They That Wait ...

Isaiah 40:31
But 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.

I am reading in the book of Isaiah right now.
I was impressed today with a thought about waiting.

"wait" - to rest in expectation and patience

So often I want to take the easy way.

I am looking for the shortcut.
Think how we gravitate to the prayer of Jabez, 

Hannah's prayer,

the prayer of Hezekiah.
Can I just copy the words and receive deliverance or a blessing?

I want to skip over the successful life of Daniel who prayed morning and evening each day.
I want to ignore Anna's long service in the temple.

God wants righteous consistency from me.
He wants the rest, the patience.

It may not be easy,

but the reward is sure.

Excellence

Perfection is not attainable,

but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

- Vince Lombardi

Keep striving today!

Repeated Actions

• 
  

We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence, therefore,

is not an act but a habit."

Still thinking about righteous consistency ...

I think that this could also define character.

It must become who I am, what defines me.

What is my character?

What do people see consistently in my words, actions, and thoughts?

 

EVERYTHING or WHATSOEVER

The hard part about righteous consistency

is that it requires the right response in every situation.

DUH!

There are just some tasks, activities, ministries

that are not "fun"

Thus the challenge ...

Do it NOW!

Do it RIGHT!

Life is short.

Ecclesistes 9:10 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; 

for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, 

nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Righteous Consistency Defined

I Corinthians 15:58 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, 

be ye stedfast, unmoveable, 

always abounding in the work of the Lord, 

forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Righteous consistency ...

doing the Lord's work without wavering.

A high goal

Word of the Year: Righteous Consistency

Proverbs 21:3 

To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD 

than sacrifice.

Yearly, I have been picking a thought, a word, to direct me, to challenge me.

In 2012, it was contentment.

Would I accept God's plan as best,

regardless of my own plans and desires?

In 2013, it was dependence.

Would I leave my life completely in God's hands?

Would I refrain from trying to "move" God's hands?

Yes, the thoughts were similar ...

I am a tough nut to crack sometimes.

This year, I desire to be steady, consistent, trustworthy ... 

Righteous Consistency.

I want to challenge others by my words, thoughts, and actions.

I want to be faithful in my tasks.

I want to do right.

In many places, the Bible reminds us that God wants obedience - 

more than activity,

more than outward show.

I want that kind of obedience!