Why the wait?

We had the privilege of spending last weekend at the Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville, NC. We really enjoyed this time away and they took great care of us there. The food was great and the environment, nestled in the North Carolina mountains, was beautiful. It was a great weekend!

We heard Dr. Tony Evans speak on "When You are Between a Rock and a Hard Place." There is so much that I could share about this topic. I could probably teach it from my own real life experiences going way back when I was a child! I grew up in some real hard life experiences and have had many since.

Tony gave a great illustration about waiting on God. He said that when he and his wife go through the drive through at McDonalds, he orders a number 2 or a number 3 or maybe a 2, 3 and a 4 depending on how hungry he is! But his wife doesn't order that way. She wants her meal prepared differently. She might want them to hold this item or add this item or combine things and mix things up. She wants hers made special. Now McDonalds is set up for mass production, not special orders. They are asked to pull over while they get their order ready. They have to wait. But while they are waiting, they know that it is because inside McDonalds, things are happening and someone is making something special just for them. When it is brought out to them, it is different than the regular menu items. No one else gets this food because it was made special, just for them.

When we are waiting on God, it is not because He has forgotten about us. It is because He is working on something special. He is working on something personal and unique, just for us. When the time is right, and what He is preparing for us is ready, we will know that it was worth the wait! We will appreciate the uniqueness of what He has for us. He didn't prepare it for others, He made it just for us!

Have a great week!

The Divine Exchange

When Nancy and I were studying for our Associates Degree in Biblical Studies, we were very taken by the concept of "The Divine Exchange" which was taught by Terry Law from World Compassion. In this teaching from 2 Corinthians 5:21, he talks about how as joint heirs with Jesus we have all that He has. But also, He has all that we have. This sounds simplistic, however let's take it deeper.

1. Jesus took our punishment and offers us remission of sin!
2. Jesus took our sickness and pain and offers us healing and health!
3. Jesus took our sin and offers us His righteousness!
4. Jesus took our death and offers us His life!
5. Jesus took our poverty and offers us His abundance!
6. Jesus took our shame and offers us a share of His glory!
7. Jesus took our rejection and offers us acceptance in God's family!
8. Jesus took the curse and offers us His blessing!

God took all the bad that was due to us because of our sin and laid it on Jesus. Then God took all the good that was due to the sinless obedience of Jesus and offers it to us, free of charge, when we put our faith in Christ. That's the principle of 2 Cor 5:21. When we walk in covenant with God, all that He has is ours and all that we have is His. Such a deal!

Let's no longer be content with second best, OK? Have a great week!

The purpose of life?

Years ago, while living in California, I was in a weekly meeting with my Pastor and was sharing a verse with him that I had read the night before from the NIV. He said: "Let's take a look at that verse in the Amplified." which we did. When he read this verse out loud to me, it was one of those "rhema" moments when God's Word became alive and very real in my heart. Since that time, I return to this verse often for comfort, direction and just to draw closer to Him. It is very full of deep insight into His intended purpose for us and it has really given my life meaning and assurance.

God's Word is replete with meaningful verses. I think it is so great though that God personalizes His Word for each of us to give us just what we need, just when we need it like He did for me those many years ago.

Here's the verse:

"All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man."

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (Amplified Bible)

Have a great week!