As I write this, people all over the world are preparing to say a final farewell to Billy Graham who died this week. In his long life, he preached to over 215 million people, presenting the gospel in 185 countries. Those who have studied his life, report that Billy Graham only had one message.
If you read the Bible you know quite a bit about how the world operates.
It was the spring of 2004. The kids were grown and gone and my newly-retired husband and I decided to embark on an adventure: experience an area of the country we had never lived in before settling down to our retirement home.
Though decades ago, that time has given us a deep appreciation of those who choose to spend their life on the foreign mission field. This past summer, however, something (actually, someone) happened that rekindled in us the lessons learned from that time in our life.
Many years ago now, our young family was newly transplanted to a large Texas city, and looking to put down roots. As anybody who has ever gone through this experience knows, finding a church home as well as the right doctor, dentist, hairdresser, auto mechanic (so on and so on) is a process that can’t be rushed.
God’s parallel of the water cycle to His word demonstrates its immeasurable worth. Both rain and Scripture originate in the heavens and are sent as a gift to all the earth. God’s word and rain both accomplish God’s purpose before returning to Him.
Hezekiah, king of Judah, was one of the few kings to earn the distinction of doing what was right in God’s eyes. His father, Ahaz, however, did not. Ahaz established idol worship in Judah, encouraging God’s people to sin.
Ladies, do you ever feel like life isn’t moving ahead? Like you’re stagnating? I seem to be stuck in that stage of life right now. I miss the excitement of new adventures and the passion of mission. It’s almost time for the current stage to end but not quite. A few things need to wrap up first. But it seems to be taking a lot longer than I had anticipated.
At only 16 years of age, Uzziah was crowned king of Judah. Uzziah’s powerful reputation was known among other nations. In Philistia, he tore down walls and built cities. He collected tribute from the Ammonites. His fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt (2 Chronicles 26:8 HCSB).
She ran. She wouldn’t stop until she was far away. Maybe the wilderness would offer some relief from the harsh treatment she had endured at the hands of her mistress, Sarai. Hagar could go no longer. She stopped by a rare spring in this unforgiving land.
Sometimes God doesn’t move on my timetable. He takes a lot longer than I would like.
When my ninth grader asked for help on his essay, I got more than I bargained.
His book: Ecclesiastes.
His thesis: everything is meaningless.
Job suffered more than anyone I know. I know he gets everything back in the end, but he walked a long, hard road. And his friends became part of the problem. I don’t want to be a friend like that.
I am so intrigued with questions that God asks. We know that He knows all….so why ask? I’m persuaded that He is wanting us to face truth! He asks Adam and Eve, Where are you (Genesis 3:9)? He asks Cain, What have you done (Genesis 4:10)? Jesus asks the disciples in a storm-tossed boat, Why are you so afraid (Matthew 8:26)? Perhaps He is asking us the same questions!
While these words have meaning and benefit in our relationship with others, I hear God prompting me to be quick to listen to his voice through His word….to be eager to hear, believing that all is profitable to me and glorifies God. This speaks of a hunger that drives me to Scripture for satisfaction.
I awoke from my nap in a panic. I was going to be late to rehearsal. I ran to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My mascara was smeared, my lipstick was gone, and one earring was apparently left on my pillow. What did I do? I started making these things right! I began a repair project!
Alone in my car, driving to the emergency room, I screamed at God: This is too much!! I meant it with every fiber of my being. Even now, eight years later, I feel the hurt and panic of those moments.
