It may not come when you want it . . .

Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.  Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.  Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:14-20)

God has everything we need . . . but we may not get it when we want it, but rather when He says we need it. We don't even know how the gift will be supplied.  In fact, He may just say we really don't need it! 

You see, we love verse nineteen, which says that God will supply all we need, but we leave out the part about according to HIS riches in glory. God knows what we need and when we need it! 

I don't know about you, but I have to learn that He will not give me everything I want and not always when I want it either! Living by faith . . . .

We all have plans!

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel . . . . that will stand. (Proverbs 19:20-21)

Daily planners . . . to-do lists . . . graduation plans. . . vacation plans . . .monthly plans . . . yearly plans . . . five-year plans . . . retirement plans . . . and yes, even burial plans! We all have plans!

However, how many of us have allowed God in those plans? While it is great to plan, we need to seek God's counsel before carrying them out. It has been said that one who fails to plan plans to fail . . . and this is true!

Yet planning in itself is not all we must do.

For believers, God will have the final say . . . for everyone actually. If we want to honor God and do His will, then we must seek Him out before acting on our plans. Perhaps we may start with a blank slate and ask God to fill it up rather than writing up our plans and asking God to bless them?

What do you think?

It takes effort.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded . . . .(James 4:7-8)

It takes effort! Yes.....we still have some work to do. This is what Paul says in Philippians 2:12, as he instructs us to work out our salvation. 

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202%3A12-13&version=NKJV) 

You see, Jesus did the work as far as our sacrifice and redemption. However, now we must give the Holy Spirit reign in our lives and decide to follow Christ and deny Satan daily. 

Christianity is an active faith and an interactive relationship with Jesus Christ. It is NOT a religion. It takes effort!

a universal language

Music is indeed a universal language. We all know how influential it can be in one's life! Did you notice that God’s Word has an entire book devoted to music? 

The Book of Psalms contains the most chapters of any book in Scripture and it has the longest chapter recorded (Ps. 119). And, we are given 150 examples of songs and prayers set to instrumental music. In fact, the original Greek word psalmoi, from which we derive psalms, implies words accompanied by musical instruments.

This first psalm is probably one of the most wise to apply:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

As entertaining and soothing as music can be, God's Word put to music can not only soothe and excite us but also keep us grounded! Many of us today are surrounded and at times bombarded with music . . . and usually not the Godly kind of music. 

If music is indeed a universal language, let's be deliberate about our music choices and see how God can work in us and through others.  

Walls of protection

For I,’ says the LORD, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’ ” (Zechariah 2:5)

From ancient times to modern history, walls of protection were often built around a city to mark and enclose a settlement of people. These thick stone structures protected those who lived inside from invaders and outside threats.

How true is that for our own lives in the current culture? Do we have God as our fortress (Ps. 18:2)? Have we hidden His Word in our hearts to keep us from sin? (Psalm 119:11) Are we prepared for the fiery darts of Satan? (Ephesians 6:16) 

It is everyone's desire to protect their automobiles, their homes, and their families. We have Lo-Jack, car alarms, home security systems, cameras, and even phone tracking devices. However, many have no spiritual walls of protection for their heart or soul. Many are at risk every day to be attacked with no defense. 

Jesus is my Rock and my Fortress. I have to remember to arm myself with His armor daily. He is my greatest security! What about you? Are your walls of protection up? 

So how important and impactful is music?

Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. But now bring me a harpist.” While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha . . . . (2 Kings 3: 14-15)

So how important and impactful is music? It indeed inspired the prophet Elisha and moved God to work in the lives of the Jews. Elisha knew that music when directed to the Lord and used for His purposes, could help prepare his mind and heart to hear from God. As the harpist played, the Lord’s hand came upon Elisha, and God spoke to him with a message of hope and salvation for His people.

What about you and me? What role does music play in our lives? For many, it gets us up for a game or a workout. It is a motivator. It may also even relax us at times. It can quiet us down at night to sleep. 

But what about our spiritual lives? Do we allow music to bring us into a state of worship? Do we use it to open our hearts and minds to hear from God? Do we use music for simple pleasure and physical desires? 

This weekend, try allowing music to put us into a place to hear from God and worship Him. 

We all are held accountable for all we do . . .

Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both. Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread. (Proverbs 20:11-13)

Let's face it . . . as time winds down to the school year, many become lazy and simply wait for the summer. Some wait for graduation. Others, just for the summer break. Still others, look toward a special summer vacation or event. Yet we are warned not to become lazy! Each of us is accountable to God and each other, whether young or old!

Don't fall into the trap of laziness. If there is a goal ahead, run towards it with zeal. Do not become weary in doing good. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206%3A9&version=NKJV) Keep your eyes and ears open and allow God to work. You will be glad you did!

Tomorrow will be here before you know it. Run towards it, do not miss it by becoming lazy!

Why so much education????

Is education so important?  Why so much anyway? Read on . . .

“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. (Acts 22:3)

Paul (Saul) was a well-educated and well-rounded man. He was taught by the best teacher in the Temple and was socially educated as well. He was a "Hebrew of Hebrews" and also a citizen of Rome! Just read his pedigree here in Philippians:

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless . . . (Philippians 3:4-6)

God used all of Paul's education and social graces to reach all people groups. He may not have known at the time of his education what God would do, but God did! So get educated . . . in all ways . . . not simply in the classroom, but in society and in the scriptures. Allow God to teach you and use you! We never stop learning!

What do you need answers to at this time? Ask God!

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6)

We are winding down to the end of the school year and for many seniors in high school and college, there are many decisions to be made. In fact, every student is probably a bit nervous and antsy, anticipating how they will finish and what the summer months may bring . . . parents and teachers too! 😗

What do you need answers to at this time?

Jesus' brother James makes it very clear where and with Whom the answers are held. . . . God! One simply has to ask! Yet to ask God, we need a relationship with Him first! Do you know Him like that?

The Bible is clear, to ask of God one must know God because the answers come by faith, not by guessing or hoping.

But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6)

Have doubts? Need answers? Ask of God!

To my young people . . .Enjoy life with restraint

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. (Ecclesiastes 11:9)

Ahhhh . . . to be young . . . living carefree and with abandon . . . doing whatever you desire with an entire life ahead. I can faintly remember those days. There are some fond memories but also some horrific mistakes!

My advice to the young people leaving school high school (as my senior class is preparing to do) is to enjoy these times as much as possible as Solomon wrote in the words above. They will go by swiftly and before you know it, real adulthood will strike!

However, enjoy life with restraint. God indeed has a plan for each of you and will carry it out . . . if you stay close to Him and His will for you! I realize how hard it is to be a CHRISTian in this world. It is for me too! Just try your best and ask God for help daily. Seek advice from those who have been there and trust their wisdom. Deep inside you have been planted sound judgment and biblical morals. Follow them!

So enjoy this part of your life . . . but with restraint.

unity throughout . . . imagine the impact

 Let's face it, God wants us to be one. Jesus was clear in His High-Priest prayer before going to His death: 

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:20-21)

As a Body, whether it is family, a school, a graduating class, or a church,  He desires for groups of believers to be one so that the world can see Him in us and want what/Who we have! As we gather, we are to be an even brighter light to a dark world than we are by ourselves! 

Imagine the impact . . . .

So as we gather as families to celebrate this time of year . . . as we gather as schools to end the year . . . as we celebrate together as graduating classes . . . and yes, as we gather in person at our various churches . . . let's physically, as well as spiritually, celebrate what God has done in each of us as a unified Body so the world can see what God has done!  

Imagine the impact . . .

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. (Romans 12:15-16)