FAITHFUL WAITING

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near."  (James 5:7–8 NIV)

In a world of instant results and endless urgency, James draws us into the quiet strength of a farmer waiting for the rains. No crop matures overnight. No growth unfolds without trust in what’s unseen.

This is the rhythm of faith -- not passive resignation, but faithful anticipation. Patience and perseverance are not weak, but deeply courageous. We wait with hope. We endure with resolve. Because we know the harvest is promised by a God who never forgets His Word. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™

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MARY’S SONG – Part 1 of 2

“From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.”  (Luke 1:48b–50 NIV)

There is no doubt that the holidays certainly bring with it a fair amount of stress, but have you ever considered what that first Christmas season was like for Mary and Joseph?... Look at how Mary responded to all that was uncertain, beyond her control, and beyond her ability to correct the variables. She simply sang out the following words: “for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation” (Luke 1:49–50). Amid the stress and weakness found in the uncertainty, Mary proclaimed three beautiful truths.

First, she remembered that “the Mighty One has done great things for me” (v. 49a). It’s clear because of Mary’s faith that she knew the Scriptures. I wonder, as Mary sang, did the songs found in the Psalms come to mind? Perhaps Psalm 89? The psalmist declares:

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
    with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known
    through all generations.
I will declare that Your love stands firm forever,
    that You have established Your faithfulness in heaven itself…
 Who is like You, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty, and Your faithfulness surrounds You.” (Psalm 89:1–2, 8) 

 -- Excerpted from “Wake-Up Call” with Mark Sorensen

#6266

FAITH BEYOND SIGHT

“Jesus told Thomas, ‘Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” (John 20:29 NIV)

Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, often called “Doubting Thomas,” had missed the moment when the risen Jesus first appeared to the others. His doubt wasn’t born of defiance but of a deep longing to see and experience for himself the truth of the resurrection. In John 20:24-29, Jesus graciously meets Thomas where he is, inviting him to touch the wounds in His hands and side. Thomas responds with a powerful declaration, “My Lord and my God!”

This story is a reminder that doubt doesn’t disqualify us from faith -- it’s often a step along the journey. Jesus didn’t rebuke Thomas; instead, He gently guided him toward belief. But Jesus also blessed those who believe without seeing, inviting us into a faith that trusts His promises even when evidence isn’t visible.

When we face moments of uncertainty or struggle to perceive God’s presence, this passage assures us that faith doesn’t require perfect understanding. Trusting in His faithfulness and love, even in the unseen, brings a special blessing.  As Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources 

#6104

EVERY AGE HAS ITS OWN PROBLEMS

The Christian finds himself today thrown into a strange and difficult world, full of peril and anxiety. He knows Christ, he believes in Him, and he cannot forget what Christ has done for him in his own life. On the basis of this knowledge and faith [the Christian] seeks to understand and adjust to the terrible questions and uncertainties of the times. He knows it is unworthy of him as a Christian to bewail his fate and exaggerate the challenges in the midst of which he is thrown. Dangerous world? -- yes. Unprecedented difficulties? -- certainly. Tremendous challenges? -- of course. But God does not love him less, nor has [God] singled him out for trial in a special furnace beyond his power to bear or to subdue. He remembers what Paul told the Corinthians and he understands it to be exactly for him: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (I Corinthians 10:13). Every age has its own problems, every age its own burdens and complexities, and throughout man is fundamentally the same, able to know and rest in the truth or to rebel... "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

-- Charles Malik, former President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in “Christ and Crisis,” 1962

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PERSEVERANCE IN DISCIPLESHIP

“Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.”  (1 Chronicles 16:11)

We survive in the way of faith not because we have extraordinary stamina but because God is righteous. Christian discipleship is a process of paying more and more attention to God's righteousness and less and less attention to our own; finding the meaning of our lives not by probing our moods and motives and morals but by believing God's will and purposes; making a map of the faithfulness of God, not charting the rise and fall of our enthusiasms.  It is out of such a reality that we acquire perseverance. 

-- Eugene Peterson in “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”

#5764

REMEMBERING WHAT GOD HAS DONE

“God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.”  (Ephesians 1:5)

Remembering what God has done is encouraging. Do you need to be encouraged today? I get down when I focus on myself and fail to look up at Jesus. When I look down, I forget all the blessings I have and all the blessings that await me in the future. When I begin to focus on all that God has done for me it lifts me up out of muck and mire…

I have learned it is beneficial to take time to record what the Lord has done in my life. This colorful roadmap of my journey helps me remember God’s faithfulness. When I get focused on the fact that I’m not where I want to be, I forget how far the Lord has brought me. My journal helps me refocus on God as I remember what He has done.

Remembering is important because we easily forget. Remember where He found you and how He adopted you into His family. 

-- Adapted from Tom Graves, The Light of Christ Journey Blog

#5243

ACTING ON WHAT WE BELIEVE

“Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.”   (Philippians 2:12-13)

Sometimes, when God is at work in us, it can feel like we are in the dark. It can involve some heat. It can be painful. Let's look closely at how God works in us and what that process involves... It will always involve a testing of your faith, or what Dr. Henry Blackaby [in “Experiencing God”] refers to as a crisis of belief.

What do you know to be true about God? Many things will come to mind. You know He is love. You know He is faithful. You know He cares about you and that He is always aware of what you are going through.

The crisis for us occurs when we must act on the basis of what we believe. Do we believe it enough to act upon that belief when we are in the dark? When it hurts? When we do not feel like responding?

-- From Christianity Online 

#5168

ACQUIRING PERSEVERANCE

Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (John 8:31-32 NLT)

Christian discipleship is a process of paying more and more attention to God’s righteousness and less and less attention to our own; finding the meaning of our lives not by probing our moods and motives and morals but by believing in God’s will and purposes; making a map of the faithfulness of God, not charting the rise and fall of our enthusiasms. It is out of such a reality that we acquire perseverance. 

-- Eugene H. Peterson in “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society”

#5137

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)

The compassion of our Lord never fails. As we live in this world we very soon discover some failed compassion. We find people who really don't stick by our side for the long haul. We realize the frailty of human beings and we may even discover that in the final analysis most people take care of themselves first and foremost. I am not a pessimist generally but experience shows us that often the compassion we receive from people, places and things offer no comparison to the compassion from God that never fails. No excuses, no external "uncontrollable" events and no made up stories to justify failed compassion. You see, God IS the story and He IS life and His promises have stood the test of time and trial from the Garden of Eden to the present. God never lies and He never fails to keep even one of His promises. 

-- Pastor Gary Stone 

#5002

DAILY RENEWAL

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)

To prepare for flight, the eagle spends an hour each day preening its feathers.  Perched high on a rock, the eagle methodically passes each feather, up to 1200 in all, through its mouth and breathes on each one.  This action produces a similar effect to steam cleaning.  Once the feathers are restored, the eagle is ready to soar through the sky.

The eagle also has a gland that secretes an oily liquid, making its feathers waterproof.  When it rains or the bird dives into water after prey, the eagle's feathers do not become heavy with water or endanger its ability to fly.

We, too, must renew ourselves daily before the Lord or we will become "grounded."  Without those necessary "quiet times," cares and concerns bring on anxieties and fears that slow us down.  We take on burdens we were never meant to carry... Worry comes from natural concerns that are part of our lives.  But when these legitimate concerns are handled wrongly, they dominate our lives.  Worry can make us forget that our caring God is in control and cause us to wonder about our future, over which we have no control.

Renewing ourselves is a daily process just as it is for the eagle.

-- Sheryl Lynn Hill in “Soar as the Eagle”

#4967

DON’T YOU EVEN CARE?

[In the midst of the storm the disciples asked Jesus,] “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are going to drown?” (Mark 4:38)

Don’t you even care? This is the question that always burns in our hearts when trouble comes and our Lord doesn’t seem to be doing anything to help us. It’s a question produced by faith running on fumes -- a question we often hate ourselves for asking but can’t seem to avoid. It’s the question that was burning a hole in Job’s heart when he said, “I cry to You, O God, but You don’t answer me” (Job 30:20).  And it’s the question that tore a bitter wail from the psalmist: “I am forgotten, cut off from Your care” (Psalm 88:5).

If your faith needs a refill, Don’t you even care? may be the question you’ve been asking lately.

If so, you’ll find your answer in the same place the disciples found theirs -- in Jesus’ words. When He said, “Quiet down” He was commanding the storm, but even more so, He was sending a message to the disciples. He was saying, “See, I do care.”

This is one of the most important things you can understand about Jesus’ words. It doesn’t matter who (or what) He’s speaking to in Scripture, He’s also speaking to you and me. Every sentence has significance, and woven throughout His words and phrases are the answers to all of life’s most important questions. If a passage doesn’t seem relevant, it’s only because it doesn’t meet your need at that particular moment. The probability is that someday it will. 

-- Mark Atteberry in “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus”

#4895

THE ONLY CONSTANT

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

His faithful love endures forever.

Let all Israel repeat:

“His faithful love endures forever.”

Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:

“His faithful love endures forever.”

Let all who fear the Lord repeat:

“His faithful love endures forever.”  (Psalm 118:1-4 NLT)

It would benefit Christians not to dwell on the uncertainty that seems to plague the current world landscape but turn our eyes instead toward Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

When there is uncertainty, uneasiness and fear often follow. We all long for certainty, but what do we mean by that?

There must be something beyond ourselves that we can lean upon that has the certainty that we crave. All that rests upon us, all that weight that desires to crush us, is far too much for us to handle. We must look outside of ourselves and every vice that we hold onto or use to cope, and recognize that they are merely the illusion of certainty. We must look to the One who holds all things in His hand and never lets go. The One who is the only constant in a universe marked by change.  The One whose “faithful love endures forever.”

-- Adapted from Ray Peters in an article entitled “Certainty in the Midst of Uncertainty”

#4840

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”  (Psalm 100:1-5 NIV)

The blessings of God are new every morning, but do not take them for granted. Always be careful to give God praise and thanksgiving for the work that He has done in your life and in our world. And when you do, be specific. Remember what God has done and thank Him.

-- Author Unknown


#4723

CHOOSING TO TRUST

“How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.”  (Psalm 13:2-5 NIV)

Every time a believer struggles with sorrow or loneliness or ill health or pain and chooses to trust and serve God anyhow, a bell rings out across heaven and the angels give a great shout. Why? Because one more pilgrim has shown again that he or she understands that Jesus is worth it all. God is faithful.

-- Philip Yancey in “Disappointment with God”


#4718

LIVING BY FAITH

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith…By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going… And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.”  (Hebrews 11:7-11 NIV)

When you live by faith, it often feels like you are risking your reputation.  You’re not.  You’re risking God’s reputation.  It’s not your faith that is on the line.  It’s His faithfulness.  Why?  Because God is the one who made the promise, and He is the only one who can keep it.  The battle doesn’t belong to you; it belongs to God.  And because the battle doesn’t belong to you, neither does the glory.  God answers prayer to bring glory to His name, the name that is above all names.

-- Mark Batterson in “The Circle Maker”


#4646

AWAKENING OUR HEARTS TO GOD’S LOVE

“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)

God invites us to wake up to the reality of His presence in our lives each and every day. He may get our attentions through all kinds of unexpected ways. He may speak through a passage of the Bible you’re reading. He may answer a prayer you’ve been waiting on for weeks, months, or years. He may share a much-needed word of encouragement with you through a friend. God is incredibly creative when it comes to awakening our hearts to His love. 

-- Margaret Feinberg in “A Grand New Day”


#4525

THE MOUNTAIN IN YOUR LIFE

“Who is like You, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and Your faithfulness surrounds You.”  (Psalm 89:8 NIV)

There comes a moment when you must quit talking to God about the mountain in your life and start talking to the mountain about your God. You proclaim His power. You declare His sovereignty. You affirm His faithfulness. You stand on His Word. You cling to His promises.

-- Mark Batterson in “Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge”

#4346

GOD’S STRONG PRESENCE

“Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

One tribe of native Americans had a unique practice for training young braves. On the night of a boy's thirteenth birthday, he was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then he had never been away from the security of his family and tribe. But on this night he was blindfolded and taken miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of thick woods. By himself. All night long.

Every time a twig snapped, he probably visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. Every time an animal howled, he imagined a wolf leaping out of the darkness. Every time the wind blew, he wondered what more sinister sound it masked. No doubt it was a terrifying night for many.

After what seemed like an eternity, the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was the boy's father. He had been there all night long.

Can you think of any better way for a child to learn how God allows us to face the tests of life? God is always present with us. God's presence is unseen, but it is more real than life itself.

-- Leonard Sweet in “SoulSalsa"

#4344

GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE

“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 8:37b-39 NIV)

God’s love is dependable. You can count on it. You can bet your life on it. This great characteristic of God is described in the Old Testament by the Hebrew word ‘hesed’. It is one of the primary words the Old Testament used to describe God, and this fascinating word is a forerunner of the New Testament’s ‘agape’ and ‘grace’. ‘Hesed’ is translated primarily as ‘steadfast love.’ It also has connotations of mercy and kindness, but essentially means God’s amazing faithfulness and love. It means God keeps His promises. It means that we can trust and depend on God and His love. God’s love will not let us down. Even in a world of mistrust and broken trust, even when we are unfaithful and undependable, God is dependable and trustworthy. Paul says in Romans that nothing “in all creation… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

-- James W. Moore and Bob J. Moore in “Lord, Give Me Patience… and Give It to Me Now!”

#4334

A PEACE THAT ENDURES

“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!”
(“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas Obediah Chisholm)

Peace comes when there is no cloud between us and God.  Peace is the consequence of forgiveness, God's removal of that which obscures His face and so breaks union with Him.  The happy sequence culminating in fellowship with God is repentance, pardon, and peace -- the first we offer, the second we accept, the third we inherit.

-- Charles H. Brent

#4081