STRENGTH TO FLY, RUN AND WALK

“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.”
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
~~~~~~~

This is a favorite Bible verse for many people, including myself. It is not uncommon for us, from time to time, to get emotionally weary and worn out. Various pressures bear down on us until our strength is gone and we are close to giving up. We may be aware of what the pressure is or maybe it’s just a nameless load which zaps our strength. Our mind is so occupied with our weariness that we are unable to see a way out. It all seems dark and hopeless. But there is a way out, and there is hope as we see in today’s Scripture!

If we fill our mind with what weighs us down, it just adds to our load. But, if we start looking to the Lord for help, His Word promises, “The LORD shall renew their strength;” Renew in this context literally means “exchange.” In other words, the Lord will exchange “strength” for weariness - just what we so desperately need. You and I can be included in this exchange, if we “wait upon the LORD.” To “wait upon” means to “wait for” – “look for” with expectation. So if we look to the Lord – with expectant faith - strength will come at just the right time. It is amazing how the Lord uses our weakness to draw us to Himself to expectantly wait for His strength.

Three things happen to us when the Lord renews our “strength.” We “shall mount up with wings as eagles.” We “shall run, and not be weary.” We “shall walk, and not faint.” While we are promised all three of these expressions of strength, I don’t think we should necessarily expect them to happen in this order.

As we “wait on the Lord” we will at times have “mountain top” experiences, when we “mount up with wings as eagles” and feel like we are above all the weariness of life. However, more often than fly, we “shall run, and not be weary” - times when the Lord gives us “a second wind” just at the right time, enabling us to run with renewed energy. But most of our life with God is a “walk.” We “shall walk, and not faint.” He enables us to put one foot in front of the other – day after day – year after year, and gives us strength to keep on going, and going, with Him until we get Home.

Let’s Pray –
Oh Lord, thank you for your promise of strength in exchange for our weakness. Help us to expectantly look to you for your strength to “fly, run, and walk” without wearing out.
Amen

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ARE YOU READY FOR CHRIST'S RETURN?

"For as lightning that comes from the east
is visible even in the west,
so will be the coming of the Son of Man."
Matthew 24:27 NLT
~~~~~~~~

The other day Charlie sent me a short video about the Second Coming of Christ. I clicked on it, and as it finished, I spontaneously cried out, “Oh God!” as people flashed across my mind; people who to my knowledge are not ready for Christ’s return. When Christ returns, it will be too late to get right with Him. That has to take place before that moment.

Most people reading these words know that God sent His Son to this world to be the Savior of all who would believe in Him. He did this because all of us are sinners and unfit to enter God’s sinless heaven. No matter how “good” we may try to be, it can not remove our guilt. That’s why God in His love sent His sinless Son to pay for our guilt by dying on the cross in our place.

Not only did Jesus die for us, but the Father raised Him from the dead, to demonstrate that His Son’s death fully paid for our sin. Now, our part is to admit to Him that we are sinners and accept Jesus as our Lord and savior. With our sins forgiven, we will be ready for heaven whether we go by natural death or at the Second Coming of Christ.

Weirdoes through the ages have predicted dates for the return of Christ, but the specific time is not for us to know. In fact, Jesus talking about His return said, “No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” Matthew 24:36 NLT

Though we can’t know the time of His return, the fact of His coming is without question. Close to 100 passages of Scripture make reference to it. Besides being certain, it will be sudden - “As lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:27 NLT

Turn up your sound and click on the Video.

You can be ready today, to live, to die, or for His coming!

Just pray something like this-
“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. Please forgive all my sins. Come into my life, and take control. I want to live the rest of my life for you!
Amen”

If you prayed that with honesty, you are forgiven!! He made it possible through what He did when He was here the first time!!!

PARTNERS WITH GOD

ork hard to show the results of your salvation,

obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

For God is working in you,

giving you the desire and the power

to do what pleases him.”
Philippians 2:12-13 NLT
~~~~~~~

Several weeks ago I wrote about “Pleasing God More and More.” I did some more research on “pleasing God” and was amazed at how many references there are on this subject. In a short time I came across more than forty. Our key verse this week informs us that pleasing God is a partnership.

Jesus is our perfect example of pleasing God. At His baptism a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The same thing happened again at His transfiguration. Everything Jesus did or said was pleasing to the Father, because it was all in perfect obedience. What He heard the Father say, He said – what He saw Him do - He did. It was a true partnership.

It is incredible beyond words, but God offers us the same partnership. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Because of our fallen nature, we can’t hear and see as clearly as Jesus did. Our human nature has no desire to know God or to do what He requires of us. Our natural inclination is to be our own god, and do whatever we please. However, as born-again believers, we are able to a degree, to hear and see what pleases God.

Our wonderful Lord knows the struggle we have with our lower nature, so He graciously “is working in us, giving us the desire….to do what pleases him.” Were you aware that any desire we have to please God does not originate with us? It is the result of God’s work in us! God’s work not only gives us the desire, but also “the power to do what pleases Him!!” He faithfully carries out His part of the partnership.

Our part in the partnership is to “Work hard to show the results of our salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” We can’t earn salvation. It is a free gift. But the harder we work at sincerely obeying God - using the “desire and power” He faithfully provides - the more we will be working out our salvation in everyday life. That’s partnership with God!

Let’s Pray –
Oh Father, what favor you bestow on us by allowing us to partner with you. We know we can count on you to fulfill your part. Help us to be faithful in doing our part. Amen

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GODS’ LOVE - ALWAYS THE SAME

"And I am convinced that nothing
can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither our fears for today
nor our worries about tomorrow..."
Romans 8:38 NLT
~~~~~~

This picture of Donna and I was taken 59 years ago at the front door of Glidden Hall, the girls’ dorm, of Sioux Falls College where we first met, and where she asked me to be her date for the School’s Reverse Date Valentine’s Party. And as I often say, “The rest is history.”

Today is Valentine’s Day, and the theme of love is everywhere. Love between a man and a woman is a wonderful thing. However, love between husbands and wives, even in the best relationships, may at times cool off and be in need of rekindling.

The love of God is infinitely more wonderful than human love at its’ very best. God is love. Love is His nature. His love never wanes. He has always been love, He is love now, and He will always be love. Before we knew Him, “while we were His enemies, He loved us.” Now that we are His children, He loves us. When we will be living with Him in heaven, His love for us will continue unchanged, forever!!

It’s not uncommon for people to think - when health is good –marriage is strong – a good steady income – living “the good life” - these things are signs that God loves them. On the other hand - if health should fail – marital problems come up – loss of job and don’t know how to pay the bills – that this indicates God doesn’t love them. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God’s love is unconditional. He loves us perfectly regardless of what we may be experiencing in life. “Nothing can separate us from God’s love.”

F. M. Lehman wrote:
“The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.”

Refrain
“O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.”

Let’s Pray-
Thank you Heavenly Father for your unconditional love which is the same yesterday, today and forever. Help us never to doubt it, even when we go through tough times.
Amen

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RECEIVING REWARDS FROM GOD

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly,

to be admired by others,…

Give your gifts in private,

and your Father, who sees everything,

will reward you.”
Matthew 6:1,4 NLT

~~~~~~~~~

I felt like the Lord leading me to post a message on “rewards” this week. One thing that becomes obvious immediately in the teachings of Jesus is that God wants to reward us for doing what’s right. However, He insists that we do it with right motives.

Our natural inclination in life is to look for approval from people. Without giving it a thought we normally want to make a good impression, and that can create problems. Jesus warns about that in this week’s scripture. “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”(v1) God rewards good deeds when our motives are right – when we do them as if we were doing them to the Lord Himself. But if we do the deeds to win people’s admiration – that’s all we will get – their admiration. The answer is, “don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (v4)

The same is true with prayer. When praying in public we need to be careful not to be trying to impress people. Our focus needs to be on the Lord, to whom we are praying, not the people who hear us pray. Jesus says, “when you pray,...pray to your Father… Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (v6)

Just as we are inclined to look for people’s approval, we are also inclined to avoid disapproval – rejection - mockery or persecution. It’s fear of these hostel reactions that hinder us from speaking out for Christ and Christian values in this sinful society. And as a result we lose rewards God wants to give us. On the other hand, it’s to our benefit and God’s glory if we are willing to suffer disapproval – rejection - mockery or even persecution for our faith. Jesus says, “Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.” Matthew 5:12


Let’s Pray-
Father, thank you for enabling us to serve you in ways that earn us rewards on earth and in heaven. Help us to look for your approval instead of the approval of people. In Jesus’ name.
Amen

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LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

“You are the light of the world—

like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.

Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand,

where it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Matthew 5:14-15 NLT
~~~~~~~

Light is stronger than darkness! Even the tiny light on my electric tooth brush drives back the darkness in my bathroom. Wherever light appears, no matter how small, it pushes back darkness every time.

John 8:12 NLT records Jesus as saying, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Jesus is the ultimate light which drives back spiritual darkness. Since the fall of man, this world has been steeped in spiritual darkness which explains all the violence, hatred, greed and selfishness that goes on.

When we open our heart to Jesus, His light comes into our life, and makes us “lights of the world.” The light that now shines from us is the reflection of the Lord’s light; like moon light is a reflection of the sun. When the earth moves between the sun and the moon, the moon’s light is hidden. To the degree that we allow earthly (worldly) things to get between us and the Lord, a spiritual eclipse takes place, dimming our light.

Even if you haven’t sung the children’s song, “This little Light of mine,” you most likely have heard it. To refresh your memory, here is the main line of each verse.
“This little Light of mine, I’m going to let it shine….
Hide is under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine….
Don’t let Satan blow it out, I’m going to let it shine….
Shine all over the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine….
Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes, I’m going to let it shine….Let it shine, Let it shine.”

This simple song outlines a good practice not only for children but for adults as well. While a “little light” pushes back darkness, a brighter light will push back more darkness. The more we remove the worldly stuff from our lives which hides the light of Jesus, the more we will be able to LET our light shine on everyone around us.

Let’s Pray-
Lord, what an incredible privilege to reflect your light in this dark world. Help us to remove anything and everything from our lives that hinders us from letting our light shine.
Amen

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PRAYING FOR ALL PEOPLE

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.

Ask God to help them;

intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority

so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives

marked by godliness and dignity.

This is good and pleases God our Savior.”
1 Timothy 2:1-3 NLT
~~~~~~~~~

We often focus mainly on our own personal needs when we pray. Our scripture today urges us to put the emphasis on others. In fact, it tells us to “pray for all people.” That includes people of different color – nationality – ethnic groups - financial status – level of education – political persuasion – denominational background. It includes praying for mature believers – new converts – seekers – the immoral – the addict, etc., etc. God’s Word urges us to widen the circle of people we are praying for to include everyone that touches our life in one way or another.

In the “all people,” Paul specifically calls attention to praying for heads of government and all in authority. Praying for them specifically is important because their decisions can effect whether we will have the freedom to “live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” Asking God to help those in authority is especially pertinent this week, as a new president and administration have come into power.

Our prayers should be more than just asking God to help people. We are also to make intercession for them. Intercessory prayer goes beyond just asking, it goes to the point where we are pleading with God on behalf of others. That’s serious praying! I don’t know about you, but I am afraid there aren’t too many people beyond my family and close friends for whom I truly intercede. I guess I need you to “ask God to help me.”

Numerous scriptures tell us that with the requests we bring to God, we should also bring thanks. And Paul urges us to do the same in this week’s passage - “Pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them…This is good and pleases God our Savior.”

Let’s Pray –
Father, we thank you for the people who touch our lives. Help us to faithfully call on You to help them with the needs they face. Help us also to care enough for them to truly plead on their behalf. We ask this in our Savior’s name.
Amen

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