September 8, 2026
Life is discipline. Preparation is the advantage we control. Persistence and patience prepare us to give the best of ourselves to a job, a class and even parenthood. God is gracious and prepares us to understand discipline. He trains us through prayer, reading the Word and through following the path of Jesus. Of course we can ignore Him. We can choose not to prepare and we then live a Plan B lifestyle. Not the life God designed for us. When we choose to stay busy in the world, not setting aside a private and precious time with God, we miss the time He had planned for us to be together. We miss that peace He pours into us; we miss the palpable touch of His love, and we miss the tender words He speaks that lead us to our destiny. The loss is great.
The idea of expanding our tent stakes, of adding to our mission and our call can be daunting. If we thought we were busy before God asked us to expand, how will we accomplish with even more on our plates? That is the beauty of living a God-filled life. We grow exponentially as we obey His call. Hours and days stretch with our needs as we follow His voice. We move forward, stretch as we’re asked to stretch wholly believing God will meet us at the need.
Waiting on the Lord is a real thing. A very real thing. God pours out blessings but He also pauses to teach us the things we are slow to learn. With Ice Chips Candy, God has blessed us abundantly. Currently, we are in a period of waiting. Of restarting some things and trusting God to redeem others. Like Abraham, I know God’s promises, I trust His care and willingness, and I believe we will see every promise come to pass.
Faith is how we wait upon the Lord. It is imperative we know God’s heart, that we know He wants good things for us and He ALWAYS keeps His word. We will never doubt His fulfillment of His promises once we understand God’s character. He is not a man that He should lie. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” We cannot grow weary waiting on His promises! He won’t be early or late. His timing is perfect.
Lord God, Help me develop more discipline. Please. Let me find no rest at the end of the day when I have left undone a task You assigned to me. Discipline, persistence, satisfaction and joy fill me with delight when I rest with all my ‘God To-Dos’ neatly checked off. Sometimes I imagine Your library, Lord. Books none of us can say we’ve read. How I would love to sit with You for tea. Earl Gray? Spearmint? Like Tuesdays with My Father. Help me fill my tank with thrilled excitement to do Your will. May no joy overtake me that is greater than pleasing You.
Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 2 Thessalonians 2:3