A Flickering Flame

The pews are crowded but the flame burns low,
So little fire and power but a whole lot of show,
How many once hot hearts have a flickering flame,
Once unbridled zeal and passion now are tamed,
O Spirit, breath, and God who answers by fire,
Fill us, consume us, flood our souls with desire,
For more flame burning down deep in our souls,
Smoldering embers fanned to flame wind blown,
We can never be content with a smoldering zeal,
When the flame of the Holy Spirit has now sealed,
The flickering flame must once again be revived,
So the flame no longer flickers but still thrives.

The Future

 Nobody can predict the future. Meteorologists try but they do not always get the forecast right. It is raining outside my office though the forecast did not call for rain in this part of Texas today. Light showers were supposed to develop much further north. Sports analyst compare game statistics and predict which team will win but they are not always right. Just look at the teams in the Final Four. How many predicted those final four teams when March madness began? Economist often miss the mark when trying to predict what the economy will do. Retailers are often far off in their assessment of fashion trends resulting in sales losses.

It is foolish for you and I to sit around trying to predict the course of our future. It would be much wiser to remain yielded to God and obey His leadership.

God had a specific word for Joshua spoken through Moses in Deuteronomy. The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. [Deut 31:8]

When you woke up this morning to the gift of this day from God, did it cross your mind that He has already gone before you in everything you will face today. Trial or triumph God has already been there.  He has gone before your children to school. He is already painfully aware of sinful choices and rebellious behavior in you and your family. He has already been down the road of the most painful day of your life as well as the best days of your life. He knows the future. He goes ahead of you. This should bring great comfort.

While we like to pretend we are in control of our schedules and our lives it does not take much to show us how little control we really have. A terrorist attack. A stock market crash. A car accident. Cancer. Prodigal family members and friends. You get the picture. We really have very little control even over ourselves.

God does not fail His people or forsake them. He does not loosen His grip in the hard times. He does not leave us destitute in times of trial, tragedy, or terror. We do not have to be afraid of the future. Many people live paralyzed in fear about what could happen in the future. The bottom line is none of us can control or predict the future. We have a God who goes ahead of us. Why not trust Him irregardless of what comes our way.

Some seasons bring suffering and pain. There are other times of great triumph and blessing. God is the Lord over both seasons of life. When you are tested and afraid He will not fail you. That means He will not slacken in His commitment to love you. He will not faint and grow weary in those times when you need Him the most. [Ps 46:1] You have nothing to dread in the future. With God you can face any challenge, even suffering and death.

There is absolutely no reason to try to look down the road and become dismayed and discouraged. God already knows what you will need in the future. He has ample supply of wisdom, strength, peace, hope, endurance, faith, love, and comfort for when you will need them. God holds your future in the palm of HIs hand. He has already seen it, been there, and made the way for you to press on. Be encouraged with this truth today.

Spilled Popcorn

We went to a movie yesterday. Afterward we had a few errands to run in Denton. We had left over popcorn in the car and one of the buckets spilled leaving popcorn in the floor. Taylor raked it out on the  parking lot.

After a minutes of shopping I had enough and went back outside to sit down on a bench. I had a perfect  vantage point to see, not only our car, but also the spilled popcorn on the parking lot. A passage of scripture came to mind. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? [Matt 6:26]

Not long after a bird flew near our car and landed. Before long the bird enjoyed a popcorn buffet. I sat on that bench watching the bird enjoying popcorn. It dawned on me how God provided for that bird with what looked like an accident to me. Spilled popcorn created a mess in the car floor. God had a plan and the bird received God's bountiful provision even though it did not sow, reap, or store the popcorn in barns.

God does the same for us. I had to buy Taylor two new tires for his truck this week. God sent provision to pay for those tires from a dear couple from Seminole. They sent the provision in the mail before Taylor even had the flat and we discovered the tires were worn and in dangerous condition. I had to buy some books for my upcoming book promotion tour. God made provision for those books through a farmer in West Texas. After church today we shared lunch with two families from the church. We were shocked when of those families bought lunch for my whole family. Over and over again God provides for His own children.

I have seen this over and over again. In just the past year when Brenda's car needed repairs God sent us a check for $5,000 from a friend without our ever telling Him. When we needed down payment money for our house God came through. When we needed money for roof repairs on the house God sent exactly what we needed through a man who dropped by my office. I never mentioned the need to him. He had already written a check and just slid it across my desk without saying a word about it. When I needed money to get copies of my new book and for travel expenses to go promote it God came through once again. In essence God has spilled a little more popcorn over and over again to provide for my household just like He did for that bird yesterday afternoon.

I have a son about to go off to college. All we have ever counseled Taylor about college is to go where God wants him. We have not told him where to go. We have prayed with him and exhorted him to pray for God's leadership in this area. Well God did lead and reveal His will for Taylor. God wants Taylor to go to Howard Payne University where Brenda and I met and graduated. Howard Payne is a private college. We trust God will spill a little more popcorn.

My family has sat in the front row of God's arena of life and watched Him show up and spill popcorn for us over and over again. I have shared these stories with my boys, at churches I have preached, and in the books and blogs I have written. I am confident He will provide for you too. O God, please spill a little more popcorn.

The Fog Of Confusion

I got out of bed weary from a late night at Taylor's track meet. Tucker still had early morning practice. We both got in my truck and were surprised by heavy fog. This was not ordinary fog. In the thirty plus years I have been driving I have never encountered worse fog. You could not see twenty five yards in front of you.

Three times I missed turns because I simply could not see. At one point I did not even see a red light until I was near the intersection. I witnessed the tail lights of one car in front of me completely disappear  at about twenty five yards out front. I could not even see a hint of that car through the dense fog.

It made driving treacherous. I was tense. Though I knew the way to school like the back of my hand I felt unsure and unsettled on our morning commute. The fog disoriented me to my surroundings. At one point I found myself driving in the wrong lane reserved for oncoming traffic. I am grateful to God no  cars were in that lane.

There are days and seasons when we can feel the same way I felt this morning trying to figure out God's direction for our lives. For many reasons we may live in confusion but one thing must be remembered. GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION. [I Cor 14:33]

Where does the confusion come from. Satan clouds our minds like fog. Thoughts can be planted that lead us astray. Thoughts that make us doubt God. Thoughts that lead us down the path of sin and rebellion.

How do we combat this confusion. I have two words of counsel. First, we must stay in God's word. As we read it, study it, and meditate on it those truths can guide our steps. God does not want us to live in fog like confusion. He offers guidance and counsel for the journey of life. Far too often we get ourselves busy doing anything and everything but reading God's word and trusting God will use scriptures to direct our paths. I know this sounds like a Sunday School answer but it is absolutely vital to help us navigate the maze of this life.

The second bit of counsel is to wait on God. When we get confused it is also possible to become so impatient we take matters into our own hands. Many heartaches and trials have befallen people who would not wait on God and His timing. We ought to determine not to make major life decisions until we hear clearly from God. God works through the searching process to develop our character, to reveal more of Himself and to teach us patience as well as perseverance. Time spent waiting is not time spent wasted. God has His methods and His ways and one of those is learning to wait.

If you find yourself in the fog of confusion keep reading scripture. When God is ready He will give light to make the path known you are supposed to take. Until that day wait patiently on God to illuminate that path.

By midmorning the fog lifted around Wise County. I spent a good deal of my day driving and had no problems. The same will be true for you too. One day the fog of confusion will lift in your life as well. You will see clearly the path you are supposed to take. Until that day stay in the scriptures and keep waiting on God patiently.

Now Available

My new book is now available online after months of anticipation. You can secure your copy at tatepublishing.com. The book Title is Weeping For A Night; How To Survive Seasons Of Suffering. Get your copy and remember all the proceeds go to pay off the debt on the hospital in Honduras.

Starting in May I will be traveling and promoting the book.

What Is Your Default Setting

Where do you turn when the pressure begins to build, stress levels start to rise, and all you want is relief? Many turn to sex, alcohol, drugs, and other destructive behavior in their attempts to cope with the difficulties of life. In these default escapes there is a temporary relief but it never lasts and it does not produce lasting peace.

Our default setting should be God. We should cast every care onto Him when the pressure intensifies and the stress increases. He should be our default setting. Everybody turns to something or someone to help them cope. Some do it by guzzling another beer trying to drown their sorrows and suffering. It never lasts. Others default going from one immoral relationship to another but they never find the lasting peace and contentment they are seeking for.

Life is filled with pressure. Financial pressure. Today we took a close to $400 hit to unexpectedly buy Taylor some new tires for his truck. A screw in one tire causing a flat revealed a large issue with tire that could have resulted in a blow out and a problem. This came unexpected to us but not to God. I turn to Him to cope. There are health problems people are forced to cope with. There are relational issues that drain the soul. Pressure is everywhere. People cannot live under such constant pressure anymore than a machine can run at optimum RPM's without is causing permanent damage. You cannot run a horse non-stop without giving the animal a break along with food and water. When people are under pressure they want relief. More than that they need relief. If they do not find relief stress when harm their health. Heart attacks, ulcers, and high blood pressure can result from stress that is not managed.  Where they turn for relief makes all the difference.

Make God your default setting. Train your mind and heart to immediately turn to Him in the tough times. Cast all your cares onto Him because He cares for you. [Ps 55:22]

Only Believe

There are times you cry out to God with every fiber of your being to help in a crisis. You summon all the faith you possibly can and you pour out your soul like water from a glass pleading with God to help you. 

This is exactly what a desperate father did in Mark 5. His daughter was near death and he asked Jesus to help. Jesus was delayed while ministering to another lady. In the meantime, people from the father's house came to tell him there was no use troubling Jesus any further. The little girl had died. 

When Jesus heard this His response was startling as well as troubling. Here is what He said, "Do not fear, only believe." [Mark 5:36] What? Are you kidding? Do not fear. The father's worst fears came true. His daughter died. Jesus did not help. And what is this about only believe. The father did believe. He brought the matter of his little girl to Jesus but Jesus did not help her. Jesus did not prevent the girl's premature death. 

Jesus accompanied the father to see the little girl. When He walked in the house and saw everyone weeping He said something even more startling. "The child is not dead but sleeping." We are told clearly in [Mark 5:35] the little girl died. How could Jesus say she was only sleeping. This troubled me for a long time until one day I got it. 

That little girl died. She ceased living. Yet from Jesus' perspective she might as well have been taking a nap because a miracle was about to take place. Jesus saw what nobody else could see. He knew the future. He knew that weeping would soon turn into unbridled joy. Jesus brought the little girl back to life.

From your perspective things may look bleak. Hopeless. They are beyond your control and your ability to fix. From God's perspective what looks beyond hope may be the opportunity for a greater miracle. So let me encourage you today in the words of Jesus, "Do not fear, only believe." Believe He knows what He is doing even though the answer is delayed. Wait on Him believing He will come through. Believe that nothing is too difficult for Him. Even if it appears too late and the nightmare came true remember the "child is not dead but is sleeping." Believe what God says no matter what your eyes see in front of you devastating faith and courage. Believe that God has not forgotten you and your need even though it appears you are waiting in vain. ONLY BELIEVE. 

That means keep trusting. Place your confidence in Him. Be assured He is able to handle anything in your life. That is what only believe means. 

As I write this my back is against the wall. What I see before me tells me to doubt, to worry, and stress out. What I read tells me only to believe. God knows my plight as well as yours. I will trust Him in the darkness and harshness of present circumstances trusting Him for the needed miracle. 

Could it be God's delay is producing a bigger platform for Him to do a miracle in your life? I believe that to be true. So do not give into fear but only believe.

Preaching Opportunities

It has taken some time but my latest book I have written, read, re-read numerous times, edited, is now going to print. I believe in this book. Weeping For A Night: How To Endure Seasons of Suffering is a book of hope for suffering people. This is a message that has burned in my heart for some time. I am excited to share it with the reading public.

Now it is time to get out there and push the book. This has never been comfortable for me. I hate marketing myself. It is different this time. I am not marketing myself. I am marketing a message God has given me. We will use money made from book sales to pay off the remaining debt on a hospital in Copan Ruinas, Honduras.

What do I need from you? I need preaching opportunities. I am not looking for financial compensation. I am looking to preach part of the message of the book taken from [Psalm 30:5] and to make the book available. I am willing to go to small group classes, home bible studies, one night rallies, and Sunday evening services in churches as well as Wednesday evening services. As a pastor, my Sunday mornings are reserved for the church I serve. If I can make the logistics work I am willing to travel to venues of any size to share this message that has so captured my heart.

I will have books available in hand by May 1, 2014. A little later books will be available for purchase online through Amazon. Your help is greatly appreciated. I prefer the smaller more informal Bible Study format to be able to enjoy feedback and discussion. Ultimately I want to share the message God has stirred in my heart and sell as many books as possible to pay off the remaining debt on the hospital in Honduras.

I am not kidding when I say that I am willing to come to small events as well as large events. The further the distance it would be helpful to include many preaching or teaching opportunities in one location to maximize use of time and the resources to make the trips. I am not looking to profit personally. I am looking to fulfill Matthew 6:33, "Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you."

I do not have a booking agent. I can be contacted through facebook. I welcome whatever opportunities the Lord will open for me to do His work. Please do not let financial compensation hinder you from contacting me. I will trust God to meet my needs to travel. I am not looking for honorariums or love offerings. My mission now is to raise money for the hospital in Honduras through these books. Your help is needed as you partner with me on this project.

My First Love

O Lord how I pray for a rekindling of a fresh fire,
Until You alone only are my heart's one true desire,
You'll never be content to  play second fiddle in my soul,
You demand allegiance of heart not in part but the whole,
O how I plead that You alone would be my first great love,
The One I turn to when times are hard - push comes to shove,
I ache for more - a new love when saved learned so long ago,
When my heart burned zealously You to love and You to know,
You more to be my first love a fire that blazes and all consuming,
When joy for the journey and the relentless seeking keep resuming,
Driving me to my knees in private worship, Bible study and prayer,
Where You fill every crevice in my life, mind, and soul layer after layer,
The distractions constantly drag, pull, squeeze and tug me deeper under,
And my mind is tormented, divided, afflicted and nearly torn asunder,
I long for simpler times where I got lost in the simple act of loving You,
When loving and obeying You revealed to me a most intimate view,
You are a passion, a magnificent obsession, mine to relentlessly pursue,
Jesus, my first love, My Redeemer please deepen that love and renew,
A simple faith, a greater confidence, and a stronger more enduring belief,
If You're not my first love my heart would break in an excruciating grief.

Little Turtle

I was driving down the highway today lost in my thoughts when suddenly I noticed a little turtle crossing the road. I did not have time to dodge him as the front tire ran over him. I could feel the slight bump beneath me.

I thought for some time about that little turtle. I thought about all the effort it took for him to climb up the incline on the side of the highway to even reach the pavement. Something enticed that turtle to brave grave danger. He had made it over half way across when I accidentally ended his life. Did he not know the dangers of trying to cross a very busy highway. Something lured him, compelled him, drove him to try to make it across. Step by step and inch by inch he nearly made it. Then without warning his life came to an end.

My thoughts immediately turned to how the same thing happens to people all the time. They get a notion in their mind about something. Their dream may not even be sinful in and of itself. Other choice are clearly sinful. It might be dangerous. Somewhere people determine the risk is worth the reward. The pregnant mother still chooses to drink or do drugs impacting the child in the womb and once the child is born. The teen drives way too fast and loses control ending their lives as well as some friends. The drug addict seeks the high one too many times overdosing and waking up in eternity. The homosexual embraces a life of immorality and gets aids. The list could go on and on.

Each of us lives on borrowed time. Our days are numbered. God has ordained each one of them. The turtle never thought the adventure of crossing the highway would end his life or he would have stayed on the other side. Daily death unexpectedly snatches people who are unprepared to face God in eternity. They have cheated death before but one day the death bell will toll for all of us. Some sooner than others. Tragically death will come unexpected and unwelcome to many.

Jesus Christ is the only way into Heaven. Contrary to what experts say there is no other way. Anyone who does not repent of sin, humbly cry out to Jesus to forgive their sins and believe Him for salvation is doomed to eternal punishment. No matter what the pundits push as politically correct the truth is set by God and will not change. [Jn 14:6] Jesus is the only way. Heaven is real. So is Hell. More people populate Hell than Heaven. [Matt 7:13-14]

When I look back over my life I am amazed at how God protected me. I should have died driving way too fast as a teenager. I could have wrecked jumping a bridge in my grandfather's truck on a dare by some friends. I should have broken my neck jumping off cliffs into the water below in high school. I should have been seriously injured in all the fights I had. I could have easily broken my neck playing football. God graciously spared me.

The greatest night of my life was back on a Thursday night in October of 1983. I met Jesus that night. He has spared, shaped, guided, and used my life to this day. I could have just as easily ended up like the little turtle and so could of you. Praise God for His new mercies and His enduring faithfulness every single day.

Full Circle

I can't believe how the years have flown by. One day I am holding Taylor for the first time at the hospital giving him back to God. We bonded quickly. We became inseparable mainly because Brenda had to work. I remember changing diapers, the first time he called me dad, his first steps, and a thousand other firsts like teeth and a hair cut. When he was old enough to walk he got up off the front pew and walked onto the platform while I was preaching one Sunday evening because he wanted me to hold him. I preached the remainder of the message holding him in my arms. When I would lie down on the floor he would walk up to me and spread my arms apart so he could lay down there. We had countless wrestling matches. He would say, "Daddy I got you." I would ask if he really had me or I had him and then I would grab him while he giggled all the while.

That was eighteen years ago. On this trip he drove me to Brownwood while I sat in the passenger seat. This past Monday Taylor and I were sitting in Mims Auditorium on the campus of Howard Payne University. We were visiting the campus along with several other football recruits. As we toured the campus I recounted story after story of the time Brenda and I shared there.

"Taylor, here is where Big Eric had his 'O Well' moment in front of the Veda girls dorm. I wrestled some guys over on the front lawn in front of Jennings. Taylor, this is where we slid down the hall soaked in baby oil. That is where I hung a guy upside over the stair well for waking me up. Your mother and I used to take strolls in the evenings here. I preached sermons for a grade in this chapel. I used to practice football there. I played basketball with big Eric on 4th street. I built that while working in maintenance. I pointed out the bell towers where I chimed out with Stephanie Paul and then one year later handed the garland to my brother in Christ Eric Adcock" And so the day went. Memory after memory recalled. New memory after memory being made with my son.

I watched my eldest son step into his God ordained destiny to play football and study to be a history teacher and a coach at Howard Payne University. I smiled when he tried a Yellow Jackets football jersey on. Brought back a few memories. I watched him interact with professors, coaches, and football players. In some ways I saw my son growing up walking around that campus. I trusted God with him to go to school there and to play for the blue and gold. Sting 'Em Jackets!

I grinned when he took his first bite of Underwood's. He said, "Dad this is good!" It reminded me of the first time I ate there on a recruiting trip to Howard Payne with coach Bill Hicks. I never visited another campus. I was sold God willed me to be a Jacket. That is where I met Eric Adcock and other friends like Jase Waller, Bart Howell, Ken Collins, Jay Mayo, Kyle Horton, James Jackson, Will Carrier and Dave Smith. Eric introduced me to Brenda Ortiz who became my wife a few years later. At Howard Payne I learned more about God, served my first church as a youth pastor, preached my first sermons, learned more about the Bible, and learned the value of relationships like with Frankie Rainey and David and Lynn Munden.

Taylor has felt God's call to follow in our footsteps to be Jacket. I am excited for him. Sad to see him grow up but excited to see God's will for him starting to unfold. Things have come full circle. It seemed weird walking the campus as a parent rather than as a student. What a great day. Many more will follow.

Putting Off The Old and Putting On The New

Today I worked out with the boys. We pushed heavy weights working chest muscles, triceps and biceps. The pain increased. The sweat dripped. The blood in the muscles pumped. When we finished we grabbed lunch and were a sight for sore eyes. I am sure we smelled too.

Before church tonight I showered and changed clothes. In the same way through Jesus Christ I am putting off the old self putting on the new self in righteousness and holiness of truth. [Eph 4:22-24]. Day after day Jesus transforms, He renews, He pushes back the old self and the former manner of life.

Just like I put off sweaty, stinking, and dirty work out clothes this afternoon through Jesus Christ the old self is being put off day in day out. I am not saying I am perfect but Jesus is still in the business of perfecting me and you. Blessed be the name of Jesus.

I Do Not Want To Sing A Lie

This morning in our worship service Austin led us in a simple song with these words, "There is no place I would rather be (repeated) than here in your love. I want more of You God. I want more of You  God." As we sang those words I began to question if those statements were true of me. Could I really sing this morning that there was no place I would rather be in that moment than standing in worship in that place of worship.

Time sprang forward last night. It took a little longer to get out of bed this morning though I slept soundly through the night. Austin even commented about the time change and how hard it was to get up this morning. I spent the majority of  yesterday at a powerlifting meet with Taylor and Tanner. The bed looked appealing. Could I really sing there is no place I would rather have been right then than in worship of God among the small congregation of Faith Community Church?

Could I really sing that I want more of God? We all want more money, more time, more sleep, but how many really want more of God? How many can honestly sing that today?

It breaks my heart how many times lies are sung in the house of God without any thought of the offense they bring God.

How about the song, "Wherever You Lead I'll Go." People sing that all the time but do they mean it? I don't just want to sing familiar songs. I want to mean what I sing. Am I willing to follow God's leadership wherever He leads me without thought of personal sacrifice? What about the line, "The world behind me and the cross before me." Do I mean that?

Many people love the old hymn "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus." Do people really mean it when they sing words like "Though none go with me I still will follow. No turning back - no turning back." Can we sing those words truthfully?

What about new songs like "Knowing You Jesus - there is no greater thing." Really? It appears the church has found many greater things than Jesus by priorities. There is also the song, "I will trust You in the darkness, I will trust You in life's harshness. I will trust You and keep singing, I will trust You dearly clinging, I will trust You and keep bringing You my heart." Do we really trust in the difficult times. Does the church really believe, "God's not dead He's surely alive He's living on the inside roaring like a lion." Roaring lions get noticed. A God who is alive in us gets noticed as well. He demands our love and loyalty. God, who is alive, watches and listens to worship. He hears what we sing. He watches how we respond. He looks on our minds and hearts. He also knows when our worship does not match the songs we are singing.

Is it a lie when the church sings "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord" or "I'll stand arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the One who gave it all. I'll stand my soul to You surrendered all I am is Yours." We have to mean what we sing. This last song has come to mean more to me over the past couple of years than any other song. I first heard it at a youth camp. The words captured my heart and the essence of how I want to live my life.

Arms high exalting God. Heart abandoned in a love relationship and in relentless passionate worship. In awe of a perfect Savior sacrificing all for our salvation. I'll stand my soul surrendered. I do not call the shots for my life. I surrender to His Lordship and wise leadership. ALL I AM IS YOURS. Down to the last drop I want God to have every single ounce of me. I want to be poured out to Him holding nothing back. No reservations. No hesitations.

This is not an easy song to sing and to mean. I want to mean it every time. I do not want to sing lies to my God nor do I want others in worship to sing lies either.  Is the merciful kindness of God in extending pardon through Jesus Christ really "Amazing Grace." Will everyone be present and accounted for who sings "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder." Will all who clap their hands to the
 up tempo beat truly be able to say, "I'll Fly Away."

While churches have warred over what songs should be sung in worship I wonder why is their no outcry to quit singing lies. Would it not be more honoring to God if nobody sang a song, a line, a chorus, or phrase they did not mean. You might argue there would be fewer and fewer people singing and I would say you are right. I would argue, on the other hand, would there not be more authentic, God exalting, and God pleasing worship.

I do not want to sing a lie at church or anywhere else. I have on many occasions. My lips sang the words while my heart and mind were engaged somewhere else. O God I pray this changes in me. I pray it would change in all your people. Please help us to sing the truth. Let's quit singing lies.

From the Dungeon to the Palace

After years and misery waiting on God in a dungeon God intervened. Truth is God had been working all along behind the scenes to set the stage for a dramatic turn of events. In one day Joseph went from the dungeon to the palace. You can read this is Genesis 41. That is what God does for all people who repent of sin and trust Jesus for salvation. He takes us from the dungeon to the palace. [Rom 5:8-9] So glad today I no longer wear those prison garments but I am clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. [II Cor 5:21]

Also glad today to be reminded Jesus is working. Behind the scenes in ways invisible to the human eye Jesus is working. He is orchestrating circumstances, working through people, and molding our character.[Rom 5:3-4] O brothers and sisters the Bible assures God is working. [John 5:17] He is always working. It did not look like it in Joseph's life but God most assuredly worked. He is doing the same for us today. You never know when God will choose to promote you. Until then rejoice that you are no longer dressed in prison garb. Be strengthened that God is working

Trusting and Waiting

Did you know that if you live to be about seventy you will spend four percent of your life waiting. That comes up to around three years. Three years waiting on the microwave, the elevator, the stop signal, the cashier, and various other things. 

How much time do we spend waiting on God? Estimates by some scholars are that Joseph could have spent eleven or more years in prison. Unjustly sold as a slave. Falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. Unjustly sentenced. Eleven years! That is a long time to wait on God to answer prayer. 

In Genesis 40 two officials from Pharaoh's administration were thrown into prison. Both had dreams and Joseph interpreted both dreams. One would be restored and the other hanged. Joseph pleaded to the one restored to remember him and mention him by name to the King of Egypt. 

The one restored forgot Joseph altogether. While Joseph waited and hoped God would soon release him the cupbearer forgot Joseph. We learn in Genesis 41:1 that two full years passed while Joseph waited. Some of you reading this feel forgotten and forsaken like Joseph. It feels nobody remembers you or your plight. It may seem like even God has forgotten you. God has not forgotten. Though you may not be able to see what He is doing He is assuredly working behind the scenes in ways you could never fathom. 

You will have to wait to see what He us up to. We are exhorted to wait on the Lord in [Ps 27:14] and [Is 40:31]. In waiting we have to have patience. Another way to put it is we must have endurance, perseverance and steadfastness. These are admirable qualities until they are needed in our lives to get through periods of trials and waiting. 

We do not like to have to endure, to persevere, or to remain steadfast especially when it comes to waiting on God. We want Him to hurry up and come through for us now. Like the story of a man found pacing the room. When asked what troubled him the man responded, "The trouble is I am in a hurry and God is not!"

That's how many feel. I am reminded that God has not forgotten any of us. Just like He worked in Joseph's life even though it may not have looked like it, God orchestrated the circumstances of slavery and imprisonment to accomplish His purposes. God is doing the same for us. 

Who knows what things He is going to do just around the corner. Who knows what God will do in answer to our next prayer or how He will reveal Himself in our next quiet time. We do not know how He is aligning circumstances to open strategic doors. Until all of this comes to pass we must wait on God. The days of waiting are not easy. We will be tested. We may be tempted to lose heart. When we think we see the end in sight we may still have another two full years of waiting like Joseph had to wait before the cup bearer remembered him. 

The real question is how will we wait? Will we wait in frustration, impatient, and doubting or will we wait trusting in endurance and steadfastness. God knows what He is doing. So no matter how long it takes we must keep waiting and keep trusting.