Todays Beginning

Isaiah 40:31a (AMP), "But those who wait on the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain strength and renew their power." Thursday... If we wait, we can gain. It is very difficult for me to wait and that is why I usually get to wherever I am going, early. I know that is frustrating for my family. But I would rather wait than to have someone wait on me. And there are so many rewards in waiting. There really are. Isaiah 40:31 has been such an important verse in my life. It says that the key is the one you are waiting for. But first, Isaiah 40:30 (AMP) says, "Even youth grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly." It is hard at 78 to remember that fact but Isaiah said it so it is true. Yes, we can get so impatient even when we are young and our impatience can cause us trouble. We prepare for the wrong occupation, or marry the wrong person. But Isaiah doesn't stop there. Verse 31 says, "But those who wait on the Lord [who expect, ...

Isaiah 38:8b (NLT), "For the king was thinking, 'At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime'" Wednesday... We can see only from our perspective. What we see, what we focus on can make such a difference in our lives, in our family, in those around us and King Hekiziah is such an example of this. We want to take credit. Look at what I have done. But when in trouble, we go to God but still take credit. Back in chapter 36, King Hezekiah of Judah had a problem. The King of Assyria was out to destroy Judah and it looked like it was going to happen so King Hezekiah prayed and God saved Judah and he also gave the King, 15 more years of life. So many times in our successes we take them all personal and for granite. We take on ourselves a feeling that we can do no wrong. Look what I did. We want to look good. But that can be a trap. Now in chapter 39, King Hezekiah got all messed up. Another King sent an envoy to see him. Verse 2 says, "Hezekiah was delig...

Acts 21:40b (NLT), "Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed them in their own language, Aramaic." Tuesday... We need to know their language. We may know the truth but if we don't know their language we can't communicate with them. We each one have different languages that we speak. The Apostle Paul was in Jerusalem. but in a very difficult situation. The crowd didn't want to listen to what he was saying and they wanted him gone. They were also beating him and they wanted him arrested so they turned to a Roman Commander and he didn't seem to understand. Now when the commander started talking to Paul he was surprised that Paul knew his language. He thought he was an Egyptian. And as he was taking Paul away, Paul said he wanted to speak to them so verse 40 (NLT) says, "The commandeer agreed, so Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed then in their own languag...

Acts 20:2a (MSG), "Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope." Monday... But it is so easy to do the opposite. Over in Acts of the Apostles in chapter 20:2a (MSG), Luke the writer of this book says, "Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope." That is such a great verse. I love how The Message puts it, "He gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope." Luke was talking about the Apostle Paul. Luke was one of several men who traveled with him on his missionary journeys. He saw first hand what was happening. Now verse 3b (NLT) says, "He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life." Over and over this happened. At the end of chapter 1...

Psalm 94:19 (AMP), "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights me." Friday... He knows, he really does. There is a time when I am going through some anxious thoughts that I am awakened. I am a morning person. I get up early by my alarm at the same time every day. But I sometimes wake up earlier than I want because I am troubled about something. Do you have those times? The writer of Psalm 94:19 (AMP) says, "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights me." And in verse 13 he writes, "That you may grant him [power to calm himself and find] peace in the days of adversity." When I am awakened I start praying and remembering scripture. The Evil One wants to keep us in turmoil so my thought is that if I pray then it will get him off my back and let me get back to sleep. I strive to remember and pray. That's not what he wants. Verses 12-14 says, "Blessed [with wisdom and prosperity] is the man whom You disci...

Isaiah 33:2 (AMP), "O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited [expectantly] for You. Be the arm of Your servants every morning [that is, their strength and their defense], our salvation also in the time of trouble." Thursday... Looking back can help our expectancy. Now of course, it really helps to have a relationship with God. He is the source. In my drive this morning to Aspire, the coffeeshop where I have done much of my writing, I was remembering our year starting July 1st of last year.  No way did we know what was going to happen. It has been an unbelievably difficult and also an exciting year in the life of our family. Yes, it is amazing how God has taken care of us. This year has proven that having a relationship with God and waiting on him with expectancy makes all the difference in times of trouble. Look at this verse. Isaiah 33:2 (AMP) says, "O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited [expectantly] for You. Be the arm of Your servants every morning [that is, the...