Wait! Our Timing Is Not His Timing -- Ecclesiastes 3:11

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end" Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

The idea that God has a purpose and plan for everything in life and that there is a right time for everything to unfold is a difficult concept for us to grasp. Waiting is one of the hardest things for us, especially in a world where everything is instant. I know I can be impatient, and sitting back to wait for the Lord's timing is an area I struggle.

My family has been looking to move from our current home. The area is quickly growing, and our quiet little neighborhood is being crowded out by subdivisions and congested streets. You would think finding a new place to move would be simple. However, there are several factors that we need to fall into place for the new home to be able to accommodate handicaps (and dogs). For seven years, we have been scouring real estate sites, visiting homes for sale, and waiting (and praying). 

The Lord keeps whispering in my ear to wait. But what am I waiting for? Last summer, I got my answer. My mom suffered her second heart attack, and we spent several days running back and forth to the hospital while seeing to everything at the house. Had we moved to the area we were desperately searching, I'm not sure my mom would have survived this second heart attack.

State-of-the-art medical facilities are pretty far away from the area we were searching in. Mom is currently under the care of an excellent cardiologist, and I am still getting the same answer from the Lord: WAIT. He is not telling me no; He is simply saying it is not the right time. 

This verse calls us to trust in God's timing and plan, recognizing both our longing for eternity and our limitations in understanding God's grand design. It suggests that while we may not grasp the full picture, we can trust that God is in control and that everything will make sense in its proper time. The Lord will guide us, and when the time is right, everything will line up, and there will be no doubt that He is in control and the timing is right. 

Has the Lord told you to wait? Did you listen or plunge ahead anyway? 

Feel free to leave me a comment or send me a message!

Soaking In The Living Word

For Christians, the Bible is not just a book of ancient stories; it is the living Word of God, meant to guide, strengthen, and inspire them every day. As the foundation of Christian faith, the Bible offers insight into how Christians should live, love, and serve others. One of the most important practices for any Christian is to engage with the Bible regularly, and daily Bible readings are an essential spiritual discipline. Here’s why making Bible reading a daily habit is so crucial.

Strengthening Your Relationship with God

Just as a relationship with a close friend or family member requires regular communication, so does a
relationship with God. The Bible is God’s way of speaking to us, and through daily readings, we can better understand His heart, His will, and His plans for our lives. Engaging with scripture daily allows Christians to draw closer to God, becoming more attuned to His voice. As you read, you begin to sense His guidance in your life, whether it's through comfort in tough times or direction when you're faced with tough decisions. God’s Word is a powerful tool that enables Christians to grow in their relationship with Him.

Deepening Understanding of the Word

The Bible is vast, and sometimes, it can be challenging to fully grasp its depth. Reading the Bible daily allows Christians to study and meditate on its teachings regularly, helping them grow in understanding over time. Often, scripture reveals new insights as you continue to read it in different seasons of life. Passages that seemed confusing or irrelevant might suddenly come alive, offering personal applications. Daily Bible reading helps to reinforce these truths and solidifies them in the believer's heart.

Moreover, when you read the Bible consistently, verses begin to interconnect, giving you a broader and more cohesive understanding of biblical themes. This deeper understanding strengthens your faith, giving you a solid foundation in God’s Word to rely on in times of doubt or trial.

Providing Spiritual Nourishment

The Bible is often compared to food for the soul, and just as our bodies require regular nourishment, so do our spirits. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Daily Bible reading provides the spiritual sustenance necessary to face life's challenges. Without consistent nourishment from God’s Word, a Christian’s faith can grow weak, and they may become more susceptible to worldly distractions or temptations. Regular Bible reading ensures that we are spiritually fed and able to withstand the struggles of life.

Fostering Spiritual Growth

One of the most effective ways to grow spiritually is through daily Bible readings. The Word of God has the power to transform hearts, renew minds, and build character. By immersing ourselves in scripture every day, we open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit, who uses the Word to mold us into the image of Christ. As we learn from the examples of people in the Bible, as well as from the teachings and commands of Jesus, we become better equipped to live out our Christian faith in the world. The Bible encourages believers to live with love, patience, kindness, and humility — all of which are essential qualities for spiritual maturity.

Developing a Habit of Prayer and Reflection

A daily Bible reading habit naturally complements and encourages a vibrant prayer life. As you read, you may feel prompted to pray about specific areas of your life or to reflect on how the scriptures apply to your current circumstances. Bible readings often stir the heart, leading to moments of repentance, thanksgiving, and praise. Prayer becomes not just a ritual but an intimate conversation with God in response to His Word. This daily rhythm of reading and praying helps to cultivate a sense of peace and assurance that God is always near.

Living Out Your Faith

Reading the Bible daily is key to living out your faith. The Bible teaches us how to love others, how to forgive, and how to serve in humility. Without immersing ourselves in the Word, we risk forgetting these core principles. Daily exposure to God’s Word reminds us of our calling as Christians — to be a light in the world, to love others as Christ has loved us, and to spread the Good News.

Daily Bible readings are important for Christians as their desire to build a stronger relationship with God grows. Through regular scripture readings, Christians gain spiritual nourishment, deepen their understanding of God’s will, and are empowered to live out their faith with conviction. A consistent habit of reading the Bible provides the strength, wisdom, and grace needed to navigate life’s challenges and live according to God's plan. Whether you read in the morning, at lunch, or before bed, taking time each day to connect with God through His Word can transform your life in ways you never imagined.

Be Like Jesus (Social Media Edition)-- Ephesians 5:1-2

"Follow God's Example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins." Ephesians 5:1-2 

Can we have a candid discussion about what we put on social media? Are you able to look at your social media posts and be proud of the things you are posting for the world to see? Do your posts uplift others and let your light shine? 

Have you let your flesh rise up and become a keyboard warrior? Hiding behind the anonymity of a username and a screen makes it easy for us to not be held accountable for our actions. I know I have sometimes struggled with keeping my fingers in check as they hovered over the keyboard, ready to punch out a scathing reply to a rude comment. It is during those times that I have to push myself back, close my eyes, take a deep breath, and ask, "What response is most pleasing to the Lord?" When I take that extra minute to reign in my emotions and seek favor with the Lord, I know that He will give me the wisdom to reply with kindness or to simply scroll on past. 

But social media is so much more than picking fights and defending our views. It is a way for us to post about our lives, upload cute memes, connect with loved ones, and create new friendships across the globe. With over three billion people using social media, that is a lot of people you could be connecting with and showing your life (and heart) to. When you look at your profile, do you see a Godly person casting their net to gather souls for the Lord, or do you see someone who touches on a love for the Lord but lets the world dominate their feed? 

Proverbs 1:15 tells us, "My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path." While your friends may be posting inappropriate (or even borderline inappropriate) things on their social media accounts, you do not have to follow or even give that content a like. Instead, let your posts be uplifting and Christ-centered. 

Proverbs 4:14 goes on to tell us, "Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men." Posting a meme about needing more coffee is perfectly fine, until you take it one more step and post a meme that has a "mild' curse word. Then, you go another step further and post a questionable image or borderline crude joke. You openly proclaim your love for Jesus and that you are a Christian, yet you post things online that are not pleasing to the Lord. 

I see it every day. Friends who have become born again create social media posts proclaiming Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and then the very next post underneath is a crude meme or a post filled with anger, spewing forth curse words and hate. I have had to stop myself a few times from typing something scathing or unacceptable, and I have giggled at a silly (but slightly inappropriate) meme. However, I try my best to offer a space on social media filled with love and kindness with a splash of reality tossed in for good measure. 

Even if we only reach one soul for Christ, we should let our light shine and not let the darkness of the
world creep in and dim that light. Before you create your next social media post, sit back and ask if what you are posting is pleasing to the Lord. If the answer is no, don't post it. If you are not certain of the answer, ask yourself if what you are about to post is something you would openly share in church. If the answer is no, don't post it. 

Be pleasing to the Lord and use your social media platforms to witness to the world. I'm not saying preach at your friends and followers, but don't post offensive, volatile, disgusting content. Use your platform to encourage, seek prayer, build relationships, and just maybe open a few hearts of non-believers to the Living Word. 

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Trust in the Lord -- Proverbs 3:5

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

This can be a major stumbling block for some people; even lifelong believers sometimes have trouble trusting the Lord when their world crumbles. I have doubted the Lord and His timing many times in my life, even as recently as last week.

When a contract ends and there is no new one on the horizon, fear and doubt begin creeping in. When bills are coming due and you are still out of work, when a medical screening comes back with scary news, or when your spouse walks out the door and never returns, trusting in the Lord can become difficult. We know our timing is not His timing, but we begin to doubt when things around us begin to crumble and fear creeps into our souls. 

Rebuke that fear and doubt and stand firm in the promises of the Lord. He will never let you down. We may not know how He is going to take care of us or our situation, but we know He is here, and He is willing to lift us up and carry us if needed. 

I am currently searching for a few new clients (writing and editing), and I'm not going to lie, money is
tight. But I know the Lord has something planned ("For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future" - Jeremiah 29:11), and I know He will see me through these times. While I am experiencing downtime in my writing career, I am filling that time with expanding parts of my ministry and spending quality time with my daughter and mother (who is not in the best health). 

Having this time to work on other things just might be part of the Lord's big plan for my life. I feel so much closer to Him than I have in years, and I am so thankful for all He has done in my life. I can spend more time in prayer and praising the Lord. I know this pleases Him, and He will guide my steps as I move forward in my career. 

Remember to leave me a comment or shoot me an email (prayersandpromisesministry@gmail.com) with your prayer requests. I would be honored to lift you in prayer. 

I'll Pray For You -- Romans 15:30

 "I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me." Romans 15:30

Have you ever run into a friend at the grocery store, and in passing, they ask you to pray for a situation? Your response is almost always something like "Of course!" or "I'll keep you in my prayers." But, in reality, how often do you remember that friend's request until much later (or sometimes it completely slips your mind)? 

I know I am guilty of saying I will pray and then rushing off to finish whatever errand I was on and either forgetting to pray or remembering to pray the next day or a few days past. I always felt horrible and prayed for forgiveness for forgetting my friend's need. 

After running into the husband of an acquaintance (named Mary) at Wal-Mart and having him ask me to pray for Mary's health and then going on about my day, I only remembered to pray for her two days later. After stopping what I was doing and lifting her in prayer, I felt nudged by the Lord to pick up the phone and give Mary a call. The phone went straight to voicemail. I kept getting a nudge to keep trying to contact her, so I called a mutual friend. My friend said Mary was in the hospital, but she did not know why Mary was hospitalized.

I am not so sanctimonious to think that if I had stopped and prayed for Mary right after her husband asked me to, Mary would not have been hospitalized. But I did learn a huge lesson that day. The Lord wants us to be bold in our faith and not hide our light. 

The next time someone asked me to pray for them or a situation, I was having
lunch at one of my favorite diners. I looked at the friends I was dining with and said, "Let's pray right now for Pam." Pam happened to be walking by when she saw me and stopped to chat, mentioning she was going through a difficult situation.

Some of the people sitting at tables around us also stopped and bowed their heads as I offered a prayer for Pam and her family. I don't think Pam quite knew what to say, but she called me later and thanked me for taking the time to pray for her. She said it made her feel like she mattered, and she felt such peace when I was praying for her. 

I now make it a point to stop what I am doing to pray for those who ask. Whether standing in aisle 10 at Wal-Mart or sitting at a table full of friends at a diner, I will bow my head and raise my hands in prayer. I may get some strange looks from non-believers, but I don't want to pay lip service and just say, "I'll pray for you." 

I have a prayer list that I regularly update. It is filled with prayer requests from friends and colleagues. Readers of this blog have also emailed asking for prayers. If you are feeling overwhelmed, lonely, sick, or in need of peace, drop me a line at prayersandpromisesministry@gmail.com. I will gladly pray for you!

Soar On Wings Like Eagles -- Isaiah 40:31

 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

This is one of my mom's absolute favorite scriptures and I have to say it is one that I recite on days when it is difficult to get out of bed. There are several mornings when my body hurts so much that even the slightest movement sends shockwaves of pain radiating throughout. But, I have little lives (my dogs) depending on me to swing my legs out from the covers and push myself up and start moving. 

Living with rheumatoid arthritis is a daily roller coaster and not just my body is weary, but my soul as well. Being my mother's primary caregiver and a single mom on top of it all does put a strain on my mind, body, heart, and soul. Each morning, rain or shine, severe pain or mild aches, I pull myself up and praise the Lord for another day. 

Spending time in prayer, especially when your soul is weary, is one of the most important parts of your Christian walk. Sitting quietly and inviting the Lord for a chat will invigorate your heart and give you peace. During the difficult days, take ten minutes to retreat to a quiet place and lay your burdens at the foot of the cross. Ask the Lord to place His hand upon you and give you peace, encouragement, and discernment. He will never leave you and He will lift you up and help you soar. 

I did just that this afternoon. After a busy day of errands and doctor appointments, I was feeling drained and just wanted to curl up under the covers and forget about everything. There is dinner to cook, laundry to put away, dogs to feed and work to proofread/edit before I can call it a day. 

Therefore, I knew I needed to approach my Lord and Savior for a pep talk and an energy spike. After just ten minutes of sitting in the sunshine (it is a beautiful 69 degrees today!), I could feel the Lord wrapping an arm around me and lifting me up. The laundry is done, dinner is in the oven, the dogs are happily munching their dinner, and I have two more articles to edit for the night. 

God is so good!! What has He done in your life lately? Leave a comment, we would love to hear from you! If you have a prayer request, you can leave a comment or email me at prayersandpromisesministry@gmail.com.