Thursday, November 24, 2011

Waiting on God by Dr. Charles Stanley

Right timing is critical in a believers walk with the Lord. However trusting His timing in important decision, uncertain direction, or pressing needs is extremely difficult when everything within us cries, "Do something!" Because we want action, waiting for God seems so passive.

To wait for the Lord means to pause for further instruction while remaining in the present circumstance. It is a purposeful, expectant focus on God- a choice to be actively still and quiet in out heart, listening for His voice and watching for His intervention. The wait is not for events to work out as we want, but rather for God's will to be done. The Lord's voice often comes to us through His Word. Because this is His instruction book for our lives, quiet meditation on Scripture is essential. Sometimes when I read my Bible, a passage will jump out at me. The guidance I'm seeking is right there, almost as if it has my name written on it.

At other times, God will use changed circumstances to redirect us, or He will motivate another person to give guidance, However, always remember that any voice offering us direction must align with the Lord's will as revealed in His Word; otherwise, it is not from Him.

The first step in waiting for the Lord is submission to His choice of how and when He will act. What are you hoping God will do? Are you seeking Him or the thing you want from Him? Because He alone knows what is best for you, let go and trust His choice."




Bonus from Dr. Tony Evans on Waiting on the Lord

David was the anointed king of Israel, but before he could enjoy the realization of God's promises, he had to go through a season of testing and waiting. During this time, he was forced to hide out in caves and literally run for his life. King Saul, who was bent on David's destruction, continually hunted for him. Perhaps the Lord has given you a promise through His Word. You are ready to see it unfold, but it hasn't happened yet. Though you have waited, it seems that there is no hope on the horizon. Remember, God's timing is perfect.

He knows what you need, when you need it. He knows that if we are going to learn how to walk with Him in the daylight or the good times, we must learn first to trust Him in times of darkness.

At some point, each of us has waited for God's promises to come. David may have wondered when the Lord would open the door to blessing. However, he never allowed his thoughts to turn to doubts. In fact, in Psalm 18:17, 19, he praises God for the victory he knew would be his one day. "(God) delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me … He brought me forth also into a broad (or spacious) place, He rescued me, because He delighted in me."

When God delivers you from trial and trouble, you can be sure that He will bring you out into a spacious place of joy and delight - one that also will glorify Him and add encouragement to your life. Have you been pushing and shoving in an effort to move God on to the place where you think you should be? If so, stop and be determined to wait on God. The time you spend waiting in darkness will one day be rewarded by the Father of lights (James 1:17).


Sunday, November 6, 2011

8 Tips When in Life's Pressure Cooker

No one get's through life without spending time in the 'Pressure Cooker"!  Trials, Tribulations, and Testings are a part of every life.  For the believer in Christ, this is no exception.  However, with the Lord walking by your side, the "pressure" doesn't have to "cook" you, just conform you!

Do you feel like you are in life's pressure cooker?  Do the trials seem overwhelming, and the test just too hard to pass?  Here are some eight tips to help you endure the heat and emerge victorious!

1.  REJOICE…  in the attributes of Jesus 

He’s so holy
     He’s so glorious
He’s all-powerful
     He’s all knowing
He’s everywhere at all times
       He’s marvelous and magnificent
He’s gracious and good
       He’s loving and longsuffering
He’s tender and tender hearted
       He’s the light of the world and the light of my life
He’s fully man and fully God
      He’s Jesus!

2.  REQUEST
… the mercy of Jesus
Thank God He doesn’t give us what we truly deserve

3.  RELAX
… in the sovereignty of Jesus
He has all things under control

4.  REST
…  in the comforting hands of Jesus
There is truly no safer place you can be

5.  REPENT
… of the sins that drove Him to the cross
While you wait, change the direction in which you are walking and follow Him

6.  RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE
…   His name is Jesus Christ, your Savior
Don’t neglect the one who changed your life

7.  RECAP …the highlights you’ve had with Jesus.
Write it down so you will never forget all of the great things He has done for you
  
8.  REMEMBER…He’s immutable and will never change. “He will never leave or forsake you.”  His promises will endure forever.



What God is ultimately trying to do as you go through your time of pressure, is to refocus your mind from the horizontal perspective, to the vertical reality.  Jesus wants you to focus on Him by adjusting your thinking and vision towards godly thoughts and actions.

Paul reminded us of this when he told the Philippian believers these words. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you
Philippians 4:8-9




The Lord is with you in the pressure cooker!