Making God Smile

 

         What is a smile?  A smile is simply, a frown turned upside down.  Smiling is such an easy way to make yourself and others feel good.  Don't we all want to make God smile and feel good about us?  Pleasing God is the most effective way to make God smile.  When we trust, obey, honor, follow and serve God; God is pleased with us.

          What does psychology have to say about smiling? Whether your smile is genuine or not, it can act on your body and mind in a variety of positive ways, offering benefits for your health, your mood, and even the moods of people around you. 

          5 Acts of Worship That Make God Smile [Purpose Driven Life, R. Warren]

1] God wants us to love him supremely.

     God loves us more than anyone else ever will.  The greatest commandment comes from when a Pharisee lawyer asked Jesus a question in Matthew 22:36-38  " “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment."  So, when we love God with all of our being, He surely smiles on us.

2]  God wants us to completely trust in Him.

     Psalms 147:11  "The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."  God smiles when our faith is in Him.  Hebrews 11:6  "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."  Noah's trust in God went above and beyond a normal sense of trust in building the ark; trust without knowing of what rain was b/c God irrigated the earth from the ground up before the Flood, trust because he lived hundreds of miles from an ocean and had no way to transport the ark, and trust in gathering and caring for all the animals that went on the ark.

3] God wants full obedience from us.

     John 14:15  "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."  God wants complete obedience, not partial or delayed obedience.  God wants us to follow all of the Bible, not pick and choose the verses we like.

4] God wants continual praise and thanks given from us.

     Hebrews 13:15 "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."  Like all of us, God likes adoration and appreciation for all He has done, is doing, and will do for us.

5] God wants us to use our abilities.

     2 Corinthians 5:9 "Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him."  God enjoys all aspects of us, except sin.  He created us for His will and purposes.

            

          "God has given his church this great dignity now, and in the days to come: We are the smile of God to one another, that we might know, and the world might see, that even in our suffering and pain, “it is good to be near God”"  [desiringgod.org]

 Psalm 73:28  "But for me it is good to be near God;  I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." 

          As for myself, sometimes I just have to do as the old cliche says and 'grin and bear it' or smile through the pain.  Yes, I want God to say to me with a smile at the end of my life's race, "Good job, my faithful servant!"  I think some people expect me to be all smiles all the time and life just isn't like that.  Heaven is the place of no more sorrow, not Earth.  “Smiling doesn’t always mean you’re happy. The most beautiful Smile is the one that struggles through Tears.” [unknown]  I hear at some funerals, "oh, they never complained or fussed about anything", well I know that won't be said of me.  I know I don't smile as much as I used to, but that doesn't mean I don't have much to smile about because I do.  I think God is smiling more about me now, because I know He is first in my life now and my choices reflect Him more and more.

Wisdom in the New Year

 Proverbs 8:11 "“For wisdom is better than jewels;  And all desirable things cannot compare with her."

          Is having or seeking 'wisdom', a part of your New Year's resolutions?  Wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true or right.  You can have knowledge--information gained, without wisdom.  Knowledge can be knowing about something, whereas wisdom is knowing it's proper usage.

          Wisdom is a gift from God.  James 1:5  "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."  "God blesses us with wisdom in order for us to glorify Him and use the knowledge we have of Him." [gotquestions.org]

           We learn of  'the fear of the Lord being the beginning of knowledge' in the book of Proverbs and that 'fools despise wisdom and instruction'.  " To fear the Lord is to start on the path to knowledge, and God can then begin to provide us with wisdom through Christ, who the Bible says is wisdom itself.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption”  [gotquestions.org]   1 Corinthians 1:30  " And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,"

          " Wisdom is the fitting application of knowledge. Knowledge memorizes the Ten Commandments; wisdom obeys them. Knowledge learns of God; wisdom loves Him."

           Wisdom changes the course of your life, from the world's destructive path to Jesus' freedom giving path.  Psalms 16:11  "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."

6 Characteristics of a Wisdom Driven Life

1] Joy-- the gladness you have from knowing God has given you meaning and purpose in your life.

2] Confidence-- the strength you have from knowing God is with you and by your side at all times.

3] Worth-- the value you have by knowing God's love for you is everlasting and unconditional, as your Lord and Savior.

4] Peace-- the serenity that comes from knowing God is working all things out for your good, as a believer in Jesus Christ.

5] Maturity-- based on the Lord's transformational work of forgiveness, renewal, and growth.

6]Blessing-- God pours out all of his grace and goodness into your life.

 

          

Waiting On The Lord

          Aren't we all waiting on some prayer request from our Lord?  We often hear, wait and see how God will move and answer your petitions to Him.  Even while you wait, take heart.  God is trustworthy, never slumbers, and has your best interest in mind.  Just because you can't see His work happening, doesn't mean He isn't actively at work on your behalf.  Trust Him in your journey.

          We have been waiting a lot the past few years.  We've waited in quarantine due to covid, waited to return back to regular job offices, waited to visit family and friends due to illness exposures, waited for kid's to return to school, and waited for our own personal requests that we long for. 

          What does 'waiting on the Lord' really mean?  The word “wait” is translated from the Hebrew word “qavah”  and it means, according to Strong’s Concordance:  To hope in, look for, expect, eagerly look for, lie in wait for.  Waiting doesn't mean a do-nothing attitude.  We must be pro-active during our wait with prayer, reading the Word, and listening for His voice of guidance.   This action is an exercise of faith with an eager expectancy and anticipation. We must be patient in our wait and not give up in our asking of the same request.  1 Thesselonians 5:16-18  "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

        According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia found on Blue Letter Bible: "The most important and frequent use of the word “wait” is to define the attitude of a soul God-ward. It describes eager anticipation and yearning for the revelation of truth and love as it is in the Father.”" 

          Sometimes,  we wait with fear or worry because we have our own idea of how we want something to work out, not necessarily trusting in the Lord’s plan for how it should work out. We have envisioned our ideal outcome and we fear God won’t line up with our will.  We won't worry or fear the outcome, if we trust and know God is always working for our good because we believe in Him.

           In our wait, we should make sure that our will aligns with God's will.  By studying His Word,  direction for our steps can be provided and we can know both His will and the heart of God .  Isaiah 55:8-9  "“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts."

Benefits of Waiting on our Lord

1.  We avoid having to go through further pain-- Sometimes God makes us wait for the storm to pass, so we can travel safely ahead later. 

2. We can experience the fullness of His blessings-- Sometimes waiting involves getting what He intends best for us.

3. It increases our faith-- When we see the results of our patience in waiting on God, then our faith grows.  As our faith grows, so does our relationship wth Him.

4. It's a witness to others-- Others are always watching to see how God is working in your life.   How we wait, respond, and react to Him and His works serves as a testimony of quieting our flesh and seeing how God will move in our lives.

          As for myself, I honestly don't pray ceaselessly about certain things, but just resign those things as God's will for me.  It's not that I don't think He's big enough to change those things, like my CMT, but I believe He designed me with it and has purpose in it.  So, I wait for the day that I'm truly free from it and all it's misery.  Until then, I will rejoice about all the other things God has blessed me with.

        

          

Everyone?

 

         I've started rereading the book, "Suffer Strong", because living with a disability in this physical world calls for encouragement.  We are all disabled in some way, seen or unseen.  We can't do this life on our own, we need each other and most of all, we need Jesus.

     The Bible was written and given for all peoples of this world.  The only condition to the reference of 'everyone' is that they believe in Jesus, as their Lord and Savior.  For example in Acts 10:43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”"

        Who is 'everyone' to you?  Does it only include those who look like you, dress like you, or act like you?  'Everyone' is every other human on this planet.  Exclusions to 'everyone' are man-made discriminations and are from an ugly heart. 

         Often as part of the disabled community, we aren't always
included in the 'everyone' part of society. We may get overlooked, because someone feels too awkward to say 'Hi' or to even give a friendly nod.   We may have to go through the back door of a restaurant to get to our table, because there's not another accessible way to enter.   We may get a child's menu at a restaurant, because assumptions take over about size, stature and ability.  We often have to prove ourselves to others; as physically able, mentally fit and not an idiot.

       As for myself, I've gone thru different stages of disability throughout my life.  I am the same person at any stage of life  and I have confidence in that, but the discriminating people of my world see me differently.  To them I say, "Shame on you!"  They are not better than me, but are in a different place in life--for now.  I struggled for years pushing myself in my leg braces, but now I am in some ways wheelchair-bound but mostly I am wheelchair-free.  I go more places than most people, because my wheelchair allows me to go further than I could ever walk.  Jesus has promised that disability is only a temporary part of this life. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 "  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. "  Yes, there are difficult times for all of us, seen as disabled or not, but how we respond to those times is the most important character trait of all.

       I challenge you to consider who fits into the  'everyone' in your life.

My Comfort

 

     Yesterday in my daily reading, I came across a verse that spoke to my heart.  Psalms 119:50  "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."

     David's comfort here is the word of God.  Also the word 'comfort' is found in Job 6:10   "At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One."  We can find encouragement, solace and comfort from Scripture in all our circumstances in life.  The Holy Spirit not only speaks to us as believers, but guides us on our journey.   "What the Word has already done is to faith a pledge of what it shall yet do."

     From Matthew Henry's commentary, "    Here is David's experience of benefit by the word. 1. As a means of his sanctification: "Thy word has quickened me. It made me alive when I was dead in sin; it has many a time made me lively when I was dead in duty; it has quickened me to that which is good when I was backward and averse to it, and it has quickened me in that which is good when I was cold and indifferent." 2. Therefore as a means of his consolation when he was in affliction and needed something to support him: "Because thy word has quickened my at other times, it has comforted me then." The word of God has much in it that speaks comfort in affliction; but those only may apply it to themselves who have experienced in some measure the quickening power of the word. If through grace it make us holy, there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions, under all events."

     " In the season of affliction, and in the silent hours of the night, he remembers the name of the Lord, and is stirred up to keep the law. All who have made religion the first thing, will own that they have been unspeakable gainers by it."  [kingjamesbibleonline.com]

     As for myself, I do draw more and more from God's Word as I grow progressively weaker.  It makes me view the world in a different light and perspective.  To long to be absent from this body and to be with the Lord is my new prayer and wish to come.  The Holy Spirit helps me hang on, knowing God's timing is perfect for me.  The Bible gives much to look forward to and to let go of, as the affliction gets harder and harder to bear.  Phillipians 3:7-14  "Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Revelation 21:3-4  "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

Unnoticed

 

     Have you ever thought about how God feels about going unnoticed and unrecognized for all He has does for us?  

     One might think about how the the stay-at-home mom feels, who does countless things throughout the day to keep the house running but often goes unappreciated.  Without her work and efforts, there would be chaos.  She deserves a thank you and a spotlight of recognition.

     Jesus, however, deserves all honor and praise from us for everything!  From our very being to the promise of eternity and everything in between.  He covered every one of our sins, biggest to smallest, on the cross.  He sustains us, protects us, comforts us and most of all, loves us more than anything or anyone can.  Praising God helps us recall His goodness that never ends.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your steadfast and unchanging love. 

Psalm 67  verses 1-5

May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face shine on us—

 so that your ways may be known on earth,

your salvation among all nations.

 May the peoples praise you, God;

may all the peoples praise you.

 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you rule the peoples with equity

and guide the nations of the earth.

 May the peoples praise you, God; may all

     the peoples praise you.

 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

God's Benefits

 Psalm 103:2

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits"

      Does your prayer life or daily talk with God ever leave out praise?  We can often be filled with desires, wants and needs from God, but forget to praise Him for his abundant goodness.  We are so blessed by Him everyday that we should give Him ceaseless thankfulness.  

          In Psalm 103, David tells himself to 'bless he Lord' six times and 'not to forget all of God's benefits'.  This blog is a reminder of the godly benefits that we sometimes forget or overlook in our lives. "The Lord’s “benefits” represent all the good things the Lord provides to aid or promote the well-being of His children."  [gotquestions.org]

          In Deuteronomy, Moses warned the people that forgetting God's benefits and goodness was the first step to spiritual destruction.   Deuteronomy 4:9  "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

God's benefits are too numerous to count, but here are a few....

Psalm 103:3-6  "He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.  He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly."

How wonderful to be cleared of all our wrongs!  How great is it to know that death isn't a fear and his love is fullof grace and mercy.  How awesome will it be to have our youthful energy and vigor again.  How great will it be to have our wrongs against us by others to be truly righted.

Colossians 1:13-14  " For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom* and forgave our sins."

How wonderful is God's forgiveness and that Jesus paid the painful price for our wickedness.  We are set free from our sin debt and can live in God's kingdom.

Psalm 63:3-4  "Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you, as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands."

How awesome is God's mercy and grace that it is better than the life we know. We should honor God all the days of our lives, as long as we have breath.

Psalm 103:8  "The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

How wonderful is God to be so patient and understanding with His children and shows His love over the course of our lives.

Hebrews 2:1-3  " Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

Paul warns us of not forgetting what we know to be true from all the evidence given to us, regarding our forgiveness and salvation.  God's will has allowed us to  know all we need to know for now, and that's enough.

As for myself, I can see, in hindsight, how much God has blessed my life in so many ways.  My trust in Him has been proven over and over.  Therefore, I fully trust Him with my future and eagerly await joining and walking with Jesus in eternity.

           

            

Lord, I Need You

 

     Have you ever felt like your walk with Christ has hit a slump or even a detour and you feel a little lost?  God hasn't walked away from us, but we are the ones who have loosened our grip on His hand.  This is normal, because we are human.  This can happen for many different reasons: maybe you feel overwhelmed by unanswered prayers, maybe jealousy of others has got you feeling bitter, maybe others have made you feel leel left out of the body of the church, or for whatever reason that you feel that you're walkng life's journey alone.  You are not, God will never be the one to walk away.

       "God is and will forever be for you and not against you. Through the deepest trials, know that Jesus is with you and that He has already won the toughest battles for you. He asks that you simply trust in Him and know that He has always been there for you." [christiantoday.com]

     Romans 8:31-32  "If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

      Romans 8:31-32, This verse gives us hope, not that we will always prevail, but that our eternal destiny and the love of God are secure. Though we may sufn'ter, we will not be destroyed. No matter how bad things seem, we must remember that “God is for us;” He loves us deeply. We are His children.

     As sufferers in this sinful world, when we don't walk closely with Jesus then we miss in engaging in all He has planned for us.  Christians are reminded that to be in Christ means we have “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”   Galtians 5:24  " And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

     As for myself,  you've probably noticed that I haven't written a blog in quite a long time.  I just haven't felt like encouraging others, when the struggle to encourage myself is hard enough.  When we get in a rut, it's important not to stay there.  God has provided us resources to encourage us out of those deep valleys.  Others can tempt us to sin with their anger and unrighteous ways, but we have the ability to respond in the right or wrong way. I know I need to listen and follow the Holy Spirit within me, more than my flesh  I have been encouraged by sermons from my church and the summer bible study with my friends that I've had here in my home.  God is never the one to distance himself, we are the guilty ones.  I always feel better, when I'm hand and hand with the Lord.  The world is always trying to tempt and distract me off the path that God has planned and set out for me.

     

God Is For Me, Not Against Me

 Romans 8:31-32  "If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

     "God is and will forever be for you and not against you. Through the deepest trials, know that Jesus is with you and that He has already won the toughest battles for you. He asks that you simply trust in Him and know that He has always been there for you." [christiantoday.com]

     Romans 8:31-32, "This verse gives us hope, not that we will always prevail, but that our eternal destiny and the love of God are secure. Though we may suffer, we will not be destroyed. No matter how bad things seem, we must remember that “God is for us;” He loves us deeply. We are His children."

     I want to show by examples in my life, how God has gotten me through some basic things that most people take for granted.  Sometimes the struggle has been real, but whether big or small, God has provided.

     As I went thru the drive-thru of a fast food restaurant with a friend the other day, I was reminded of my past struggles with this task.  When driving alone and getting hungry, I used to write down my order, go up to the menu speaker, say nothing, then go up to the pickup window, and give the confused worker my order.  I never really encountered a problem, just a bit of confusion.

     

     

     

A Job-Like Life

     Have you really ever thought about the life of Job in the Bible?  Most of us have learned that life is not only difficult, but often unfair.  So, was true of the life of Job.  He was definitely quite blessed, but there also came a time of definite hardship, suffering, grief and pain.  

      Eugene Peterson said, "It is not only because Job suffered that he is important to us.  It is because he suffered in the same ways we suffer-- in the vital areas of family, personal health, and material things.  Job is also important to us because he searchingly questioned and boldly protested his suffering.  Indeed, he went 'to the top' with his questions.  It is not the suffering that troubles us.  It is the undeserved suffering. "  [Charles Swindoll]

      Job was once an extremely wealthy man, full of prosperity, a godly gentleman, a fine husband and a faithful father.  In just a short time, he was hit with destructive calamities that were of no fault of his own.  Soon, he was left homeless, bankrupt, childless, and helpless.  He was urged by his understandably grief-stricken wife to turn his back on God and to curse God for what he had allowed to happen to Job.  Job 2:9-10  "His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

     Job's faith is an exemplary example of trust in God, no matter how difficult his circumstances became his trust never wavered.  He knew and believed in God's character; of goodness, love and trustworthiness.   Is your faith in God that steadfast?

     "Job realizes his pain was not permanent. With God, there is a way of escape. The suffering of this life is temporary and will end for those who trust in the Lord. After this life, there is eternal life with God in heaven for the believer. In fact, Jesus came to offer eternal life to all who would believe." [gotquestions.org]

     Many people can relate to Job's suffering on the page, but when you really endure it yourself then it becomes more real.  Did Job have caregivers to help both him and his wife out at home?  Who helped their children in the dying process?  Who took care of the living animals and the carcasses, as Job laid in bed in pain?  Did friends donate money to help their financial burdens, like food, utilities, or basic needs?  Job's story is more than just about him, but also about how other's responded in a 'love your neighbor' way. 

     "In short, Elihu condemns Job’s friends and Job’s claim of being without sin, declares God’s justice, condemns Job’s attitude toward God, and exalts God’s greatness.

     Elihu’s life and speech offer many insights for today. First, he dealt with the real issues of the situation rather than looking at the situation from a human perspective. Second, he emphasized God and His greatness rather than focus on a human response to problems. Third, he responded with respect, allowing others to speak first before offering his own response. These traits can help us today as we seek to understand why God allows suffering and as we attempt to help others who face suffering."  [gotquestions.org]

     As for myself, I have been greatly blessed in my life in a lot of ways like Job's life was.  Thru different life circumstances I, too,  have been stripped of physical health, material wealth, and independence.  I've had stressful family issues, in which some led to loss of loved ones.  Suffering involves much more than temporary physical pain.  There is an enlightenment in which I have seen God's hand working in my life.  Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  This verse is so true in my life and it helps me to trust him even more on those hardest and darkest of days.  Psalm 118:1  "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

     

Worth The Effort-Part 2

 

     So, last week's blog kind of went in a different path than my original intent.  This week I want to follow up with verses that God uses to encourage us to put in the effort, when we doubt doing so.

Psalm 119:28

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

Galatians 5: 13-15  "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

Galatians 5:17  "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. "

Galatians 6:9-10  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Hebrews 10:23-25   "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

     All of these verses, spur off of the command to 'Love one another' and to continue on.  As long as we have breath from God, we are to fulfill His plan thru the works that He gives us the opportunity to do.  We will doubt and grow weary, but He will sustain us thru His Word.  Finish your race strong.