Psalms 107:8-11 (ESV)
"8 Let them thank the LORD for HIS steadfast love, for HIS wondrous works to the children of man!
9 For "HE SATISFIES THE LONGING SOUL", and the hungry soul HE fills with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had REBELLED AGAINST THE WORDS OF GOD, and spurned the counsel of the MOST HIGH."
Do you ever think the LORD has too much on HIS plate to be concerned with the problems of your life? "This world" seems to be full of sickness, hate, hurt, and self centeredness to a point where you would think that GOD had given up on us. But the Psalmist writes in the first verse on this chapter "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good, for HIS steadfast love ENDURES FOREVER!" It may appear so DARK because we have chosen to hide HIS light from shining through our lives (John 8:12)?
Isn't it amazing that the promises of GOD literally flood HIS scriptures and I seldom find the time to notice them? When I consider nothing but my life, the blessings are far too numerous to list. Yet the enemy desires to block those memories of blessings from my mind and keep me focused on my immediate concerns. The LORD has promised to work "all things" together for my good, so why should I fret over anything?
The enemy has made deception an art where he constantly tries to imitate GOD's blessings with worldly possessions we call "things"! Regardless of the enemies deceptive practices the "things" of this world have never, can never, nor will ever SATISFY THE SOUL! Why does it matter if our soul is satisfied? C.S. Lewis said "You don't have a soul. You ARE a soul. You have a body!" Our inner being, who we REALLY are, is our soul. We have been deceived into believing that "this world" is what really matters, but the TRUTH will become blatantly clear when we draw out final breath on earth.
"HE SATISFIES THE LONGING SOUL" when we come to HIM and trust in HIM. But, we must come to HIM before it is too late! We can't wait past our time here on earth to surrender to HIM. Don't let the deceiver cloud your mind with the fast paced lifestyle and worldly "things" that are temporary! If you allow JESUS, "HE SATISFIES THE LONGING SOUL" and you can have peace and eternal life!!
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
"WAIT ON THE LORD!"
Psalms 27:14 (KJV)
"14 "WAIT ON THE LORD": be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Frequently I search for a scripture passage using an Internet search engine. While I still have a STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE bought for me years ago, an Internet search results in a number of results that oftentimes are just where GOD is leading me! The verse above is one of my favorites, as it emphasizes our need to "WAIT ON THE LORD".......twice!
While recently using an Internet search engine, I searched for the word "bible" and "hurry". It seems I formerly was constantly in a hurry, trying to meet deadlines either in my business or personal life, or both. The search brought up a devotional that had an ending paragraph I found worth sharing:
"GOD wants us to see results as we work for HIM, but HIS first concern is our growth. That’s why HE often withholds success until we have LEARNED PATIENCE. The LORD teaches us this needed lesson through the BLESSED DISCIPLINE OF DELAY."
GOD has given me a VISION for my future, but my tendency is to want to MAKE the VISION happen, to do something the LORD! Although the VISION is there, "WAITING ON THE LORD" is a must because if we are ahead of HIM, or behind HIM, we are on our own (John 15:4-5) and we can do NOTHING without HIM. Learning to "WAIT ON THE LORD" can be a painful lesson to learn. But doing things any other way may result in us drawing praise toward ourselves and not HIM?
GOD will not share HIS glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8)! When we "WAIT ON THE LORD " for HIS Plan, for HIS results, no matter how long it takes, it will be ALL because of HIM and HIS Works.
HEAVENLY FATHER, I pray that I will be more focused on drawing glory to YOU. Cause me to see that for me to "WAIT ON THE LORD" is part of submitting to YOUR LORDSHIP over my life.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
"A NEW CREATION!"
2 Corinthians 5:1
"16 From now on, therefore, we regard NO ONE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH. Even though we once regarded CHRIST according to the flesh, we regard HIM thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is "A NEW CREATION". The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
18 All this is from GOD, who through CHRIST reconciled us to HIMSELF and GAVE US the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in CHRIST GOD was reconciling the world to HIMSELF, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
No days, it seems everybody thinks "they" are the ones being discriminated against. The enemy (the devil and his demons for those who aren't real clear about that) WANTS to divide, mainly because JESUS came to save us all by uniting us! Whether by economics, race, where we live, culture, it makes no difference when we are at the foot of the cross! There won't be a American Express Platinum Card, a superior skin color, nor a Country Club mentality in Heaven. No, at the Judgement Seat we will ALL be subject to one thing, our personal relationship with GOD through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST! GOD's Word tells us our struggle is NOT WITH FLESH AND BLOOD (Ephesians 6:12), but with evil spirits!!
When will we come to grips with the fact that we are ALL sinners in need of a Savior? Romans 3:23 says "for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD!" Yes it's true, some of us have been "bought with a price", but we are servants of a KING because HE called us, certainly not because of anything we've done (Ephesians 2:8)! We are instructed to "regard NO ONE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH" by the Apostle Paul! Don't let the enemy drag you back into the graveyard where the "old" is!
The enemy wants us to focus on our differences, because if we focus on what JESUS provided for us on Calvary it reminds him of his future! The future doesn't hold anything promising for the enemy and his followers. His desire is to have our eyes on our divisions and faults! JESUS CHRIST paid the ultimate price to provide payment for our sin debt, but that is a sore subject for the devil!!
My favorite professional football team hasn't won a championship in a long time. They still remain my favorite professional team even though they are not that good right now. Eventually (I pray) they will get the right players and become champions again. As a Christian, we don't have to wait until our team "retools"! Our teammates (fellow Christians) may fumble the ball or run bad plays, but our victory was secured at Calvary by the King of Kings and LORD of LORDS who paid the price for us ALL to become "A NEW CREATION"!
"16 From now on, therefore, we regard NO ONE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH. Even though we once regarded CHRIST according to the flesh, we regard HIM thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is "A NEW CREATION". The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
18 All this is from GOD, who through CHRIST reconciled us to HIMSELF and GAVE US the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in CHRIST GOD was reconciling the world to HIMSELF, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
No days, it seems everybody thinks "they" are the ones being discriminated against. The enemy (the devil and his demons for those who aren't real clear about that) WANTS to divide, mainly because JESUS came to save us all by uniting us! Whether by economics, race, where we live, culture, it makes no difference when we are at the foot of the cross! There won't be a American Express Platinum Card, a superior skin color, nor a Country Club mentality in Heaven. No, at the Judgement Seat we will ALL be subject to one thing, our personal relationship with GOD through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST! GOD's Word tells us our struggle is NOT WITH FLESH AND BLOOD (Ephesians 6:12), but with evil spirits!!
When will we come to grips with the fact that we are ALL sinners in need of a Savior? Romans 3:23 says "for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD!" Yes it's true, some of us have been "bought with a price", but we are servants of a KING because HE called us, certainly not because of anything we've done (Ephesians 2:8)! We are instructed to "regard NO ONE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH" by the Apostle Paul! Don't let the enemy drag you back into the graveyard where the "old" is!
The enemy wants us to focus on our differences, because if we focus on what JESUS provided for us on Calvary it reminds him of his future! The future doesn't hold anything promising for the enemy and his followers. His desire is to have our eyes on our divisions and faults! JESUS CHRIST paid the ultimate price to provide payment for our sin debt, but that is a sore subject for the devil!!
My favorite professional football team hasn't won a championship in a long time. They still remain my favorite professional team even though they are not that good right now. Eventually (I pray) they will get the right players and become champions again. As a Christian, we don't have to wait until our team "retools"! Our teammates (fellow Christians) may fumble the ball or run bad plays, but our victory was secured at Calvary by the King of Kings and LORD of LORDS who paid the price for us ALL to become "A NEW CREATION"!
Monday, November 9, 2015
"I WILL GET GLORY!"
Exodus 14:4; 26-31 (ESV)
"4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and "I WILL GET GLORY" over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I AM THE LORD." And they did so.............
26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen."
27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the SEA RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL COURSE when THE MORNING APPEARED. And as the EGYPTIANS FLED into it, the LORD THREW THE EGYPTIANS INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA.
28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained.
29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.
31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses."
The Hebrew Nation was being led by GOD to the Promised Land. GOD had already provided a Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night to guide them on their journey (Exodus 13:21). GOD's Plan was "I WILL GET GLORY" over Pharaoh and all his hosts and the Egyptians shall know that I AM is THE LORD!
There is much debate over how could a loving GOD not only allow, but cause an entire army to perish so "not one of them remained"? But scripture reveals that GOD gave the Egyptians at least 10 chances (following each plague) to acknowledge that YAHWEH was GOD, but Pharaoh would not relent, and when he finally did let the Hebrews go, he then changed his mind and decided to challenge GOD again! GOD is loving, but GOD is Holy and when HE is challenged the results always are in HIS favor!
GOD will NOT be mocked (Galatians 6:7)! Whenever HIS goodness taken advantage of, as in the case of the Egyptian plagues and possibly modern day non-believers, HE WILL demonstrate that I AM THE LORD! There are many people today that either don't think that GOD is real, or that HE will not judge their sin. If we really understood how Holy GOD is, the concept of the grace of Calvary might become more clear and evident to us?
How can I, the most unworthy of GOD's Creations, expect to not only make it to Heaven, but be seated on the throne of Heaven with JESUS (Revelation 3:21)? The last Hebrew to cross the Red Sea may have wondered how he was allowed to cross on dry ground, yet Pharaoh and the Egyptians were consumed by the waters? GOD used the same waters to deliver those who believed in HIM as HE used to destroy those who thought they didn't need or believe in HIM! God's Word is still true today, "I WILL GET GLORY" either by delivering, or by destruction! Which will it be in your life?
"4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and "I WILL GET GLORY" over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I AM THE LORD." And they did so.............
26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen."
27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the SEA RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL COURSE when THE MORNING APPEARED. And as the EGYPTIANS FLED into it, the LORD THREW THE EGYPTIANS INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA.
28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained.
29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.
31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses."
The Hebrew Nation was being led by GOD to the Promised Land. GOD had already provided a Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night to guide them on their journey (Exodus 13:21). GOD's Plan was "I WILL GET GLORY" over Pharaoh and all his hosts and the Egyptians shall know that I AM is THE LORD!
There is much debate over how could a loving GOD not only allow, but cause an entire army to perish so "not one of them remained"? But scripture reveals that GOD gave the Egyptians at least 10 chances (following each plague) to acknowledge that YAHWEH was GOD, but Pharaoh would not relent, and when he finally did let the Hebrews go, he then changed his mind and decided to challenge GOD again! GOD is loving, but GOD is Holy and when HE is challenged the results always are in HIS favor!
GOD will NOT be mocked (Galatians 6:7)! Whenever HIS goodness taken advantage of, as in the case of the Egyptian plagues and possibly modern day non-believers, HE WILL demonstrate that I AM THE LORD! There are many people today that either don't think that GOD is real, or that HE will not judge their sin. If we really understood how Holy GOD is, the concept of the grace of Calvary might become more clear and evident to us?
How can I, the most unworthy of GOD's Creations, expect to not only make it to Heaven, but be seated on the throne of Heaven with JESUS (Revelation 3:21)? The last Hebrew to cross the Red Sea may have wondered how he was allowed to cross on dry ground, yet Pharaoh and the Egyptians were consumed by the waters? GOD used the same waters to deliver those who believed in HIM as HE used to destroy those who thought they didn't need or believe in HIM! God's Word is still true today, "I WILL GET GLORY" either by delivering, or by destruction! Which will it be in your life?
Saturday, November 7, 2015
"TEST THE SPIRITS!"
1 John 4:1-3 (ESV)
"1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but "TEST THE SPIRITS" to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this you know the SPIRIT of GOD: every spirit that confesses that JESUS CHRIST has come in the flesh is from GOD,
3 and every spirit that does not confess JESUS is not from GOD. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."
GOD can speak to us in a myriad of different ways. I was recently blessed to be on the beach on the Gulf of Mexico and heard some sea gulls singing and chirping, but I was the only person in sight! The Spirit of GOD told me that even the birds of the air praised HIM! HE "inhabits" our praise, but do we do that enough?
Recently I observed a statement that said "That is not a picture of JESUS". That picture got me to thinking about what "picture", or impression, my life was displaying for the world to see? The Spirit of GOD lives within me. We all should desire to have HIM discovered by others in our actions. Do I praise and worship HIM enough to validate that I am HIS?
The spirit of the devil lives in people also. JESUS readily identified the enemy in John 8:44 to the SCRIBES AND PHARISEES "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Being able to identify the enemy is imperative to living a Godly life. As believers in JESUS CHRIST we need to be able to recognize and identity the enemy quickly to avoid being caught in struggles with him.
The enemy will flee (James 4:7) at the name of JESUS, so it is best for we are are fighting him to constantly proclaim JESUS wherever we go. That may seem a bit "fanatical", but to me having the enemy flee is worth being labeled a fan of CHRIST! Identifying and knowing the enemy is great characteristic of a well-equipped soldier. If we "TEST THE SPIRITS" and find JESUS CHRIST, we find love and peace. If we find any other spirit, we find the antichrist! "TEST THE SPIRITS" and see who you find in your actions!
"1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but "TEST THE SPIRITS" to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this you know the SPIRIT of GOD: every spirit that confesses that JESUS CHRIST has come in the flesh is from GOD,
3 and every spirit that does not confess JESUS is not from GOD. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."
GOD can speak to us in a myriad of different ways. I was recently blessed to be on the beach on the Gulf of Mexico and heard some sea gulls singing and chirping, but I was the only person in sight! The Spirit of GOD told me that even the birds of the air praised HIM! HE "inhabits" our praise, but do we do that enough?
Recently I observed a statement that said "That is not a picture of JESUS". That picture got me to thinking about what "picture", or impression, my life was displaying for the world to see? The Spirit of GOD lives within me. We all should desire to have HIM discovered by others in our actions. Do I praise and worship HIM enough to validate that I am HIS?
The spirit of the devil lives in people also. JESUS readily identified the enemy in John 8:44 to the SCRIBES AND PHARISEES "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Being able to identify the enemy is imperative to living a Godly life. As believers in JESUS CHRIST we need to be able to recognize and identity the enemy quickly to avoid being caught in struggles with him.
The enemy will flee (James 4:7) at the name of JESUS, so it is best for we are are fighting him to constantly proclaim JESUS wherever we go. That may seem a bit "fanatical", but to me having the enemy flee is worth being labeled a fan of CHRIST! Identifying and knowing the enemy is great characteristic of a well-equipped soldier. If we "TEST THE SPIRITS" and find JESUS CHRIST, we find love and peace. If we find any other spirit, we find the antichrist! "TEST THE SPIRITS" and see who you find in your actions!
Friday, November 6, 2015
"WHITEWASHED TOMBS!"
Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV)
"27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like "WHITEWASHED TOMBS", which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.
28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
JESUS came that we might have LIFE (John 10:10), and have LIFE more abundantly. However, living our lives to the standards of men is not living in freedom. "This world" attempts to do anything possible to substitute what it says is "okay" in our lives for the peace and joy of LIFE, but there is no replacing LIFE IN CHRIST! The 23rd chapter of Matthew is filled with JESUS saying "Woe to you", and yet some continue trying to live LIFE on their own terms! Woe, in my book, has always meant to PAUSE!
In our modern society, there are neighborhoods of literally hundreds of houses, costing a LOT of money, that are in reality "WHITEWASHED TOMBS", appearing beautiful on the outside but are full of dead people's bones! Mankind has gotten so infatuated with the standards set by "this world" that they "can't see" they are being hoodwinked by the enemy. It seems the more we have, the more we desire to have! A bigger bank account, a newer car, more comfortable "things", when our example, JESUS CHRIST, didn't even have a place lay HIS head (Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58).
Most know how GOD has been dealing with me about slowing my life down and waiting on HIM. JESUS makes it abundantly clear TO ME by saying "woe to you" so many times (especially in this chapter) that the pace of "this world" may not be the pace HE operates on! Furthermore, the pace of "this world" cannot lead to having joy and peace, and LIFE more abundant! JESUS says in the scriptures above that they were "full of hypocrisy and lawlessness". They were so busy living at "this world's" pace (and status) that life more abundant had escaped their lives.
GOD is opening my eyes to see things in a rather deliberate fashion. My desire is not to have "WHITEWASHED TOMBS", but "life more abundantly"! FATHER IN HEAVEN, may YOU continue to reveal YOUR truths to me, and may my desire to have life more abundant grow. May "WHITEWASHED TOMBS" never be a part of my neighborhood of LIFE!
"27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like "WHITEWASHED TOMBS", which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.
28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
JESUS came that we might have LIFE (John 10:10), and have LIFE more abundantly. However, living our lives to the standards of men is not living in freedom. "This world" attempts to do anything possible to substitute what it says is "okay" in our lives for the peace and joy of LIFE, but there is no replacing LIFE IN CHRIST! The 23rd chapter of Matthew is filled with JESUS saying "Woe to you", and yet some continue trying to live LIFE on their own terms! Woe, in my book, has always meant to PAUSE!
In our modern society, there are neighborhoods of literally hundreds of houses, costing a LOT of money, that are in reality "WHITEWASHED TOMBS", appearing beautiful on the outside but are full of dead people's bones! Mankind has gotten so infatuated with the standards set by "this world" that they "can't see" they are being hoodwinked by the enemy. It seems the more we have, the more we desire to have! A bigger bank account, a newer car, more comfortable "things", when our example, JESUS CHRIST, didn't even have a place lay HIS head (Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58).
Most know how GOD has been dealing with me about slowing my life down and waiting on HIM. JESUS makes it abundantly clear TO ME by saying "woe to you" so many times (especially in this chapter) that the pace of "this world" may not be the pace HE operates on! Furthermore, the pace of "this world" cannot lead to having joy and peace, and LIFE more abundant! JESUS says in the scriptures above that they were "full of hypocrisy and lawlessness". They were so busy living at "this world's" pace (and status) that life more abundant had escaped their lives.
GOD is opening my eyes to see things in a rather deliberate fashion. My desire is not to have "WHITEWASHED TOMBS", but "life more abundantly"! FATHER IN HEAVEN, may YOU continue to reveal YOUR truths to me, and may my desire to have life more abundant grow. May "WHITEWASHED TOMBS" never be a part of my neighborhood of LIFE!
Thursday, November 5, 2015
"THE LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM!"
Lamentations 3:24-26 (ESV)
"24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in HIM."
25 "THE LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM", to the soul who seeks HIM.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."
Recently I was awakened in the middle of the night and, no matter how hard I tried, could not get back to sleep. Being impatient, and making things happen, has formerly been a trait that I not only identified with, but a trait I used to almost glory in! While perusing a social media website a meme was seen that caught my attention. "Good things don't come to those who wait. They come to those who work their tails off and never give up"! One thing I have learned is that if scripture doesn't back something up, I don't put a tremendous amount of creditably to it.
So I began looking at scripture and and when I found Lamentations 3:25 I had to pause! Not waiting on the LORD and 'making things happen' is akin to telling GOD that you know better than HE and you will call HIM if you need HIM! How many times have I gotten frustrated when things would not seem to work out when GOD was trying to tell me to WAIT ON HIM! There was a Bible study I found recently that said "This type of test could occur to some of you right before your big breakthrough with the LORD. What you will have to do is OVERRIDE your flesh and your own IMPATIENCE, and simply rely on GOD’s peace through the Holy Spirit and God’s perfect timing as to when HE will want to open up that door for you."
Not waiting on GOD can be as much of a sin as overtly doing something specifically forbidden by scripture. To not trust in HIM to provide HIS blessings ON HIS TIMETABLE can be telling HIM that HE doesn't know what is best! Can you imagine what would have been the results when the children of Israel had attempted to cross the Red Sea before GOD was ready to part the Red Sea?? Trusting GOD to deliver us, WHEN HIS PLAN calls for deliverance, demonstrates our total trust in HIM and HIS timing!
Trying to be one who is "in control" of WHEN things happen can be just as fatal as not trusting HIM at all! Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it"? "THE LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM" and it may be GOD is telling me not to trust my deceitful heart and to TRUST HIM?
"24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in HIM."
25 "THE LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM", to the soul who seeks HIM.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."
Recently I was awakened in the middle of the night and, no matter how hard I tried, could not get back to sleep. Being impatient, and making things happen, has formerly been a trait that I not only identified with, but a trait I used to almost glory in! While perusing a social media website a meme was seen that caught my attention. "Good things don't come to those who wait. They come to those who work their tails off and never give up"! One thing I have learned is that if scripture doesn't back something up, I don't put a tremendous amount of creditably to it.
So I began looking at scripture and and when I found Lamentations 3:25 I had to pause! Not waiting on the LORD and 'making things happen' is akin to telling GOD that you know better than HE and you will call HIM if you need HIM! How many times have I gotten frustrated when things would not seem to work out when GOD was trying to tell me to WAIT ON HIM! There was a Bible study I found recently that said "This type of test could occur to some of you right before your big breakthrough with the LORD. What you will have to do is OVERRIDE your flesh and your own IMPATIENCE, and simply rely on GOD’s peace through the Holy Spirit and God’s perfect timing as to when HE will want to open up that door for you."
Not waiting on GOD can be as much of a sin as overtly doing something specifically forbidden by scripture. To not trust in HIM to provide HIS blessings ON HIS TIMETABLE can be telling HIM that HE doesn't know what is best! Can you imagine what would have been the results when the children of Israel had attempted to cross the Red Sea before GOD was ready to part the Red Sea?? Trusting GOD to deliver us, WHEN HIS PLAN calls for deliverance, demonstrates our total trust in HIM and HIS timing!
Trying to be one who is "in control" of WHEN things happen can be just as fatal as not trusting HIM at all! Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it"? "THE LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM" and it may be GOD is telling me not to trust my deceitful heart and to TRUST HIM?
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