There are many things I don’t understand—some of which I do not care to understand.As someone said,” I don’t understand how a black cow eats green grass, drinks blue water, and gives white milk”, but that’s okay. I don’t need to know. I don’t understand who wouldn’t enjoy watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset, but that’s their business. But the mother of all mysteries to me is this–How does a Christian not love the Bible? I didn’t say “believe”, or “admire”, or “debate”. I said “love”. How can a child of God not love to read and study the Word of God? I just don’t get it.

I realize that we are all different, and what appeals to one might not appeal to another. We all like different things. What is delight for some is drudgery to others. But when it comes to the Bible, how could anyone not be interested? It answers questions that can’t be answered anywhere else. The Bible does things that nothing else can do. It can soothe the soul, calm the mind, enlighten and encourage the heart, and lift the spirit. It is sufficient for all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). the more you read it the more you want to read it. When you get in the Word the Word gets in you, and transforms your life. The Bible is a treasure beyond measure! It is more than enlightening, educational, and encouraging, it is essential. It is more than interesting and inspirational, it is an imperative. It is alive and life giving. It does what nothing else on earth can do. It is God’s message to man, the means whereby the Creator communicates with the creature. And you’re not listening?

J. I. Packer said,”If I were the devil, one of my first aims would be to stop folk from digging into the Bible”. Dear friend that is exactly what he has done in the lives of many people. We seem to have forgotten that Satan’s initial attack on man was to undermine the truth of God’s Word (Gen. 3:15). Once he created doubt regarding what God had said it was all down- hill for man. Even so, many today cannot conquer Satan, control self, curtail sin, or cope with their situation simply because they fail to study the Bible. They live in defeat because they take no delight in God’s Word. They see no need for the thing they need most. They have no appetite for that which is more important than their daily bread.

A person can survive without a lot of things, but God’s Word isn’t one of them. When you cut off communications with God you sever your life line. I can understand not wanting to do a lot of things, but having no desire to communicate with God is something I don’t understand. That makes no sense to me. For the Christian reading God’s Word should be as natural as breathing or eating. It is a delight as well as a duty. It is not something we do because we must, but because we may. Thank God for that!

For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him– Gen.21:2

Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was well past her child-bearing years when Isaac was conceived.

It is evident that no one was more surprised by this event than Abraham and Sarah themselves. Sarah even says, shortly afterward, “Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age” (7).

It truly was an amazing and unthinkable blessing, that God would help Abraham and Sarah to see, even in their old age, fruitfulness.

But many elderly men and women today seem equally surprised at the possibility that God could use or bless them, when they seem to be past the most fruitful, and productive, and energetic years of their lives. But, while God may not give them the ability to bear children at 100 years old, God is still able to use them mightily and joyfully in His kingdom.

Perhaps you don’t have the strength you used to have. Perhaps you don’t feel as useful in the church as you once were. But there are still prayers to be offered up, grandchildren and great grandchildren to be taught the ways of God, and encouraging phone calls and visits to be made.

God can make you fruitful, even in your old age. Sarah was so shocked by this revelation, she literally giggled with glee. She said, “God has made me laugh.” May you find the joy of godly usefulness, even in old age.( From “A Good Thing”)

He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.–Ecc. 11:4

Did you read the story of Kyle McDonald? He took a red paper clip and kept trading up in value until in less than a year he bartered for a three bedroom house. Now that’s making “something out of nothing”! But it wasn’t actually “nothing”, it was a red paper clip that someone wanted. And Kyle was willing to make an effort to improve his situation.

It is sad to see so many people who feel destined to failure because they feel they have no unusual gift or talent. They feel so disadvantaged that they don’t even try to make something out of their lives. Not seeing any potential they make no effort. Few there be that realize that what a person makes of their life is up to them. To reap a harvest they must sow the seed.

Perhaps you feel unequipped to ever do anything noteworthy or great– so you do nothing. Maybe you feel that your circumstances are such that things will never change for the better. But, with God’s help amazing things can happen. If you saturate your heart with God’s Word, surrender your life to His will, seek His wisdom, and serve in His work you can become a success in the truest sense of the word. If God can take a handful of nothing and create everything, there is no limit as to what He can do with you. He can take a nobody and make them a somebody, as He did with Moses.

I’m not advocating trying to become a “somebody” in the worldly sense. It’s not about you, or me. It’s all about God, and becoming the servant He wants you to be. That makes you as important as any person on earth. That’s all God ever wanted from you. Forget about trying to be famous. Stop worrying about where you are on the social ladder. Just be faithful to do God’s will. That’s success.Your weakness, lack of ability, etc. doesn’t stop God from using you. In fact He is looking for people just like you ( 1 Cor. 1:26-29). Stop making excuses and commit your life unto the Lord.

“–Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not My will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

“–Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Acts 9:6

The first condition of consecration, must always be entire readiness to accept God’s will for our life. It is not enough to be willing to do Christian work. There are many people who are quite ready to do certain things in the service of Christ, who are not ready to do anything He might want them to do.

God does not send us two classes of providences — one good, and one evil. All are good. Affliction is God’s goodness in the seed. It takes time for a seed to grow and to  develop into fruitfulness. Many of the best things of our lives — come to us first as pain, suffering, earthly loss or disappointment — black seeds without beauty — but afterward they grow into the rich harvest of righteousness!–J. R. Miller

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:11

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.—Phil. 4:19

This is one of the verses that has sustained me over many years and through many hard trials. It is a tremendous truth, a precious promise, and an awesome assurance. And God has never failed to deliver what I needed when I needed it. And He isn’t through.

God never gives all He has to give. Regardless of how much He gives more remains–the storehouse of His grace never lessens! His supply is never depleted. We receive “according to His riches”, not “out of”. regardless of how much He gives there is always more. He has no less today than He did when He spoke the world into existence. God’s goods are infinite and inexhaustible. He is the one and only Self-sufficient God who never lacks. His supply is never exhausted and His concern never wanes. Whatever your need, He knows, He cares and He can help. The One who has no need is committed to meeting your needs.

However, although God is a gracious giver He is not a foolish Father. He gives what we need not what we want. We cannot take this promise out of context and apply it indiscriminately. This promise does not allow for foolish and frivolous spending, nor to non-Christians or disobedient Christians. It is conditional upon our obedience to His commands. This promise was given to kind generous Christians who met Paul’s needs. The Philippians were obedient in their obligation to God and His servants– thus the precious promise. God meets the needs of those who meet needs.

Notice also that this applies to “all your need”, not just certain ones. There are no exceptions. Whether the need is physical, material, emotional, or spiritual, God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think–“(Eph. 3:20). There is no need God can’t meet. But, remember this, although this promise pertains to every need it does not apply to every person. Only a child of God in the will of God can claim this promise from God. If that describes you, you can put your head on your pillow tonight and rest assured that you are being cared for by the Greatest Giver–God Himself. Meet His conditions and He shall supply “all” your need. Our response to this glorious truth should be the same as Paul’s when he gave  this great doxology, “Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen”! (Phil. 4:20). Make that your chief concern and you can live with confidence that God will take care for you–regardless of circumstances.