Tag: WaitOnTheLord

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A Full Plate

That definitely described my week. All the little things that suddenly needed my attention, pushing the more important issues aside, although, only momentarily, distracted me for a while.

My new personal computer kept dropping its wireless internet connection when I was in the middle of something important, like my morning blog. A vehicle that needed to be taken to the shop for service and then picked up again, an afterwork hair appointment that I forgot about until I had started dinner and needed to rush out to be there on time.

A glitch in my banking technology, a new program that needed an outside source verification. All the little things that added to the “to-do’s” of the work day.

” When someone says they have a ‘full plate,’ they’re often indicating that they’re busy, overwhelmed, or managing multiple priorities simultaneously.”

That was me!

Yesterday, my boss called in the morning and asked if I had any more room on my plate. With a chuck I said, “Yes, for a few more things but the alligators are now swimming around my feet”.

None of these things are/were life-threatening, not serious things that some of my friends are going through. Just time-robbing disturbances. And yes, I realized what I needed to do.

“…we must catch the little foxes that destroy the vineyards.” Song of Solomon 2:15 CEV

We must take all those little annoyances, those thoughts of being overwhelmed and hold them captive.

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever. For the Lord God is a Rock that lasts forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NLV

“Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NLV

When the Lord repeats something He isn’t wasting words – it’s for emphasis. Strong emphasis!

Don’t get caught up in the busy-ness and stress. Step away. Capture the anxious thoughts and keep your mind set on the Lord.

In the middle of it all, I stepped outside, took a breath of fresh air, and said a prayer. I’m happy to report that when I left work my plate was empty and the alligators were gone.

Have a great weekend! Trust in the Lord!!

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A Burning Candle

Good Morning. It’s Monday. Are you ready to start a new week?

We’ve all heard the expression “burning the candle at both ends”. This is not a healthy situation. Working all day, rushing home to complete unfinished projects, grabbing a bite to eat, out the door for another activity in your appointment book. This is not how God intended for us to live.

I want to speak to you this morning on rest, re-charging, re-energizing. We all get busy and tend to burn the candle at both ends but what do we do to rest?

Do we veg out and watch TV or maybe relax with a yoga class or have a glass of wine? Maybe we think that resting is going to bed earlier and getting more sleep – whatever you think will bring rest, does it really?

Let me add to you what God’s word has to say.

“But 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 “

Waiting on the Lord – waiting on God will renew our strength. It will give us rest. Jesus was a prime example of this. He would minister all day and night and then he would send the disciples away and He would go to a place to pray – He would wait on the Father. After leaving these places of waiting, Jesus would go about ministering to folks, rested and renewed.

“Jesus healed many of those who had different kinds of sicknesses. He also forced many demons out of people. But he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.

35 The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. 36 Later, Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. 37 They found him and said, “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus answered, “We should go to another place. We can go to other towns around here, and I can tell God’s message to those people too. That is why I came.” Mark 1:34-38 ERV

Resting is not something to be ashamed of. Afterall, God rested on the seventh day. If there was anyone who didn’t require rest, it was God. He rested to be an example to us. He knew we would have a tendency to overdo.

“Rest in the Lord and be willing to wait for Him. Do not trouble yourself when all goes well with the one who carries out his sinful plans. 8 Stop being angry. Turn away from fighting. Do not trouble yourself. It leads only to wrong-doing.” Psalm 37:7-8 NLV

We are instructed to be light to the world. We’re no earthly good if we burn out!

If you are feeling tired today – worn out, exhausted, take time to WAIT on the Lord. He will renew your strength!!

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Calmly Wait

Are you a good waiter?

I don’t mean the kind that serves you in a restaurant, no, I’m talking about waiting (being patient).

Things worth waiting for like the birth of a child, a wedding, a graduation, a promotion or a vacation, all come with anticipation and excitement. The closer you get to that expected date the harder it is to calmly wait. That’s a good thing.

But what about sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, being stuck in traffic, having a flight delayed, how good are you at waiting in those circumstances?

This morning, I was reminded to calmly wait. Let me show you what I’m talking about.

“Only God can save me, and I calmly wait for him. 2 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe and the fortress where I am secure.

3 I feel like a shaky fence or a sagging wall. How long will all of you attack and assault me?
4 You want to bring me down from my place of honor. You love to tell lies, and when your words are kind, hatred hides in your heart.

5 Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on him. 6 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure. 7 God saves me and honors me.
He is that mighty rock where I find safety.

8 Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety.” Psalm 62:1-8 CEV

King David was dealing with a physical enemy. He had men in his own ranks that were disloyal and trying to destroy him. He had armies and kings from surrounding nations who wanted to defeat him and take his country.

Most of us never face this type of assault but we face the worries and concerns of daily life and those can feel like an army of enemies. Have you ever experienced what David said in verse 3? Sometimes I feel like a shaky fence – good description. Don’t lean on a shaky fence, it will fall over. So what do we lean on?

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 KJV

Did you know that God is waiting on us?

“The Lord God is waiting to show how kind he is and to have pity on you. The Lord always does right; he blesses those who trust him.” Isaiah 30:18 CEV

He is waiting for us to wait on Him. When we do, He rewards us with strength, courage and peace.

I love this translation of Psalm 62 verses 1 and 2.

“I must calm down and turn to God; only he can rescue me. 2 He is my Rock, the only one who can save me. He is my high place of safety, where no army can defeat me.” Psalm 62:1-2 ERV

Maybe today you need to tell yourself to “calm down” and “calmly wait”; don’t become overly anxious or impatient.

God is waiting patiently to show you His kindness!

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Don’t Be Deceived

Last night as we were going to bed, I told Dave I’m really going to enjoy sleeping in tomorrow. He just smiled.

He knows me. He knows I don’t sleep in and if I do, it’s only until about 5. So, imagine my delight when I woke up this morning and looked at my watch; it said 5:56. Yes, wow! Thank you, Jesus, it was almost 6 a.m.

I laid there a minute, and I could hear the coffee pot – it was popping as if moisture had gotten between the pot and the warming plate. I slipped quietly out of bed, came to the living room and kitchen. No coffee! I took a second look at my watch, it was not 5:56 it was 3:56. The popping I heard was raindrops slowly plopping on the metal awning, not the coffee.

I was deceived.

I started the coffee, grabbed my fleece blanket and Bible and sat. Afterall, I was awake, no going back to bed now. It was then my thoughts went to a little wooden plaque I had ordered for my office just a few days ago.

“A Lot Can Happen in 3 Days”. I love it!

Sometimes the circumstances of life deceive us into thinking something other than what is true!

Adam and Eve were deceived. Joseph’s brothers were deceived in thinking he was their competition instead of their rescuer. The Babylonian king was deceived in thinking that a fiery furnace could stop the three Hebrews from worshipping God. A group of jealous governors were deceived in thinking a den of lions could stop Daniel. A giant was deceived when he thought his might and brawn could stop a shepherd boy with 5 stones who trusted God.

Peter was deceived when he thought a storm at sea could negate what Jesus said about going to the other side. The disciples were deceived when they thought 5 loaves and 2 small fish weren’t enough to feed a multitude.

And they were all deceived – the religious rulers, the Roman soldiers, the disciples, the demons in hell – when they thought a cross and a grave would stop Jesus!

A lot can happen in 3 days!

“ He says, ‘Be careful! Don’t be fooled. Don’t turn away from me to serve other gods and to bow down to them.’ ” Deuteronomy 11:16 ERV

Don’t be deceived or fooled by circumstances. Things aren’t always as they appear. Avoid making snap judgements. Let God control your thoughts with His peace. Don’t let circumstances sway you from believing God’s promises.

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change.
If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

In those times when you are tempted to worry. Don’t! Stand strong, wait for God’s peace to be your guide.

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

God’s timetable is different than ours but that doesn’t mean He is late. Trust Him. A Lot Can Happen in 3 Days!

And now I think I may go back to bed.

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Why Not?

It’s been a particularly interesting week, and it’s only Wednesday. Here we are at the end of February, two months of this year have passed. Sometimes the idea of quitting, whatever it is that you’re doing, seems tempting.

Why not?

I was talking to the Lord about that very thing this morning. Do you want to know what He said?

“…those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:8-10 NLT

Don’t give up! Keep doing good – there’s a time of harvest coming.

I remember the days when we were farming alfalfa. Here in Arizona we got about 10 cuttings of alfalfa a year. That’s a lot of hay and all the baling needed to be done at night when the air was cooler and we had the right amount of moisture.

Toward the end of summer I would be so tired, I just wanted to get one full night’s sleep. Dave did too. But there was no time…there was the irrigating, swathing, raking, baling and repeat.

I found it very reassuring that the Lord knew about farming. “At just the right time we will reap a harvest”. So sure enough, we’d keep going and then we would see the harvest.

We learned to lean into God in our weariest of days.

“Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31 NLT

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLT

The Lord invites us to rest. In fact, He commands it. It is one of the Ten Commandments.

“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.” Leviticus 23:3 NLT

We’re more productive when we rest. We’re healthier when we rest. I’m going to circle back to Psalm 23. We have been looking at it all month and it’s an appropriate Scripture for today’s blog as well.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength…” Psalm 23:1-3 NLT

Maybe you feel like you’ve been in a battle or maybe it just seems like you’ve been farming night and day. The battle, or the work, might be physical, financial, relational and you need a rest. We all do.

Even Jesus would separate Himself from the crowds and the work of ministry to go to a solitary place and pray. He would find those green pastures in time spent with His Father in prayer.

Follow Jesus’ advice. Come to me all who are weary and find rest.

Come rest but don’t quit!

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Encouragement for Seniors

When I was a girl, I loved to hear the stories of David the shepherd boy, young Samuel, Esther the girl chosen to be queen and Mary the young Jewish girl called to be the mother of Jesus.

It was important for me to know that the Lord used young people; they had an important role in Biblical history. The Apostle Paul even told Timothy “Let no one despise your youth”.

Then there are those middle-aged giants of faith, Naomi, King David, Solomon, Isaiah, Daniel, Peter, James, Luke and Paul. They had such strength of body and strength of character. It’s easy to see how they made an impact on their world.

But now that I’m in my seventies, it’s encouraging to know that God has a plan for the senior generation as well. The picture I used today is of the cedars of Lebanon that the Bible frequently talks about. Read to the end and see why this stately tree is an example to us.

Moses was 80 years old when he went to pharaoh and demanded that the Israelites be released from bondage. He died at 120.

“ Moses was 120 years old when he died. He was as strong as ever, and his eyes were still good.” Deuteronomy 34:7 ERV

Joshua took over for Moses at the age of 80 and led the people of Israel in to conqueror the promised land. He was a mighty leader and so was Caleb who had walked side by side with Joshua for the last 40 years.

Some mornings I get up with those little aches and pains like many my age experience. Some mornings it more intense than others – you know what I mean. But, each day I get up with praise in my heart and thanksgiving on my lips for all the Father has done and is doing in my life. I am blessed with strength, health, a sound mind, a pretty strong body and God has given me wisdom, hope and joy.

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.” II Timothy 1:7 NLV

I’ve said all of this to encourage you, no matter what your age, God has a purpose and plan for us at each stage of our lives. I want to share with you what I read in the Psalms, and I pray that it speaks to you as it spoke to me.

“It is wonderful to be grateful and to sing your praises, Lord Most High! 2 It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are...12 Good people will prosper like palm trees, and they will grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. 13 They will take root in your house, Lord God, and they will do well. 14 They will be like trees that stay healthy and fruitful, even when they are old. 15 And they will say about you, ‘The Lord always does right! God is our mighty rock.'” Psalm 92:1,2, 12-15 CEV

Healthy and fruitful, strong and prosperous even when we are old. We will say “the Lord always does right”. We have a testimony that those younger have yet to fully understand. With length of years comes a confidence and a trust that the Lord ALWAYS does right. He is faithful.

Waking up this morning means that God has something planned for us to do. Let’s do it with a grateful heart and begin by telling others about His love!

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Wait – What For?

Sometimes I get up and know immediately what I’m supposed to share. Sometimes it comes while I’m sipping my coffee and just enjoying the quiet time the Lord and I share together. Then there are times like this morning when I wait.

I’m not good at waiting. I often get impatient in long lines, on hold, in crowds and I have a real problem with those pedestrian crossing lights. That was the example the Lord reminded me of this morning.

I’ve been known to push that button on the light pole several times just to make sure the timer was activated and knew I was waiting. I’ve also been known to cross the street while the little figure in red was still illuminated. Those lights were installed for my safety, to protect me from oncoming traffic.

So, this morning when I heard the Lord say wait, I should have realized that He was asking me to trust Him and waiting was for my benefit.

“ Lift up your eyes and see. Who has made these stars? It is the One Who leads them out by number. He calls them all by name. Because of the greatness of His strength, and because He is strong in power, not one of them is missing.

27 O Jacob and Israel, why do you say, “My way is hidden from the Lord. My God does not think about my cause”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know. 29 He gives strength to the weak. And He gives power to him who has little strength. 30 Even very young men get tired and become weak and strong young men trip and fall. 31 But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak. ” Isaiah 40:26-31 NLV

Why do I think that I need to rush ahead? Why do I feel the need to hurry? Why do I think I can accomplish anything in my own strength and power? Even those much younger than me get tired.

If I wait for the Lord, He will give me the strength I need. Waiting for Him and His timing keeps me safe.

“I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer. You listened 2 and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm, 3 and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.” Psalm 40:1-3 CEV

Is the Lord telling you to wait? Then I encourage you to wait patiently; He will renew your strength and put you safely on a firm foundation.

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And the Rains Came

Oh, my goodness, the rains came down last night. The storm that came across California has arrived in Arizona, but it isn’t nearly as fierce as it was there. The rain came, being driven along by the strong winds but I don’t think we had damage to our little community.

Thank God!

Now it’s just a light drizzle and the winds have stopped. It reminds me of an experience I had when we first moved to Montana. We bought our home from an old ranching couple, such a sweet couple. As we walked from room to room, she told me stories of their life in this house, now my home.

We came to their bedroom and she stared out the window for a few moments silently and then turned to me and spoke. “Now honey, when the first winter storm comes, you’ll think you’re going to be snowed in all winter but don’t panic, just wait. Wait 30 minutes and it will be over. It’s always over in 30 minutes or so. You need to know that”.

Well, sure enough, several months later the sky was gray, the temperature was dropping, the winds started to blow and the big, pelting snowflakes were blowing sideways against the house.

I went to that bedroom and stood, looking at the window and watching the clock. The howling wind put my nerves on edge, and I waited. Then, just as she said, it stopped. Just 32 minutes had passed, and the sun broke through the gray and caused the snow to glisten like diamonds.

Isn’t that like life?

As little children we’re not bothered much by the storms, physical or otherwise. We play in the puddles when the rains are over, build snowmen after the earth is covered in white and we trust our parents to hold our hands and guide us through the emotional storms we experience. As an adult we seem to fret more, fretting blocks faith.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

In life’s storms I can hear God’s voice just as clearly as I heard Joyce, just wait.

“ Even very young men get tired and become weak and strong young men trip and fall. 31 But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak.” Isaiah 40:30-31 NLV

So, when the rains come, and they will, don’t fear the storm. Wait, trust in the Lord, feet planted firmly on the solid rock of his Word and He will renew our strength. Just wait!

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The Night’s Watch

Dave and I watch a couple of YouTube channels where the people are fulltime sailing families. They have different size sailing vessels, different ages of their children and sail in different waters but some things are the same.

They all need to provision before long crossings, the care they give their vessels and their Navionics, guidance systems, are all similar. The other thing, that is crucial, are the night watches.

Someone needs to be at the helm making sure they stay on course. They watch the weather for unexpected storms and the keep watch on the radar for ships that may be approaching. If the pass too closely it could cause problems for both vessels and it could mean there is danger of piracy.

Night watch is an important part of their safety.

The same holds true for us as Christians. The night watch is an important part of our safety.

Last night I felt I was on night-watch. Awake at 12:30, 2:30 and then finally up at 4:30. Each time I found myself praying over different situations and people I know.

“On my bed I remember You. I think of You through the hours of the night. 7 For You have been my help. And I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings. 8 My soul holds on to You. Your right hand holds me up.” Psalm 63:6-8 NLV

Through the hours of the night – at times when things can seem their worst, the one standing watch can sing for joy, in the shadow of His wings.

Isn’t that what Paul and Silas did after having been beaten? It was in the darkness of night that the Apostle Paul received an encouraging word from the Lord while in a storm at sea. The disciples were adrift in a storm when Jesus came walking on the water and said, “Peace, be still”.

And of course, there were the shepherds watching their flocks by night.

“In the same country there were shepherds in the fields. They were watching their flocks of sheep at night. 9 The angel of the Lord came to them. The shining-greatness of the Lord shone around them. They were very much afraid. 10 The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. See! I bring you good news of great joy which is for all people.'” Luke 2:8-10 NLV

“Don’t be afraid – I have good news”!

Do you feel like your alone on a night watch? Everyone else is able to rest but you’re awake and agitated. Storms are upsetting your boat, things are getting too close for comfort.

Follow King David’s example: remember the Lord, think about His help, and sing for joy! Your night watch will bring you peace.

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Worth the Wait

The countdown has started. How many days until Christmas? Come December 1, Advent Calendars will be placed in millions of homes reminding young and old that we’re “one day” closer.

The question is do we wait well. More often than not, the answer is probably no.

As children we waited on Christmas morning; it brought excitement, anticipation and an almost sleepless night.

As women we wait expectantly for 9months, 40 weeks – for the birth of a child. Each week, each month there’s a new joy of expectancy; even when we are the only ones who know we are pregnant, we’re excitedly awaiting the due date.

Then there’s the joy of planning a wedding – deciding on the right dress, the flowers, the venue, the food – registering for gifts, planning the honeymoon – you get the picture – although it’s in the future, there’s joy in the planning and waiting.

For the guys, there’s that first hunting trip of the season, getting the tag, the food, scouting the right spot, the thrill of the hunt, buck fever; or it could be the High School State Football Championship – the weekly games, the playoffs and finally the championship game.

Perhaps it’s the promotion at work, graduation from college or trade school, moving out and getting your own place or retirement. New adventures, new expectations, new experiences are all things we wait for.

It would be silly to think that any of these things could be accomplished without preparation, without the passage of time. Looking at the goal and preparing yourself each step along the way is what makes the end result so successful – so rewarding, so joyful.

Then why is it so hard to wait on the Lord?

Many times, have I heard someone get upset because they are having to wait for an answer to prayer, I will include myself in that. Nowadays we live in an instant, microwave, IM world. Some things are just worth waiting on.

Waiting on the Lord is trusting His timing – His perfect plan.

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

Let me encourage you with this; as your waiting on the Lord, prepare yourself to receive His blessings. Don’t be discouraged instead let your anticipation build and don’t grumble. Wait patiently!

“I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer. You listened 2 and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm, 3 and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.” Psalm 40:1-3 CEV

Don’t get discouraged. Wait on the Lord. It will be worth every second!

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