I saw a movie the other night on television (I don't remember the title). The star of the film was down and depressed and his friends were trying to encourage him. One man told him, "Get back into the race." His response was, "I have finished my race." I said to the television screen, "You have not; you are still alive."

In 2 Timothy, Paul knew his life was coming to an end and he told us, "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished my course." As long as you are still alive, you can get back into the race and run again. Your race is not over until you breathe your last breath.

If you believe God is through with you; if you believe you have committed such a great sin that God cannot forgive you, put your hand over your heart. If it is still beating, God is not through with you! He still has a plan for your life. If He still has a plan for your life, then He must have a plan for you to receive forgiveness, come back into fellowship with Him, and get back into the race God has for you. Once you die and go to heaven, you will become one of the witnesses in the grandstands of heaven cheering for others in the race they are running. Until then, make the most of every day.

When crossing the Sea by boat, the disciples became upset by two things. First, they were afraid the boat would sink in the great storm arose. Second, they were upset Jesus would sleep in the boat instead of being concerned as they were. Both fears came from the same source. They did not listen or believe the promise of Jesus before they left the shore. Jesus told them, "Let us pass over to the other side." He did not promise they would have no problems as they crossed, nor did He promise they, with their own effort, would have to try to make it. Jesus simply told them they would all make it to the other side. On that promise, Jesus went to sleep.

Resting on God's promises is one of the goals of the Christian life; it is one of the great indicators you have grown and matured. God is looking for believers He can trust with more of His grace and spiritual riches. The Israelites did not succeed because they were filled with unbelief. God wants us to learn not only from their example, but also from the disciples on the ship. If God promises to bring us through, it is not up to us to worry or be concerned for the promise. It is up to us to believe it and rest on it. So, fluff up a pillow of a promise and rest!

A few of those pillows are:

• My God shall supply my needs according to His riches in glory.
• If God be for us, who can be against us?
• Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them from them all!
• All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

Rest on God’s promises today!

Paul told us the day is about to dawn and the night is far spent. In other words, the dawning of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus is coming soon and the dark time of Satan's rule is about to come to an end.

I don't know about you, but I sometimes get weary of the news reports slanted so much toward all that is wrong with our country, our government, our leaders, the Church, and morality. I know it is still the devil's world, even though he was defeated so soundly at the resurrection of Jesus. I know demons are still free to roam the earth and I know Christians have authority over them. However, even knowing all that, my heart still cries out for the return of the Lord. I want to see the consummation of all things occur.

I don't believe I am alone. Not only do many Christians feel the same, but Paul told us all nature is groaning under the pressure of the curse brought on by Adam's rebellion in the garden. They too are looking forward to the day of the return of Jesus with His saints so they can be removed from their bondage of corruption. The Church and all creation form a chorus singing out, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.” I am not discouraged in the meantime, just anticipating more each day the final phase of our salvation and our release from Adam's transgression.

How about you? Do you feel the same? As good as life is, as many blessings as we have in this earth, cannot even be compared with what is waiting for us in heaven. Maybe Jesus will come before this day is over!

Matthew 13:46:

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

I have heard it taught that Jesus is the pearl of great price, yet He is not. Jesus is the merchant man who sold all he had to buy the pearl. The Church is the pearl of great price. Jesus said He would "build" His Church. A pearl is one of the greatest comparisons to the building of the Church because it is a gemstone which is also built. All other gems are formed in the ground, but the pearl is built in the sea, and the sea is a type of all nations of the world.

A pearl begins with one small grain of sand upon which layers are built until the time it is lifted from the oyster to be cleaned, polished, and worn as a valuable piece of jewelry.

The Church began with one stone, the Lord Jesus, and we are being built on Him, one believer at a time. The time is coming soon when the pearl will be taken from its place to be adorned by the Lord Jesus Himself. We will be removed from our place at the rapture of the Church. At that time, we will be taken to heaven, fashioned into the bride of Christ, and will enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb. Isn’t it good to be a part of God's precious pearl, the Church of Jesus Christ?

Isaiah told us the importance of waiting on the Lord in many portions of his book. In chapter 40, he told us those who wait on the Lord would renew their strength, exchange their human strength for His divine power. In chapter 49, he told us those who wait on the Lord would not be ashamed or embarrassed. Those times when we choose to be quiet and hear His infinite wisdom come into our heart, is waiting on the Lord.

When we patiently live our daily lives between asking in prayer and hearing God answer is also waiting on the Lord. Those times can be frustrating, but also the best moments of our Christian walk. It is during those times God develops patience in us, which is the main ingredient in our maturity. Maturity is the objective of the Christian life.

Waiting can be frustrating. What do we tell our friends when they want to know why we are not doing something about our situation? What do we tell our family? What do we tell our coworkers? People do not understand what it means to wait on the Lord. Often what seems simple to the flesh—take back your possessions, chase down your children from the world and bring them home, sue the person who maligned you, or beat them up with your fists—can be opposite to God’s plan. Until the answer arrives, we need to wait patiently on Him.

What is your problem today? Give it to the Lord and let Him keep it. Experience what it is like to turn your worries and self-effort over to the Lord. You will feel freedom from the weight and experience joy once again