Good morning everyone. Today we will consume a meal that might not sit well in the belly of some but it will nourish the soul. I have shared this particular meal in the past and it’s worth repeating because it is much needed in the times we are going through right now. Let it bless you.
Today’s Prayer
Father I was just thinking about how many Christians have experienced stunted growth. You might say that some of us are retarded. Your Word explains how when we first become believers, we need to be given the milk of the word, like a newborn baby must be nursed or fed from a bottle. Then we should grow and become more spiritually mature, desiring the “meat” of the Word, learning doctrine, receiving and giving instruction, studying Your Word and spending time with You one on one, and serving You from our hearts. So many of us revert back to the bottle and refuse to grow up. I pray that You would give us all a stronger desire to feed ourselves from the Bible and not depend on others to study and feed us. I pray that You will light a fire under all of us so we will help younger Christians to grow and mature through our example, through mentoring, through helping. I pray that we all will grow closer to You as we age, that we may press toward the mark of our high calling in You. Thank You Father, from whom comes our help. In the wonderful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
When the Lord says wait
But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. – Habakkuk 2:3
I have gotten so much from the above scripture during my study it is mind blowing. This scripture together with the life of Joseph brings me to this revelation. God has a storehouse of blessings that He has reserved for you and me. However, our timing to receive those blessings is not the same as our Lord’s. God has a specific timetable that He requires to accomplish His purposes in the life of those who believe. Sometimes that timetable seems excruciatingly cruel and painful, yet it is needful.
The bible tells us that Joseph remained a slave in Egypt and was then placed in prison after being wrongfully accused; it would be easy to second-guess the God of the universe. Oh, how cruel and uncaring, we might think. Joseph thought he was going to be delivered from prison when he interpreted a dream for a court official, but he was forgotten another two years. Why? An early release would have disrupted God’s perfect plan.
God takes time to develop character in His children before anything else. God couldn’t afford to have a prideful 30-year-old Joseph managing the resources of an entire region of the world. He wasn’t at the stage in his growth to be used yet. We believers sometimes delay this timetable when we refuse give in to God’s correction. Although it is sometimes difficult to understand, the Lord is just and gracious in His dealings with His children. When He does decide to move on our behalf, we will appreciate the delay and will often understand the reason it was needed.
But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them. (Isaiah 30:18)
If you are like me and you are awaiting the fulfillment of a vision in your life, ask the Lord for His grace to sustain you. It will be worth the wait.
Quote of the Day
Every evening I turn my troubles over to God – He’s going to be up all night anyway.
Donald J. Morgan
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
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James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.