Why do we put time limits on God?

  Why do we put time limits on GOD?  It's true whether we want to admit it or not.  If things don't happen in our time, then we think it will never happen at all.  We pray for our lost loved ones in such a way as if they will be saved right then and there but we give up hope on them and God when things don't happen immediately.  We begin to think, "Well, they will never get saved, they'll never get in church."  We pray and ask God to save them; for him to plant a seed then we walk away aimlessly thinking "Well, God, I've done my part-now it's your turn."  That is true....to an extent.  You see, praying for our lost loved ones is the very first step, an obligation as a Christian so to speak. However, if we don't put any actions behind our prayers then things may not play out as they are supposed to.  We are supposed to nurture the lost people, show them God's love.  SHOW them GOD'S LOVE.  SHOW THEM GOD'S LOVE!  Praying isn't the only way to bring in your lost loved ones, it is merely a stepping stone.  We get to the point to where when things aren't happening for us, we give up.  We start praying the prayer of repetition-the prayer of repetition is meaningless.  Once you hit that spot where prayer becomes a habit (going through the motions type of thing), just something you do because you are supposed to then you aren't accomplishing anything.  You don't pray for people because you feel as though you have to.  If you don't have the love and true desire in your heart for your prayer then you won't get anywhere. Your prayers of repetition become as old bread; stale, crumbled and dried up.  Just because we pray doesn't mean anything in a sense. It is the prayers that are prayed out of love that mean the most.  We may pray for YEARS before anything happens, but don't give up, don't stop praying, don't stop believing, don't start praying just so you can say you prayed today.  The Bible tells us that Daniel prayed for 21 days before God answered him.  Daniel chapter 10 verse 12 says "Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before God, thy WORDS WERE HEARD, and I come for thy words." We have to have faith! Sometimes, we don't give people a fighting chance.  We are so negative and think people will never come to know God wholeheartedly (we even think this about our OWN LOVED ONES at that!) Who are we to think such things?  We don't know what God's plans are-only he knows, and we most certainly are not better than ANYONE else just because we are a Christian.  God gave us grace, somebody prayed for us, and EVERYONE is entitled to that very same thing! If we pray without ceasing as the Bible teaches us to do then things will happen IN GOD'S TIME!  It isn't the amount of words you pray, it's HOW you pray them.  Not the quantity but the quality.  Quit putting time limits on God's work!  Just because we pray for it earnestly (as Daniel prayed) doesn't mean things will happen any quicker, but the longer we wait, the more joyous it will be when God does answer that prayer!    

The love of money is the root of evil, but the love of God is eternal!

  One of the biggest lies you probably feel like you were told growing up is that money, essentially does NOT matter.  As children, you believe that as long as you have your family, you are alright, doesn't matter how much money you have.  However, when you become an adult, you quickly realize how much money it takes to be a responsible adult...and believe me it is NOT FUN. The truth is, money is the root of all evil, the Bible tells us this in  1 Timothy 6:10 (For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.) You see money is like candy, the more of it you have, the more you want. The "worldly" truth though is that money makes the world go 'round.

  "As long as you have love, that's all that matters", "As long as you have love, you have it all", and finally, "Love is all you need" are some of the sayings I used to hear growing up.  You know what though?  Love isn't building me the house I want, love isn't buying me the car I "need" and it most certainly isn't paying the health insurance or phone bill every month.  It just doesn't feel like love is doing an awful lot for me other than giving me the emotional and physical connection I need between me and my husband.  My mind is constantly telling me we need more, more money..for whatever reason it may be that seems logical at the time.

  However, I have come to a realization.  In the past, I always thought when someone told me that "Love is all you need"; they were talking about the genuine love of a husband.  That if I had the love of a great man, then we could go far, didn't matter how much money we had. To an extent those people who would tell me that was right, all except one thing.  They were right about love could take me far no matter how much money I had, except it's not the love of my husband that can do this....It's the love of Jesus. The LOVE of all LOVES.  The love of a husband is a mighty and powerful thing, but the love of God is even greater. The love of Jesus paid it all, it was the love that covered a multitude of sins. 

  You see, love really is all you need if you have the love of Jesus.  The love between a husband and wife will carry you a long ways in life and it will help you overcome many obstacles along the way, but lets face it...that kind of love really isn't providing the things you need (material) in this walk of life.  Jesus said that he would never leave us, nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.)  If you have Jesus living within you, his love truly can give you all that you need, even when you have no money and you are down to nothing.  Jesus' love has already bought you everything that you will ever need.....and that's EVERLASTING LIFE.  We are bought with a price...the price of the blood that Jesus shed.  He paid the ransom for us so we could have a chance to get to Heaven. The only thing he asks us to give him in return is to worship and serve him. 

  Don't let the troubles of this world bring you down, trust in Jesus.  He takes care of the fowls of the air and the fish of the sea (Matthew 6:26-"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than they?") and he promised he would take care of you and me.  I will finish with this, 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."  Jesus loves you and will provide your every need, not your wants, but your true needs...and that my friends is a love that no amount of money could buy.