friends of mine, we do not have to understand God's leading.  What we need is to trustfully follow it.

God may see it fit to lead us into strait places where we can fully appreciate our insufficiency. It is in such moments that we willingly cast our helpless souls on Him and receive the divine aid that we need. We learn finally to sing His song.  So then... could it be possible that God leads some of His children to the bitter waters of divorce, domestic violence, poverty, terminal illnesses, loss of homes, financial embarrassment, bankruptcy, rape, accidents?  Dare we follow His leading even to the valley of the shadow of death? 

May God help us to do so trustfully as we learn to sing His song.

Love you all.  Remember... Stop and smell the roses.

Verne

Hindrances to Prayer

Prayer is power. One of my favourite writers describes prayer as the power that moves the arm of Omnipotence. We live in perilous times. The events of each passing day helps us to appreciate our need of answers to our heartfelt prayers. It is important therefore that we recognize that there are conditions which may hinder our prayers. Some time ago I received a list of some hindrances to prayer. I'll share a few with you tonight. Just check your bibles for the listed texts as I will not be typing them out. It's now 12:09 a.m.


Selfish motives hinder prayer.                            James 4:3

Stinginess hinders prayer.                                  Proverbs 21:13

Stubborness hinders prayer.                               Proverbs 1:24-28

An unforgiving spirit hinders prayers.               Mark 11:25&26

Dealing unfairly with others hinders prayer      Micah 3:1-4


Sobering texts. This morning it is my prayer that we will ensure that none of these element will hinder our prayers. 

Blessings.


Love you all.

Verne

Thank You, Lord.

On days when you are called to be broken bread and poured out wine for others you inevitably come to recognize your own vulnerability and insufficiency. You keenly feel the need for divine guidance. I thank God for situations that help me to see my need of Him more clearly. I thank Him that at the cross:

 Hurting families can receive the balm of Gilead.

We can experience His loving touch.

We can lay burdens down.

We receive our healing.

Miracles are wrought.

We are emptied of self and filled with His gracious presence.

We are thoroughly equipped for service.

Divinity meets humanity.

Reconciliation is complete.

We gain Christ's victory and go forth as conquerors.

Thank you, Lord.

Food for Thought

" The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances to which we are daily exposed and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self control.He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above." (DA p.301)

I'm still working on digesting this. May God help us all to make this a reality in our lives.

As you ruminate on these words why not take a moment to stop and smell the roses?

Blessings.
 
Love you all.
 
Verne

Rejoice!!!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"(Philippians 4:44 NIV)

 Expressing joy in the Lord is easy when things go well with us. At such times we are always ready to let everyone know of God's goodness to us. Praise comes readily when we are up on the mountain. However, when  things go bad and our world seems to crumble our capacity for praise seems to diminish. Why then does Paul exhort us to rejoice always? Is it even a possibiity that we could rejoice always?

If  we are to rejoice always then we should rejoice even when the circumstances give us no reason for rejoicing. In that case we would need to learn to rejoice in rough moments when we certainly do not feel like it.

Paul was able to rejoice in prison. His praise to God was an act of faith. He was not rejoicing because his circumstances were favourable. In reality he had nothing to rejoice about.) His situation was dark and dismal but Paul's praise was an act of faith. It was based not on his circumstances but rather on the truth he knew about God. You see, Paul knew that he could trust God's promises to him.

What about you? Can you trust God's promises to be realized in you life regardless of your present circumstances? Can you dare rejoice despite the odds? Consider these promises today:

1) But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

2) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the righteous out of temptation,and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished. (2 Peter 2:9)

3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord JE-HO-VAH is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:3,4)

4) I will both lay me down in peace and sleep : for thou Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
(Psalm 4:8)

Have a blessed day.

Love you all.

Verne

A Reminder

In  a world where many are losing hope it is always good to be reminded that we are in God's hands. When we are in the fires of affliction it is comforting to know that our God sits like a refiner of silver. He has His eyes steadfastly fixed on us as the fire burns away the dross in our characters. It is a slow and painful process but His patience never falters. His eyes never waver. He waits...

We do not enjoy being in the fire. Yet, we must stay and let it work its perfect work. We can trust our Divine Silversmith. As soon as He sees His image clearly reflected in us He removes us from the fire so that we are not burned. We must constantly remember that nothing can touch us except by our Lord's permission and all things that are permitted work together for good to them that love the Lord.

May the presence of our Saviour surround us as we experience the trials of this life.

Remember... Stop and smell the roses.

Love you all.

Verne