Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. 

Psalm 27:14 

Why is waiting so difficult?  Even the smallest delays can be bothersome—like a line at the grocery store or the stop at a traffic signal that seems to take forever to turn green.

But then there are bigger challenges when it comes to waiting that truly test our fortitude, and sometimes, our faith. For instance, waiting for that result to come back from the doctor’s office.  Awaiting an answer to an ongoing prayer.  Anxiously anticipating that someone will return to the Lord—or come to know Him in the first place.

If you’re like me, you’ve gone through your fair share of “waiting seasons” too.  And no doubt you also know numerous people who are struggling because of their own experiences in the waiting room of life.  Even as I write this summer message, the list of those I’m praying for is lengthy:

• A friend is waiting for her grandson to have surgery.

• Several other friends are waiting to heal post-surgery.

• A woman I know just got admitted to the hospital because of intense back pain only to discover she has a cancerous tumor, so she’s now awaiting word on what will happen next.

• Another friend just texted that she’s having an emergency scan done for a spot that has appeared on one of her lungs.

I can relate to these health scares since I had one of my own several years ago.  Just as the summer of 2016 was about to start, my doctor handed me a lab slip at the end of a checkup.  As I stood in the hallway outside her office, I glanced at the paperwork she’d given me and saw the word ‘Cancer’ next to a box she’d checked.

Needless to say, that six-letter word rocked my world.  With shaky hands and weak knees, I somehow made it to the lab and collapsed into a chair.  I hadn’t expected anything like this when I’d originally made the appointment to see my doctor.  Sure, I’d had some physical problems for a few months, but I assumed they were something minor.  It would take several more months, many additional tests, and one lengthy surgery before I would be declared cancer-free.  In the meantime, the waiting was excruciating.

I wrote about that summer of waiting in I Choose Peace, and the overall lesson I learned during that long season is what a powerful resource the Lord is during challenging times.  Indeed, I couldn’t wait to dive into God’s Word each day—I needed to read His truths and find new ways to trust in His promises.  Psalm 27 was particularly meaningful, from the very first verse that reads “The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?”

Fear often grips us as we await word about our health or the health of friends and loved ones.  It can also overwhelm us during other seasons of uncertainty, like the economic and social instability we’ve experienced in 2024.  And the global unrest we hear or read about in the news can rock our world too—even as we hope and pray for more peace, now and in the future.

The reality is that life will always be full of ups and downs, just as Jesus revealed in John 16: 33:  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.”

How can we survive those sorrowful times or seasons of wondering what is going to happen next?  And how do we find peace, despite the problems and painfully long periods of waiting for answers? By trusting the One who overcame every challenge of living, including death itself.  The psalmist knew the Lord was the source of help he needed.  Look at his poignant words in Psalm 27:8:  “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming.’”  My friend,  seeking God’s assistance may seem nonsensical to some, but there’s no other way to be “brave and courageous” as we “wait patiently for the LORD” to resolve problems or point us in the right direction (verse 14).

In addition to the earthly turmoil we face, believers are also awaiting the promise of eternal life and an end to the pain we experience in our fallen world. The Apostle Peter offered some sage advice about how to handle this season of waiting:

…we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 

II Peter 3:13-15 

While there are days you and I may be more than ready for the joy of being with Jesus, the Lord asks us to be patient as we await the wonders He has in store for us.  Why? Because He is not only loving but also long-suffering, patiently waiting for countless others to come to know Him as we do.  In the meantime, we have a part to play in this “waiting game”—we’re called to follow the Lord peacefully and faithfully until the day He calls us to our eternal home.

How does the summer of 2024 look for you right now? Are you waiting for answers? Are you hoping for resolution to problems?  Whatever you are anxiously awaiting, remember you’re not alone.  The Lord knows.  He cares.  And, most of all, He’s ready to help you as you wait for the amazing future He has in store for you.

Thought of the Summer

“Blink. That’s the first thing you’ll notice—simply no transition. No bridge from temporary to eternity. No gradual awakening. No strolling toward heaven through a long corridor of light…No spare moment to decide that, yes, it finally is time to consider what God said.” 
From A Life God Rewards by Wilkinson & Kopp

I’ve been thinking a lot about this quote from a little book I try to read each year.  Actually, I find myself mulling the concept over and over, grappling with its reality—firmly based on truths found in the Bible. For instance, Scripture not only talks about every human’s eventual shift into eternity but also about the brevity of life itself:

O Lord, what are human beings that You should notice them, mere mortals that You should think about them? For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow. Psalm 144:3-4, New Living Translation 

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. James 4:14, NLT 

In other words, our existence seems to pass in the blink of an eye—especially in comparison to the expanse of eternity.  But eternity is what God had in mind from the beginning of His creation.  Indeed, we were made in His image (Genesis 1:27), beings with a soul literally breathed into us by God Himself (Genesis 2:7).  While physical death was a reality (note God’s initial warning about this fact in Genesis 2:17), the Lord gave a glimpse of His redemptive plan to provide Jesus as the hope for eternal life (Genesis 3:15).

For me, the decision to accept the gift of salvation that God provides was made long ago.  One Sunday I heard the simple truth that God loved me so much, He sent His Son Jesus as a means of forgiving any wrongs that separated me from Him.  The only step I needed to take is the same for everyone, everywhere: “ …declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead…” (Romans 10:9, NLT).

What happened when I “declared and believed”? Blink, my sins were forgiven.  Blink, I became a member of God’s forever family.

Someday in the future, I’ll experience another Blink moment, the one Wilkinson and Kopp refer to in the quote above.  That’s when, as the psalmist explained, I will “awake in Heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see You face-to-face”  (Psalm 17:15, The Living Bible).  The Apostle Paul confirmed this point when he wrote “we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8, NLT).

Do you have this same confidence?  Do you know for sure, whether you live many more years or slip into eternity today, you’ll be in Heaven, meeting the Lord face-to-face? If you’re uncertain, then why not ask Jesus to save you right now? Follow these steps from Romans 10:9:

1. Pray and let Jesus know you want Him to be Lord of your life.

2. While praying, tell God you believe that He not only sent His Son, but He also raised Him from the dead, proving He has the power over death itself.

It’s that simple.  Once you complete this “declare and believe” process, you become part of the Lord’s family.  But remember, God’s gift must be redeemed this side of eternity.  As Wilkinson and Kopp remind us, after we physically die there will be “no spare moment to decide that, yes, it finally is time to consider what God said.”

While I greatly anticipate the wonders that await me in Heaven, in the meantime I have work to accomplish. How do I know? The Bible is full of reminders about what all believers should be doing before that last Blink moment:

So, you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.  And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life He promised us.

I John 2:24-25, NLT 

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

II Peter 2:9-10, The Message Bible 

Scripture has many more guidelines to help us along life’s journey as we move ever forward to that final Blink. So, stay grounded in His Word.  Connect with other believers—your fellow heavenly family members.  And most of all, live each day with joyful anticipation of all the Lord has in store for you in your forever home.

Thought of the Spring

Sometimes there are people who inspire you, even though they may live far away or not really interact in your daily life at all.  Shala and Ryley are two such individuals, encouraging me and offering hope to countless others around them.  This year they adopted their third child, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to little ones who might never have had the chance to be nurtured in a loving environment like the one this couple is providing. 

I think their story touches me even more during this season as we prepare to celebrate Christmas.  You see, it’s because of Jesus that you and I are given the opportunity to be adopted into God’s family.  We’re welcomed into the loving environment only He can provide, forever changing our destiny—now and always. 

Years ago, a friend shared an adoption story upon which the following tale is based.  I’d like to dedicate it to Shala, Ryley, and so many others who reflect the gift of love that Jesus offers everyone. 

The fragrant aroma of fresh pine enveloped Sandy as she stepped through the shiny glass doors of Marstan’s Department Store.  Stunned by the colorful decorations, Sandy stood frozen in the doorway staring at the glistening Christmas trees that adorned the entrance.  Suddenly, a man behind her cleared his throat expressing his desire to move past her.

“I’m sorry,” Sandy mumbled as she stepped aside.  She then followed a bustling group of shoppers into the festive store.

Despite the cheery atmosphere and the melodious holiday tunes descending from a piano on the second level, Sandy felt depressed.  In fact, she was miserable.  She and her husband, Kyle, had moved to San Diego six months earlier from their hometown in Ohio after he had been transferred to a high tech firm.  She missed her family, especially her sister Marie, her brother-in-law, Nick, and their children.  The holidays would not be the same without them.

But Sandy’s misery went much deeper.  She and Kyle longed for children.  After fifteen years of marriage, no baby had ever arrived.  At forty-two, Sandy realized her chances of conceiving were slim to none.  Indeed, the hot flashes she had been experiencing lately were a sign that none was more like it.  She and Kyle talked about adopting, but then the transfer and move happened suddenly, so they put all other plans on hold.  Kyle had been so patient and loving, especially when her tears erupted at the most unusual times.

‘Oh Lord, why can’t we have a child?’ Sandy had prayed over and over.  She claimed James 1:17 “Every good thing bestowed, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.” Oh, how she longed for this gift from the Lord, but the answer back had always seemed to have been, ‘Wait, just wait.  I have great plans for you.’

Sandy tried to show some of Kyle’s patience, but hers faltered.  She had been a Christian since childhood and tried to live faithfully for the Lord.  She didn’t understand why He wouldn’t answer her prayer.  Lately, she had stopped asking.

“Well,” Sandy said to herself as she continued to wander down the sparkling aisles of the department store,  “at least I have my nieces and nephews to shop for.”

Her sister and brother-in-law had five children ranging in age from four to sixteen.   Sandy was especially close to Sue, the oldest, since she had been the first little one to come into her life.  The children kept Sandy quite busy when she lived in Ohio, what with babysitting, piano recitals, and school activities.

‘Ohio,’ Sandy mused. ‘How I miss it!  There’s probably snow blanketing the ground right now.  Instead, here Kyle and I are in this tropical wonderland where it’s 75 degrees.  In Ohio we have summer days colder than this!  How can they truly enjoy the holidays here?  Why, they even wrap Christmas lights around their palm trees!’

“Sandy, oh SANDY!” a loud, cheerful voice interrupted her thoughts.  Sandy looked around and spotted Jenny Williams waving enthusiastically at her from the boy’s section.  Sandy feigned a smile and gave a mild wave in return.  Jenny Williams was a greeter at The Chapel in the Valley where she and Kyle attended church.  She always had a kind, positive word for everyone.  Sandy liked Jenny, but because she felt so low in spirit, she had been avoiding her.  Somehow Jenny’s happy nature exacerbated Sandy’s depression.

Jenny quickly crossed the aisle, heading right for Sandy.

“Hi,” Jenny grabbed Sandy’s hand and shook it eagerly.   “We missed you at the women’s Bible study last week.  How are you doing?”

“Fine,” Sandy replied, trying to give a pleasant smile.  She felt bad for lying, but her Midwest roots and pride kept her from sharing her problems with Jenny.  Actually, aside from Kyle and her sister, Sandy didn’t really share her feelings with anyone.

From her concerned facial expression, Jenny hadn’t bought the reply.  But she didn’t pry any further.

“I’m glad you found our best department store,” Jenny continued.  “There will be lots of wonderful Christmas gifts for your family here.  I’m sure they will miss you this year.”

Sandy felt a knot form in her throat.  The fact that Jenny remembered her situation out of all the people in their large church touched her.  Sandy nodded and briefly replied, “Yes, I’ll miss them too.”

“Well,” Jenny quickly continued as if to allow Sandy time to swallow her emotions, “I’m sure you have lots to do.  Say, can I call you next week?  Maybe we could go out for coffee or something?”

“Sure,” Sandy answered quickly, relieved that Jenny hadn’t asked any further questions. “I’d like that.”

As Jenny moved away, Sandy maneuvered to the escalators.  Despite her sadness, meeting Jenny had offered a ray of hope.  Maybe she would find a new friend in San Diego after all.

Several weeks passed.  Sandy and Jenny enjoyed coffee together.  Sandy even returned to the women’s Bible study and discovered that others had missed her presence.  With Christmas quickly approaching, she mailed off several large boxes filled with gifts for her family with a little less emotion than she had expected.  She even began praying again for a miracle from the Lord.  “Maybe for Christmas, Lord?  Could Kyle and I just have one precious child to raise?”

The busy rush of holiday activities filled Sandy’s spare moments, but Christmas Day arrived, and there was still no answer to her prayers.  Kyle gave her a beautiful heart pendant, expressing how he loved her now more than ever.  She cried, wishing she had the gift she had longed to offer him.  Kyle, hugging her gently, mistook her tears for those of happiness.

The chime of the phone startled both of them.

“It’s for you, honey,” Kyle grinned as she dabbed her eyes with some tissue. “Marie is on the phone.”

“Hi, Sis!”  Marie chirped, “Merry Christmas!”

“Hi, Marie,” Sandy replied, her spirit lifting at the sound of her sister’s voice.  “How are you all?  Did you get the packages okay?”

“Yes, we got all of the gifts.  The kids are crazy about everything—you always know exactly what to get them,” Marie responded.

“Well, let me talk to the little darlings,” Sandy replied.

“Okay, but Sue wants to talk to you first,” Marie said somewhat hesitantly.  Sandy noted the change in her sister’s tone.

“Is everything okay Marie?”  Sandy asked.

“Uh,”  Marie paused. “We have some good news and bad news to tell you.  But I want Sue to talk to you about the situation first.”

Sandy detected a tremor in her sister’s voice.  What could be wrong?  And on Christmas of all days!

“Aunt Sandy,” Sue’s gentle voice was unmistakable.

“Yes, sweetie.  Is everything okay?  Your mom sounds worried.”

“Well, Aunt Sandy.  I have a big—a big dilemma, and, well, I need your help.  You see—I’m pregnant.”

Sandy gasped.  Kyle glanced up from the football game with a concerned look.  She signaled for him to stay quiet.

“Mom, Dad and I have been talking about this since I found out a month ago.  I can’t raise a baby, Aunt Sandy, and they can’t afford another one.  We wondered—what would you and Uncle Kyle think—I mean, would you both consider adopting the baby?”

Sandy’s hand clenched the phone.  Her heart pounded, and tears began welling up in her eyes.  Could this be true?  Her niece was pregnant, and her family wanted them to have this baby.  ‘Oh, Lord,’ Sandy’s thoughts raced, ‘Could this be what you had us wait for?’

“Aunt Sandy,”  Sue finally broke the silence, “I know you can’t be too proud of me, but the Lord is teaching me a lot of lessons through this.  I know it’s a lot to ask, but . . .”

Sandy quickly interrupted her niece.  “Sue, oh Sue, just wait a moment.  I want to put your uncle on the phone.  I’d like him to hear what you have to say.”

Kyle silently listened to their niece’s story.  He reached for Sandy’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.  As their eyes met, he nodded in response to her questioning expression.  ‘Every good thing bestowed, and every perfect gift is from above’ echoed in her mind.

Sandy knew they were in agreement.  The years of waiting had come to an end.  The Lord had provided a wonderful, unexpected gift.

Thought of the Season

These were His instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.”

Luke 10:2 (NLT)

If I could offer you just one suggestion this harvest season, it would be to read Luke 10 as many times as possible. Why? Because it’s an amazing prescription for many of the problems you and I deal with each day. It also provides an explanation about why we seem to face so many problems in our lives. In fact, here is what Jesus told His followers as they prepared to step out and serve Him in the real world:

“Now go and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.”
(Luke 10:3)

Despite the passage of time, you and I experience a similar scenario today. Like those early disciples, we’re little lambs living in wolf territory! In other words, we have an enemy lurking out there, the one Jesus said He saw “fall from heaven like lightning” (verse 18). And there are also individuals who won’t be interested in our efforts to share about God’s gift of salvation (verse 16).

The latter is probably one of the toughest challenges we will encounter. We wonder why some people with whom we share the Gospel have no desire to accept Jesus as their Savior. Some of these are individuals we care deeply about: family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. In addition, we’re often overwhelmed when we consider that our world is full of men, women, and children who have yet to recognize their need to be saved.

But the prescription for dealing with these problems in our lives is also firmly embedded in Luke 10. Indeed, Dr. Luke suggests four specific strategies we can readily implement:

Pray: The iconic verse, Luke 10:2, reminds believers that our most important calling is to share the Good News about Jesus. So, pray for the wisdom and strength you need to be part of the Lord’s work. Pray for more people to step out into “His fields” and serve along with you. And pray for all those who follow the Lord to remain grounded in our faith and finish life well.

Serve Others: The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) is part of this chapter for a very good reason. It reminds us how we should serve others, just as Jesus did. He helped. He loved. He gave. Remember, in our world there will always be those who are distressed and downtrodden, but “Good Samaritans” will find some way to offer help and hope.

Be Grateful: In Luke 10, Jesus offers up a prayer of thanksgiving to His Heavenly Father. It serves as a beautiful reminder about the importance of focusing on our blessings rather than our burdens. In particular, the Lord tells all believers there’s at least one reason to be grateful each and every day: “because your names are registered in heaven” (verse 20).

Daily Devotion: Dr. Luke’s chapter ends with the story of two sisters—both devoted, but to different things. Martha was overwhelmed by her “to do” list while Mary prioritized time with the Lord. When Martha, annoyed at her sister, went to Jesus with her concerns, He gently replied: “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (verse 42).

While Luke 10 won’t have every answer for our daily dilemmas, it is a good place to start some of that “daily devotion” time. And let’s keep right on reading His Word every chance we get, for it’s full of truths about the Lord of the Harvest—no matter what season of life we’re in.

Many blessings to you this Fall from all of us at Sonkist Ministries!

Thought of the Season

For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the One whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” He always does what He says.  

II Corinthians 1:19 

The smile beaming brightly on her face seemed to light up the room, and all because this two-year-old had heard the marvelous three letter response to her question, “Can I watch Toy Story?” 

“Yes.” 

Now, to be quite honest, I wavered about responding in the affirmative.  During the past month, we’d watched Toy Story so many afternoons following nap time that I almost had the script memorized. Indeed, “to infinity and beyond” and “you’ve got a friend in me” may be permanently embedded in my brain! But Rachel had not only taken a good nap but also had been great all day, so ‘yes’ was a simple reward for her positive efforts. 

I thought about Rachel’s joyful spirit based on my response as I prayed about what to write for this season’s Sonkist message.  That’s when I also came across an incredible verse tucked away in the New Testament. Let’s look again at what the Apostle Paul reveals about such a seemingly simple word: 

For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the One whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” He always does what He says.  

I pondered the concept of ‘yes’ contained in this verse for some time.  Personally, I understand the powerful impact of the word.  After all, who doesn’t like getting a yes versus a no—especially when it comes to something very important to us? 

But by analyzing this portion of Scripture in greater detail, we discover that Paul is sharing a life lesson about the Yes that really matters most. Jesus is the confirmation of God’s promises to and for us. He both affirms and assures that they will come to pass.  Most importantly for His followers, Jesus won’t waiver but rather “always does what He says.” 

This led me to more thinking: what exactly has the Lord said? While there are so many promises found in Scripture, I considered three in particular that have a profound impact on our lives: 

• For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) 
• Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am. (John 14:1-3) 
• Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) 

Friend, this is the real “to infinity and beyond” story! The opportunity to live eternally with God is possible for anyone who chooses to believe in Jesus (this is confirmed again by the Apostle Paul in Romans 10:9-10).  While believers await our eternal destiny, Jesus is preparing an incredible place for us in Heaven—our forever home (a reminder we find again in Hebrews 13:14).  Finally, as our truest of friends, Jesus offers constant companionship throughout life’s journey (John 14:16-17 explains more about the Helper the Lord promises to all of His followers).  

How can we be assured that Jesus will keep these promises?  By virtue of His being “God’s Ultimate Yes.”  Jesus is the One who says what He means—and means what He says. Every time. For all time. 

Oh, may the beautiful season ahead be a time of soaking in all the promises the Lord has for you!  Look for His guarantees tucked throughout the Word, those Truths about what God’s Ultimate Yes is doing—and will do—for you. 

Thought of the Season

God’s way is perfect. 
    All the Lord’s promises prove true. 
    He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection … God arms me with strength,  and He makes my way perfect. 
Psalm 18:30, 32