"We don't like to wait. We're the giddy-up generation. We frown at the person who takes eleven things to the ten-item express checkout. We drum our fingers while the microwave heats our coffee. 'Come on, come on, come on!' We don't like to wait.

"But look around you. Do you realize where we sit? This planet is God's waiting room. The young couple? Waiting to get pregnant. They guy with the briefcase? Waiting for work. Waiting on God to give, to help. Waiting on God to come. This is the land of waiting.

"And you? Are you in God's waiting room? You may be infertile, or inactive, in limbo between jobs, or in search of a house, spouse, health, or help. Here's what you need to know while you wait, God works. God never twiddles His thumbs. He never stops. Just because you're idle, don't assume God is. Trust Him. In the right time, you'll get through this."

******

Just for fun some quotes, comments, and puns taken from the Side Notes of the June/July issue of OUR IOWA magazine. The Note are found on the vertical margins in the magazine.

"A perfect summer day is when the sun shining,
the breeze is blowing, the birds and signing,
and the lawn mower is broken."

*

"What sunshine is to flowers,
smiles are to humanity."

*

"The best way to cheer yourself up
is to cheer up somebody else."
~ Mark Twain

*

"Before you flare up at any one's faults,
take time to count to 10 ---
10 of your own."

*

"There are friendships imprinted in our hearts
that will never be diminished 
by time and distance."

*

"My grandkids believe I'm the oldest thing in the world.
And after 2 or 3 hours with them,
I believe it too."
~Gene Perret

***

Let's pray for the CHURCH:

I Kings 8:10 -11 NASB

"Jesus, we pray that Your Presence would be saturated with Your Glory."


"We plead that Your Presence would fill the churches so that people will be drawn into and saturated in the experience of Your Presence in Your Church. That Your Word would be clearly and courageously taught ad obeyed. We pray that our lives will be a faithful testimony of Your Goodness and would be known by our love as we live to give You glory."

PRAY THAT:

* Churches would be houses of prayer; overflowing with prayer throughout its weekly services and in the lives of every believer.

* All Pastors would be deeply rooted in the Word of God and would preach the Word of God with love and courage to guide and shepherd their flock.

* Pastors' marriages and families would be strengthened, appreciated and supported not criticized and exhausted.

* Every believer would understand that they have been called to pray, love, and share the gospel as laborers in the mission field of the places they live,work, learn, worship and play.

(Colossians 2:6 - 8; Ephesians 4:11 & 12)

***

As clear as a news article in today's newspaper is Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling Enjoying Peace in His Presence: for June 5:

"Remember You live in a fallen world:  an abnormal world, tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with Joy.

"I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good desire, which I alone can fulfill. But most people ask seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly pleasures or achievements. Thus they create idols, before which they bow down, I will have no other gods before Me! Make Me the deepest desire of your heart. Let Me fulfill your yearning for perfection."

( Exodus 20:3; Psalm 17:4)

***

Installment #2 of Side Notes, in the vertical margins, from the June/July issue of OUR IOWA magazine. Side Notes generally feature quotes, quips, and general humor. This publication had a number of good ones:

"Keep your fears to yourself,
but share your inspiration with others."
~ Robert Louis Stevenson

*

"Real discipline is when you can pick strawberries
without eating them."

*

"If we did the things we are capable of,
we would astound ourselves."
~ Thomas Edison

*

"Many people enjoy cooking --
especially when someone else is doing it!"

*

"When the solution is simple,
God is answering."
~ Albert Einstein

*

"If you can't feed one hundred people,
then feed just one."
~ Mother Teresa

***

PURSUE GRATITUDE
By Max Lucado

"If you feel the world owes you something, brace yourself -- you'll never get reimbursed. Henry Ward Beecher said, 'A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.' The sky's never blue enough, the steak isn't cooked enough, the universe isn't good enough to deserve a human being like you.

"Pursue gratitude. The grateful heart is like a magnet, sweeping over the day, collecting reasons for gratitude. Thank you, God. Your lungs inhale and exhale 11,000 liters of air every day. Thank you, God. For the jam on the toast and the milk on the cereal and the blanket that calms us and the joke that soften us and the warm sun that reminds us of God's love. Gratitude leaves us looking at God and away from the dread. It does to anxiety what morning sun does to valley mist:  it burns it up!

"Thank you, God.

******

Recently I received a three-fold brochure in the mail titled
"From Victory to Victory
THE POWER OF LIVING IN CHRIST'S Finished Work".

The seven exchanges at the CROSS

Christ's finished work on the cross has caused a great exchange in our lives. Meditating on these will build our confidence in what Jesus has done for us:


Exchange our sinfulness for Jesus righteousness.
GRACE
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

Exchange Adam's curse for Abraham's blessed life.
GRACE
Galatians 3:13 - 14 NASB

Exchange our rejection for Jesus' acceptance.
GRACE
Isaiah 53:3 NIV

Exchange our sickness for His health.
GRACE
Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

Exchange our shame for His glory.
GRACE
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Exchange our poverty for His abundance,
GRACE
2 Corinthians 8:9 NASB

Exchange our death for His life.
GRACE
Romans 5:12, 17 NIV

****

National Day of Prayer, held each year the first Thursday of May, this year on Thursday, May 7, was organized differently this year due to social distancing.

The verse:  "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."  ~ Habakkuk 2:14 NIV

:Pray God's Glory Across the Earth" was the title of one of the brochures, asking people to pray for:  church, government, family, education, business, military, and media.

Installment # 6 of 7, undoubtedly written before the corona virus, protests, and riots.

Let's pray for the  MEDIA!

JOHN 7:18 NASB

"Lord, our Creator, we pray that sound, scripts, and screens would be filled with Your glory."


"We pray, praise You, and give You thanks. You gave us the beauty of this world in sunsets and the sea, flowers, mountains, and in every person made in Your image. You give us gifts and talents that we steward for Your glory. Keep our hearts and minds filled with light as we choose the voices we listen to and the images we watch."

Pray:

* that all of those who work in Hollywood, New York, Atlanta, and on every set, studio, and stage in between, would know that Christ-followers are praying for them;

* that Christ-followers would not be another critic in their lives who seeks to tear them down, but that we would be able to speak truth with love that draws them near to God;

* that the truth and talent given by God and glorifying God Will fill the screens, stages, scripts, stations and songs of our nation.

* that art, entertainment and media would draw people closer to God as the first and consummate artist and Creator and would give God glory for and with their talent."

(1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:8; Psalm 119:9)

***

"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future He has called you to share.
I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ's have been given to Him!
I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe Him.
It is the same might power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place on honor at God' right hand in heaven, far far above any other king or ruler or dictator or leader."

~ Ephesian 1:18 - 21 LAB 

**

Bible Commentary:  "Having been raised from the dead, Christ is now the supreme head of the church, the ultimate authority over the world. Christ is the Messiah, God's anointed One, the One Israel longed for, the One who would set their broken world right. 

"As Christians, we can be confident that God has won the final victory and is in control of everything. We need not fear any dictator, nation, death, or Satan himself. The contract has been signed and sealed, we are waiting just a short while for delivery. Paul says, in Romans 8:37 - 39, that nothing can separate us from God and His Love."

*******

If this isn't something that happened to you, chances are pretty good that you know someone who did.  Written by Max Lucado

I am reading a small book titled 'Praying Grace:  55 Meditations and Declarations on the Finished Work of Christ".

Here is one (in part):

"Enter HIis gates with thanksgiving, go into His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation."

~ Psalm 100: 4 & 5 NLT

Look Into the Face of Love

"There are many strains of Christianity that seem to delight in portraying God as a fierce, wrathful Judge-King searching for reasons to disqualify His subjects from receiving any of His blessings.......looking for opportunities to dole out punishments.

"Here is wonderful news:  He is, above all, a Father---a good Father----He finds great joy in blessing His children. When we approach the throne as believers, and look into the face of the mighty One, we find nothings but perfect love there.

"It's true. God's wrath against sin has been spent. It was poured out upon His on Son at the cross."

"Father, I thank You that You are love personified and that You delight in blessing me. You have opened the eyes and ears of my spirit and reveal Your goodness to me. So, I enter Your throne room joyfully and with a heart filled with gratitude.

"I declare today that when I look into Your face, I see love acceptance, and kindness there. I worship You. And I make my requests known to You in confidence. You are good. Your unfailing love and unwavering faithfulness continue forever, from generation to generation."

****

Final installment from the National Day of Prayer; #7 of 7 - THE FAMILY!  A very important building block of any culture.

National Day of Prayer, is held each year the first Thursday of May, this year on Thursday, May 7, was organized differently this year due to social distancing.

The verse:  "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."  ~ Habakkuk 2:14 NIV

:Pray God's Glory Across the Earth" was the title of one of the brochures, asking people to pray for:  church, government, family, education, business, military, and media.

Ephesians 3:14 - 19 NASB

"Heavenly Father, we pray that you will extend an expand Your glory through our families as we dwell in You."

"We pray that You strengthen marriages so that husbands and wives would remain faithful to You and to one another. We pray that parents would love and nurture their children spiritually in Your word and ways as well as lovingly providing for their physical, emotional and mental needs."

PRAY:

* that husbands and wives would love and respect one another with faithfulness and ever-growing devotion for one another and God.

* that families would pray, read, and study the Bible, worship, and serve together, building one another up in faith, love, hope, and truth.

* that children would grow up in safe and supportive homes filled with the love and principles of Jesus and that they will respect and love their parents.

* that God would head the wounds of abandonment and abuse; that all people would know that they are loved. May every person live in the abundant life and divine destiny authored and perfected by Jesus.

(Ephesians 5:22-33; Mark 3:25)

***

This is taken from our ecumenical Bible study this week. The past couple of months about two dozen of us have met each Wednesday morning via Zoom.

We looked together at "God's Love" written by Kia Stephens. Amazing how we are told repeatedly about how much God loves us but we forget. We live in a rough and tumble society that doesn't feel much like 'love' at times.

Stephens took her thoughts from Genesis chapter 16. Ahram and his wife Sarai had been promised a son by God. Both of them were up in years and not much was happening. They hit upon a plan:  give Abram Sarai's maid servant, Hagar, to bear them the promised child. 

All went pretty well until she was actually pregnant. Sarai was jealous of that new status!  So Sarai beat her and sent her away.

But God sent an angel to be with Hagar. God's love is never lost to Hagar; nor the rest of us.

Here is where our study began:

"1.  We are noticed by God.  He went and found Hagar for her benefit.  He finds us, too.  He may be finding us through a podcast, a YouTube video, the radio, a devotional, a Bible study or His word.  God is relentless in His pursuit of us.
 
2.  We’re heard by God.  He’s listening to us.  Our every cry, our concerns, our gripes, our prayers.
 
3.  We’re blessed by God.  Sometimes God will swoop down and save the day and rescue us, but sometimes He will choose to sustain us right where we are, in the pain, in brokenness, in the mess.  Sometimes God will sustain us right there.
 
4.  We are restored by God. Those painful circumstances that God allows in our lives, He can turn them around for our good.
 
5.  We are seen by God.  No matter where we find ourselves in life, we can be certain that the God who created the universe sees us.  He loves us and is intimately concerned about every single detail of our life.  Though suffering exists, God’s love is evident in the midst of it."

In case, you forgot: God love YOU and ME today! His imperfect, stumbling, mumbling children!!

**

A couple of Bible verses from Psalm 84, talking about worshiping in the Temple. And the advantages of being in God's presence together.

Good news as we begin to re-open our churches. With various restrictions or ways to worship after being a part for a number of weeks.

Bible Commentary:   "The writer longed to step outside the bustling world and meet God inside his holy Temple. We can meet God anywhere at any time, but we know that going into a church building helps us step aside from the busy mainstream of life into a place where we can quietly meditate and pray. We find joy, not in the beautiful building, but in the praying, singing, teaching, preaching, and fellowship that take place there."

"Do you recite your woes more naturally than you do heaven’s strength?  No wonder life’s tough.  You’re assuming God isn’t in this crisis.

"Isabel spent her first three and a half years  in a Nicaraguan orphanage.  As with all orphans, her odds of adoption diminished with time.  And then the door slammed on her finger!  Why would God permit this innocent girl to feel even more pain?  

"Might He be calling the attention of Ryan Schnoke sitting in the playroom nearby?  He and his wife had been trying to adopt a child for months.  Ryan walked over, picked her up, and comforted her.  Several months later, Ryan and Christina were close to giving up, and Ryan remembered Isabel.  Little Isabel is growing up now in a happy, healthy home.

"A finger in the door?  God doesn’t manufacture pain, but He certainly puts it to use.  Your crisis?  You’ll get through this!"

*****

What's not to like from Sarah Young's thoughts written and published in book form, or mine is a daily flip calendar, "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence"?

They are all good; this is today's:

"Open your hands and your heart to receive this day as a precious gift from Me. I begin each day with a sunrise, announcing My radiant Presence. By the time you rise from your bed, I have already prepared the way before you. I eagerly await your first conscious thought. I rejoice when you glance my way.

"Bring Me the gift of thanksgiving, which opens your heart to rich communion with Me. Because I am God, from whom all blessing flow, thankfulness is the best way to draw near Me. Sing praise songs to Me; tell of My wondrous works. Remember that I take great delight in you; I rejoice over you with singing."

~ Taken from Psalm 118:24; Psalm 95:2; Zephaniah 3:17

***

Some words of wisdom from Mother Teresa's "Heart of Joy".

Who can't use some of her wisdom and heart today?

Psalm 91 was Jim's aunt Jessie Shupe's favorite chapter of the Bible.

Theme:  "God's protection in the midst of danger. God doesn't promise a world free from danger but He does promise His help whenever we face danger.

Verses 1 - 6:  "We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.

"This I declare that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety, He is my God, and I am trusting Him. For He rescues you from every trap, and protects you for the fatal plague. He will shield you with His wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don't need to be afraid of the dark any more, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning."

Bible Commentary:  "God is a refuge, a shelter when we are afraid. The writer's faith in God as Protector would carry him through all the dangers and fears of life. This should be a picture of our trust---trading all our fears for faith in Him, no matter what kind of fear it may be."

****

Virus. Pandemic. Spread. Social Distancing. Infected. Quarantine. Vaccine.

Some of us might get it others. Many others probably not. We wait for researchers to get a vaccine to help bring us back to normal.

There is another 'virus' that affects us all. And it starts from the day we are born. It's called 'living in this world'. Some call it 'sin'. Highly contagious. 100% infection rate. 100% death toll.

But God!

God knew what the 'pandemic' would cause and He did something about it: 

He knew the infection rate and the destruction it would cause. But here's the trigger, we have to 'believe' so we will 'not perish'. Jesus is the 'vaccine'.

Our question should be:  Have we taken the vaccine (Jesus) to protect ourselves? What about our family? friends? others?

Thank You, Jesus, that we have You as our 'vaccine' and we are free from death and are walking on to eternal life with You!