Planned for God's Pleasure

Did you know that you bring pleasure to God? That is why he created us. He loves us so much he is glad to have us around. Just like the parents of a new baby. Just having the baby in the house can bring joy. God also gave us the ability to experience this world. Our senses and emotions help us to be thankful of what God has done for us. And he gets pleasure out of seeing us enjoy what he made for us.
That is basically what we mean when we talk about worship. Realizing who God is and what he's done for us. This is a part of fulfilling our lives. God made us to recognize him because he loves us and wants our attention. And he deserves it. We were created to have a relationship with him, and only by doing this can we become what we were designed to be. Some people think worship is boring. They confuse worship with certain things we do. Like sing, pray, read the Bible, meditate, and other things. All of these can be worship, but worship is really more than just that. Worship can also be being at the beach, or talking with friends, or wondering what it would be like to be able to drive. Any time that we appreciate this world God has made for us, we are worshipping.
Worship does benefit us, but that isn't why we worship. We worship for God, because he deserves it and he enjoys it. When we have the right heart and attitude, worship helps us too. But that isn't why we do it. So we need to worship even when we don't feel like it. If we are worried that other people won't like how we talk about God, pray, or sing, we need to remember that it isn't something we do for us or them. It is for God's pleasure.
If you ever get confused about worship, just remember that worship isn't part of your life, it is your life. We shouldn't wait until Sunday to worship; we should be worshipping all week long. It should start before you open your eyes in the morning and take a break as you fall asleep. God already knows our thoughts and attitudes, and we should try to keep them pleasing to him. That doesn't mean that you have to walk around all day only thinking, "God is good" to yourself. But it does mean that all of your words, thoughts, and actions should be thought of as something you are doing for God to please him. And the more we focus on who God is and what he has done for us, the more we will understand that worship is falling in love with God.
Thinking about my purpose: Know. I was planned for God's pleasure. Remember. "The Lord takes pleasure in his people." -Psalm 149.4a Think about it. What is something that I already do every day that I can start doing as if it were directly for God?

TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times." Lamentations 3:25-27

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth. Lamentations 3:25-27
Why are we all in such a hurry about everything? Some things take more time. Jesus spent thirty years preparing for His ministry. Moses was eighty years old before becoming the man God chose him to be. The first forty years of Moses ' life, he thought he was somebody… living in Pharaoh's palace. The next forty years, he spent as nobody… running for his life in the desert. In his final forty years, God made Moses one of the greatest men who ever lived. Time is your friend! Patience is a weapon that forces deception to reveal itself for what it is!
Our God is a faithful God! His faithfulness means that everything He says and does is certain. He is one hundred percent reliable, one hundred percent of the time. He does not fail, forget, falter, change, or disappoint. He says what He means, and means what He says, and therefore, does everything He says He will do.
Let me show you some of the key passages on God's faithfulness: Exodus 34:6: "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. " Deuteronomy 7:9: "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations…" Deuteronomy 32:4: "He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He." Joshua 21:45: "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." Psalm 89:8 reminds us, "O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you."
God wants more than a casual relationship with you! He desires to be intimate! To be intimate with God means you must realize He already knows you. Then, understand He is there to help you in the weak areas where you battle. And finally, realize intimacy takes time. Too many are living in microwave-relations hips. Just push a button and in thirty seconds, it's done! "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…"
WISDOM WORD:
"God doesn't call us to be successful. He calls us to be faithful."

The Reason for Everything

For from Him through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen!

In the final analysis, all of us are absolutely dependent on God. He is the source of all things including ourselves.

God is the source of all things John 1:1-4

God is the maintainer of all things Colossians 1:17 Acts 17:28

God is the Motive of all things

We are created for Him. To Him are all things. To Him be glory . God alone is the source, the means and the end of all things. Therefore, God is to be glorified forever and ever.

All things are of God: all things were created by and their source is God. All things are through God: all things come through His wisdom and knowledge, His judgements and ways. All things are to God: all things exist for God, for goodness and pleasure Rev 4:111 Cor 6:20

What is your ultimate goal? God made us for His glory. Without God glory there would be nothing.Where is the glory of God? We cannot add anything to His Glory because it is His Nature. Author said that it would be like trying to make the sun shine brighter.We can never reach the bottom of God greatness. Trying to comprehend God greatness with our tiny brain is like trying to put an ocean into a timbale1 Cor 16:24 We are commanded to recognize His glory, honor His glory , declare His glory, Praise His glory, reflect His glory, and live for His glory. God made all things therefore He deserves it.In the entire universe, only 2 of God creations fail to bring Him glory:fallen angels man/woman All sin, at it root, is failing to give God glory. Refusing to bring glory to God is prideful rebellion , and it is the sin that caused Satan fall and ours too.How can you bring Glory to God?

There are many ways to bring glory to God, but they can be summarized in God five purposes for our life

1. We bring God glory by worshipping Him. Worship is our first responsibility to God. God wants our relationship to be motivated by love, thanksgiving, and delight, not duty. a
2. We bring God glory by loving other believers Our responsibility is to learn how to love as God does, because God is love , and it honors Him. John 13:34
3. We bring God glory by becoming like Christ What does spiritual maturity look like? Spiritual maturity is becoming like Jesus in the way we think, feel, and act. The more we develop Christlike character, the more we bring Glory to God.
4. We bring God glory by serving other with our gifts. Our talents, gifts, skill and abilities were uniquely given by God and it was not by accident. God didn't give you your abilities to be selfish.
5. We bring God glory by telling others about Him. God doesn't want His love and purposes kept secret. Once we come into His truth, we must share it.

Living the rest of your life for the glory of God will require a change in your priorities, schedule, relationships and everything else.Are you going to live for God's glory or are you going to be self-centered?

Reflection: Where in your daily routine can you become more aware of God's glory?

LIFE IS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT

How long will the next 70 years be compared to eternity?
"To make the best use of your life, you must never forget two truths: First, compared with eternity, life is extremely brief. Second, earth is only a temporary residence. You won’t be here long, so don’t get too attached. Ask God to help you see life on earth as he sees it." David prayed, "Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more." Psalm 39:4
"I am here on earth for just a little while." Psalm 119:19

Scripture compares living on this earth to that of living in a foreign county.
We find words in Scripture like alien, pilgrim, foreigner, stranger, visitor and
traveler. Have you ever traveled outside of your country?
What was it like?
What were your thoughts and first impressions?
What challenges or difficulties did you face?
Did you experience a language barrier?
Were you able to overcome it?
How did it feel to step foot back on US soil again after being gone?
“All they think about is this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven,
where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.” Philippians 3:19-20 “Your identity is in eternity, and your homeland is heaven. When you grasp this truth, you will stop worrying about “having it all” on earth. God is very blunt about the danger of living for the here and now and adopting the values, priorities, and lifestyles of the world around us. When we flirt with the temptations of this world, God calls it spiritual adultery.” The Bible says, “You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way.” James 4:4 “We are Christ’s ambassadors.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
What does it mean to be an ambassador?
What are the responsibilities of an ambassador?
“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it.
Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 “Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31

What do you think will be the hardest thing to give up when you leave this earth?
How are you preparing now to deal with this issue?
“Compared with other centuries, life has never been easier for much of the world. We are constantly entertained, amused, and catered to. With all the fascinating attractions, mesmerizing media, and enjoyable experiences available today, it’s easy to forget that the pursuit of happiness is not what life is about. Only as we remember that life is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment will the appeal of these things lose their grip on our lives. We are preparing for something even better.” “The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18b

How do you experience the tension of living in this life and living for the next?
Do all the conveniences of the world make it easier or harder to view life as a temporary assignment?
Give some examples of how you experience this in your life.
“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is
seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
“It is a fatal mistake to assume that God’s goal for your life is material prosperity or popular success, as the world defines it.
The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness
to God does not guarantee success in a career or even in ministry.”
Given that fact that life on this earth is only a temporary assignment, what attitudes and areas of your life need to change?

Point to Ponder: This world is not my home.
Verse to Remember: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on
what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is
eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

Question to Consider: How should the fact that life on earth is just a
temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?

Seeing Life from God's View

“The way you see your life shapes your life. How you define life determines your destiny. Your perspective will influence how you invest your time, spend your money, use your talents, and value your relationships.” So how do you view life? What image or metaphor would you use? People have described life in a variety of ways. Some see it as a circus, others as a minefield, a roller coaster, a puzzle, a symphony, a journey and a dance. People say “Life is a carousel: Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down, and sometimes you just go round and round” or “life is a ten-speed bicycle with gears we never use” or “life is a game of cards: You have to play the hand you are dealt.” When you think of your life, what picture comes to mind? Which do you identify with? “That image (what ever it is) is your life metaphor. It’s the view of life you hold, consciously or unconsciously, in your mind. Its your description of how life works and what you expect from it.” People use a variety of ways to express their view of life - from the car they drive to the clothes they wear to their hairstyles, tattoos or even bumper stickers. Our presuppositions about life influence us more than we probably realise. They will often shape our expectations, form our values, shape our priorities, form our relationships and set our goals. For example, “if you see life as a party, your primary value in life will be having fun.
If you see life as a race, you will value speed and will probably be in a hurry much of the time. If you view life as a marathon, you will value endurance. If you see life as a battle or game, winning will be very important to you.” What is your view of life? Are you basing your life on a faulty metaphor? What is your purpose in life? What is your motivation? The first and most important purpose for your life is to know God and love God - because you were planned for his pleasure.

1. Life is a Trust
“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.” (1 Corinthians 4:1) “We never really own anything during our brief stay on earth. God just loans the earth to us while we’re here. It was God’s property before you arrived and God will loan it to someone else after you die. You just get to enjoy it for a while as trustees.” We are trustees of God’s property. As Paul goes on to say in verse 7, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Jesus often referred to life as a trust and told many stories to illustrate God’s kingdom rule, Jesus said, "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. (Matthew 25:14-15)
In the Parable of the Talents, when the master returns, he evaluates each servant’s faithfulness and rewards them accordingly. The owner says, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' (Matthew 25:21).
“At the end of your life on earth we will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well you have handled what God has entrusted to you.” This means everything we do, even the little things like daily chores, can have eternal consequences. So, life is a trust.

2. Life is a Test
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)

“Character is both developed and revealed by tests.” Indeed, “all life is a test. You are always being tested. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment,”. “Most people fail to realise that money is both a trust and a test from God. God uses finances to teach us to trust him and for many people, money is the greatest test of all. God watches how we use money to test how trustworthy we are. Jesus says, “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” “The good news is that God wants you to pass the tests of life, so he never allows the tests you face to be greater than the grace he gives you to handle them.” “no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

3. Life is a Temporary Assignment
“It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of people’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:4-5)

David prays, “Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more.” (Psalm 39:4). Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18). If we treat everything we have in life as a trust; if we view everything that happens in life as a test; if we recognise all we value in this life as a temporary assignment - God promises three rewards in eternity.

1. Affirmation: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
2. Promotion: “I will put you in charge of many things”
3. Celebration : “Come and share your Master’s happiness

That is why James writes confidently “Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Made To Last Forever

The earth is just “the preschool, the tryout for your life in eternity.” Humans were created to live forever, and regardless of who I am or what I believe, I will live forever. My time on earth is only the tiniest part of my life.
2 Corinthians 5:1 which describes how my earthly body is but a “tent” compared to my future body which is a “house.” The point is clear. One is solid and enduring. The other is only temporary. Life on earth offers many choices, but eternity offers only two: heaven or hell. The relationship I have with God in this life will determine whether I spend eternity with Him or seperated from Him.
A knowledge of eternity is important as it will make me live in the light of eternity and determine how I handle every aspect of my life. So many things that are important in the 80 or 90 years I have here on earth fade to nothing in the light of eternity. Every action I take and every choice I make has eternal consequences! What a vast and intimidating thought! Why hoard wealth if I can have it only for my life here on earth? The very second I die it will no longer be mine. Building on this, Warren shows how God’s purpose for me does not end with life on earth. God’s purposes for me are eternal.
Question To Consider
Today’s question to consider is “Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?” That really is a significant question. There are so many things that seem utterly insignificant in the light of eternity, yet consume my life. It is so easy to say that I should not be overly concerned with money while on this earth, and honestly I don’t think my life is consumed with materialism, yet I do spend the bulk of my week working just to scrape together enough money to support myself and my family. Is that wrong? I certainly don’t think it is. I supose there needs to be a balance where I work to provide for my family, yet do not work so much that I become consumed by it. Or perhaps the difference is in motives. Is there a difference between working with the motive of providing for my family and providing for minstries I support versus working because I believe money provides security? I guess there must be.
In the end I just find that it seems so strange that so much significance is placed on something so fleeting. Life on earth represents only the tiniest fraction of life eternal, yet the rest of eternity depends on it. The choice to serve God in this lifetime is the most important decision I have made since my place in eternity depends on it.

What Drives Your Life?

Everyone’s life is driven by something. Five of the most common driving forces are:
Guilt - Many people live their lives burdened by guilt. They allow this guilt to control them so that their past controls their future. God, though, loves to give them the opportunity for a fresh start. They do not need to live in guilt.
Resentment & Anger - Some people hold on to hurts from the past and never learn to let them go. Eventually this anger and resentment controls them. Warren’s advice is “For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go.”
Fear - Fear controls many people. By playing it safe and always fighting to maintain the status quo they may avoid God’s purpose for their lives. These people need to learn to fight fear through faith in God.
Materialism - Most people in our society are driven by materialism. They are driven to acquire more and more possessions and believe that security can only be found in having more. This goes directly against Scripture which says that the most valuable things in life are not things!
Need For Approval - Many people allow their need for other people’s approval to control their lives. They spend their lives worrying about what others think of them.
Though not an exhaustive list, these probably summarize most people. There are five main benefits to living a purpose-driven life. They are:
Knowing My Purpose Gives Meaning To My Life - Humans were made to have meaning. Without purpose, life is meaningless. A meaningless life is a life without hope or significance. This is a profound statement and one that everyone should spend time pondering. God gives purpose. Purpose gives meaning. Meaning gives hope and significance. There is awesome truth contained within that logic.
Knowing My Purpose Simplifies My Life - My purpose becomes the standard I use to determine which activities are important and which are not. If an activity does not further my purpose it can, and often should, be removed or ignored. My purpose gives me the foundation on which to base decisions and allocate my time and resources.
Knowing My Purpose Focuses My Life - With a determined purpose I can focus my time and energy on what is truly important. Without purpose I may always be getting distracted and changing direction. Focusing on a few things that fulfill my purpose will yield better results than attempting to focus on many things that may not.
Knowing My Purpose Motivates My Life - Purpose produces passion. By knowing my purpose I will be passionate about achieving it.
Knowing My Purpose Prepares Me For Eternity - My time on earth is nothing more than a preparation for eternity. What matters in the end is not whether people remember me after I am gone but what God says about my life. Building an eternal legacy is far more important than building an earthly one.
As we stand before God after death, God will ask us two questions. The first will be, “What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?” and the second will be “What did you do with what I gave you?” I found that his statement “your religious background or doctrinal views” will not matter did not sit very well. Though in theory I agree, I do not like to see such things downplayed. Sound doctrine and a solid walk with God is critical to the Christian life. The finer points of doctrine may not matter when it comes to entrance into heaven, but this does not mean they do not matter at all.
Bible Passages
In speaking about the importance of purpose, Genesis 4:12 which speaks about the curse God placed on Cain as punishment for murdering his brother. It reads, “You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” Warren then states, “That describes most people today - wandering through life without a purpose.”

Matthew 6:24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
Question To Consider
Today’s question is, “What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?” I have not asked any of my friends and family. I certainly would like to think and sincerely hope that they would answer that God drives my life. I want nothing more than to be a tool used by God to further His work. No, my life is not wholly devoted to this purpose and I know it never will be in entirety, yet I do hope that as I grow in my faith, so will my devotion to this purpose.

You Are Not An Accident

I am not an accident. No matter how my birth came about, even if it was a mistake in human terms, it was not a surprise to God. He had planned for it long before I was born. Not only did he know I was going to be born but he also knew where I would be born, how I would be born and even how long I would live. My life was perfectly planned and brought to perfect execution. He did all of this to fulfill His purposes. Now that I realize God is the one responsible for my life, I am accountable to God to make Him the focus of my life so that through Him and in Him I can discover its meaning and purpose.
All that God has done He has done out of love. God, being the perfect example of love, and indeed the very essence of love, created me to love me. I find myself quite uncomfortable with this teaching. I believe it is more Scriptural to say that God created me so I could love Him! “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” God created us so that we could bring glory to Him. It is true that He created us out of love and with the intention of loving us, but that was not His primary purpose. His prime purpose was His own glorification.
Bible Passages
Ephesians 1:4 which reads, “Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love.” The next verse goes on to say that, “In love He predestined us to adoption” but that speaks of our election and justification, not our creation.
We can discover God’s meaning and purpose only when we make Him the reference point of our lives. Romans 12:3 as, “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith
Point To Ponder
Today’s point to ponder is “I am not an accident.” To me that is not a major revelation and accepting my life has never been a struggle. However, when I began to ponder the statement, especially in light of today’s Question To Consider, I realized that though I have not struggled with my life being accidental, I have often struggled with parts of my personality and character (and even physical traits) as being accidental. I see now that God created and foreordained me not only in an abstract sense of giving me life, but also in an intimate way of providing me with a certain type of character as well as a specific personality and specific physical traits. Rather than be disappointed or angry with God for giving these to me, I should accept them as part of who God created me to be. Rather than hide them, I should discover how I can use them for Him.

How You Can Know God Personally

Here’s how you can know God personally; there are four main points:
1. God Loves you and created you to know him personally. “God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish by have eternal life. John 3:16

You see, this life is not the end of us. This life is preparation for eternity, deciding where we want to spend it eternity … with God or apart from God.
God’s Plan “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3 NIV)
What prevents us from knowing God personally?
2. Man is sinful and separated from God, so we cannot know Him personally or experience His love because of our sin. Man is Sinful “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Man is Separated “The wages of sin is death (separation from God) (Romans 6:23). Man is continually trying to reach God and establish a personal relationship with Him through his own efforts, such as a good life, philosophy, or religion – but he inevitably fails.
The third principle explains the only way to ‘bridge’ this separation:
3. Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through Him alone can we know God personally and experience God’s love. He Died in Our Place “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we yet sinners, Christ died for us.” He Rose from the Dead “Christ died for our sins…He was buried…He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve disciples. After that He appeared to more than five hundred…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6) He is the Only Way to God “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me’” (John 14:6). Visualize now that God has bridged the gulf that separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. It is not enough just to know these truths…
4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know God personally and experience His love. We Must Receive Christ “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). We Receive Christ Through Faith “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast; (Ephesians 2:8-9). When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth John 3:1-8 After dark one evening, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to speak with Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with you." Jesus replied, "I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God." "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?" Jesus replied, "The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don't be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."

What On Earth Am I Here For?

Have you ever wondered about, or felt confused about, the purpose of your life?
Being confused about your purpose in life is not a bad thing. It is actually something that can awaken a desire to seek the truth about who we are and why we’re here.
One of the wisest men in history, King Solomon, who ruled the nation of Israel after his father, David, was confused about his purpose in life. He once wrote, “I, the Teacher, was king of Israel and I lived in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done in the world. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. Everything under the sun is meaningless, like chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 NLT).
A lot of people are surprised to find out that such statements are in the Bible, and that God himself would be blamed as being responsible for our meaningless lives. But the key to Solomon’s observation is where he places the seat of this wisdom as being “under the sun.” Solomon is saying that if he looks at our human existence trapped on this planet and tries to explain it using human reason and accomplishments “under the sun,” that he can’t come to any better conclusion than life is meaningless.
It is hard—almost impossible—to explain the meaning of life without God, and that’s why everything starts here. God brings design and purpose to our existence. God has a plan that stretches beyond our history. God wants a relationship with us. That in itself gives us meaning. For whatever reason, Solomon wasn’t willing to go beyond what he could physically prove to look for answers to his questions
Every human being who has ever lived has had questions about his or her existence. It makes a big difference where you look for answers. You can’t really know much about meaning in life without being willing to admit that “beyond the sun”—or outside our human experience—is a Being with a design and a reason for all that we see and experience “under the sun.” You’ll need to at least be open to the possibility to move on in this study.
Here’s something to think about: Do you think it’s possible that God created us hungry for the very thing He wants to give us? He created us to seek Him? If so, wondering about your purpose could very well be the most important thing you could do. If this is true, then wondering about your purpose is the first step in finding it.
What ways have you tried to discover your life’s purpose that haven’t worked?
Have you ever wondered if a good deal of advertising appeals to the need we all have for purpose and meaning in life? Buy this car, drink this beer, go to this school, wear this make-up, purchase this insurance and you will have meaning in life. (…and for everything else, there’s MasterCard.)
The real truth about human nature never changes. Almost 400 years ago, Blaise Pascal, a brilliant French scientist and philosopher explained the dilemma of human existence as a God-shaped vacuum in the center of the human heart—a need for God that He placed there that won’t be satisfied by anything other than God Himself. In Pascal’s own words:
What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object—in other words, by God Himself.
Think of the things our culture lures us into using for our purpose: power, prestige, glory, sex, and wealth. The problem with these things is that there never seems to be enough. Even the people who have “arrived” aren’t happy the way we imagine them being. Meaninglessness is like a black hole at the center of human existence that sucks up whatever we throw at it, leaving it as empty as it was before. Even things that are supposed to be good seem to disappear in this deep cavern.
What have you thrown into the black hole of your existence that hasn’t filled it up? I think we all receive temporary satisfaction from some things, but what will really hold up over time?
Why do you think people try to discover their life’s purpose without turning to God, their creator?
Let’s think about some answers on this one:
- If I turned to God I might lose control of my life.
- God might take away all my fun.
- If there is a God, He’s definitely bigger than me and probably has some demands on my life.
- We always want to do things ourselves. Theme song: “I Did It My Way.”
- We want to be in control of our own destiny.
- We are afraid of God, we don’t know God, or we find God too mysterious.
- We think God’s idea of purpose is probably pretty religious and definitely boring.
- We like religion about as much as we like politics; we don’t want to get into a discussion about either one.
- We don’t believe in creation. We’ll have to find a purpose apart from a designed existence because that’s what we learned to believe.
But what if God were a kind, loving creator who made us like Himself because He wanted a relationship with us, and gave us the ability to choose Him or not because He didn’t want robots? What if He actually has our best interests in mind? Wouldn’t you want to check it out?

The Importance of Children

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)

Jesus loved children. No matter how tired he was, he liked to have the children at his side. One day a group of mothers brought their children to Jesus, to be blessed by him.
His disciples thought Jesus was too busy to be bothered by the children, so they were sending the children away.
Jesus stopped them and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." And he put his hands on them and blessed them.

Jesus loved children and valued them highly. He taught that people should become like children. In what ways should they become as children? Children trust their parents and are dependent on them. We should trust God and depend on Him for our needs. We need to remain pure in our thoughts and motives as children. Children do not hold a grudge and remember wrongs. They are quick to forgive and forget. If you are a child, try to keep these childlike qualities as you grow up.

Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God .

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!
I shall not want = That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!
For His name sake = That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of t he shadow of death = That'sTesting!
I will fear no evil = That's Protection!
For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies =That's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life =That's Blessing !
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!
Forever = That's Eternity!
Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.

The Golden Rule

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Mathew 7:12).
This phrase of Jesus spoken during the Sermon on the Mount is referred to as the Golden Rule. I am curious how the world would react if the Golden Rule was enforced.
Consider how our lives would be if the way that we treat people determines the way others treat us in return. People would speak more encouragingly to each other and hesitate to raise their voice. Taking a drive in traffic would be easier, no longer being cut off at every angle. Even politicians would find a way to be polite.
How would this effect our lives? How this world will be different? Perhaps every person rich or poor, weak or strong, young or old would receive special attention and be invited to a place of honor as guest. People would cease to gossip and slander one another over meaningless traditions.

Who is my Neighbor?

We commonly think of neighbors as the people who live near us, but Jesus meant it to include all mankind - even our enemies! Jesus told His famous parable of the Good Samaritan to make it clear that "love your neighbor" means to love all persons, everywhere - not just our friends, allies, countrymen, etc.:
One day an expert on Moses' laws came to test Jesus' orthodoxy by asking him this question: "Teacher, what does a man need to do to live forever in heaven?" Jesus replied, "What does Moses' law say about it?" "It says," he replied, "that you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor just as much as you love yourself." "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you shall live!" The man wanted to justify (his lack of love for some kinds of people), so he asked, "Which neighbors?" Jesus replied with an illustration: "A Jew going on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, and beat him up and left him lying half dead beside the road. "By chance a Jewish priest came along; and when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Jewish Temple-assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but then went on. "But a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw him, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and walked along beside him till they came to an inn, where he nursed him through the night. The next day he handed the innkeeper two twenty-dollar bills and told him to take care of the man. 'If his bill runs higher than that,' he said, 'I'll pay the difference the next time I am here.' "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the bandits' victim?" The man replied, "The one who showed him some pity." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same." (Luke 10:25-37)
The Jews and Samaritans had been enemies for hundreds of years. The Jews of Jesus' society considered the Samaritans to be ceremonially unclean, socially outcast, religious heretics. Yet, the Samaritan took pity on the poor man who had been robbed and beaten. He gave freely of both his time and his money to help this Jewish man who was not only a stranger, but also an enemy from a foreign country. In His parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus challenges us to "Go and do the same."
To reinforce that "love your neighbor" applies to everyone, Jesus extended the rule of love to even our enemies!
"There is a saying, 'Love your friends and hate your enemies.' But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)
Like the unselfish Samaritan man of Jesus' parable, we are called to extend our love and concern to all persons everywhere, as our neighbors. We should not exclude anyone or any group because of social status, a supposed character fault, religious difference, racial difference, ethnic difference, citizenship difference, etc

Christian Responsibilty to Government

Romans 13:1-7 says, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou, then, not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same; for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore, ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath but also for conscience sake. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render, therefore, to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."

Those seven verses outline in brief and pointed terms the Christian's responsibility to government. This is the most clear and direct passage in all the New Testament on this subject. As a result, it is an extremely important passage for us to understand.

The Christian's role in government has nothing to do with politicizing the church. It has nothing to do with getting involved in things that are good but not of divine priority. There is no biblical mandate for us to spend our time, money, and energy in matters of civil government. We are to be the conscience of the nation through godly living and faithful preaching. We do not confront the nation through political pressure, but through the Word of God. We are to preach against sin and the evils of our time.

That's a description of the world Jesus entered into. The people didn't have democracy, the opportunity to vote, and many of the freedoms we enjoy. But what did Jesus say? He said, "Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God, the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21). He did not come with power and force to overthrow Roman tyranny. He did not seek social change. He did not attempt to eliminate slavery. He did not come with political or economic issues at stake. He did not come to bring a new government or to wave the flag of Judaism. Those things were not the concern of His life and ministry. His appeal was ever and always to the hearts of individual men and women, not to their political freedom and rights under government. Jesus did not participate in civil rights or crusade to abolish injustice; He preached the gospel of salvation. Once a man's or woman's soul is right with God, it matters very little what the externals are. Jesus was not interested in a new social order, but in a new spiritual order--the church. And He mandated the church to carry on the same kind of ministry.

What is our responsibility to government? How do we respond to the tension of being preoccupied with the Kingdom of God yet desiring to be a good citizen in this world? First, the answer is not found in politics. God has called us to do two things. The first is in Romans 13:1: "Let every soul be subject to the higher powers." The second is in Romans 13:6: "For this cause pay ye tribute." The Apostle Paul says two things are required of you as a Christian: submit to the government and pay your taxes. That's our duty. Beyond that you ought to be busy doing the things that are eternally valuable to the Kingdom. That is not to say the other things aren't important; it's just that they pale in importance when compared with the work of the Kingdom. Be subject to the government and pay your taxes. That's what Jesus meant when He said, "Render to Caesar." What does Caesar want? Submission to the laws and payment of taxes.

Jesus' sermon - Lord's Prayer

The Lords Prayer

This section of the Sermon on the Mount contains the Lord's prayer, and instructions on giving and fasting.

Giving

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Pray in secret

When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

The Lord's Prayer

Pray, then, in this way:

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom

and the power

and the glory forever.

Amen.

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Fasting

Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Jesus' Sermon - New Laws

New law and old law

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder

You have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not commit murder" and "Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court."

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, "You good-for-nothing," shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, "You fool," shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

Reconcile your differences

Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.

Adultery

You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

It was said, "Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce."

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Making false vows

Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord."

But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.

But let your statement be, "Yes, yes" or "No, no." Anything beyond these is of evil.

Go the extra mile

You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth."

But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Love your neighbor

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus' Sermon - The Beattitudes

The word "beatitude" is derived from the Latin "beatus," which means blessed or happy. This designation is appropriate because each teaching begins with the word "blessed."

Setting

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying...

Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Light of the world

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Man and Natural law

The cornerstone of Jesus' life is love, not just for those who we are close to, but for those who hate and hurt us. This love is not easy, no-one ever claimed it was, but this love is what the world needs. If only we stopped hating those who hate us, or even just stopped ignoring those who are rejected by society, the world, our neighbours, and thus ourselves would be happier and more peaceful.
The other rock on which Jesus built his life was on that of sincerity. Jesus wanted us to truly be the men who we claimed to be. We should not give the impression of love and then hate. We should not give the appearance of purity and then defile ourselves. Such restraint, such self-command is difficult, nearly impossible, but when we try to be truly good men then we can accomplish great things.
To follow Christ is to live a life in line with the natural law which is imprinted on our hearts but which we ignore so often and so subtly that we forget it exists at all.

Message of Jesus - OUR FATHER

Having shown men how they should live loving, sincere, humble lives, Jesus also began telling them about how they should think of God. Within each of us there is something that tells us there is a God, some kind of higher power, some force governing the world, yet it is beyond our understanding as to what exactly this Being is.
Jesus tried to reveal this higher power to us in a very simple, yet a truly radical way. Jesus told us to think of God as our Father, as a loving, kind, generous parent who has given us life and will provide for us in the times ahead.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11) more...
Jesus' relationship with the Father was unique as his Spirit was divine, but we too can be children of God. This way of thinking about God changes our whole conception of life. It give us confidence and strength during even the toughest times, and comforts us in the moments of despair.
Jesus' teaching on the Heavenly Father was a truly revolutionary step forward in philosophy and religion. By thinking of God as our Father we can face the world with confidence knowing that He will work everything out for the best. However it also places on us the responsibility of living as the children of God, a truly great family that we must never bring shame upon.

Message of Jesus - FORGIVENESS

For Jesus it was important not only that we try to reach these standards of love and sincerity but also that we realise the occasions when we do not. Once we have understood what we have done wrong we can ask for forgiveness, and then make a serious effort to correct our mistakes. It is only when we do this that we can truly be a follower of God.
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:9-14) more...
The forgiveness of our sins is not without a cost because when we break laws, whether they be civil or divine, we should expect to face some consequences. However the price of our forgiveness was paid in a remarkable, symbolic way when Jesus suffered and died in our place. He explained this sacrifice by using bread and wine as symbols of his body and blood.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28)
All of the followers of Jesus are joined together in a mystical union to make up one body, of which Christ is the head. When Jesus died it was like this whole body of believers died in him, and so his death becomes a meaningful sacrifice for the wrong doing of all believers.
We must humble ourselves in a way that allows us to truly understand what we have done, what we deserve, and what Jesus gave up so that we could be free. When we do this we will finally realise how much God has done for us.

Message of Jesus - SINCERITY

There were many people Jesus met who seemed holy in front of others but who acted very differently when there was no-one watching. For Jesus it was no good just pretending to love others, or pretending to control our selfish instincts, we had to truly feel it in our hearts.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28) more...
What we think in our hearts makes us just as guilty as those who commit their sins in daylight. Each of us are careful to appear respectable in front of others, but how many of us would dare to say that our hearts are pure?
If only the world could rid itself of its hypocrisy then people may truly become good rather than just trying to appear so. It is a challenge which each of us must face every hour of every day for the temptation to be otherwise is overwhelming.
Without this sincerity, without this trust, no man can achieve anything worthy of note. It is only sincerity that can inspire men to greatness, that can make heroes who stand up for truth, liberty and justice.

Message of Jesus - LOVE

Jesus has been given the title of The Great Teacher by many people who have studied and applied his teachings throughout history. The surprising thing is that Jesus was not the typical philosopher or preacher that people were used to. Unlike some other people Jesus tried to make his advice understandable to the common man, sometimes using stories or symbols, but always keeping his message simple, straightforward and practical.
Love
Jesus dealt with many aspects of human life but the one that he spent longest on was the need for love. His focus was not just on the love for our friends and family, but something much more challenging, a love that tests every nerve and sinew.
"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) more...
He spoke of a love for those who we want to hate, a love for those who already hate us. This love requires effort, and strain, and every ounce of self-command that man can summon up.
It is the easiest thing in the world to hate, to let the desire for revenge grow in our hearts. Indeed vengeance may even have the shadow of justice attached to it, but in reality it leads to dark, unadulterated hate and a spiral of destruction.
To be truly happy we must rise above the bigotry and jealousy of others. We must love even if we are hated for it. Love and do not hate, for surely love is the only path to peace, freedom and happiness.

A New Year’s Prayer

Dear Lord, please give me…
A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
A work to do which has real value,
without which the world would be the poorer;
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
An understanding heart;
A sense of humor;
Time for quiet, silent meditation;
A feeling of the presence of God;
The patience to wait for the coming of these things,
With the wisdom to recognize them when they come.
Amen