trust

It’s Up To You

September 8, 2023 by Bill Leave a Comment

“How often I have wanted to gather your, (Jerusalem’s), children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” (Luke 13:34)

As Christians, we have a free will. God will not force anything on us. But what He offers us is amazing beyond belief. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (Jeremiah 33:3). I know many people who want to lose weight or athletes who want to get stronger or someone who has a tough decision to make. But in these cases, and with many others, it will take effort…with prayer. They have to make the decision to go for it. It’s up to them. A famous line in the TV show, Mission Impossible, stated, “Your mission, if you choose to accept it.” It was up to them. Jesus told the rich man who wanted to inherit eternal life, “Sell your possessions, give to the poor then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21). It was up to him. Then there were the people who were invited to a great banquet but gave all kinds of excuses why they couldn’t attend, (Luke 14:15-24). It was up to them but they missed a great feast.

So, what about us? Are we willing to give or go out of our way to help someone, deny the things of this world, sacrifice our time and effort for God, stand up for Godly principles, accept God’s plan for us? And, most importantly, are you willing to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? The enemy will do all he can to dissuade you. But, ultimately, it’s up to you!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). It’s up to you.

Traffic Light

June 10, 2023 by Bill Leave a Comment

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I got a revelation recently when I was approaching a traffic light. If it‘s red as I approach; I know it will change to green before I get there or a few seconds afterward. I know it’s going to change, I have faith. However when I approach a green light, I’m anxious because I fear it might change to red before I get there. If it does, I’m aggravated and have to WAIT. But why is that light there? It’s to direct and protect me from traffic coming in the opposite directions. If I pay no attention to the red light, I may get hit from oncoming traffic who are obeying their light. We must acknowledge the traffic light and it will direct our path. Do you see the revelation?

If we’re Christians, God is taking us down the Path of Life and He will direct us when and where to go and when to stop. We all love to go especially knowing that God is with us. He told Joshua, “the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). It’s great to be able to go with God on the Way because we know there’s a great destination up ahead. But, sometimes we have to wait. Sometimes God will change the light to red and have us wait because there’s danger up ahead or He needs to handle something before we can go on. And then, sometimes, there is the yellow “caution” light. Another sign that God is warning us to be aware of our surroundings and stay close to Him.

I know some of you are at that red light and God is having you to wait. He knows what He’s doing and it’s for your good. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose: (Romans 8:28).Trust Him in the waiting, and He will let you move forward when the time is right. His time. Wait on God and thank Him.

I Can’t Handle It!

September 21, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given September 18, 2013

A person who has just sinned for the umpteenth time and is so upset with themselves, cries out, “God, I can’t handle this, I can’t do it myself!” To which God replies, “YES!”, while pumping His fist. “I know you can’t do it but… I CAN!” Can anyone relate? I sure can. The Bible says we have all sinned, (Romans 3:23), we were born with a sinful nature because of Adam and Eve’s original sin in the Garden of Eden. That’s why Jesus said, “..ye must be born again.” (John 3:7), to get God’s Spirit in you to do battle with that sinful nature. So we must get over the worldly, devil-initiated idea that we can do it ourselves without God.

And listen, you’re not alone. The great apostle Paul battled with the same thing. “For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do” (See Romans 7: 14-20). But Paul, and many others, learned to have a different attitude and this is it: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 2:10), and, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

So, make a decision today to stop trying to handle things by yourself and cry out to God admitting you can’t do it and ask for His help. He’s waiting right there and will say to you, “I know you can’t do it but… I CAN!” “Let’s go.”

The Light

November 6, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given October 16, 2008

While visiting son #3 in Shenzhen, China, I was lounging on his couch after a long day of sight-seeing and great Chinese food. Just before falling into snooze land, I was thinking about my retirement job in workforce development and the students we have working to obtain their G.E.D.

I saw a G.E.D. guy standing at the mouth of a dark tunnel. Maybe he could see a small light at the other end but it was a long way off. Where he stands is the beginning. As he begins his journey toward the light, he may lose sight of the it momentarily and may be encouraged to turn back. It reminded me that when we lose sight of the light, that’s when we need to depend on God and keep going. The enemy will do all he can to make you turn back. Don’t do it!

David said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Psalm 23:4“. The key here is to keep walking. In order for there to be a shadow, there must be a light. “For thou art with me.” The light of the world is with you. Whatever you’re trying to accomplish, keep your eyes on the light and when the shadows creep in, go on auto-pilot and depend on God to lead you. You’ll make it to the end and realize the full power of…the Light!

Total Trust

October 26, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given October14, 2008

On day two of our recent trip to China to visit our son, we ventured out into the streets of Hong Kong with our tour-guide son to eat and see the sights. We had previously had his help in navigating the trip from the airport and we felt confident in his hands. As we hailed taxis, ordered meals, dealt with store clerks, and followed his lead in the city, I realized something profound. In that strange city and culture, my wife and I were almost totally dependent on our son to survive. We were definitely out of our comfort zone and we felt it.

A question came up inside me, “Could you depend on Me in this situation to get you through?” It floored me! I considered myself to be one who trusted God for everything but I had to answer, “I don’t know, Lord.” I realized I wasn’t as far up the trust ladder as I thought I was. I know God was with me, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5, but I just wasn’t ready to put my total trust on Him that day. Am I a bad person for that?

But then as I repented and asked forgiveness, I thanked God for providing my son to help us in this situation. Then it hit me; God sent His son to show us all how to survive in any situation and part of that was letting my boy fill in while we were here in China. What a great God! “Even when you’re old, I’ll take care of you. Even when your hair turns gray, I’ll support you. I made you and will continue to care for you. I’ll support you and save you.” Isaiah 46:4 (God’s Word Translation).

You know, in the United States, in our home towns, we are in our comfort zone and it’s easy to trust God. But sometimes, even here, we get in an uncomfortable place and God wants us to trust Him for deliverance. Being in China made me appreciate God’s love. I have moved up a rung on the trust ladder.