Worth the Wait

I wait for the Lord , my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. Psalms 130:5 NKJV

*Sometimes we desire something that feels like it will never come...Notice that I said FEELS...That doesn't mean that feeling is true. While we wait on things that we do not have the ability to change without God's grace and intervention, we have to use His word as encouragement and strength. Even if you have to Google scriptures on the topic, do not grow weary or complacent...Wait on the Lord. His strength is made perfect in your weakness, and anything He has for you is worth the wait. Don't settle for a cheap copy or knock off...Wait on the real McCoy.

Going in the Right Direction

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 NKJV

*God always makes sure we do not stumble, or travel in the wrong direction if we just trust Him. Even when I wonder whether or not I am still going in the right direction, I have to remember to stop allowing confusion to be a distraction and follow His light. I'm so thankful for God's guidance, even when I am unsure of the destination or more arrival time.

Being a Confidant

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16 NKJV

*As believers, we are suppose to be able to talk to one another, and receive advice and support. This should be lopsided, or to the opposite extreme, hidden to convey "perfection." I'm not saying spread your business, or cast your pearls, to any and everyone...Be led. However, we as Believers need to do better about being listeners and being there for one another, instead of it being lopsided.

Pacing Ourselves in God

So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalms 90:12 NKJV

*May our hearts and minds be synchronized with the time frame of wisdom,  rather than rushing. It is so easy to push pass the process in order to fulfill our to-do list, or pause because the to-do list is too long. Trust God to order your steps...We need Him every step of the way.

Current Situation vs Faith

“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Luke 1:25 NKJV

*God will rectify the thoughts of others by turning you into what they never dreamed you would be, or giving you something or someone they didn't think you would obtain. Don't listen to what others say, or what you currently have and see...Believe what God promises...

Patience and Peace in God

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 NKJV

*Sometimes you need to be reminded pf that hope, especially in are world that is filled with selfishness and has been desensitized. You even need the reminder that you are unique and wonderfully made when you feel like no one gets you. Thank God for being in our corner, and being aware of this revelation. Many aren't, which causes them to give up sooner.

God Will Serve "It" to You

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37 NKJV

*This is so true...All that God has ever given to me has come to me, and I never had to chase it. I grow tired, weary, annoyed, and concerned like the next person. The difference is that I don't hold on to that, I trust God, & I won't give up. God is too real and awesome for that....#HoldOn2HisPromises

Leave It to God

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalms 46:10 NKJV

*Sometimes we need to remember who God is, and the fact that He always has everything under control. We don't have to do anything extra when we trust Him, & allow Him to guide us. People of this world have different plans to get them through...Ones that take more work, but as a believer what don't have to do what everyone else is doing when you trust in God.

Waiting

Through the Lord ’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.

Lamentations 3:22 NKJV

*We are not consumed with waiting on God because we learn to appreciate the process while waiting, and we also learn to listen in order to uncover why God is waiting on us vs how we think we are waiting on Him. What has He been trying to tell you in order to get you to that next step? What is stopping us, or what is it that we need to learn or remove? If nothing else, how is our tolerance and patient level in the eyes of God?

The Process

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV

In the beginning or even during a process, we often can't see the end results. We just have to trust God,  and remind ourselves that faith is the substance of things hoped for... The evidence of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1). In the end,  if we are obedient and allow God to guide us, we will reap a harvest. However, until the harvest comes, learn from the process. We all could stand a lesson that helps us grow. In the mean time, hold on to the promise and ask for guidance.

Blessings of the Lord

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. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Psalm 37:7‭-‬8 NIV

*Seeing people obtain what you've always desired,  by their own means, is nothing to be envious about. The best things in life,  that are sustained, come from God. These things are also a part of your purpose, instead of being achieved for temporal gain. It's better to wait on God,  and allow Him to prepare you then obtaining something prematurely that may hinder your growth and create lack because you aren't sure how to handle or maintain it...

People of God

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 NIV

Prayer : "Father God, Your love through Your Son Jesus makes us whole, complete, and lacking in nothing. Yet, when confronted with Your people, at times fear, hesitation, and distrust sets in. Help me to bear long and to bear hard with my sisters & brothers in Christ, so that we all may remain rooted and grounded in Your love. Teach me, Lord, to peel back and discard every disagreement, every conflict, every difference I have with believers until the only thing that connects us is Your love. Help me to see fellowship with believers from Your perspective …as a bond that will enhance and bring more of Jesus’ love into my life. Help me to remember that Your love is stronger to unite than anything that threatens to divide. In Jesus’ name. Amen." #HolyBibleDevotional

*This hit home for me today because I have issues with desiring to deal with people, especially those that hurt you and have no respect or regard for your feelings or thought process. It becomes tiring to try to reach God's people when you are met with selfishness, but yet we can't love Him and not love His people. I often think that hurts and pointing out the differences between people,  or being in a click is designed to further separate His people. None of this can stop your purpose,  if you don't let it... Especially if you pursue unity and soul winning.  May our temporary feelings not get in the way of our assignments and blessings, and may positive experiences with people help reap a harvest of consistent love through us verses dwelled upon hurts.

Let Go and Let God

Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.

Psalm 119:143 NIV

"Father God, You are the God of my impossible. Lord, will You penetrate those areas of my life where I have lost hope and lost faith. Lord, please demonstrate Your mighty power and faithfulness to resurrect the broken and failed things in my life so that You may be glorified. Help me to peacefully let go of anything that is not in Your will for me to have. In Jesus’ name. Amen. "

Despite what we feel and see, there is nothing too hard for God to turn around. Things may not have went according to plan, but that's because God has a greater plan. We don't realize the power God holds, and how that power is in us and can be utilized if we believe. Including myself, I pray we all hang in there,  and do not be afraid of what we feel or see vs. what God is trying to guide us to... Let go, and let God...

Putting God First

This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 48:17 NIV

Lord may I do your will and flow in the way you desire, instead of doing what I desire and asking you to bless it. May each action and decision be guided by you. May we all learn to consult with you before everything we do and say, instead of moving forward and then asking for your blessing. May you be first, instead of the second source after we have already made up our minds.

His Will, Not My Way

James 4:2 (NIV)

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

*God spoke volumes in this verse today, highlighting all the efforts we put forth to obtain what we want while never doing the simplest method of all: Asking Him. Think about it: We overwork ourselves, over think, whine when others obtain what we desire, cry, formulate plans of action, try new methods, but we often don't adequately run things by the Father to first see if it is even His will or discuss how should we really go about obtaining our desires. Look at how much turmoil and unnecessary strains we put ourselves through, when all we have to do is just ask Him and wait to be guided. At times, we even cause unnecessary hardship to come upon ourselves because we don't wait long enough. God also wants us to be specific, but ask Him if our specifications are in line with His word, will, and way. Save yourself the drama and extras by learning to live with His guidance and talking to Him, rather than living and learning the hard way. Please, pray for each other in this area. I know I have fought unnecessarily hard enough, and I hope you have too.

Light Afflictions, Hardcore Blessings

2 Corinthians: 4:15-16 (ESV)

 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

*As life moves forward, we will go through things no matter how old we become or how deep in Christ we are. An earthly day may pass, but God's promises will last forever. The things that we go through for His name sake are in no comparison to the reward that is in store for us. He loves us when others do not, and He has our back when everyone else may have left us or found fault in us. Ultimately, if is not the actions of the people that matter, but whether we are moving forward in God and with Him by our side. Yes, some things will hurt and bother us, but we combat that hurt by getting rid of elements that are not of God and focusing on Him. Let's not forget His promises, nor why we are here...Our purpose, His protection, and the power bestowed upon us is far greater than anything negative that we can experience. May we pray for each to remember these things.

Victory Over Turmoil

Psalm 30: 8-11 (NIV)

8 To you, O Lord, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

*Guys, when I read these versus, it reminds me of all those desires that I have had to quit... Just through in the towel due to feeling of being trapped or like I just couldn't get it right. I reflected on those who have been confused by the enemy and actually taken their own life due to these feelings. Then, God reminded me of how His work, your purpose, and your life would be in vain if you give up. What good are you to Him, others, or yourself if you give up? When it feels the hardest is often when we are on the presupus of our breakthrough. Notice how the verses depict a sudden change... Let's pray for one another to hold on and believe for change. We must uplift one another, and individually keep the armor of God on (Ephesians 6:10-18) in order to be protected and be delivered from the war with our minds, flesh, and the illusion of hopelessness.

New View with a Great Push

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

* No matter what we're going through, God is with us. Regardless of how things feel or look, God is pushing us through. Even the experience of the situation goes smoother when you are with Him then without Him. Therefore, we must build on our relationships with the Father and ask Him to help us through it all. If you feel uncomfortable talking with Him, then you may want to examine how you are viewing yourself vs how much God loves. I'm not saying that being a beloved and building your faith is easy, but I do know that the support and connection with Him gives you strength and the will to continue. Let's pray for each other, and that we see the situation the way God sees it...And, that we are guided by God.

Reassurance to Persevere

Colossians 1:11-12 (ESV)

11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

*For me, Hump Day feels more like a mountain to climb rather then reassurance of the fact that it's the middle of the week. No matter how we feel, even if you are on your last leg, the presence of the Lord is still near and His power can strengthen. In the midst of our weaknesses, we are suppose to have faith and give thanks in advance for the removal of our transgression. Today, let's not only pray to tap into his strength, but pray that others will find the ability to press in as well. Remember, the larger the trial the bigger the blessing...Please join your faith with mine that we see beyond the circumstance and tap into the opportunity that is at the threshold.

Patience is a Virtue

Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)

2 Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end
and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

*When we are looking for answers, we often want it to come immediately...particularly if the situation is under time constraints. However, we must learn to wait on the right answer from God, and stop being anxious. The anxiety that we build up in ourselves leads to hasty decisions and settling. If you are facing a situation, then make it plan to God and be honest about what you are facing. Then, wait for His guidance. He will provide you with the proper revelation and confirmation on what to do during your time of need at the right time. We just have to be open to the answer and honest with ourselves. Remember, the answer from God is clear because He is not the author of confusion...It is also for your greater benefit, and can manifest into something far greater if we are patient and believe. I'm right there with you.