Is your life full?

By Gary Andrews

gary@gadevotionals.com

 

            My wife and I watched the true-life story of Christian singer Jeremy Camp. The movie displayed his good times in life, his meeting and marrying the love of his life, and the grief he went through when he lost her to ovarian cancer.

            During one scene his dad went into Jeremy’s room to speak with him and comfort him after the loss of his wife. Jeremy, who believes in the power of prayer, told him about his prayers about his younger brother who was born with birth defects. He also prayed for his dad’s ministry to come to fruition, but it didn’t, he prayed extremely hard and begged God for healing for his wife, and she still died. Why?

            All of us have struggled through situations and don’t understand why. As a Christian and a firm believer in prayer, many of us have not understood why our prayers weren’t answered. All of us need to understand God works on His timeline, not ours. He does always answer prayers however, we may not realize he has.

            In Psalm 73:26 we are told, “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” 

            We need to remember some of the stories we are told in the Bible about people that had problems, when they were being built up for something better. When God wanted to make David a king He didn’t give him a crown, He gave him Goliath. When God wanted to make Esther a queen, He didn’t give her comfort, He gave her a crisis. When God wanted to put Joseph in a palace, He didn’t give him a short cut, He gave him prison. God has plans for all of us, we just need to be patient and believe he is preparing us for a better day.

            Jeremy’s dad gave him some great advice. He said he didn’t understand why his son was born with disabilities. He didn’t understand why his ministry didn’t take off like he wanted it to, and he certainly didn’t understand why God allowed Melissa, Jeremy’s wife, to have cancer and called her home at a young age.

            However, he told Jeremy that his life was full because of the struggles he faced, and he is a better person because of them. God doesn’t give what we expect in life but gives us what we need in life. 

            Jeremy remarried two years later, and he and his wife have three children. He has become a very well-known Christian singer and continues to tell his story of losing his first wife but how God has blessed him through his grief and giving him a strong wife and family. 

            There are many in the world today grieving and having all kind of problems in their lives. God will see you through these times and give you a better day. All you must do is believe in Him and accept Him as your Lord and Savior.

            Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your love. I pray that you will guide my footsteps every day of my life on earth. Amen.

            (Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – John 14:25-27; Monday – Psalm 34:17-18; Tuesday – 1 Peter 5:6-10; Wednesday – Isaiah 40:28-31; Thursday – Matthew 6:25-34; Friday – Proverbs 3:5-6; Saturday – 2 Timothy 1:7.) A665-25 

Are you part of the fellowship?

By Gary Andrews

gary@gadevotionals.com

 

            Many years ago, when I was in the Air Force and stationed in California, I had the privilege of visiting my cousin that lived in a near by city. I would at times spend the weekend with them and go to church with them. 

            It was a congregation of close-knit people that loved and took care of each other. The congregation was a good mixture of young and older generations. I was impressed by one older gentleman that came to every service. He was a widower and had little or no family that was close by. His church family loved him and took care of his needs.

            Being up in age his wish was to be in the church pew when the Lord called him home. I am not sure why he wanted to be in church when he died and my cousin had never questioned him for his reasoning.

            I can only assume what his reasoning was. He, as many of our elderly members of today, find solace in the spiritual connection and support from their fellow church members. Through this they can strengthen their faith as they enter this stage of their life.

            Not only will their faith be strengthened but they will be an influence on the younger members also. Their wisdom is imperative and is one of the most valuable assets a church can have. Proverbs 16:21 tells us, “The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.” LASB

            Being a part of the church fellowship allows the older generation emotional support and offers them an opportunity to engage in spiritual activities that can help them feel more at peace with their mortality. They also have opportunities to contr 

            Being in the military when I first knew about the older gentleman that attended church with my cousin, I was transferred overseas before this man passed away. I was told though, by my cousin, he didn’t pass away in church but another location. His wish, even though admiral, didn’t happen because the Lord had other plans. He did know where he was going to spend eternity, and his life was an inspiration to those around him.

            How about you? Do you know where you will spend eternity? Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, I appeal to you that you go to your knees, confess your sins, and ask Jesus to come into your heart. It will be best decision you ever made!

            Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for another day of life. I pray that what I do today will pleasing to you and a witness for your salvation. Amen.

            (Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – 1 John 5:11-15; Monday – Isaiah 41:10; Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Wednesday – Psalm 23:4; Thursday – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Friday – Jeremiah 29:11-13; Saturday – Hebrews 10:19-25.) A664-25