God Is Sovereign over Delays
Dr. Charles Stanley
This means that in every delay, we are actually waiting for God in one way or another. You might have thought that the expression "waiting upon the Lord" applies only to seeking guidance from Him or an answer to prayer. But it can mean so much more when you remember that He controls all your day-to-day inconveniences and frustrations.
In the Christian life, learning to wait is vitally important because until you do, you'll never be able to walk in obedience to God, have an effective prayer life, or experience the peace of resting in His loving sovereignty.
We must learn to trust His judgment--about not just the big events in our lives, but also the trivial ones which cause us to become irritated, impatient, or even angry. If we're sensitive to His instruction, each delay has a lesson.
The next time you face an unexpected or unwanted wait, remember that it comes as no surprise to God. He wants to teach you patience and increase your faith. He's more interested in developing godly character than He is in making sure your schedule runs according to your plans.
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr.
Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.
Not There Yet
Bayless Conley
In Philippians 3:12-13, Paul gives us an important insight into becoming
complete or mature in Christ,
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected (or
complete); but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ
Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have
apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forward to those things which are ahead.
As believers, we must realize that we have a way to go. We have not
arrived. There are still some things ahead. We still must press on.
But some people have the idea they have arrived. They don't need to grow
anymore; they don't need to study anymore; they don't need to increase
anymore.
It is like the true story of a young neighbor who was talking to Albert
Einstein at a dinner party. She asked, "What is it exactly that you do as a
profession?" Einstein looked at her and said, "I've devoted myself to the study
of physics." And in shock she replied, "Studying physics at your age? I
finished my studies a year ago!"
Unfortunately, that is the attitude many Christians have today about their
spiritual growth. They think they have finished. Instead, our attitude should
be like 95-year-old Pablo Casals, considered to be the greatest cellist that the
world has ever known.
A young reporter asked him one day, "You're 95. The world considers you to
be its greatest cellist; and still, at 95, you practice six hours a day. Why?"
To which he responded, "Because I think I'm making progress."
Friend, you have not arrived. Set your goal to be making progress every
day. That is how you will become mature in Christ.
Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with
God
The Swan - Pablo Casals
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