while you wait, watch and pray

One of the greatest things we can do for anyone is to tell them the truth. We want others to tell us the truth. Right?

In yesterday’s sermon in our series “like Him” we looked at the part of 1 Peter 4 where Peter tells us to be watching for the return of the Lord. Last week we received warnings to be prepared and to continue to let God shape us to be more like Jesus. This week we received the reminder that we have hope.

In the time of waiting for God continue to have hope and live great lives focused on God. Living this way makes a difference.

2 Corinthians 9:10 NLT

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

God will provide. That is a promise. Take it heart and watch what God does in the time of waiting. Oh, waiting isn’t easy. I am not very patient, but what does God say to us?

James 5:8 NLT

You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Patience is a must. Being courageous is helpful. And Jesus will return. But until He does watch and pray. Jesus told the disciples to do that. He reminds us to do the same. While we are waiting, watch and pray.

Psalm 116:1-2 NLT

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. 2 Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

The promises are for you and me. Watch and pray. Live life. And do that with style and grace and purpose. 1 Peter has been refreshing for me, and I am grateful for the guidance God gives for for His giving us truth. Watch and pray!

Philippians 2:14-16 NLT

Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

I will be back in Cuba tomorrow with the incredible Bob Texidor. We will be serving the sports ministry leaders in around Havana. Pray for trip, the ministry in Cuba and for the people of Cuba as this continues to be a very difficult time, yet God is using them to help more people coming to know Jesus.

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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