“Remember that the LORD your God led you on the entire journey these 40 years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.” Deut. 8:2
An essential element in waiting on God is the acceptance and expectation that we will be tested. Waiting on God during times of testing allows faith to do its work in our lives. Many times God will test us while we are waiting on an unfulfilled promise or need to come to pass. Certain attitudes arise from these times of waiting and testing which can derail God’s purpose.
Many times our circumstances unfold that seem illogical and irrational in God’s promise coming to pass. These circumstances seem to be moving us away from what we believe God has promised us instead of moving us closer. When we hear a word from God we cannot allow our circumstances to cause us to waiver in our faith.
Other times we begin to doubt whether we really heard the message from God or whether we will ever see it come to pass. Our doubt stems from not seeing things lining up on our manufactured timeline and in an expected manner. ‘Doubt separates you from a word from God. Believing what God says is foundational, and acting on what He says is essential.’ By Faith, p. 119.
Another hindrance in our time of testing is our impatience with God’s timing. Proverbs 28:26 states, ‘He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.’ When we become impatient taking matters into our own hands we are implying that our plan is superior to God’s plan. Another implication is that we really must not believe that God is capable enough, willing enough or loving enough.
Sometimes we allow our pain to determine how well we will perform in our testing time. We are instructed by the Bible to expect pain and suffering as ways to refine our faith and increase our righteousness in our faith walk. ‘Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering…but rejoice that you participate in … Christ.’ James 1:6.
‘The greater the difficulty in waiting, the greater the joy when God brings His word to pass. Waiting can produce immeasurable joy for a Christian who understands and practices the concept of experiencing joy while waiting. Expect failures, bumps, and miscues along the way. However, as your faith matures, God will use you more and more. Your life will ever-increasingly become a living demonstration of God’s power and glory.’ By Faith, p. 124.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Ask, Watch and Expect!
“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6. It is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose.” Phil. 2:13
As Christians we spend our lives waiting on God in many different situations. While we wait our need or desire becomes highlighted in our thoughts. It is easy to become obsessed over an unmet need or desire instead of thankful for a realized dream or blessing.
For me personally, I am in the waiting mode for God to reveal the manner in which He has called me to minister. A few years ago He gave me glimpses into a homeless women’s ministry at the Salvation Army. It was during my sister’s illness which required all of my time. It is difficult to know if I missed that opportunity at that time or God was giving me a glimpse into my promised land in the Kingdom. Either way I was recently given another glimpse of the same ministry and am determined to recognize God’s activity surrounding this impression from Him. So I wait with anticipation that He will move or move me.
My Bible Study speaks of living with an unmet need or desire as we wait upon God. It states, ‘The difficulty in waiting rises in proportion to the strength of your need or desire. When God delays in fulfilling a need or desire, you will be tempted to take matters into your own hands. Therefore, to wait on God, you must learn to live with an unmet need or an unfulfilled desire.’ By Faith, p. 110. It goes on to exhort one fundamental quality required in allowing God to lead which was an important lesson my grandmother taught me – expectancy.
Once God has shown us His will, we don’t have to wonder if it will come to pass. We can enjoy the thought of His future fulfillment in our present wait. Until God fulfills what He promises we can continue to ask for clarity and the specifics. He desires for us to rely on Him step by step. Anything we do on earth requires our consideration for the details and specifics to bring it to pass. How much more important is our consideration for the spiritual things?
Ask according to His will, watch for God’s activity and be joyful in expectation!
As Christians we spend our lives waiting on God in many different situations. While we wait our need or desire becomes highlighted in our thoughts. It is easy to become obsessed over an unmet need or desire instead of thankful for a realized dream or blessing.
For me personally, I am in the waiting mode for God to reveal the manner in which He has called me to minister. A few years ago He gave me glimpses into a homeless women’s ministry at the Salvation Army. It was during my sister’s illness which required all of my time. It is difficult to know if I missed that opportunity at that time or God was giving me a glimpse into my promised land in the Kingdom. Either way I was recently given another glimpse of the same ministry and am determined to recognize God’s activity surrounding this impression from Him. So I wait with anticipation that He will move or move me.
My Bible Study speaks of living with an unmet need or desire as we wait upon God. It states, ‘The difficulty in waiting rises in proportion to the strength of your need or desire. When God delays in fulfilling a need or desire, you will be tempted to take matters into your own hands. Therefore, to wait on God, you must learn to live with an unmet need or an unfulfilled desire.’ By Faith, p. 110. It goes on to exhort one fundamental quality required in allowing God to lead which was an important lesson my grandmother taught me – expectancy.
Once God has shown us His will, we don’t have to wonder if it will come to pass. We can enjoy the thought of His future fulfillment in our present wait. Until God fulfills what He promises we can continue to ask for clarity and the specifics. He desires for us to rely on Him step by step. Anything we do on earth requires our consideration for the details and specifics to bring it to pass. How much more important is our consideration for the spiritual things?
Ask according to His will, watch for God’s activity and be joyful in expectation!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
By Faith
“We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7
One simple sentence but the most difficult principle in our Christian walk. Why is it that our sight screams louder than our faith? The irony is that we become spiritually blind through our worldly sight. There are four reasons that we live by sight creating a barrier for our faith.
The first reason is that we have a reference point of living by sight. Before we decided to turn our hearts to Jesus and live by faith we lived by sight. We naturally default to the flesh making our desire to walk by faith something in which we must make intentional efforts.
The second reason is that we identify certain people whom we deem successful. We try to imitate those people whom we have cited as our role models instead of being led by the Holy Spirit by faith.
The third reason is that our formal education has taught us that the ‘proof is in the pudding.’ Instead of accepting something by faith without it making earthly sense we analyze and calculate without God. Faith is not something that God has to prove – it is something that you prove to God.
The fourth reason is that we have by sight accepted and embraced many of the world’s standards and preferences. Since we are so inundated with the living practices of the world we fit right in instead of living a life set apart.
These words were written and exhorted by Paul to the Corinthians who required repetitiveness and reminders in this Christian principle. Nothing has changed over thousands of years. We need to continuously remind ourselves and each other that we are all going to walk through this life but our hearts and minds will determine the manner in which our feet will walk.
Will we walk by faith or run by sight?
One simple sentence but the most difficult principle in our Christian walk. Why is it that our sight screams louder than our faith? The irony is that we become spiritually blind through our worldly sight. There are four reasons that we live by sight creating a barrier for our faith.
The first reason is that we have a reference point of living by sight. Before we decided to turn our hearts to Jesus and live by faith we lived by sight. We naturally default to the flesh making our desire to walk by faith something in which we must make intentional efforts.
The second reason is that we identify certain people whom we deem successful. We try to imitate those people whom we have cited as our role models instead of being led by the Holy Spirit by faith.
The third reason is that our formal education has taught us that the ‘proof is in the pudding.’ Instead of accepting something by faith without it making earthly sense we analyze and calculate without God. Faith is not something that God has to prove – it is something that you prove to God.
The fourth reason is that we have by sight accepted and embraced many of the world’s standards and preferences. Since we are so inundated with the living practices of the world we fit right in instead of living a life set apart.
These words were written and exhorted by Paul to the Corinthians who required repetitiveness and reminders in this Christian principle. Nothing has changed over thousands of years. We need to continuously remind ourselves and each other that we are all going to walk through this life but our hearts and minds will determine the manner in which our feet will walk.
Will we walk by faith or run by sight?
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tried & True
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the LORD more than watchman wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6
In a society that bombards us with technology overload there are not many times when we have to wait for a response to a question or concern. When we need an answer to something we email the person without the need to talk. When email isn’t fast enough for us we shoot a text off to our recipient anticipating an instant response.
When we come to God for a spoken or impressed word our impatience is obvious. None of us enjoy waiting but God requires it to grow our faith. ‘God doesn’t work on the basis of the instant but on the basis of the eternity. He doesn’t work on the basis of activity but on the basis of meaning. When we successfully respond to the challenges of waiting on God, He accomplishes what will have maximal impact for eternity and relationships.’ By Faith, p. 105-106.
There are necessary spiritual principles we learn through waiting on God.
- We must believe and embrace the fact that God has a purpose in our wait.
- We must accept that an important element of faith is developed in our wait.
- We must reject the tendency to walk by sight moving before God desires action.
- We must learn that sometimes God calls us to live with an unmet need or desire for a season.
All of this takes trust in God and builds hope in Him. ‘…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’ Isaiah 40:31. These promises are not merely words in ink on the pages of an out of date book.
They are the tried and true promises of a tried and true God!
In a society that bombards us with technology overload there are not many times when we have to wait for a response to a question or concern. When we need an answer to something we email the person without the need to talk. When email isn’t fast enough for us we shoot a text off to our recipient anticipating an instant response.
When we come to God for a spoken or impressed word our impatience is obvious. None of us enjoy waiting but God requires it to grow our faith. ‘God doesn’t work on the basis of the instant but on the basis of the eternity. He doesn’t work on the basis of activity but on the basis of meaning. When we successfully respond to the challenges of waiting on God, He accomplishes what will have maximal impact for eternity and relationships.’ By Faith, p. 105-106.
There are necessary spiritual principles we learn through waiting on God.
- We must believe and embrace the fact that God has a purpose in our wait.
- We must accept that an important element of faith is developed in our wait.
- We must reject the tendency to walk by sight moving before God desires action.
- We must learn that sometimes God calls us to live with an unmet need or desire for a season.
All of this takes trust in God and builds hope in Him. ‘…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’ Isaiah 40:31. These promises are not merely words in ink on the pages of an out of date book.
They are the tried and true promises of a tried and true God!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Unseen Hand of God
“Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Many times I have experienced discerning God’s will for my life in a shroud of mystery. It seems that I am not alone in this pursuit as I talk to many Christians. My Bible Study has been very helpful in trying to ‘break down’ some of the barriers in this pursuit. While discerning God’s will is not a formula the study has been helpful in recognizing ways in which God moves to accomplish His purposes through us. When God sets a goal for our lives there are four stages to bring it to completion.
Our faith is activated through God speaking a certain word or impression to us. He will always initiate our faith. For me it was when God placed in my heart a writing ministry. This came out of the blue as I began focusing more on Him.
Our faith is enabled through our belief in what God is telling us. Through the process of my writing God told me to complete my 99 year old Grandmother’s book by editing and publishing Pilgrimage to the Promised Land. He was building my faith through this process while He was blessing her by completing a promise He previously gave her.
Our faith is visualized by watching for God’s activity in this process. In the editing and publishing process I watched for God’s intervention and saw what He was accomplishing in both the project and my heart. If I was really spiritually looking for Him, I always witnessed God's activity in this purpose.
Our faith is finalized by the completed work of God. Right before my Grandmother’s 100th birthday her book was published and God’s work in that promise was accomplished.
The three truths in the process that my Bible Study sets out will bless you today as it did me.
- Wherever faith leads you, God will already be there!
- Faith will never ask you to do what God has not equipped you to do.
- Faith will never ask you to give what God Himself will not provide.
Many times I have experienced discerning God’s will for my life in a shroud of mystery. It seems that I am not alone in this pursuit as I talk to many Christians. My Bible Study has been very helpful in trying to ‘break down’ some of the barriers in this pursuit. While discerning God’s will is not a formula the study has been helpful in recognizing ways in which God moves to accomplish His purposes through us. When God sets a goal for our lives there are four stages to bring it to completion.
Our faith is activated through God speaking a certain word or impression to us. He will always initiate our faith. For me it was when God placed in my heart a writing ministry. This came out of the blue as I began focusing more on Him.
Our faith is enabled through our belief in what God is telling us. Through the process of my writing God told me to complete my 99 year old Grandmother’s book by editing and publishing Pilgrimage to the Promised Land. He was building my faith through this process while He was blessing her by completing a promise He previously gave her.
Our faith is visualized by watching for God’s activity in this process. In the editing and publishing process I watched for God’s intervention and saw what He was accomplishing in both the project and my heart. If I was really spiritually looking for Him, I always witnessed God's activity in this purpose.
Our faith is finalized by the completed work of God. Right before my Grandmother’s 100th birthday her book was published and God’s work in that promise was accomplished.
The three truths in the process that my Bible Study sets out will bless you today as it did me.
- Wherever faith leads you, God will already be there!
- Faith will never ask you to do what God has not equipped you to do.
- Faith will never ask you to give what God Himself will not provide.
Monday, May 23, 2011
In The Game
“Since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Gal. 5:25
As we enter into a relationship with God and establish consistent fellowship, He begins to unveil His will for our lives and our circle of influence. Throughout the Bible God consistently unveiled His will to His chosen people before the actual plan was revealed. He gave glimpses into His purposes without giving the details much like the tip of an iceberg that only exposes 10% of its entirety. For me personally the tip has been glimpses over the past two years of a women’s community mission regarding homeless women. I feel that God has unveiled this to me through two confirming people but I lack the details of the plan. This tells me that either I am not spiritually ready to receive His assignment or the timing of the mission is not ready – most likely a combination of both.
Once His will has been revealed to us, we will begin to see His will revealed through us. He will start using circumstances outside of us to work His purpose to impact others. We will understand that through us His plan for the kingdom is being carried out.
To continue His work we must be in position to receive the flow of the ministry. When our son was five he was on a T-ball team. He played outfield and was rarely in position to receive the hit. The ball would come his way and he was either sitting on the ground drawing circles in the dirt or placing dirt on the bill of his cap and spinning around. Either way, he was unprepared to receive the hit and be a part of the team for the victory. In order to receive God’s will we must be in position to receive our assignment. When we are in the flow we are keeping in step with the Holy Spirit as He leads, guides and instructs. ‘When we are outside the flow, we cannot influence others for Christ. The world does not see His power demonstrated in our lives. Operating in our own abilities and strengths, we cannot do God’s will, because outside the flow we do not know His will.' By Faith, p. 81.
The unveiling of God in us, through us and through the Holy Spirit leads us to our faith response to His calling. To experience God’s work in and through us we must be proactive in responding to Him immediately. God will always require not only a response to what He reveals but a faith response to what He has yet to reveal. God will lead people beyond their own capacity or logic, and He normally tells us only one step at a time. Each step of this process builds on the other in God accomplishing His work in each of us.
We are all called ... and must be in position.
As we enter into a relationship with God and establish consistent fellowship, He begins to unveil His will for our lives and our circle of influence. Throughout the Bible God consistently unveiled His will to His chosen people before the actual plan was revealed. He gave glimpses into His purposes without giving the details much like the tip of an iceberg that only exposes 10% of its entirety. For me personally the tip has been glimpses over the past two years of a women’s community mission regarding homeless women. I feel that God has unveiled this to me through two confirming people but I lack the details of the plan. This tells me that either I am not spiritually ready to receive His assignment or the timing of the mission is not ready – most likely a combination of both.
Once His will has been revealed to us, we will begin to see His will revealed through us. He will start using circumstances outside of us to work His purpose to impact others. We will understand that through us His plan for the kingdom is being carried out.
To continue His work we must be in position to receive the flow of the ministry. When our son was five he was on a T-ball team. He played outfield and was rarely in position to receive the hit. The ball would come his way and he was either sitting on the ground drawing circles in the dirt or placing dirt on the bill of his cap and spinning around. Either way, he was unprepared to receive the hit and be a part of the team for the victory. In order to receive God’s will we must be in position to receive our assignment. When we are in the flow we are keeping in step with the Holy Spirit as He leads, guides and instructs. ‘When we are outside the flow, we cannot influence others for Christ. The world does not see His power demonstrated in our lives. Operating in our own abilities and strengths, we cannot do God’s will, because outside the flow we do not know His will.' By Faith, p. 81.
The unveiling of God in us, through us and through the Holy Spirit leads us to our faith response to His calling. To experience God’s work in and through us we must be proactive in responding to Him immediately. God will always require not only a response to what He reveals but a faith response to what He has yet to reveal. God will lead people beyond their own capacity or logic, and He normally tells us only one step at a time. Each step of this process builds on the other in God accomplishing His work in each of us.
We are all called ... and must be in position.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Perseverance's Work
“By faith…he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27
Everyone has lost something at one time or another. Whether it is a piece of jewelry, keys, money or something else a search is always involved. Many times the success of the discovery is due to the light shining a specific way on the item. Due to the angle of the item and reflection of the light the discovery is made. This morning this little verse has been my find as the Son cast His light on this treasure.
We all experience circumstances in our lives that dominate our mind and heart demanding our season of wait. They are trials that consume us but offer no resolution in sight. This is where our faith is being refined and perfected. It is where God is doing His work in preparing us for service, and building in us a wall of faith.
Throughout the Bible perseverance is highly commended and developed by God. ‘…because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.’ Romans 5:3-4; ‘…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ James 1:4; ‘…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…’ Hebrews 12:1-2.
Our original verse is speaking of one whose faith was commended because of his understanding that God in His invisibility is more faithful and trustworthy than any visible focus. When we ask for greater faith we ask for circumstances that will develop our spiritual muscle. In order to strengthen our faith we will be asked to endure…to suffer…to surrender. Jesus writes the story of our faith and how it will be developed. We must see God as our strength trainer and trust that the exercises for which we must endure are essential in our growth and critical to our impact in His kingdom.
We must look to the invisible hand of God to recognize the visible fingerprints of God.
Everyone has lost something at one time or another. Whether it is a piece of jewelry, keys, money or something else a search is always involved. Many times the success of the discovery is due to the light shining a specific way on the item. Due to the angle of the item and reflection of the light the discovery is made. This morning this little verse has been my find as the Son cast His light on this treasure.
We all experience circumstances in our lives that dominate our mind and heart demanding our season of wait. They are trials that consume us but offer no resolution in sight. This is where our faith is being refined and perfected. It is where God is doing His work in preparing us for service, and building in us a wall of faith.
Throughout the Bible perseverance is highly commended and developed by God. ‘…because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.’ Romans 5:3-4; ‘…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ James 1:4; ‘…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…’ Hebrews 12:1-2.
Our original verse is speaking of one whose faith was commended because of his understanding that God in His invisibility is more faithful and trustworthy than any visible focus. When we ask for greater faith we ask for circumstances that will develop our spiritual muscle. In order to strengthen our faith we will be asked to endure…to suffer…to surrender. Jesus writes the story of our faith and how it will be developed. We must see God as our strength trainer and trust that the exercises for which we must endure are essential in our growth and critical to our impact in His kingdom.
We must look to the invisible hand of God to recognize the visible fingerprints of God.
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