Reluctant Retiree

In His final days Jesus gave His disciples very specific instructions. Though these instructions were simple, they seemed unbelievable. Jesus told them to go into the city. He said that they would find a man who was carrying a jar of water. They should follow this man and speak to the master of the house asking him to show them a room for the disciples and Jesus to eat the Passover meal. Jesus said that the man will show them a large upper room furnished and ready for them.

Mark 14:16 says, “And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” This was not an unusual occurrence for the disciples. Jesus often gave them simple, but very specific instructions. And they always found that the circumstances and events were exactly as Jesus had told them.

Test God’s Word and you will find that everything will be just as He has told you. His promises remain true today just as they were when they were recorded hundreds of years ago. The truths are fixed by God and will never change. Salvation and redemption can be yours by trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

I live in a rural agricultural area, but I know little about growing and harvesting crops. I do know that good soil is required to produce the best quality and most abundant crops. Without good soil to receive and pass on nourishment, seeds cannot produce the fruits intended by the farmers.

Luke 8:15 says, “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” When God seeks to plant His Word in you, receive it with a good and honest heart. He promises that you will then bear the fruit of godliness and goodness if you do so patiently.

I often hear people ask God for wisdom when they pray. The problem comes with what we do after we pray. Do you move ahead with a decision and actions or do we wait for the wisdom we requested and for God to move ahead of us? Faith means that we wait upon God for wisdom and answers to prayer. God promises that we we do wait in faith He will do awesome things.

Isaiah 64:3-4 says, “When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” Our God does awesome works on our behalf, even works that we cannot see. All we need to do is ask and wait for Him to move, which is faith.

When we go into a government office or a business, we expect certain things to happen. We expect them to have the power and authority to do what we are asking them to do. And we expect them to follow through on their words and promises. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen and difficulties do arise.

Psalm 89:8 says, “O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O Lord, with your faithfulness all around you?” God’s might and power is above all others. Put that together with His faithfulness to His Word, to His promises, and to us and we most certainly have a God in whom we can trust.

We are a people that likes to acquire. Most of us work hard to provide for our families and get the things that we believe make life enjoyable. We try to be kind to people and help them when we can. But generosity is not often in our thoughts. We want to protect what is ours and believe that God helps those who help themselves. God has a different plan.

II Corinthians 9:11 says, “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” Every time you help someone, give to someone, and do something generously and unselfishly you are written in God’s story of grace to the world. According to God’s plan, those who give generously will also reap generously and those who give sparingly will also reap sparingly. Everything belongs to God, who created all things. We are simply stewards of what He has given us, and He intends that we be generous with our time, treasure and talents. So find ways to be generous with what has been entrusted to you.