God Is Always on Time

In review of Habakkuk 2:3 I'm reminded, “The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late” (GW).

It seems evil and injustice seem to have the upper hand in the world. I may get discouraged or feel angry as I see what's happening, However, I need to learn from what God Habakkuk: "If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place". What I’m learning is that God is able to work out his plans in his perfect timing. While It isn't easy to be patient, it helps to remember that God hates sin even more than I do. Punishment of sin will certainly come. God reminded Habakkuk to wait patiently, and I need to do the same.

I’m learning that God is never in a hurry, and he’s never late. He’s always on time. God’s timing is perfect, even when I can’t understand it. In fact I may never really understand it, because God exists on a different wavelength. He has a different view of time because he is timeless.

The Bible talks about God’s understanding of time in 2 Peter 3:8. It says, “Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (NIV).

God’s timelessness has big implications for my life. When God created me, he put a dream in my heart. Most start off with a big vision and a big goal. They have some kind of dream or plan or project for their life.

I need to consider what vision has God given me? Seems everybody tends to start off early in life with a vision, as times goes on, more and more give up on their dream before it’s accomplished because it doesn’t happen fast enough, and they’ve given up on it.

God doesn’t want me to do that. If God gave me a dream for my life, it will happen. It just has to happen on his timetable, not on mine.

God says this about your dream: “The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late” (Habakkuk 2:3 GW).

It may not all happen right away. But slowly, steadily, the vision will be fulfilled.” I just need to remember that God is never early, is never late but is always right on time.

In summary, the vision will still happen at the right time, if it's delayed, wait for it. For it will certainly happen. It won't be late. If it seems slow, wait patiently. God is able to work out his plans in his perfect timing. God is never in a hurry, nor is he late. He is always on time, even when I can't understand it. God has planted a dream in my heart. As time goes on, I can easily give up on it, especially since it doesn't seem like it's going to happen fast enough. I'm reminded that if God gave me a dream, it will happen. It just needs to be on his timetable, not mine. God is never early, nor is he ever late. He is always right on time.

Thank you Father for the reminder that when you place dream in me, you want to fulfil it, it just takes place in your timing.

Don’t Get Tired of Doing the Right Thing

In review of Galatians 6:9, I'm reminded “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for afer a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (TLB).

It can be discouraging to continue to do what is right and receive no word of thanks or see tangible results. Paul challenges not only the Galatians, but myself to keep on doing good and to trust God for the results. For in due time I will reap a harvest of blessing.

If things don’t happen right away or when I think they should, that doesn’t mean I should give up and quit. I need to be diligent. I need to have endurance. I need to keep on.

Today’s verse tells me, “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9 TLB).

This Christmas, I should consider if there is anything or area I feel like giving up? Perhaps my career / job. I’ve tried and tried and tried to make a difference, and it just isn’t happening. Perhaps I feel like giving up on my dream or a goal. Maybe I even feel like giving up on myself.

But consider this. A thousand years before I was born, God knew I would be reading this today, and his message to me is simple: Don’t do it. Don’t give up.

Don’t ever give up. The tunnel seems incredibly dark right now, but there is always a light at the end. It may be just around the corner! I am known, I am loved, and I have a purpose. So don’t get tired of doing what is right. Don’t think that what I’m doing doesn’t matter. Don’t think anyone would be better off without me. Those are lies from the mouth of the Devil himself. Remember what God has said about me. Remember that he wants to bless me.

Don’t give up. Look up. Look up to God. Find a spiritual family, a church and a small group, to help me through the tough times. Meditate on God’s Word for encouragement.

Never give up on God. He promises to never give up on me!

In summary, Don't get tired, discouraged or give up on doing what is right At the right time I'll reap a harvest. While it may be discouraging to not see any results keep on doing it and trust God for the results. Be diligent, have endurance, keep on keeping on. God knows and loves me. What I do matters and he wants to bless me.  He promises to never give up on me.

Today I thank you Father for this reminder. Yesterday I was given some confirmation of this from my leader. I pray that during my time off, that you help re-energize me and give me clarity. Thank you for caring and loving me. This I ask through your Son Jesus name, Amen! 

Problems Prepare Me for The Future

In review of 1 Peter 1:6-7 it tells me to “Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (NLT).

I will face trials, especially as my light shines in the darkness. I must learn to accept trials as part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares me to meet Christ. Trials, struggles, and persecutions refine and strengthen my faith, making me useful to God. Instead of asking, why me, I should respond to suffering and trials with a new set of responses: 1). with confidence that God knows, plans and direct my life for good. God always provides strength for me and leads me to a better future. 2) Perseverance when facing grief, anger, sorrow, and pain. I can express my grief. but I don't give in to bitterness and despair. 3). Courage because with Jesus as my Brother and Savior that I need not be afraid. For he who suffered for m won't abandon me. Jesus will carry me through everything.

I need more than positive thinking to survive in this world. I need hope.

And lasting hope is possible because God is preparing me for eternity.

God is using everything in life—the good, the bad, and the ugly—to get me ready. When you understand this, life begins to make sense. You stop asking, “Lord, why is this happening?” because you know why.

The Bible says, “Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT).

Those verses describe several truths that are the same today as they were in Peter’s day.

Problems are temporary. They won’t last forever. But God is using those trials for his purposes.

Problems are necessary. They are an indispensable part of preparing me for heaven.

Problems are varied. You’ll experience trials of all different shapes, sizes, and levels of intensity.

Problems test your faith. I build muscles by testing them. The same is true with your faith.

Problems purify my motives. God is much more interested in my character than in my comfort. He’ll use trials to refine my character.

Problems prepare me for my rewards. The trials I’m going through now don’t compare to the rewards of heaven.

The troubles I’m experiencing now aren’t fun. But the Bible makes it clear they can result in something good. They’ll make my faith stronger. This is why I can have hope no matter what’s going on.

In summary, I can actually be glad when I endure trials, for they test and build my faith and will result in wonderful joy ahead. This will bring praise, glory and honor on the day Christ returns. Trials, struggle, and persecutions refine and strengthen my faith, making me useful to God. I should respond with confidence (God knows, plans and directs thing for my good), Perseverance, I learn not to give in and courage because Jesus is there and won't abandon me. I need more than just positive thinking, I need hope. Lasting hope is possible because God is preparing me for eternity. God uses everything to get me ready. Problems are temporary, are necessary, will vary and will test my faith. They prepare me for my rewards in heaven. While they aren't fun, they can result in good as they make my faith stronger.

Father, I’m not sure what to expect from my call with CEO today. My desire is that it would be in with the positive I’ve been thinking. I pray for clarity and clear concise conversation. I will rely on you for the outcome and trust that whatever it is will be for my best.  I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen.

God Has Already Written the Final Chapter of My Life

In review of 1 Peter 1:3-4, I read  “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (NLT).

In times of trouble, Peter's words offer joy and hope. He bases this confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. I can live with the wonderful expectation of eternal life. My hope is not only for the future; but for now, as my eternal life began when I trusted Christ and joined God's family. God will help me remain true to my faith through whatever difficult times I will face. No matter what trials or persecution I may face, my soul cannot be harmed if I have accepted Christ's gift of salvation. I will receive the promised rewards.

So no matter what happens for the rest of my life, if I have a relationship with Jesus, God guarantees my future. I will never be able to lose my salvation.

The Bible says, “Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay” (1 Peter 1:3b-4 NLT).

An inheritance is what is given because they belong to a family. Usually it’s given at someone’s death. Peter gives me five declarations that describe my inheritance in heaven:

1). Its Reserved: A reservation is needed to get into heaven, and one can only make that reservation through Jesus. Once I put in my reservation, it can never be canceled.

2). Its Pure: This inheritance isn’t fake. It’s the real deal.

3). Its Undefiled: This inheritance can’t be corrupted. I can’t lose it—ever.

4). Its Beyond the reach of change and decay: This inheritance won’t wither, die, or lose its value.

5). It’s Priceless: The value of this inheritance can’t be measured.

So I can rest in and be comforted that God has already written the final chapter of my life. Because I’m a believer, I’ve got a reservation in heaven! And I cannot lose it. I can trust in it. I can believe in it. I can place my hope in it.

In summary, it is because of his great mercy, that I have been born again. I can now live with a great expectation of my future because I have a priceless inheritance that is guaranteed. Confidence in this is found on what God has done through Jesus. No matter what trials or persecution I may face, I cannot lose this inheritance. I can place my trust in it.

The Bible says I can only get to heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ. And we don’t have to earn God’s love or work our way into heaven. The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

This morning I renew my commitment, I pray Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day. I confess my sin, and I believe that you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say that salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to your management. You have the right to call the shots in my life. Jesus, I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In your name I pray. Father I pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions. I pray all of this through your Son Jesus name, Amen.”