📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 13–14 | Galatians 2 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 13 God’s Mercy in the Midst of Decline 2 Kings 13 unfolds during a period of continued spiritual decline in the northern kingdom of Israel. King Jehoahaz follows the sinful pattern established by Jeroboam, leading the nation away from wholehearted devotion to the Lord. As a result, God allows Syria to oppress Israel, demonstrating once again that persistent disobedience brings painful consequences. Yet even in judgment, God's mercy shines through. When Jehoahaz humbles himself and seeks the Lord, God hears his prayer and provides deliverance. Although the nation has repeatedly turned from Him, the Lord responds because of His covenant compassion. He remembers His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and refuses to abandon His people completely. The chapter reveals that God's discipline is never intended simply to punish but to bring His people back to Himself. His mercy continues reaching toward them despite their repeated failures. The narrative then shifts to the final days of Elisha. As the prophet prepares to leave this world, King Joash visits him seeking guidance. Elisha gives him a symbolic act involving arrows, demonstrating that God is willing to grant victory over Syria. However, when Joash strikes the ground only a few times instead of fully obeying the prophet's instruction, he limits the extent of the victory God intended to give. This moment illustrates that faith often determines the measure of our experience of God's blessings. The Lord was willing to grant complete victory, but the king's halfhearted response reflected limited confidence in God's promise. Even after Elisha's death, God's power continues to be displayed. A man is restored to life after coming into contact with Elisha's bones, demonstrating that the Lord's power did not end with His servant's earthly ministry. God remains alive and active even after His faithful servants have finished their work. Theologically, 2 Kings 13 reveals God's persistent mercy toward undeserving people. It also teaches that God invites wholehearted faith rather than hesitant obedience. The chapter reminds us that God's power never depends upon human personalities but upon His own sovereign presence. This chapter points to Christ, whose resurrection power brings eternal life. Unlike Elisha, whose ministry eventually ended, Jesus lives forever. His resurrection power continues transforming lives, offering complete victory over sin and death to all who trust in Him. For believers today, 2 Kings 13 reminds us that God remains merciful even when we fail. He invites us to seek Him with wholehearted faith and trust His promises completely. In Christ, we are called to pursue Him without reservation, believing that His power is sufficient for every battle and His grace is greater than every failure. 2 Kings 14 The Blessing and Danger of Success 2 Kings 14 records the reigns of Amaziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel, revealing both the blessings of obedience and the dangers that often accompany success. Amaziah begins his reign by doing what is right in the sight of the Lord, though not with complete devotion like David. His early obedience brings stability and military success as God grants him victory over his enemies. However, success gradually gives way to pride. Rather than remaining humble and dependent upon the Lord, Amaziah begins to overestimate his own strength. After experiencing victory, he challenges the northern kingdom to battle. His actions are driven by self-confidence rather than God's direction. The king of Israel wisely warns Amaziah against unnecessary conflict, using a parable to expose the danger of pride. Amaziah ignores the warning, proceeds into battle, and suffers a humiliating defeat. Jerusalem is plundered, its walls are broken down, and the king's confidence is shattered. The chapter reminds us that pride often follows success when gratitude and dependence upon God are neglected. The narrative then shifts to Jeroboam II, whose reign brings territorial expansion and prosperity to Israel. Surprisingly, God grants these blessings despite the nation's continued spiritual rebellion. His kindness reflects His compassion for a suffering people rather than approval of their sinful practices. The Lord delays judgment because of His mercy, giving the nation additional opportunity to repent. Throughout the chapter, God's sovereignty is evident. He raises kingdoms, grants victories, and allows defeats according to His purposes. Human success is never independent of His hand, and earthly prosperity should never be mistaken for spiritual health. Theologically, 2 Kings 14 teaches that success becomes dangerous when it produces pride instead of gratitude. It also reveals God's patience and mercy, demonstrating that He often shows kindness even to those who do not deserve it. Yet His blessings should lead people toward repentance rather than greater self-reliance. This chapter points to Christ, who perfectly modeled humility despite possessing all authority. Unlike Amaziah, Jesus never allowed success or power to produce pride. Instead, He humbled Himself completely, becoming obedient even to death on the cross. His kingdom is established not through self-exaltation but through perfect submission to the Father's will. For believers today, 2 Kings 14 reminds us to remain humble during seasons of blessing and success. Every victory we experience comes from God's gracious hand and should deepen our dependence upon Him rather than increase our confidence in ourselves. In Christ, we are called to walk in humility, giving Him glory for every blessing while continually seeking His wisdom and direction. True greatness is found not in self-exaltation but in faithful obedience to our Lord and King. Galatians 2 — Justified by Faith in the Christ Alone Galatians chapter 2 continues Paul's defense of the true gospel by showing that the message he preached was fully affirmed by the other apostles and centered completely on the Christ, the Son of God. The chapter confronts one of the greatest dangers facing the early church—the temptation to add human works to the finished work of the Christ. Through both personal testimony and direct confrontation, Paul demonstrates that God's redemptive plan has always been based upon grace received through faith rather than human effort. The chapter begins with Paul describing a meeting with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Rather than discovering disagreement, they recognized that the same gospel had been entrusted to all of them. The unity they shared was not built upon personal preference or tradition but upon the truth of the Christ. This reminds believers that genuine unity is always centered on the Son of God and His gospel. Christian living flourishes where believers are united around the truth rather than divided by human opinions. A significant issue arises concerning attempts to require additional religious practices as necessary for salvation. Paul firmly refuses to compromise because doing so would undermine the freedom believers have received through the Christ. The redemptive plan cannot be improved by human effort. The Son of God has already accomplished everything necessary for salvation through His death and resurrection. To add requirements to His finished work is to diminish the sufficiency of His grace. The chapter then records a public confrontation between Paul and Peter. Peter had been living consistently with the truth of the gospel but later withdrew from fellowship with Gentile believers because of fear of criticism. Paul recognized that this behavior communicated a false message about the gospel itself. Christian living requires consistency between what we believe and how we live. The Christ calls His followers to stand for truth even when doing so is difficult. This confrontation was never about personal rivalry but about protecting the purity of the gospel. The redemptive plan unites believers from every background into one family through the Son of God. Any behavior that rebuilds barriers which the Christ has removed contradicts the very message of salvation. The theological center of the chapter is the declaration that people are justified by faith in the Christ and not by works of the Law. This truth forms the foundation of the Christian life. The Law reveals humanity's need for salvation, but it cannot produce righteousness. Only the Son of God can declare sinners righteous because He alone fulfilled the Law perfectly and bore its penalty on behalf of humanity. Christian living begins with this unshakable foundation of grace. Paul then explains that believers have been united with the Christ in His death and now live through His life. The old life centered on self has been crucified, and a new life has begun through faith in the Son of God. This is one of the clearest descriptions of the believer's new identity. The redemptive plan not only forgives sin but creates an entirely new way of living through the power of the Christ. The chapter concludes by affirming that if righteousness could be achieved through human effort, the death of the Christ would have been unnecessary. But because salvation comes entirely through God's grace, the cross stands as the complete and sufficient work of the Son of God. Every believer rests securely in what He has accomplished rather than in personal performance. Throughout this chapter, the Christ remains the center of everything. He is the source of justification, the foundation of unity, the giver of spiritual life, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The gospel neither begins with grace and continues through works nor mixes divine grace with human achievement. From beginning to end, salvation is the work of the Son of God. For believers today, this chapter calls us to stand firmly upon the truth of the gospel. Christian living is rooted in faith, not performance; in grace, not legalism; and in the finished work of the Christ, not our own efforts. We are reminded that our identity is found entirely in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. As we live by faith in Him, we experience the freedom, unity, and transformation that His redemptive plan was designed to produce. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

Mark 3:10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. What would you do? If you were in a crowd that was listening to Jesus. You had heard the stories that Jesus healed a leper, a man with a shriveled hand who was made whole, a demonized guy now with a sound mind, the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years who was healed after touching the hem of his garment, story after story. Would you be so rude to push your way towards Jesus to touch him and ask for forgiveness later? Why did the Father send Jesus to the earth? Jesus said I come to do the will of the Father (John 6:38). For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17) Jesus went around teaching, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) This would mean what He did then, He still does today and tomorrow. So, what are you doing today to push your way to get closer to Jesus? Read your Bible, think about the verses you read. Jesus frequently said "Your faith has made you well".

SERMON TITLE: "Hear the Son in the Last Age" Key Texts: Hebrews 1:1-2, John 3:30, Acts 26:16, Joel 2:28-31, Revelation 1:1, Proverbs 29:18 INTRODUCTION We are in the last days. Hebrews 1:2 — “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” God showed me 3 VISIONS: Red 7 in the sky, Green 7 on the wall, then a skeleton. But I’m not here to make you stare at visions. I’m here as a servant to do 2 things: Feed His sheep with truth Testify to what I have seen Him — Acts 26:16 And the one point is: John 3:30 — “He must increase, but I must decrease.” So today: Don’t look at the sign. Hear the Son. 1. HEAR THE SON: GOD IS SPEAKING NOW Joel 2:28 — “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.” Revelation 1:1 — “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants...” The visions are not the message. The Son is. RED 7 VISION in the sky = The blood of Jesus. The work is finished. The time is complete. GREEN 7 VISION on the wall = Life from the Spirit. God wants to restore His house. SKELETON VISION= What’s left when we ignore the Son. Death. Ezekiel 37:11 Proverbs 29:18 — “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” God gives vision so we don’t wander. But the vision’s purpose is to bring us back to the Word and to obey the Son. If we chase the vision and miss the Voice, we miss everything. 2. SPIRITUAL RENEWAL + REVIVAL: COME BACK TO THE WORD Joel 2:29 — “Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” Revival is not hype. It’s when the Spirit brings us back to Jesus. Psalm 51:10 — “Renew a right spirit within me.” The Spirit’s job is to testify of Christ. John 15:26 So when God speaks through visions, He’s saying: “Come back to My Word. Come back to My Son.” 3. REPENTANCE + OBEDIENCE = LIFE + PURITY AS WE WAIT Joel 2:31 — “before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” The day is near. So what do we do? Acts 3:19 — “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” John 14:23 — “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “be holy in all your conduct, for I am holy.” 1 John 3:3 — “everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” We wait for Jesus not by watching the sky, but by washing in the Word and walking in obedience. Matthew 24:44 — “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming...” 4. THE WITNESS: DECREASE SO HE INCREASES Am Reagan a servant & a witness of Jesus appointed by Jesus himself to feed his sheep with truth of His revelation ( word) & warning from visions He showed to last age. And to testify of the things ( visions)Has shown me unto living ones in this last age. Acts 26:16 — “appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me.” My calling is not a title. It’s to testify. And the testimony must always end at the cross. Revelation 19:10 — “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” CLOSING CALL + PRAYER Don’t leave here talking about Red 7 or Green 7. Leave here with one question answered: Have I heard the Son and obeyed Him? Prayer: Father, speak. We are listening. Forgive us for chasing signs and missing You. Pour Your Spirit. Renew us. Give us repentant hearts and obedient feet. Wash us and make us pure as we wait for Jesus. Let Jesus increase in us. In His Name, Amen. Revelation 22:20 Summary to Remember Visions → to get our attention The Son → to get our obedience Result → Awakening, Renewal, Repentance, Purity, Readiness Proverbs 29:18 — Without God’s vision people run wild. But with His vision we keep His law and we are blessed.

Everything that man saw man desired and man did not wait for a Sign from GOD... Before you desire seek the Will or Sign Of GOD...

SERMON TITLE: "Hear the Son in the Last Age" Key Texts: Hebrews 1:1-2, John 3:30, Acts 26:16, Joel 2:28-31, Revelation 1:1, Proverbs 29:18 INTRODUCTION We are in the last days. Hebrews 1:2 — “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” God showed me 3 VISIONS: Red 7 in the sky, Green 7 on the wall, then a skeleton. But I’m not here to make you stare at visions. I’m here as a servant to do 2 things: Feed His sheep with truth Testify to what I have seen Him — Acts 26:16 And the one point is: John 3:30 — “He must increase, but I must decrease.” So today: Don’t look at the sign. Hear the Son. 1. HEAR THE SON: GOD IS SPEAKING NOW Joel 2:28 — “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.” Revelation 1:1 — “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants...” The visions are not the message. The Son is. RED 7 VISION in the sky = The blood of Jesus. The work is finished. The time is complete. GREEN 7 VISION on the wall = Life from the Spirit. God wants to restore His house. SKELETON VISION= What’s left when we ignore the Son. Death. Ezekiel 37:11 Proverbs 29:18 — “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” God gives vision so we don’t wander. But the vision’s purpose is to bring us back to the Word and to obey the Son. If we chase the vision and miss the Voice, we miss everything. 2. SPIRITUAL RENEWAL + REVIVAL: COME BACK TO THE WORD Joel 2:29 — “Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” Revival is not hype. It’s when the Spirit brings us back to Jesus. Psalm 51:10 — “Renew a right spirit within me.” The Spirit’s job is to testify of Christ. John 15:26 So when God speaks through visions, He’s saying: “Come back to My Word. Come back to My Son.” 3. REPENTANCE + OBEDIENCE = LIFE + PURITY AS WE WAIT Joel 2:31 — “before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” The day is near. So what do we do? Acts 3:19 — “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” John 14:23 — “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “be holy in all your conduct, for I am holy.” 1 John 3:3 — “everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” We wait for Jesus not by watching the sky, but by washing in the Word and walking in obedience. Matthew 24:44 — “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming...” 4. THE WITNESS: DECREASE SO HE INCREASES Am Reagan a servant & a witness of Jesus appointed by Jesus himself to feed his sheep with truth of His revelation ( word) & warning from visions He showed to last age. And to testify of the things ( visions)Has shown me unto living ones in this last age. Acts 26:16 — “appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me.” My calling is not a title. It’s to testify. And the testimony must always end at the cross. Revelation 19:10 — “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” CLOSING CALL + PRAYER Don’t leave here talking about Red 7 or Green 7. Leave here with one question answered: Have I heard the Son and obeyed Him? Prayer: Father, speak. We are listening. Forgive us for chasing signs and missing You. Pour Your Spirit. Renew us. Give us repentant hearts and obedient feet. Wash us and make us pure as we wait for Jesus. Let Jesus increase in us. In His Name, Amen. Revelation 22:20 Summary to Remember Visions → to get our attention The Son → to get our obedience Result → Awakening, Renewal, Repentance, Purity, Readiness Proverbs 29:18 — Without God’s vision people run wild. But with His vision we keep His law and we are blessed.

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 18) 1. A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 2. A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. 3. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. 4. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. 5. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6. A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 8. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. 9. He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. 10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. 11. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem. 12. Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. 13. He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. 14. The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? 15. The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16. A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. 17. The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. 18. Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. 19. A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20. A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. 22. He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. 23. The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly. 24. A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

James 1:21-27 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; [24] for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. [26] If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. [27] Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

What if the worst thing that could ever happen to you... was actually a promotion? We spend our entire lives terrified of losing. We stress over losing our jobs, our reputations, our comfort, and ultimately, our lives. So, what do we do? We play it safe. We build walls. We compromise our convictions just to survive the day. But living in constant fear of the "worst-case scenario" isn't living at all. It’s a hostage situation. But thousands of years ago, a man writing from a dark prison cell completely shattered this illusion. In Philippians 1:21, Paul wrote: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Look closely at the math he's using. If you live, you get to serve Christ. If you die, you get to be with Christ. You literally cannot lose. When the ultimate worst-case scenario (death) becomes your ultimate victory (gain), fear loses its grip. The worse the world can do to you only speeds up your reward. Once you actually believe that, you are finally free to live boldly, love recklessly, and step into your purpose without hesitation. You are playing a rigged game, and victory is already yours. Save this post for the next time anxiety tries to hold you hostage. And share this to the story of a friend who needs a reminder that they are completely invincible today.

SERMON TITLE: "He Must Increase& l decrease: Am Reagan a servant & a Witness of Jesus in this Last Age" Key Texts: John 3:30, Acts 26:16, Revelation 1:1-3, Joel 2:28, Hebrews 1:2, Matthew 24:44, 1 Peter 1:15-16 INTRODUCTION Church, we are living in the last age. God is speaking again — Hebrews 1:2 — “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” And He is still pouring out His Spirit — Joel 2:28 — “your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.” The Lord showed me 3 things( visions): Red 7 in the sky, Green 7 on the wall, and then a skeleton after they vanished. I’m not here to be called a title. I’m here for one reason: John 3:30 — “He must increase, but I must decrease.” I am a servant to feed His sheep truth. A witness to testify to what I have seen Him. And the message is for you now: Awaken. Renew. Repent. Obey. Be pure. Jesus is coming. 1. AWAKENING: HEAR THE SON-- GOD IS SPEAKING THROUGH THE SON. Revelation 1:1 — “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place.” Proverbs29:18 .. ' without visions people perish." MESSAGE of the Red 7 vision in the sky — Red speaks of blood. 7 speaks of completion. This is heaven’s warning: The blood of Jesus has finished the work, and the time is complete. Joel 2:30-31 — “wonders in heavens... before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” God is saying: Wake up. The Judge is at the door. James 5:9 We cannot sleep in sin when heaven is writing in the sky. Romans 13:11 — “it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” 2. RENEWAL & REVIVAL: LIFE ON THE WALL Green 7 vision on the wall — Green is life, growth, restoration. The wall is God’s house, the boundary of His people. Ezekiel 22:30 — “I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach.” God is calling for renewal. Not new methods. New hearts. Psalm 51:10 — “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Ezekiel 37:4 — “Prophesy to these bones... O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.” This is revival: When God’s Word brings life back to dead places. But it only comes when we return to the Word and the Spirit. Zechariah 4:6 — “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” 3. REPENTANCE & OBEDIENCE: OR THE SKELETON REMAINS Skeleton vision. ,after they vanished. skeleton vision— When the warning of blood and the offer of life are ignored, what’s left is death. Ezekiel 37:11 — “These bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up.’” This is the danger of the last age: Religious, but dead. Revelation 3:1 — “You have a reputation that you are alive, but you are dead.” The answer is not more activity. It’s repentance. Acts 3:19 — “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” John 14:23 — “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” Obedience is proof of love. Purity is proof of waiting. 1 John 3:3 — “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” 4. THE WITNESS: TESTIFY OF HIM, NOT OF SELF Acts 26:16 — “I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me.” This is my calling in the last age. Not platforms. Not titles. Witnesses. Revelation 19:10 — “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Every vision, every warning, every sermon must point to Jesus. John 3:30 — “He must increase, but I must decrease.” If people leave remembering me, I failed. If they leave hungry for Jesus, I succeeded. Matthew 24:44 — “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” APPLICATION: 4 STEPS TO BE READY Awaken - Get out of spiritual sleep. Watch and pray. Mark 13:33 Renew - Ask God to revive your first love. Revelation 2:4-5 Repent + Obey - Turn from sin. Walk in the Word. James 1:22 Purify - Live holy as thy God is Holy God.

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. Lessons From a Bow and Arrow. By Bobby Davis August 18th, 2026 “You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men.” Jeremiah 32:19 After growing up in South America, I felt pretty lost as a teenager, when my family returned to the United States. I spoke English, as I do now, but everything else was completely unfamiliar. Since I didn’t understand American sports, I looked for something I could get involved with, and for some reason, I chose archery. Before long, I learned all the right techniques and follow-through, but the part I lacked in was experience. Practice does not make perfect, but it does make permanent—so I practiced a lot. I got better, and realized that every single shot had to be carefully executed in order to hit the target. I learned many lessons from archery—persistence, the rewards of practice, and patience. But it was much later in life before I was able to see how really valuable those lessons were. You see, I’m rather impatient at times—with other people, and with myself. I’m not sure why that is, since my parents are really models of patience that I should have learned from. I remember a time when the big family Christmas present was a garage door opener. How excited I was to unpack the pieces. I spread them all over the garage floor, and tried to follow the directions. However, it seems that it was manufactured in a foreign country, and the directions didn’t make sense. But there were pictures, so I began assembly without actually trying very hard to decipher the written directions. And that didn’t turn out well. At times, my father would ask me, “Don’t you think you should do this or that first?” and I would impatiently tell him that I knew what I was doing. That man has the patience of a saint, because not only did he let me try to assemble it, but he also disassembled every piece when I gave up, and started over. Finally, it was done, and we put it up and tried it out. Believe it or not, over 40 years later, that garage door opener still works (although he did have to replace a fuse). Sometimes I’m impatient with God. And that archery experience comes back again. Consider these wise words from one of my favorite authors, Oswald Chambers. “A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer,” he writes. “God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says – ‘I cannot stand any more.’ “God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly.” Although I’m not much of an archer anymore, I know that if I’m an arrow in the hands of the Master Archer, He will never miss.