The Plumbline

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. (Psalm 138:3 NLT) Does it seem to you that 'as soon as you pray' is really a bit longer than 'as soon' as you pray? I have left prayers at the altar for quite some time, not really seeing the answer to those prayers. The thing I need to remember is that "with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8). Could it be possible that my timing is really being measured by my time and not his? If God says he answers as soon as we pray - he does! If we are honest, we have set expectations as to 'when' and 'how' we want God to answer. The things set in motion when we pray may not be seen, though. We may not understand the 'how' because we don't understand the mysteries of the heavens. We may not appreciate the 'when' because we are judging God by our view of time and not his. Did you ever stop to consider that the str...

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  (I Corinthians 13:7) I don't know who needs this today, but the words that popped in this passage today were 'love never gives up'. There are times when all we want to do is throw in the towel and just call it quits. It could be in a relationship, a job, some adventure you got yourself into, or even a dream that you have always wanted to see fulfilled. Love never gives up - never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures - regardless of the circumstances, our lack of whatever it is we need at the moment, or how hard the pressure seems to be 'in the middle of the muddle' we call life. Does that mean whenever we want to give up, we need more love in our lives? No, it just means we turn to the one who loves us beyond our understanding of his love. We turn to Jesus and ask him for whatever it is we need at the moment - to continue with purpose, power, and persistence. ...

  15  Patient persistence pierces through indifference;    gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses. (Proverbs 25:15) Indifference is really a condition of the heart and mind in which a person has determined that they have little interest or concern.  Another term we use that is quite similar to indifference is the term "mediocrity".  There are some telltale signs that someone is pretty much indifferent, or that they have "settled" for a position of mediocrity in their lives.  An indifferent individual might look like this: - Apathetic to the needs of their life or those of another - Calm, cool indifference in the face of what would cause uneasiness or apprehension in others - A seeming absence of emotional connection with others or circumstances around them When you hear indifference described that way, you might think of an individual who struggles with frequent periods of depression, but they are not the only ones that experience this kind ...