Waiting, Waiting, and More Waiting

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  Psalm 33:20-21

Hello sweet friends.  I pray everyone is doing well.  Do you ever find yourself in a season of waiting?  Waiting for the LORD to answer a specific prayer, waiting for a promotion or a certain job offer, or just waiting for a situation you are in to improve.  As you are in this season of waiting, are you whining and trying to manipulate the situation in your own strength or are you waiting with integrity?  I pray when we enter a season of waiting we make a conscientious decision to wait with integrity, knowing deep in our souls that our LORD is in control and His timing is perfect. 

To wait with integrity in this season of waiting, we must accept that our LORD loves us with a divine love.  We have to come to a point where we trust our LORD completely.  Ask yourself, do I truly trust my Heavenly Father?  Waiting patiently and waiting with integrity is beyond our ability but our Savior and LORD can provide what we need while we are in this season of waiting. 

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly – Psalm 5:3.   Friend are you waiting in expectation of how and when the LORD will answer your prayer?  We must place our hope in the LORD because He is our great provider, whether we truly realize this truth or not.  I encourage you to wait with great expectation and place your hope where it truly belong; in our precious Heavenly Father.  Our season of waiting requires courage and complete dependence on our LORD.  Our LORD is shaping our character and our heart as we wait for His perfect timing.  Allow the LORD to shape your character and your heart without grumbling and complaining.  How pleasing this will be to our Savior and LORD.  Whether we like it or not, this life will be filled with various seasons of waiting. 

When we are in our season of waiting we must continue to strive to grow toward spiritual maturity.  Stay in the Word of God so that you can hear His voice and know His will.  Stay on course and continue to bear fruit where you are currently planted.  Remain in me, as I also remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me – John 15:4.  God provides what we need during our season of waiting, if we turn to Him. 

Entrust what you are waiting on to the LORD.  Entrust to God your every need and your every longing.  2 Timothy 1:12 – That is why I am suffering as I am.  Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.  You can place your confidence in your LORD.   Angela Thomas stated in her Bible study When Wallflowers Dance, “Waiting can become a beautiful offering, and act of devotion, a sacrifice of praise.” 

After you have entrusted what you are waiting on to the LORD, then you must trust that the LORD will act in His perfect timing in relation to this season of waiting.  We do not have to understand or have clarity about this season of waiting to trust our Heavenly Father.  Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 

While in your season of waiting, continue to pray.  Praise your Heavenly Father for what He is doing even though you may not see evidence of him working.  Pray and ask your Savior and LORD to provide you with the ability to persevere and to trust Him.  Prayerfully ask God for righteous confidence during this season of waiting.  Oswald Chambers stated, “He works where He sends us to wait.” 

Friend I encourage you during this season of waiting, Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes – Psalm 37:7.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You will provide what we need during our season of waiting.  Help us to wait with a righteous confidence for what You are doing.  LORD provide us with what we need to continue to bear fruit during our season of waiting.  Help us to completely trust in You.  In Jesus Holy Name…..Amen.H

A Promise is Born

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.  Luke 2:6-7

Merry Christmas Friends.  I pray that we are all celebrating the birth of our Savior and LORD instead of getting caught up in the festivities which usually over shadow the true meaning of Christmas.  I encourage you read and study the Scriptures which reveal to us about the birth of our Savior.  Could it be that we are missing important nuggets which we may have never noticed before?

The time had arrived, the time for the birth of the Savior of the world.  The prophet Micah, centuries earlier, had foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.  Joseph and Mary had traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census which Caesar Augustus had issued.  This one man Caesar Augustus thought he was in control, but our Heavenly Father had a plan.  This plan was for our Savior to be born in the town of Bethlehem during this time of the census.  So often we think we do things according to our timing, but our LORD has a plan and a purpose for us and His timing is perfect.  Luke 2:6-7 – While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  The prophecies had come true.  Jesus, the Savior of the world was born.  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth - John 1:14.  When the Messiah was born in the stable in Bethlehem, God became man.  Jesus, the Messiah was completely human and completely divine.  Colossians 2:9 – For in Christ all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form. 

Jesus, our Messiah, lived and amazing life.  He died on the cross for our sins, ascended to Heaven, and will return to earth to rule over all.  Jesus is the Lamb of God, who was born to take away the sins of the world.  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29.  Friend, Jesus paid the price for your sin by his death.  Accept his gift of salvation.  No Christmas gift you will receive can compare to the free gift of salvation Jesus is offering you today. 

In Luke 2:21-40, scripture reveals to us that Simeon and Anna recognized the Messiah when he was brought to the temple.  They accepted that this baby was the Messiah whom Old Testament prophets had prophesied would come into the world.  It had been revealed to him (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.   When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God…Luke 2:26-28.  On this day, Simeon recognized that this baby was the true Messiah who would be a light to the entire world.  People would either joyfully accept Jesus as their Savior or reject him.

On this day the prophet Anna was also drawn to the Messiah.  Luke 2:38 – Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.  Friend, are you being drawn to the Messiah today.  Search your heart to determine if Jesus is your Savior and LORD.  If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior and LORD, I pray you will accept Him today.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray today that we will remember the true meaning of the Christmas season.  Help us to reflect upon the birth of our Savior and LORD.  I pray that we will share with others about the birth of our Messiah.  LORD, I pray for our family and friends that if they don’t know You as Savior and LORD that they will surrender their lives to You today.  In Jesus Precious Name I Pray…..Amen. 

 

 

 

The Precious Promise

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.  Matthew 2:6

Hello dear friends.  The month of December has arrived.  We become so busy during the Christmas season that we tend to forget the true meaning of the season.  Search your heart and ask yourself – why am I celebrating Christmas?  We say we are celebrating the birth of our Savior, but have we become too caught up in the materialism that is rampant at this time of the year? Have we filled our days with parties, meals, and gifts which we have allowed to over shadow the true meaning of Christmas?  I encourage you to take the time to reflect upon the birth of the Promise One, our Savior and LORD. 

Hundreds of years before the birth of the Messiah, God revealed in the book of Micah that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.  God reveals to us in His Word that this child, the Messiah would come into the world and live as a man.  But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times – Micah 5:2.  Not only did God reveal to us that the Messiah would live as a man but that Jesus is eternal – “from of old, from ancient times.”  Can you imagine the anticipation of the Israelites as they waited and watched for the Messiah to be born?  Many were looking for a military and political deliverer.  They did not grasp that Jesus, the Messiah was coming to save the world from sin.  The religious leaders, who watched with great anticipation and hope for the birth of the Messiah, became His greatest enemies.  These religious leaders did not recognize the Messiah.  Friend do you recognize the Messiah?  Do you recognize that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world?  Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior and LORD?

In the book of Isaiah, God promised hope.   This hope was fulfilled through the birth of the Messiah and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this – Isaiah 9:6-7.  During this Christmas season, take the time to reflect and thank the LORD for sending His son, the Messiah to deliver you from your slavery in sin. 

We find in the book of Isaiah that the Messiah is referred to as Wonderful Counselor.  Take comfort in knowing that we can go to Jesus for all our needs.  He desires for us to ask and seek Him for the plans and directions He has preordained for our lives.  Our Jesus, the Messiah has wonderful advice for us.  Are you willing to listen?  Isaiah 28:29 – All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.  Seek the LORD’s wisdom.  God’s Word plainly tells us His plan is wonderful and His wisdom is magnificent. 

God reveals to us that the Messiah is God Himself and that He is the Everlasting Father – He is eternal.  God reveals to us in His Word that the Messiah is the Prince of Peace.  His government is one of justice and peace.  You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you – Isaiah 26:3.  Friend, do you desire peace?  Keep your mind focused on Christ, the Messiah.  Continue to seek after Jesus.  He will provide the peace that reaches deep into your soul, even in the middle of chaotic circumstances. 

Not only did God tell us about the promised Messiah many years before Jesus’ birth, but God reveals to us that He will set up His kingdom and it will never be destroyed.  Friend if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and LORD, your citizenship is in this eternal kingdom.  The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people.  It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever – Daniel 2:44.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus.  During this Christmas season, help us to truly celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world.  I pray our focus will be on you sweet Jesus.  Provide us with the wisdom and peace that only You can truly give.  In Jesus Precious Name I Pray…..Amen.

Ordinary

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.  1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Hello sweet friends.  Do you feel ordinary and wonder how the LORD can use you?  I want to tell you today that our Savior and LORD desires to use us to impact His kingdom.  Your ordinariness is not a concern or issue with Him.  Let’s stop making it an issue or an excuse for why we are not being obedient to our Savior. 

When we read and study God’s Word, we notice that Jesus called ordinary men to be His disciples.  These men demonstrated no extraordinary abilities or spiritual superiority.  God graciously empowered them to share the gospel message to a lost and dying world.  Friend, God desires to empower us to share the gospel message and meet the needs of others in the name of Jesus.  Are you willing?  When we feel ordinary, weak, or incapable and we humble ourselves to be used by our Savior, God will empower us with His strength.  We are not and never will be sufficient for the task our LORD has called us to, but He desires to use us as His instruments to share the gospel with the lost.  Only He can provide what we need.  2 Corinthians 12:9 – My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  God never intended for us to rely on our own energy, efforts, or talents.  He desires for us to seek Him for what we need. I can do all this through him who gives me strength – Philippians 4:13. 

God desires our faithfulness.  He will transform us, as He did the disciples, and use as to further His kingdom.  Friend, will you surrender yourself to be used as a precious vessel for the Master’s use?  John MacArthur states in his book titled Twelve Ordinary Men, “There are no intrinsically qualified people.  God Himself must save sinners, sanctify them, and then transform them from unqualified into instruments he can use.”  Yet you, LORD are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hand – Isaiah 64:8.  Friend, humbly submit to your Heavenly Father and allow Him to transform you. 

 The power is in the Word – the gospel message we are commanded to carry to a lost and dying world.  Jesus speaks clearly to us in John 15:16  - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  Our Savior and LORD empowers us to go and bear fruit which will have an eternal impact.  No credentials are needed.  You just must be willing to humbly submit to your Savior and LORD.

As we study through Scripture, we see many references about human weaknesses.  This should be a reminder to us that our faith should not be placed in the wisdom of men, but our faith should be placed in the power of God.  2 Corinthians 2:3-5 – I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.  My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 

I encourage to humbly submit to being used by the LORD to carry the gospel message to the world.  We do not have the ability to do this on our own, but with the empowering of the Holy Spirit we will be able to bear much fruit.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth – Acts 1:8.

Dear Heavenly Father, I realize I am weak.  Empower me to carry the gospel message to a lost and dying world.  Empower me to meet the needs of others in the name of Jesus.  Mold me and make me into who you would have me to be, LORD Jesus.  In Jesus Precious Name I Pray…..Amen.iH