A minister’s sermons or bible studies need to be practical and relevant. If what we learn from them is something we can’t use and apply to our own lives, then we’ve wasted God’s time as well as that of our listeners. I try to always keep this in mind when I’m seeking the Lord concerning the studies or messages He wants me to bring to His people. I remember sitting in on one particular bible class where the teacher taught extensively about an ungodly worldly lifestyle, particularly focusing on the evils of the movies, dancing, and drinking. He was very thorough and informative in applying the appropriate bible verses and stories. The only problem was that his audience was fully comprised of nursing home residents. It would have been a stretch to expect any of them to be able to even stand up and go dancing and drinking somewhere. Most of them probably never leave the nursing home to begin with.

       Sometimes, members of the audience will remember a funny story or illustration the preacher used more than the main message itself. Such was probably the case last Sunday in church when Pastor Mike shared a funny personal experience. He agreed to take his six and seven year old grandkids swimming recently. When he told them that they could not go into the deep water with the rest of the adults they started whining and complaining. Suddenly, a thought popped into his mind and he yelled out to them: “McDonalds!” That did the trick. Pastor Mike was wise in injecting that God deals that way often with His children. When He denies them something, He gives them something better. As did Bro. Mike’s grandkids, we sometimes want something that is not good for us, something which may even be dangerous. We may even do what James wrote about in his letter to the church. James 4:3 reads: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

       Does the point which Pastor Mike presented apply to you? Are you presently upset with God because He has not yet answered a special petition of yours? May I remind you that He always wants the best for His children? If He didn’t give you what you asked for it just may be that He has something so much better. Think about this: Do you know of any genuine child of God who can honestly say that the Lord let him or her down? The truth is that God has never let any of His children down and He’s certainly not going to start with you. I pray you will have the same confidence in God Paul exemplified when he wrote: “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

God’s promise for today: (Proverbs 4:12) “When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.”