Seasons of Waiting

There are seasons in our life where it seems that everything has come to a standstill. We have not been given opportunities for ministry. We have not received any responsibilities. It seems that we have nothing to occupy our time. What do we do when these seasons come, especially in our youth when we have not yet reached the maturity required for ministry?

The young man Joshua was in just such a season in his life as he watched Moses interact with God. He was faced with a decision: to play along side his friends in their youthful pursuits, or to seek something greater.

Jesus Goes Out of His Way

After Jesus left there, he went to the region of Tyre. (Mark 7:24a)

Then Jesus went out again from the region of Tyre and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee in the region of the Decapolis. (Mark 7:31)

Between these two verses is recorded only one event: the healing of the daughter of a Gentile woman. Jesus made a deliberate trip away from the Jewish settlements into a region of mostly Gentiles so that he could encounter a Gentile woman in need. In this simple story we see the Gospel played out.

A Prayer

Lord, please be with our President. Give him wisdom and courage to do what is right, to defend the helpless and protect the vulnerable. Help me, Lord, to remember that he too is a man who needs you as desperately as I do; that he is the head of a household, a father and a husband. Teach me, Lord, how to show him the respect and honor due him in the authority you have granted him. Teach me, Lord, to honor and obey my government even as Peter respected and obeyed Nero and Rome. May I be thankful that on this day, I still can worship you in freedom without fear of death or persecution. May I use every opportunity available to me to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Show us all mercy, Lord, that we may lead peaceful lives; reveal yourself to our nation's leaders that they may know the way in which they should walk. Amen.

Approaching God

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16 KJV)

When we hear the word "boldly" in America, we think of striding in without fear or concern.  The definition of "boldly" is "fearless or daring" or even "brazen or impudent".  But that is not what the writer of Hebrews intended.  More modern translations use the word "confidently", but even here our American culture gets in the way.  You see, we like our rugged individualism.  We like to assert our own personality and will.  We call it freedom, but it is really just the sin of pride.