Wait!

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind. Isa. 40:31 (The Message)

This has always been a encouraging verse to me, because of the fresh strength, soaring and etc. Today, I am noticing the part about waiting. Notice the strength, the soaring and extra energy are conditional on the wait. If you are in a waiting period, like I am, the waiting can seem unbearable but there is hope. See the waiting as labor pains before the birth or as the climb before the view on the mountain peak. Consider this, if times are hard and you are staying your own devices to wait on the Lord’s plan then hope is coming, fresh strength is coming, glorious flight is coming and energy is on the way.

Please vote for my song "Don't Stop Praising"

Whose child are you?

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

Do you remember that movie, “The Princess Bride?” There was a character in the movie named Indigo Montoya. His whole being was based on his identity, as an orphaned child. He went around trying to avenge his father’s death by looking for the six fingered man who killed his Father. He had even prepared a monologue for the six fingered man, which stated, “Hello, My named is Indigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Everything centered around this identity. Who we think we are directs our actions as well. According to John, if we believe that we are children of God, then we try to purify ourselves just as God is pure. Frankly, I need to believe more fully in my identity as a child of God. I believe that I will find myself living more fully for my Father in heaven.

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Hope that does not disappoint.

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 

Romans 5:5

It is NCAA Basketball tournament time and many teams will go out to play with confidence that they will win the whole thing. They have this hope for a myriad of reasons. Maybe they have hope because of great practices, a good coach, exceptional players, good luck charms, you name it. Many have hope but only one will walk away with a hope that has does not disappoint them. According to Paul (the apostle), our hope of being saved from death to abundant life is sure because of the demonstration of God’s love through his giving us his Spirit and placing his love in our hearts. By the way, love never fails. Paul said that as well. Our hope does not disappoint because it is supported by a love the never fails, from a God who never stops loving.