Psalm 103. Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
He forgives your sins – every one.
He heals your diseases – every one.
He redeems you from hell – saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy – a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness – beauty eternal.
He renews your youth – you’re always young in his presence.
***
“But 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. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8–9)
I often forget that God does not operate on the same timetable as I do. My timetable focus is narrow and short-sighted — unlike God’s. I catch myself wondering out loud, Why doesn’t this or that happen right now? I need this to happen now. I want it now. God, can’t you see this relationship is messed up and needs fixing.
Then, I step back and acknowledge that, of course, God knows. He cares when I cry and when I hurt deep down. One day to him is like many, many years. He’s got it all figured out and knows the beginning from the end. Unlike me.
In the second chapter of Peter, God calls me a dear friend. Beloved. Such terms of endearment I do not always deserve, yet he remains longsuffering toward me. Knowing this brings refreshment and renewal to my soul. If God is still on my side, then I can go on. I choose to endure and be faithful to my family and friend commitments. God shows up exactly when he needs to show up. Not a minute too late or too soon.
Dear God, forgive me for being impatient. Help me to remember that you created the sun, moon and the stars and each one of us. You hold the whole world in your grasp. I love being called “beloved.” You love me and care what I care about.
Are you waiting for some big event to take place? Maybe it’s waiting for that special person to ask your hand in marriage. Maybe, your heart aches for a wayward spouse or child who’s chosen a different path than you’d hoped for. Don’t despair. Can you shift that heavy burden over to God’s shoulders — strong shoulders that can handle anything?
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It’s hard to believe my “baby” boy is 33 years old today! It seems like just yesterday when he began to eat solid food, say his first words and took those first unsteady steps. I distinctly remember when he was riding in the front seat of our truck (there was no back seat) and he spied a truck just ahead of us and proclaimed,
“F – O – R – D; truck!”
He was so pleased with himself as he practiced letters he was learning, that I didn’t have the heart to tell him that wasn’t quite right!
My Mom was right when she encouraged me to enjoy those early years because sooner than you think, they’ll be grown and out of the house. Now he’s married and has three little ones of his own! My … how those years seemed to fly.
Son, we’ve been through good times and bad. Ups and downs. As in every family, not every day was a perfect day. But we managed to weather our experiences together as we grew and learned. Tears, pain, and lots of prayer goes into parenting, but I wouldn’t trade our children and grandchildren for any amount of money.
Some days it takes a conscious effort to love our children unconditionally regardless of their behavior — just like God loves you and me. God loves and forgives us when we don’t deserve loving or forgiving. But that’s what God does, isn’t it?
Your Dad and I are so proud of you — for what you stand for and for what you’ve become. A faithful husband and loving dad, and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ … a son whom we love and enjoy talking to and spending time with. Thank you, God, for protecting and strengthening Andrew in the faith. We are blessed beyond measure have MUCH to celebrate in 2012.
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“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve” (Jeremiah 17:9–10).
Only God and God alone can search my heart and examine my mind. God alone knows my innermost feelings and motives. This knowledge is both frightening and comforting.
Frightening because I know not every thought is holy and is far from appropriate. Comforting to know the God of the universe also is a merciful, forgiving and fair Judge who knows I’m a work in progress. “I get to the heart of the human, I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be” (The Message).
Ask:
* Are there details in my life I’d rather not tell anyone, or want anyone to know about?
* Am I embarrassed about certain unholy thoughts?
* Is there a certain behavior that should be eliminated in my life?
Prayer:
God, You know all before I even speak a word. You’re displeased when unkind words spew out of my mouth and when I dwell on unholy thoughts. Forgive me, cleanse me…I desire to lean on You so others see me as Your faithful servant.
“Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He is a Friend that’s well known. You’ve no other such a friend or brother, tell it to Jesus alone.”
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