Waiting

How many of us can't stand to wait? Whether it is waiting at the doctors office, waiting for dinner, or for a special day to arrive. Waiting is simply hard for most of us. However, it also has very good characteristics for us too. Sometimes waiting teachings us to slow down. At other times waiting teaches us to trust God. And still, at other times, waiting teaches us to appreciate the object which we are waiting for even more.

One of the things I have (and am continuing) to learn is, waiting is a time for reflection. Both inward reflection and outward reflection. So often we become hurried in our lifestyles and in our thought processes that we fail to reflect. Reflection is literally a lost art for many people.

One of the benefits (among many) of reflection is it develops in us a spirit of gratefulness. A grateful heart is a sign of a satisfied heart! So the next time you find yourself waiting, try not to despise it (which is hard for some of us to do); take the time to reflect on all the blessings, all the good things in your life. Take to the time to tell those closest to you how much they mean to you!

Remember, good things come to them that wait.

This is today,

Pastor Gary

C.H.A.N.G.E.

Change! It is a big word isn't it? Not so much because of the letters that make up the word itself, as much as the idea. It is a word a lot of people do not like to hear or even talk about. However, it is a part of everyday life. When it comes to change, we either embrace it or resist it.

Change is constantly around us. The seasons change from Spring to Summer, and Summer to Fall, and Fall to Winter only to repeat again and again. As people we also change. Sometimes for the better and other times maybe for the worse. Hopefully the first part about the last sentence is true when it comes to ourselves. Hopefully we are changing for the better. We can change for the better if we seek personal growth. We can change for the better if we desire to learn from our mistakes.

So do not fear change, embrace change and make it yours. See it as an opportunity to grow, to become better, to learn. In doing so, you will become the individual God desire's you to be. Constantly search your heart and ask God what needs to change so you can fulfill His purpose and plan for your life. Remember change means:

Constantly
Having
A
New
Growth
Experience

If you keep this is mind when you are going through the experience of change then you will see the circumstances as an opportunity for growth. Then you will not resist change; instead, you will embrace it for the opportunity it presents.

This is today,

Pastor Gary

Peter, Do You Love Me?

"Peter, do you love me?" are the famous words of Jesus to Peter. Jesus spoke these words to Peter after His resurrection and Peter's subsequent denial of the Lord, not once but three times. Before the trial and crucifixion Peter made the bold claim, "though all men deny thee Lord I will not." Peter soon discovered that his boldness was founded in self-confidence and not in relationship.

Jesus encounters Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for the purpose of doing a restorative work in him. It is there, around the fire, after breakfast that Jesus asks the pointed questions, "do you love me more than these?" And what you see is a different man, one who is not resting in self-confidence but who is aware of his own follies and weaknesses.

Barnes has this is to say: "Peter now made no pretensions to love superior to his brethren. His sad denial had convinced him of the folly of that claim; but still he could appeal to the Searcher of the heart, and say that he knew that he loved him. Here is the expression of a humbled soul--a soul made sensible of its weakness and need of strength, yet with evidence of true attachment to the Saviour. It is not the most confident pretensions that constitute the highest proof of love to Christ; and the happiest and best state of feeling is when we can with humility, yet with confidence, look to the Lord Jesus and say, "Thou knowest that I love thee."

May our boldness be grounded, not in our self confidence but in our relationship with Jesus!

This is Today,

Pastor Gary

The Bribe

Matthew in his gospel records the guards and religious leaders reaction to the resurrection of Jesus from the grave (Matthew 28:11-15) The religious leaders, in an attempt to conceal Jesus' resurrection, bribed the guards and told them to say, "the disciples stole his body."

What we see here is how far the religious leaders were willing to go in order to conceal the truth and protect their status quo. We also see the fact the guards were willing to be bought. They had a price!

We may not take money or a bribe, because that is too obvious; but often, we too have a price. Offensive? Yes, you are right, it is. It is offensive!

We all need His grace...His mercy...His forgiveness. Be aware, alert, a tune to your own heart. Tell the Lord you do not want to be bought and bribed by the world. Ask Him to strengthen area's in your own life where compromise comes a little too easy. Ask the Holy Spirit to manifest the resurrection power of Jesus in your life.

This is today,

Pastor Gary