Is God Listening?

I just want to know, “Where is God when I need Him most?”  Does this question sound familiar?  There are times when it seems like God has turned away from us and no longer listening to our prayers. During those hours, we sometimes find ourselves desperately pleading in prayer, but God appears to turn a deaf ear. These times are frustrating and difficult to endure. At a time when we recognize our need for God most, we find ourselves asking, "God, why don't you say something?" We may question His promises to us; however, if we believe His word, we know that He is never will never leave us unattended.  The key is to keep believing His word and never give up hope. 

Silence is not a welcome event when one is waiting on an answer or needs direction. I’m quick to tell friends in need, to be patient and remind them of the scripture, “They that wait on the Lord will renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint”.[1]   Yet when it comes to me waiting, I whine in protest; I try to help God out with the answer.  I may be better than I used to be but occasionally in the past, I’d want to help God out with the answers to my prayers.  My wife has reminded me many times that, “God doesn’t need your help; He just needs your patience.”  I know that He’s in control of everything and there’s nothing impossible to Him, but “why not now, Lord?”

All of us have known people that were always saying, “The Lord was telling me today; or I know it’s His will." And we cry out, "Then why, God, are you so silent when it comes to me?" The silence is agonizing, and it seems that it happens particularly when we are in going through the most troublesome times.  We live in the midst of constant background noise.  We become so accustomed to noise that even a moment of silence on TV or Radio is annoying.  An unexpected moment of silence is every broadcaster's nightmare.  It happens to the singer wondering if the CD is going to start—and it is terrifying.  Unfortunately it happens in our lives and we also wonder when the music is going to start.

There have been times in my life when it felt like God was nowhere to be found, but looking back and holding to His promises, He was there.   The songwriter pinned, “He was there all the time; He was there all the time; waiting patiently in line, He was there all the time.” Many are going through challenging times but His word tells us,  “Be still, and know that I am God….”[2] KJV We may also receive comfort from the scripture in Psalms 30:5, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

One of my favorite phrases has been the one that says, “God might not be early, but He is never late.” He may speak through many different ways and means but thank God He still speaks!  If one will take time to listen to His voice, He will amaze you as He shows His concern for you

He Still Speaks

Amidst a hustling, clamoring world, It’s sometimes hard to hear

The voice of God, speaking to my soul.

But in my quiet time alone when I approach His holy throne

His tender words fall gently on my ear.

He still speaks; I know His voice. Sweeter sounds, never heard by mortal ear.

And to think that God by His own choice would speak to me,

It makes me rejoice He still speaks I know His voice.[3]

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[1] Isa 40:31

[2] Psalms 46:10

[3] Ponder, Sykes & Wright

Good Old Days

     “Good old days?” This has been a question that has been asked over and over for centuries.  The older one becomes, the more we look back and talk about “the good ole days.”  Our children have reminded us so many times, “That was the olden days; things are different today.”  The past seems to always look better looking back to it than it did when one was experiencing it because we tend to forget the challenges of the past and remember the good times.  I’ve heard many times, “the older I get, the better I was when...”  Been there?  Part of looking back is to compare the amount of change we see from the past.

     Change has taken place in every part of our lives and it seems like it’s been increasing at an exponential rate.  Take any subject and notice what’s happened in recent years—environment, storms, earthquakes, tsunami’s, flooding, famine, fuel, wars, manufacturing, jobs lost to other countries, internet, business failures, housing foreclosures, medicine, healthcare, politics, corruption in business, politics, religious circles, and etc.  This amount of change has been difficult to deal with since the majority of us dislike change.

     We used to say that there were only two things for certain—death and taxes.  Now I believe we need to add another and that is “change.”  One business writer in recent years even wrote that if we are doing things today the same way that we did yesterday, we’ve just fallen one day behind.  “Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”[1]

While attending a conference at The Ford Motor for suppliers, Mr. Tony Brown, V.P. of Global Purchasing stated, “If you think it’s bad now, just think.  Twenty years from now you will look back and think of these days as “the good ole days.”  Hard to believe, but most likely it will happen.  What has happened to the “good ole days?”  They are being recreated each day we live in a new direction and a new level. 

We have an awesome responsibility to direct the things that we can control to make sure that change is always in a positive direction and leave a legacy of a better life for future generations. There are many things changing that we cannot control; and we are constantly adjusting to change.  One has stated, “The things beyond myself, I leave to God.” Remember, change may be legal; legal does not make it right! There are changes that are in opposition to our belief system and God’s standard for us to live; therefore, we must not compromise.  Every new day is another chance to become a new person.  We are a sum-total of the “good old days; today will be included as a part of the sum-total of tomorrow.  Therefore, we can start living tomorrow---today; what will it look like?  What will the good old days look like as one looks back twenty years from now?

 “There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn't change — yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself.” Heb 13:7b-8

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[1] John F. Kennedy

It's Not Over Yet!

      Each of us has some goals that we want to achieve in life.  In trying to reach the goals, it is easy to allow the challenges of life to take the passion out of reaching these goals.  We know that as we press toward the prize for winning, challenges will come.  Challenges come to us in various shapes and sizes.  They come from many directions; we are bombarded from many outside influences of opposition; others are from internal walls built from past failures.  Even our own families or peers may unknowingly use discouraging words as roadblocks along the path to conquer the mountains.  All of these together seem to sing in unison, “Are we discouraged yet?”

We must never forget that with God on our side, can make it!  Many times people will want to count us out but “It’s not over until it’s over!”  Some will tell us to give up because we cannot make it--“It’s not over until it’s over!”  Others will tell us that we will never amount to anything because of our past actions--“It’s not over until it’s over!”

Therefore, I ask, “Who determines when it’s over?”  There is a tremendous Scripture in Zechariah that tells how God spoke to Zerubbabel about a tremendous task, "You can't force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,' says God -of-the-Angel-Armies.  'So, big mountain, who do you think you are?  Next to Zerubbabel you're nothing but a molehill. He'll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes!  Yes!  Do it!'"[1]

In the same Scripture, God tells Zerubbabel not to worry about those who would criticize for small beginnings or taking those baby steps; because they will look in amazement when they see what you eventually accomplish.  We must remember that, He will never give us a task, whether great or small, that He does not give us the strength to accomplish it. 

The former New York Yankees catcher, Yogi Berra once said: “It ain’t over ‘till it’s over.”  Now Yogi was no theologian, but he unknowingly expressed one of the greatest principles in the Christian life.  It doesn’t really matter much how one starts; what matters is how one finishes. Victory is won at the finish line, not at the starting line.  Life is a marathon that requires endurance and a lifetime commitment to keep running with the intent of finishing strong.  “It isn’t over ‘till it’s over” also serves to remind us that even if we have fallen far behind in the race there is still time to finish well.

For those who place their trust in God, He is the One that will determine when it is over.  A group of kids was playing baseball and the team on the field was down eighteen to nothing.  A spectator said to one of the losing team members, “You must be pretty discouraged with a score like that.”  The boy replied, “No.  I’m not discouraged; we haven’t had our turn at bat yet.”

It is time to look at the goals again and change all the negatives in our life to, “I can.”  “I will.”  I see.”  “I have.”  It not enough just to “think I can,” we must have the confidence to be able to say, “I know I can!”

“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”[2]

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[1] Zech 4:6-7 Message Bible

[2] Phil 4:13 Message Bible

Seasons of Life

     It is difficult to believe that summer is over today and autumn or fall begins.  The summer offered many challenges to us this year. It was one of the warmest summers in history and along with the heat; we’ve seen many disasters from draught, fires, floods and storms.  However, a new season of life has now begun.  Autumn is here and the trees and plant life are starting the process of going into a dormant stage.  These are not dying, they just shift their objectives and their energy is now turned to making roots and ready for another spring. It is not dying time; it’s changing time. This is a very special time of the year where something special occurs.  As someone so beautifully stated, “autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.”

     Fall is a beautiful time when the tree-leaves change colors and create an unbelievable landscape of unimaginable colors of beauty.  It’s a time when the trees that have all blended together in one color during the summer gets to show their individual beauties of their true colors and what a sight to behold.  It is a time when the beauty of God’s creation transitions into a time of waiting; this time of waiting is very productive time in anticipation for the rejuvenation of life to begin anew.  This time of anticipation of when new life will begin will happen for we know it is God’s plan, it will happen.  

     Fall also, reminds me of the end of the day when one is now able to put all the challenges that we faced during the day behind us, relax and be reenergized for a new beginning tomorrow.  Each day is a new beginning where our true and beautiful colors are able to show through all the surrounding colors and be what God has truly created us to be as individuals.  

     “Autumn of My Life refers to the last portion of one's life. It is a metaphor which likens one's life to the season when the time for planting, growing, and flowering is over, when the temperatures begin to drop, and the days become shorter.” [1] As in life, autumn is described as a period of maturity or incipient decline. Many look at this time as a time of dormancy, having “served my time.”  It doesn’t have to be a life of decline or dormancy.  It is not just a resting time; it’s preparation time; it is growing time.  We must use our time wisely and make the best of each day.  For the young as well as the “older ones” we can learn lessons from the plant life.  They show the beauty of their individuality and when the leaves are gone, they are growing deeper so they are ready for the next season.  During this time, “Expect to have hope rekindled.  Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.  The dry seasons in life do not last.  The spring rains will come again.”[2]  

     The next season may be here in this life for us or it may be our eternal life. So now that autumn, whether seasonal or life itself  is here, let us use this special time to be a growing time, a preparation time and make the most of who we are and wait patiently until it’s our time to demonstrate our true beauty.  “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”[3]

     The Apostle Paul stated in the autumn of his life, “This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way.  All that's left now is the shouting — God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.[4]

 

 

 

 

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[1] Author unknown

[2] Sarah Ban Breathnach

[3] Galatians 6:9 ESV

[4] 2 Tim 4:7-8 Message Bible

I Wish I could!

 

“I wish I could---“is the beginning of many statements that one will hear from individuals in all walks of life.  It may a desire to accomplish something special in the future or contain many regrets of the past.  It is unfortunate that so many people are stuck between two worlds—holding on to the past on one side and not having either the courage or wherewithal to move forward.  Therefore, they seem to be stuck in the issues of the past and just wishing for something different. 

There is hope!  We do not have to be held hostage by the past.  Arthur Brisbane stated, “Regret for time wasted can become a power for good in the time that remains, if we will only stop the waste and the idle, useless regretting.”[1]  Today is a new day and it can be full of new hope, new aspirations, new attitudes, new dreams, and new plans for obtaining the things for which we often just wish.  There will never be a more appropriate time to start on the positive side of “I wish I could---.”

Already, some may be saying, “If only I could.”  Fulton Oursler stated, “’if only!’  Those must be the two saddest words in the world.”  Those two words fall into the same category of “but” or “I wish.”[2]  To move forward into new heights of satisfaction in ones life requires a dissatisfaction of either where we are or where we have been.  This realization will allow us to see the opportunities the future offers just for the taking.  We cannot expect the opportunity to come knocking at our door; we must gain confidence in our own ability to open the door of opportunity.  Norman Vincent Peale stated, “Believe in yourself!  Have faith in your abilities!  Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”[3]

  Many use the past as a standard and therefore, limit the possibilities of both the present and the future.  Neither satisfaction nor regrets of the past are healthy for future successes.  We must forget past failures and successes and move forward with confidence that we can make it.  Just as looking back is an endangerment to the mountain climber who desires to reach the pinnacle, it endangers us as well.  The climber’s hope of reaching the summit is by forgetting the things behind and continuing a step at a time, never taking his eyes off the goal.

With the rest of our life in front of us, we need to change the statement from, “I wish I could…” to “I am going to…”  The statement is an open-ended statement for each of us to fill in.  There are tremendous opportunities ahead just for our benefit.  Let us press on to victory in 2012.

Phil 3:13-14 "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  NASB

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[1] Arthur Brisbane

[2] Fulton Oursler

[3] Norman Vincent Peale

Thank You

This last year has been very rewarding to me in many ways since I started writing the inspirational blog.  I really did not imagine how well it would be received but after reviewing the number of individual page viewings, I was amazed to see the number over three-thousand.  Therefore, for all the support and encouragement, I just want to say thanks.

I will continue writing this year and hope the blogs will be words of encouragement to you.  If there are subjects that you would like to have me consider, send me a personal message and I will honor the confidentiality and try to answer them.

I trust that this year, you will find peace and comfort in all you do and that God would direct your steps in a positive direction.

Thanks again and may God bless you!

Cecil

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The Year of Hope and Expectation!

Prov 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.”  There is no better way to begin a new year than to focus on His Word and allow it to speak to our heart for a check-up on our commitment to Him.  The beginning of a new year is also a good time to review the old year and analyze the impact that 2011 had on our life.  Most of us began the year with many hopes that would greatly affect our life in a positive way.  Now is the time to look at each of those hopes to see if we saw the results, for which we had “hoped.” 

The Bible tells us that hope is a confident expectancy.  It is shown alongside words such as faith, and love and is a very positive attribute for one to possess.  Genuine hope is not dreaming, but a firm assurance about things that are unseen and still in the future.  Expectation, whether in hope or dread, is looking forward with the realization that something specific will happen.  Unfortunately, many are living with a daydreaming hope.  Jimmy Carter stated that many are living with a hope that says, “If I could just hit the lottery and win five million bucks, then all my troubles would be over.  But those are false hopes.”[1]

We can use 2011 as a platform for building positive plans that will turn our hopes for greater things into expectations.  Perhaps it will be a specific plan for health improvement, a plan to pay off those credit cards, a plan to live by a well-defined budget or to go back to school and reach a specific goal.  It may also be just as simple to spend more quality time with the family.  These are positive hopes that will require a specific plan to ensure one of living a life of anticipation and expectation.  We need not live by an attitude of “I hope things are better next year,” because we can live by a plan of knowing the hopes are not just dreams; they are realities just waiting to happen.

If things do not go just the way we plan, we must not lose hope!  We can be like the little boy that was playing on a softball team and at a very important game, the team was losing eighteen to nothing.  An older person came by and said, “You must be very discouraged with that score.”  The boy replied, “Why should I be discouraged?  We just haven’t our turn at bat.”  If your plan hasn’t gone the way you hoped it would go, perhaps you just haven’t had your turn at the bat.”  Lewis Smedes wrote, “Is there a hope when hope is taken away?  Is there hope when the situation is hopeless?  That question leads us to Christian hope, for in the Bible, hope is no longer a passion for the possible.  It becomes a passion for the promise.”[2] 

In 2012, we can renew our “trust in the Lord,” and by knowing that He will direct our paths, it will help to keep our hopes and expectations alive.  It is through Him that we can say with the Apostle Paul, “For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die.”[3]

Let us determine that 2012 will be a great year and know that the answers to our hopes and expectations are in the waiting and anxiously waiting to happen!

Happy New Year!

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[1] Through the Year with Jimmy Carter

[2] Lewis Smedes-Bible.org

[3] Phil 1:20-21