August 30, 2017

Wait often feels more like weight. Time weighs heavy when we try to patiently wait. Honestly, haven't we at times wondered why God doesn't work faster? The apostle Peter addressed that issue in stating, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness" (2 Peter 3.9). Some count God slow according to their own reasoning. Wait is a weight.

Waiting ought to be strengthening rather than burdening: "Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27.14)

We know in our hearts that God's timing is always perfect, but impatience so easily rears its ugly head. It draws the action point away from God's timeline and places it on ours. We act presumptuously to our ow detriment. It's like the saying that the right idea at the wrong time amount to the wrong idea. Going forward with God's plan according to our timetable easily turns it into the wrong idea.

Waiting for the LORD is about character building. Waiting is not a time for impatience, but rather for gaining strength and developing faith. Courage grows as we let Him prepare us for action. More often than not, His apparent delays are for the purpose of getting us ready, not circumstances.

So, what are you waiting for? What are you learning as you wait for His next move? I need to learn from you, as do others. Your blog comment to these questions would be a blessing to many.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017

My other blogs
http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  
https://kingdomdreamer.blogspot.com/
Amazon ebook
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
Amazon paperback
https://www.createspace.com/4500045
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/azstevetaylor/
YouTube video channel
 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxND_ZsDdWXURp9rg88YY7g

August 29, 2017

A famous playwright once said, "I can resist anything but temptation." And that's the problem with temptation: it appeals to that which we are most vulnerable to. 

Jesus was confronted by the devil, the great tempter, during an extended wilderness stay. Having fasted for forty days, He was tempted to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4.2-3). He was then tempted to test angelic protection (Matthew 4.5-6), and then desire for worldly power (Matthew 4.8-9). He met each of these three great temptations by quoting God's word. He knew Scripture well enough to bring appropriate passages to bear in the heat of temptation. And therein is a great lesson and application for us. We surely will succumb to temptation unless we are so grounded in God's word as to resist it with His word.

Another outstanding example in facing temptation is Joseph, who was daily propositioned by his bosses' wife. His response reflects a deep devotion and love for His Father: "How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?" (Genesis 39.9)

This much we can be sure of: temptation will come. Success or failure will be determined by how faithful we have been to "treasure God's word" in our heart (Psalm 119.11).

May we stand stand strong and true for Him in the face of every temptation that comes our way.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017

My other blogs
http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  
https://kingdomdreamer.blogspot.com/
Amazon ebook
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
Amazon paperback
https://www.createspace.com/4500045
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/azstevetaylor/
YouTube video channel
 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxND_ZsDdWXURp9rg88YY7g

August 23, 2017

POST-ECLIPSE PONDERINGS

Monday's total solar eclipse left countless numbers of people awestruck. In this technologically advanced age, it is interesting that a natural phenomenon wows us in ways our gadgets cannot. But, there is an even greater "wow factor" to be had when we are aware of some interesting facts.

A down-to-earth illustration might help us appreciate the rarity and magnificence of Monday's event. As one writer illustrates it, imagine holding a small BB one foot from your face. This represents the moon. The sun, by comparison, would be a 6 foot diameter ball. In order for them to appear the same size, the six foot ball would need to be a distance from the BB of approximately the distance of home plate from center field in a typical major league baseball field. What are the chances of it just "happening" that these two celestial orbs would align so perfectly as to give earthlings such a spectacular view? Go figure.

This rare cosmic event gives ample testimony to this great truth: "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge." (Psalm 19.1-2)

We do well to carefully consider the wonders in both the day and night sky. As the final days of this present age unfold, important signs will be displayed in the heavens for the wise to discern (i.e, Acts 2.19-20; Matthew 24.29-30).

The heavens are telling of the glory of God. Are we listening?

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

August 22, 2017

The sooner we come to this great realization, the better. "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted ... I have declared that which I did not understand,Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." (Job 42.2-3)

There is the sin of presumptuousness. I presume that I know God, and that I speak on His behalf. Except that I don't know what I don't know, and run ahead with what I think I know. Job, through his legendary adversity, learned that Yahweh God is all powerful, and that His plans ultimately prevail. He learned that he had presumptuously spoken of things he did not truly know and understand.

Hopefully it does not take extreme tragedy and adversity to learn what Job learned. If we make it a regular habit to be still in His presence, meditate on His wonderful qualities, and listen to His still small voice, we will avoid the sin of presumptuousness.

We serve a God infinitely greater than the infinitesimally small knowledge we have of Him. The sooner we realize that, the better. And, the better able we are to humbly honor Him, serve Him, and represent Him to others. To Him be the glory!

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

August 16, 2017

I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm not a big fan of adversity. I much prefer life when things are going well and relatively trouble-free. But, as you full well know, life doesn't always go that way. 

"Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" (Job 2.10)

One of the great challenges to faith for many people is God as the source of adversity. Would a good and perfect God deliberately bring pain and suffering into someone's life? If we accurately understand the Book of Job, He at least allowed the enemy free reign in bringing calamity, pain, and suffering to a righteous man. And that's too troubling of a truth for many to swallow.

The adversity God directs or allows is never intended to be destructive. "It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" (Hebrews 12.7). And, "the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1.3-4)

I still have a distaste for adversity, but I'm reminded from scripture that it comes as necessary discipline from a loving Father, for my own good. While it may seem like the proverbial bitter pill we must swallow, it is for character development, rather than destruction.

Whether today is a day of prosperity or adversity, both come from our loving Father. May we rely upon His grace and strength to guide us.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

August 15, 2017

An old hymn poses the question, "What if it were today?" What if Jesus were to return today? 

"Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." (Revelation 1.7)

The established fact is, Jesus IS coming back to planet earth. It was promised the day that He left (Acts 1.11), and the exact location of His return is even specified (Zechariah 14.4); the location of His departure.

He will come in the clouds as He also left, and every human will see Him; all who are living at His return, and eventually all who have lived and died down through the ages. It is a predestined, inescapable event; the anxious longing of those prepared, and the mournful regret of the unprepared.

So, what if it were today? Are you living a "spiritually responsible" life, with an eye on the sky? Are you involved with things of the kingdom that count for eternity? Are you actively seeking to have a gospel impact on the lives of others; encouraging other believers, and appealing to the lost? What will you be found doing, should He return today?

Some say there are prophecies to be fulfilled that place His return at some distant future time, and yet mortality always trumps prophecy. Regardless of the signs of the times, His return is a mere heartbeat away from our perspective.

The time is always right to be prepared. Seek the Father's wisdom and guidance today for last-day living. Should this be our last twenty-fours, either by way of His return or our mortality, how then would He have us live? Let's make it count for the King and the kingdom.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

August 9, 2017

What is your great source of joy? Your spouse? Children? Grandchildren? Job? Sports? Hobbies? How about this: "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." (3 John 4)

A spiritual father found great joy in learning that his spiritual children were obediently living and acting according to truth. This is ultimately what it means to imitate Christ, because He was and is the embodiment of truth.

Truth in action is a powerful force. What we speak of truth can impact others, but how we live truth has the greatest impact. A skeptical world is not anxiously waiting to hear what we have to say, but it will note our words as they see them in action in our lives. "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." (James 1.22)

We have the opportunity today to be "truth in action" by how we live. Our truth lifestyle can greatly impact coworkers, neighbors, family, schools, and communities. As such, we will bring great joy to them, our Father, and Jesus the living truth.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045

August 8, 2017

Author Mark Twain famously stated, "It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." Ain't that the truth? When we read that which calls for uncomfortable, and even painful change in our lives, it's troubling.

"For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ... "Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

The Israelites, restored in their land after an lengthy dispersion, heard God's law read, and realized their sin guilt. Cut to the heart, they wept and lamented. But, that was a good thing. God's word brings pain only that it might heal (Hebrews 4.12)

Strength is not found in sorrow over sin and disobedience, but in the joy that Yahweh God alone supplies. Overcoming optimism, based on His great promises, is our basis for joy. As imperfect sinners, we inevitably fail and fall, but His grace through Christ is restorative. He picks us up when we fall, sets us on a straight path, and invigorates us with His Spirit as we march on to His coming kingdom. What joy!

May the joy that He alone provides be your strength today, and always.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotionalhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045