In every believer’s journey, seasons of waiting test us. Testing our trust in God, our patience, and our character. Psalm 27:14 writes “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Waiting is not wasted time. It shapes character and builds endurance that quick victories never provide. Abraham waited for the promise of a son; Joseph endured years in prison before restoration. Their waiting wasn’t empty—it became the space where God’s faithfulness was proven. The Lord uses these pauses to renew our strength, just as Isaiah promised: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

During the silence, faith matures. Waiting forces us to surrender personal timelines and trust God’s higher wisdom.

You may feel your prayers are unheard, your dreams postponed, or your path unclear. Remember, God works in the waiting. Trust Him to shape your present—He never forgets His promises and never forsakes His children. What looks like a delay is often a divine preparation.

Lord, help me embrace the waiting where my faith is refined. Quiet my restless heart, remind me that Your timing is perfect, and teach me to trust Your promises above my plans. Fill this pause with Your presence, and renew my strength as only You can. Amen.

There is an expression used by people who modify cars for racing when describing a car someone has put more work into making look good, than making the car faster, they say, “all show and no go.”

This sounds a bit like what Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 4:19-20 where he writes, “But I will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” He was concerned about some of the people in the church at Corinth putting more into sounding good than actually doing.

We need to reflect on our own lives in this light, making sure that we are actually living the lives God desires, not just talking.

Dear Lord, living by God’s power as Paul describes it, means surrendering to God’s will, and letting his power work in us. Help us think about how this applies in our lives, and put it to work. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Psalm 40:4 says, “Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who trust in idols.”

I think a modern day description of the “proud or those who trust in idols” may be, “the brilliant people and their awesome technologies.”

I am as fascinated as anyone by the incredible discoveries being made by brilliant people, and the amazing technologies they are developing. For some people following these smart people and their technologies can become like worship. It is important for us to remember to put our trust in the God who created these people and the wonderful inventions. As the verse says, our joy comes from putting our trust in the Lord.

Dear Lord, thank you for the brilliant people you put in the world, and for the amazing technologies they have developed for us. Help us remember to put our trust in you as you work through them to bring us joy and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I think we are all familiar with the account of Jesus feeding the 5000 with five barley loaves and two fish, recorded in each of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In addition to the fact that Jesus performed this miracle, I think there is a message in how He went about it.

John 6:11, says, “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.”

I think one lesson, for us, is found in Jesus’ actions. He didn’t explain how He was going to feed all these people, He just thanked God for the things he had to work with, and then got started with belief for success.

So often we have trouble believing in God’s power to make things happen, because we cannot explain how it can be done. What we need to do is, accept that we don’t know how God will resolve things, just thank him for the resources we have, and move forward in belief that God will provide a solution.

I like the quote from Arthur Ashe, the Tennis Pro in the 1970’s, who said, “Start where you are, Use what you have, Do what you can.” I would add, “Believe in God’s power.”

Dear Lord, You can do anything, we just need to believe, be thankful and move forward. Help us really trust your power to answer our prayers, especially when we don’t know how it can be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Most of us are caring and courteous people, and probably reluctant to impose our views on others. As a result, we tend to have difficulty accepting that there is only one way to be saved. What does the Bible say?

Paul tells us in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

And in Romans 10:9 he tells us, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Jesus Himself says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

This doesn’t mean that we then run around like a bull in a china shop telling people how wrong they are. Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

And 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”

We are to demonstrate God’s love and grace through our actions, so that we become a magnet for Jesus, not a judge.

Dear Lord, You saved us and are the one way to eternal life. Help us each be a light that draws people to your way, to Your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.