Waiting on God is never easy!

How often do we want to move to the next thing in our life? However, God’s ways are not our ways. God desires that we add patience to our life. God speaks to us and gives us hope and that hope is what enables us to wait on the Lord. He does not want just our minds to wait upon HIM but also our souls. We must lay down our own ambitions in order to receive the promises of God.

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.” ~ Psalm 130:5

When we don’t see God intervening to fix our problems or answer our prayers in a timely manner, we begin to wonder if He is just too busy. We wonder if He is ‘overbooked’, with too many people with bigger, more important problems. We begin to wonder if maybe He cares about other people more than us, because it appears He is answering their prayers before ours, and that doesn’t seem fair. We begin to wonder if God is even in, because if He were, wouldn’t we have seen a glimpse of Him by now? We may even begin to wonder if we should try to handle or fix the problems on our own.

Unfortunately this game of idle spiritual waiting can lead to a lot of wondering. Wondering that can lead us away from God, as we focus on our expectations of timeliness, instead of His implementation of perfect timing. Waiting is simply not something any of us want, or like, to do. In fact, our minds are not even programmed to wait on anything anymore, due to living in this land of immediate gratification

Living in this age of instant gratification makes waiting on anything hard to do – especially waiting on God. As we pace around in God’s waiting room, waiting on Him to call our name, we can easily become frustrated with His perceived inactivity and silence, and His seemingly unhurried pace.

Maybe you find yourself in Gods waiting room today. Maybe it is a new place for you, or maybe it is a room you have spent a lot of time in, just waiting. Waiting to see the One who has the authority and the power to fix your problems, grant your wishes, answer your prayers, heal your hurts, ease your heartaches, fill you with peace and make your dreams come true. And that waiting – is hard – yet, during the wait, we can choose whether our minds wander to a happy place, or an ugly place. We can choose to wonder about Gods will and His timing, or we can choose to wonder whether or not His will and His timing matters. We can choose to wonder about how we can stand strong in our faith, or we can choose to wonder if faith is all its cracked up to be. We can choose to wonder about which verses in God’s Word may apply to our situation, or we can choose to wonder if Gods Word is really applicable anymore. We can choose to wonder about how God is going to act, or we can choose to wonder about whether or not He will act at all.

Waiting is not a matter of time, it is a matter of faith and trust. It is an opportunity for us to lay everything at the foot of the cross, and trust God, or to turn our backs on Him and walk away, assuming that since we do not see Him working, He is not really there.

Waiting is at the core of the Christian life, as we expectantly wait to see how He will carry out His will in our lives. It can be an opportunity to build our faith, trust and hope in Him, as we obey His commandment to wait on His timing, and His will for our lives.

Waiting requires trusting that God knows, even when we are feeling impatient. Are you in Gods waiting room today? If so, let your mind wander…..about the hope that can be found through Him; the trust that you can place in Him because He holds the answers to all things; the peace that surpasses understanding; the excitement that you will feel once you can see how God has been sitting right beside you in the waiting room all along; and most importantly, to the perfect timing of His answer when it does finally come.

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When God seems far away!

Why me? Why this? Do you ever wonder why? Do you feel guilty for even daring to ask? You probably have had times when the loss was so great in your life that you cried, not upon your pillow in a quiet voice in the silence of your darkened bedroom. No. you screamed it with all the angst and heartache and brokenness your voice could muster in the public streets for all the world to see. At times, your why was resolved with the still small voice of God and a touch of warmth from the Comforter pouring Himself out upon you. Other times, you felt alone, abandoned. You’re not alone the psalmist did the same in these passages and prophets have cried out. Kings. Our Lord cried out on the cross.

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent. BUT You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” ~~Psalm 22:1-3.

It’s odd that we, who think our God does not hear us in the darkness of our nights and the bright light of our grief and pain, continue to cry out. If it were so futile, if God was so deaf, if God was so far away, why would we bother? Because deep in the recesses of our tribulation, emptiness and agony, we know that God is God and God is steadfast and sure. We may question our circumstances, our losses, our trials–but we know that ultimately our answers are in God. And we cry out in search of them. We may not feel our God hears, but all scripture denounces that lie of Satan. We may not think God is present, but Jesus, our King, says differently. “Lo, I am with you always, even to the ends of the world.”

With every “why” you ever voiced, our God’s assurance has answered. With every darkness you ever encountered, God pierces with Light and gives us faith to dispel the doubts of our human fragility. So when you wonder why, remember we may never know all the answers.

We have the answer ~ Jesus is Lord of all and has overcome the world.

The Power of God!

Jesus had just passed by a man who was born blind. The disciples saw this man and they figured that someone had sinned and that this man’s blindness was a result of sin. In their minds, they could not see how a loving God could cause a man to suffer so much if he had not done something to deserve this punishment. 

 “It is not because of his sins or his parents sins. Jesus Answered. This happen so the power of God could be seen in him.” ~John 9:3

 

Jesus ended up healing this man, but the more important lesson in this passage was that God allows bad things to happen to good people. God knew that one day this man would be seen by Jesus and that when Jesus healed this man, the testimony of what God had done for this man would spread around the world as a testimony that Christ was the Son of God. It is hard for us to fully comprehend that God allows bad things to happen to good people. Nonetheless, God has promised us that all things work together for good for those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purposes. This passage is just another example how God is looking out for every detail in our lives. We can be bitter at God or we can learn to praise HIM for the difficult things that happen to us.

 

What is the one thing you would change in your life if God allowed you to change it? If you were to talk with this blind man, he would have told you that he would have changed the fact that he was blind. However, this man who was born blind who was healed by Jesus is still being talked about almost 2,000 years later. How many people would die to be recognized by the world for just a few minutes? This man allowed God to take the thing that he would rather not deal with and turn it into something good. Because this man allowed God to have HIS way with his life, this man is remembered to this day.

 

 

The next time you would like to change something in your life, stop and pull out a piece of paper. Write down different ways that God can take this irritation in your life and use it for HIS glory. After you have found some different ways that God can use this irritation for HIS glory, you should be able to praise HIM for allowing this irritation to be in your life.

Stop thinking that you have to be in charge of everything. Instead, learn to focus upon God and allow HIM to have HIS perfect way in your life in HIS perfect timing.

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus wept

We all know it as the shortest verse in the Bible.  But it is long on what it tells us about the character of Jesus, both as the Son of God and as the Son of Man. Indeed, the story clearly illustrates that the fully human Jesus was a compassionate, loving man who was truly sorry to see His friends grieving over the death of their brother.  We should remember this story when we go through a crisis and wonder if Jesus could possibly understand how we feel. He walked among us and He lived as we did to help us understand that our Creator hurts when we hurt. What Father wouldn’t?

  “Jesus wept.” ~John 11:35

But I believe that the Son of God was also moved to tears by what He had seen, even though it was for a different reason.  Think about it. Lazarus was in a better place. The Bible tells us that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)  Jesus was fully human, but He was also fully God, and the Son of God knew that the miracle He was about to perform would mean that Lazarus would return from a land of perfect peace. It was enough to make the Son of God cry.

Jesus was right.  Lazarus’ sickness would not end in death and God would be glorified by the miracle that Jesus performed. Why? Only God could raise someone from death.

I love knowing that I worship a God who is a miracle worker. But I also take greater comfort in knowing that I have a friend who loves me so much that He will cry with me when I come to Him, fall at His feet, and say, “Lord, please help me.”

 

 

 

“Never Abandoned”

I believe we need to continually remind ourselves that the Lord is with us– especially when we are going through difficult times. If we aren’t careful we can easily believe the lie that God has abandoned us, that is nothing but a lie.

...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee….” ~~Hebrews 13:5b

 

He has not abandoned you– never has, never will. He didn’t abandon the disciples while they were in the storm. He didn’t abandon the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace. He didn’t abandon Daniel in the lion’s den. He didn’t abandon the children of Israel at the Red Sea. He didn’t abandon Joshua as he faced the battles in the land of Canaan. He didn’t abandon David when he stood before Goliath. He does not change, so why would He start abandoning His people now? He wouldn’t.

 

 

There are those who believe that because they go through difficulties, trying times, hardship and testing that it is a sure sign that the Lord has abandoned them. Going through these times is not proof that He has abandoned you. While we live on planet earth we will also go through difficulties and encounter problems. This is why we must remind ourselves daily that He is with us- regardless of what is going on in our lives. 

 

 

Are you feeling like He has left you? Are you feeling abandoned by God? Don’t live by your feelings, don’t trust them, they aren’t true- they change constantly. Live by His Word- it is faithful and it is the truth- and it says He will NEVER abandon you.

In Times of Despair….Cling to God!

If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, take comfort in the fact that you can never be lost and that you are never out of God’s sight. There might be times when you feel invisible – times when you feel lost – times when you stubbornly choose your ways over His – or times when you feel alone, but the Bible tells us that your name is engraved on the palms of God’s hands, and that nothing can separate you from God’s love or snatch you from the palm of His hand. 

“See, I have written your name in the palm of my hands…” Isaiah 49:16a

It doesn’t matter how long you have been serving the Lord, it is quite likely that you have gone through a period of time were you have felt like you are facing the impossible. The feelings and emotions of being alone and far from God seem to overwhelm us during these seasons. You are not unique if you have struggled with these feelings from time to time; you are not alone in these struggles you are facing right now.

Oh, how blessed is the Lord! He never fails to give us something to cling to in the time of despair. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself wrapped tightly and hidden securely, tucked away the palm of the unfailing hand of God. No enemy can find you; you are hidden as in a cleft of a rock. The hand of God is more than enough to keep you in your time of distress. And, as a reminder to Him of His great love for you, your image is permanently engraved in the palm of His hand.

The next time you feel like you are all alone facing a battle too hard for you, a mountain too hard to climb, the valley too deep to go through, remember that you are engraved in the palm of His hand as a result of being held tightly and tucked away safely in the cleft of the Rock. He will never leave you nor forsake you; neither will He forget that you are His child, the object of His affection, the one whom He loves. Remember God keeps His promises!

 

 

Don’t become a victim of God’s timing!

If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Can’t you just hear the heartbreak, disappointment, and sorrow pouring from Martha’s heart? Why would Jesus do this to His dear friends? Why did He wait until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days before making an appearance at the tomb? Didn’t Jesus realize the pain that He would cause to Lazarus’ family? Didn’t He care that they were hurting? 

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” ~John 11:21

 

 

You have to be careful that you don’t entertain questions like the ones I posed to you today in this message. Although they may seem like legitimate ones, they are birthed out of a heart that is filled with hurt and that is giving doubt a place. There’s a fine line between hurt and allowing the enemy to gain access to your heart through doubt.

 

 

Are you looking to God for a breakthrough or miracle in your life, but it seems that God doesn’t care about your condition? Whenever we have an unmet need, and it appears as if it is going unnoticed by the Lord, then that is the time when we must be careful to guard our hearts against doubt and unbelief. If we entertain thoughts such as, “Miracles happen in other people’s lives, but not in mine.” Beware! The enemy is trying to use delayed blessings as a weapon against us to cast doubt in our hearts and make us feel isolated. Jeremiah tells us to place our hope in the Lord; and when we do, God will bless us. We will be like a tree planted by the waters. We won’t fear when heat or drought comes because our roots are in Him. 

 

The purpose of today’s devotion is to help you guard your heart against becoming a “victim of God’s timing.” When it comes to God meeting our needs, we all have a time frame. Nevertheless, faith will still believe even though God doesn’t move in “our time.” We have been called to believe until the saving of the soul. We must not draw back in unbelief because it didn’t happen when we thought it should.

 

God is no respecter of persons. If He has healed others, then He will heal you as well. Don’t doubt; just hold on to your faith until the Lord moves on your behalf.

Lay up Every Fear at His Feet!

We need to come to God by faith, and lay up every fear and worry at His feet. We may not be sure what the future holds for us, but we do know that God is with us every step of the way. So when you get tempted to worry, please remember to trust Him. When fear attacks you choose to pray instead of panic, knowing He is your Lord and your Shepherd, and praise Him for His faithfulness in your life, even when you don’t understand and can’t see the next step. 

“God did not give us a spirit that makes us fear or timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

The Lord commands us to fear not. But how many of us do fear, especially when it comes to the unknown. Fear and faith mix about as well as oil and water; yet we walk with the Lord, day after day, with both of these operating in our lives. The fact that God knows all about us, even to the number of hairs on each head, should give us great comfort as we step out into the unknown future He has laid out before us. Can you step into tomorrow without fear? Are you able to leave tomorrow untouched by anxiety or manipulation? The Lord would have us grow in faith as we discover what great value He has given us.  As our faith grows, our fear should diminish.  Which of these is controlling your life today, fear or faith?

The good news is what lies ahead is no surprise to God. In fact, He has already been where we are going, isn’t that encouraging to know. That reason alone empowers us to face every tomorrow with hope, knowing if you’re a born-again believer whatever touches us passes through His hands, with His permission. It is not God’s plan for us to dwell in fear or for fear to rule our lives. He has already set in motion the defeat and fall of every giant we will ever face in our lives. Our responsibility is to step through our fear, facing every giant in God’s power and with His promises. The Holy Spirit will guide the path of His truth to its destined mark, taking down the giant obstacles lurking in each tomorrow. 

He is the same yesterday, today and forever! As we face the days ahead we must put our trust in Almighty God, the Giant Killer. So then, my friends, I ask you, what is there to fear?

Carrying Others Burdens!

We need to ask the Lord to fill our hearts with His love and compassion, and to help us to do more than speak of love, but to all allow His love to multiply in our lives and touch others. And to ask Him to forgive us for turning the other way, and neglecting to share the mercy, and love we have so freely been given, but instead to a make a difference in someone’s life today!.

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”~ Galatians 6:2

 

Genuine love comes from God. We don’t have the ability to show the level of compassion, love, and mercy of God to the world, unless we receive it from Him; the kind of love that will reach out to the lost, feed and clothe the poor, and understand and show compassion, to those who are hurting physically and emotionally. There are millions who are lonely and feel ostracized from society, all because of a lack of love and understanding, and through Christ, we have the ability to make a difference. We are ambassadors for Christ, and His hands extended towards the hurting, outcasts, sick, and oppressed of the world. When we simply talk of love, it is easily and quickly forgotten. When love is demonstrated, it makes an everlasting impression. 

 

Prayer:

Fill our hearts Lord, with your love and compassion. Help us to do more than speak of love, but allow Your love to multiply in our lives and touch others. Forgive us for turning the other way, and neglecting to share the mercy, and love we have so freely been given. Make a difference in someone’s life through us today. Amen.

GOD’S PLAN!

God’s plan is what is best. It is a good plan. It may not seem like a good plan right now, but God’s plan is good. This apparent contradiction is where it gets confusing. A messy life is not always a fun life. Currently you may be experiencing heartache and hard times. His plan does not seem good in your current circumstance, but God is still good.

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~Jeremiah 29:11.

Perhaps your spouse has been unfaithful. God’s plan seems to have taken a detour down a road of disappointment. You lost your home. God’s plan seems wrong. You were asked to resign. God’s plan does not seem fair. Your health is withering away. Every step you take, every choice you make, and every place you go seem to lead toward more confusion and chaos.

So how can God’s plan be good, prosperous, and not harmful? This is a fair question. To answer this question accurately and fairly, we need to consider God’s long-term plan. To walk wisely today requires a reminder of hope tomorrow. It is our future hope with God that inspires us to live for Him today. Wherever Jesus is, there hope resides. When we have Jesus, we have hope. Hope is heaven’s righteous rope that lifts us out of our despair.

Therefore, you can look forward to a better day. But do not miss what God is teaching you today. Hope for tomorrow does not preclude learning from the Lord today. This is all a part of God’s big plan. In the big scheme of God’s plan, there is suffering. Your suffering may even last a lifetime, but this does not cancel out the goodness of God’s plan. Suffering is our springboard into the depths of God’s love and grace.