Time Enough at Last

[title credit to the Twilight Zone episode of the same name.]
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I'm reading the book The Gift of a Year by Mira Kirshenbaum. She says something early in the book that seemed quite profound to me: "Time isn't our enemy. It's our home."
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God has seen fit to set our lives in Time. It looked pretty simple at the beginning: "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years." Genesis 1:14
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In our twenty-first century world, Time can seem like an enemy. We scramble through our days, trying to get our tasks done before they bury us. We think it's bad when our children are little--too little sleep, too many "drudge-y" tasks. Every day looks the same: wake-up (change diapers), breakfast, lunch, naptime, supper, bedtime. Whew, made it through another day.
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When my children were little, my dear mother and mother-in-love both told me something that, though I "believed" true (because they said so), I could not possibly apprehend. "This is the easiest time you'll have while raising children." Those of you out of the infant/toddler/preschool age know what that means.
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Besides the unending running here and there of school-age children, there is the Worry Factor. We can expend a lot of time worrying, right? My mother-in-love Queen Darl says, "raising children is easier when they are all at home, tucked in bed at night."
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Add to the problem Technology. When I was growing up in the '60's, they spoke of the 21st century as a time when technology would make life so easy, people would be working 20-hour weeks, and our biggest problem would be figuring out what to do with all our free time.
Still waiting for that one.
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The more technology, the more time taken up. (and more $$$, too!) Cellphones are wonderful. We can reach and be reached if needed. Queen Darl thinks I'm nuts to have one: "I used to love to get in the car and do the weekly shopping. No one could reach me for two hours!" Not so today, right?
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"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 Don't believe the lie that you can not do all that God called you to do. Do not believe the lie that you are too busy to do those things well. I have good news for you: God has given you enough time to do everything He wants you to do. Including getting enough sleep. Enough time for you and your husband. Even some time for you.
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Prayer:
Lord, help me to see that Time is not my enemy, but a place in which You have chosen to have me live my earthly life. Help me to begin to see areas that I am wasting the time You have given me, or using it carelessly. Help me to begin to live deliberately.
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Challenge: Meditate on the thought that God has given you enough time to do everything He wants you to do. Set aside a little "time" this week to begin to see some of the time-wasters in your life.

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Barb K 2010

More Than Words

Our words are powerful. With our words we speak blessing or cursing, life or death, joy or hurt. James talked about the tongue in depth in his letter to the Christian Jews.
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James 3:9-12 says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

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Earlier in verse 1 James says, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” This passage makes it very clear that we ALL stumble in this area. No one is immune from using their mouth to hurt another, intentional or not. Someone who prides themselves on being the sole of gracious words is certain to cause great offence at some point. And yes, I write that from personal experience. My tongue has been the gateway to many an uncomfortable moment, day, and year.

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Along with hurtful words and anger, our tongues can lead us and others into bitterness and unforgiveness, which in turn leads to division in the body of Christ. Last year, I was offended and refused to forgive another. That unforgiveness led to anger and ignoring James’s admonition to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. (1:19) As a blogger, I turned to the written word to ‘vent’ my feelings.

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My slope was slippery and as I continued to give a full rein to my tongue, the hurtful words grew and my heart condition deteriorated. My own words were a snare, not only for myself, but for another. My choice to 1.) walk in unforgiveness, 2.) write unkindly, and 3.) bitterly jest about the situation brought about so much more than I ever bargained for. Adding to the whole sorry mess - I caused another child of God to stumble. Praise God that His mercy triumphs over justice (v 12) and a millstone was not tied about my neck!
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Had I simply taken the Lord at His Word and tamed my tongue, so much pain and division would have been avoided. My words brought hurt and division, caused uncomfortable moments for others, and worst of all – caused a dullness in my relationship with the Lord.

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Taming your tongue is so much more than just speaking kindly or not speaking at all. It is choosing to address issues in a godly way as they arise, seeking and extending forgiveness, stopping your mouth from sharing what does not need to be shared (gossip), cutting off course jesting that can hurt, and speaking the truth in love.

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Seek God’s wisdom with your tongue!

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“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18
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Prayer:
Father, thank You that my sinful tongue does not define me – Christ’s sacrifice defines me! Thank You for giving me Your Word that speaks wisdom and correction in the area of my words. Help me to use my words, written or spoken, to bring healing and life. Amen
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Challenge:
Keep account of your words this week. Watch for course jesting, sharing unnecessary information, snippiness, pridefulness, slyness, etc. One person might deal with bitter words, while another deals with flattering words which Proverbs warns about. Read the book of James and allow the Holy Spirit to rightly divide the Word of Truth in your heart today.
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Jen 2010

The Righteous Gavel

Psalm 37:7-9
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

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Shortly after my cousin was murdered this past November, I was asked a series of normal culture questions which began with the “how” and “why’s.” There was one question in particular that I recognized as a test from God. This question was posed by a complete stranger who struck up a conversation with me in a check-out line. She had noticed the amount of sympathy cards that I was purchasing. I shared briefly what had happened and that my cousin came from a large family and I was looking to comfort them all in some small way. She went on to ask; “Aren’t you really angry, I’m sure you all just want justice!” I remember my response quite vividly. I told her, “Well, of course I want justice; but I believe that the final word always comes from GOD Himself and I’m trusting in whatever He allows.” Now, I wish you could have seen her face. She looked at me like I was an alien from another planet. She responded “How can you have that kind of response, I would want to kill someone!”
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Please understand this, my response that day was not a human response at all, but rather it was a biblical one. I was kind of shocked by it myself. I explained to the woman in the store that “anger” is exactly what led to the death of my cousin and that I was trying to be careful not to go there. I further explained that “agitation” was allowed to turn into anger and then a choice was made to respond to the anger which resulted in the act of murder. We both finally concluded that there is a real lesson within these kinds of tragedies. Do I believe these men set out to kill my cousin? No, but I do believe they all underestimated the power of anger. Do I want fair justice, you bet I do, and I’m praying for it!
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The truth is it’s often very difficult to wait upon the Lord when things appear unfair, but we need to do just that. My cousin’s death was unfair, and at present it appears these young men are getting away with murder. However, it is important to understand that what appears to be a success or a blessing at times, is simply a temporal illusion. The real reward will be an eternal inheritance that awaits those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ and have repented from sin. When it appears that justice has not been served, rest assured GOD alone has the final word. He promises to right every wrong; His Holy Word says just that.
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King David tells us in the Psalms that “the Lord knows the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be forever.” It is quite possible that the men that killed my cousin may not get the sentence we believe they should get here on earth. Nevertheless, we are told not to envy people who appear to be receiving an award on earth. Our true reward comes in heaven for those who surrender their sin to GOD. May these young men do just that before it’s too late.
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Prayer:

Father thank You that You are the God of justice. Please help me to remember that what might seem unfair to my earthly eyes is all taken in by You. You see all and know all and will bring justice in Your perfect timing. Help me to rest in You and Your judicial hand. We also pray that the men involved in this crime would take responsibility for their actions. Lord You were there; You saw it all, and we ask that You reveal all the facts necessary to bring about rightful justice. If possible I also pray these families can avoid a long drawn out trial. In Your Son’s Name we pray. Amen.
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Challenge:

Keep your eyes on the eternal prize of Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is the One who will bring vindication and truth in all circumstances. Guard your heart against vengeful feelings and resentful attitudes.
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Pam C. 2010

Disappointments

All of us have experienced disappointment at some point in our lives. As children it might have been at Christmas when instead of a Holly Hobbie doll we received a pack of Care Bear underwear. Maybe as a teenager we watched our friends drive off in a Trans Am while we waited for our Chevette to decide to start. Unfortunately, disappointment does not have a season like puberty or menopause. It has no starting or stopping point; it is an ever present aggravation in life.
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Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines disappointment as the ‘defeat or failure of expectation, hope, wish, desire or intention; miscarriage of design or plan.’ In order for disappointment to exist it needs one’s expectation to be placed on another person, thing or event. That presents a problem as people, things and events will always have the potential to let us down. People can always fail or reject us, walking away when least expected. That is not always the case, but the possibility is there because people are fallible. Things can disappoint us because they have been created by fallible humans. Cars will break down, washers will leak, drains will clog, and toys will break. Events disappoint when they do not turn out as expected. Think of the barbecue that gets rained on or the concert that sounds horrible.
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There is One who never disappoints. The God of the universe is never wrong, never late, never hurtful, and never leaves. He is infallible, has perfect timing, and shows His kindness even in chastisement; He is faithful. Do His ways always seem perfect to us? No, but that does not change the fact that He is perfect. Do we ever feel disappointed that He has not answered a prayer the way we wanted? Yes, but that does not change the fact that He sees the end of a thing from its beginning and takes that in account when answering.
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Disappointment is man made; it is not a truth based in the infallible God. When we stop and consider the faithfulness of the God who made us and redeemed us we can put our trust in Him and Him alone. No matter what happens, no matter who fails us the Lord never will. Great is His faithfulness!
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For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38,39
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Prayer:
Father, Thank You for never disappointing me. No matter what is happening in my life, You have promised to be there with me in the midst. You hold me in the palm of Your hand and nothing can separate me from You. Amen.
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Challenge:
Are you disappointed about something? Has something not turned out as you expected or has a friend or loved one walked away or hurt you? Refocus on Jesus, the One who will never leave you or forsake you. Allow Him to take away the expectations you place on others and look only to Him for fulfillment.

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Jen 2010