Waiting On God (Revisited)

Waiting On God (Revisited)

Have you ever asked God this kind of question?

“God, what do you want me to do with my life?” 

Well I have. 

In fact, every day I seem to say, "God, please show me what you want me to do. Please make it clear to me on how to proceed with my life." Even though many times I get impatient, because of my changed life, I have been able to wait on God and not always act out of fear or self-determination. I know it is God’s desire for me to live in sync with His plan, and make my decisions based on what He reveals to me through His Word, good Godly counsel, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

What I gather from my past encounters with God is that He brings me to a particular crossroads in my life where I sense something is about to change. He reveals His will to me just at the right time. He then shows me exactly what action I need to take and when to take it.

I am able to confirm what I believe God is telling me through my connection and relationship with the Holy Spirit, constant prayer, confirmation from God's Word, Church Sermons that speak directly to my circumstance, counseling from wise Godly people, books and articles by people of faith that come to my attention, worship and praise of a loving God who keeps His promises, and confirmation through a sense of peace about taking action based on all the guidance I have been given. What I need to take to heart is that waiting on God requires that I remember His timing is always perfect. 

When God wants me to act He puts those desires for His direction and change at the forefront of my thoughts. The changes I am referring to include changes in my character, desires, behaviors, work, obedience, maturity, faith etc.  I happen to like comfort and would choose to remain so if it were not for the fact that change in God's kingdom means I check out of the comfort zone motel. I have learned that God is trying to help me to step out in faith and in the process trust in Him completely. This is a hard thing to do because my human nature, which at times I mistakenly rely on for perspective, hinders me from doing something that God is trying to do to in order stretch me spiritually. After years of wrestling with God, I have many reasons to believe that God has the power to do anything. The evidence is the change in my own heart. Too many times I have put God’s power in a box thereby setting limits on what I think is possible for Him to get done in me and through me. A big lesson I have learned is that God can do the impossible! He changed my heart from being million miles away from Him to one that embraces Jesus’ good news of salvation. Truly this is a miracle for a Jewish person (me) who used to mock God and His Church.

So when God is ready to move in my life I know I need to be prepared to walk through whatever change or door He has opened for me. This idea of preparation is a process by which faith and trust in God has matured to the point of action. The more I trust God, the more I am prepared to act. The cool thing is God strengthens me and equips me for everything He has called me to do. This is my confirmation that He wants me to do something. He also puts the passion in my heart and gives me the strength and ability to accomplish His purpose.

As far as ministry is concerned, it is great to be used by God! It as an honor and a privilege to serve Him and give Him the glory He deserves. To this day I am still amazed that God allows me to be part of His plan to help others find hope in a fallen world.

Since I am like most people I still have dreams and passions that I feel the desire to pursue. This is where I battle the human VS eternal perspective the most. There are times when I want to change my job, my housing situation, find a new state to live in, find new avenues of service to God, and increase my level of comfort. I have a tendency to plan my own reality and dream hopeful circumstances that I prefer to take place and reside in. However, this reality I have created for myself for the most part is opposed to God’s master plan. The reason why I know this is because God is conforming me into the image of His Son and not into the image and circumstances I have created for myself. My identity is designed for me to be in Christ and not Dave the guy who does this (fill in the blank) for a living.

To help me get a bigger picture about God's plan I seek out His Word to confirm what His purpose is.

The Bible tells us that God has a purpose and plan for our lives:

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”   (Proverbs 16:9)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

The Bible tells us that God wants us to become more like Jesus:

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

(Romans 8:29)

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Trusting God while I wait for His direction: 

Even though I have dreams and desires for my life I fully trust my Heavenly Father for charting the course of my days. He knows what’s best for me and may have other plans for my life that serve a greater purpose than the ones I desire for myself. There are times when I ask myself, “What is God trying to do here”? From a worldly human perspective, waiting on God doesn't make sense since we are told over and over again by the prevailing culture to follow our dreams. I am glad God does not always give me what I desire. Some of my desires/dreams would not have been beneficial to me nor the kingdom of God. What we have to remember is that waiting on God becomes even harder when we focus our energy on figuring out what God is up to.

The Bible tells us that there is a reason why it is so hard to figure out what God is up to:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Patience:

Even though I trust God, I still struggle with being patient with Him. I am so conditioned to get things done quickly that waiting for God to act is somewhat unsettling. However, God's timing is always perfect. He does have a plan and I need to live with great expectation that He will act for His greater purpose. It is good to know that God will use periods of time to test our faith and obedience. During these times God desires that while we wait, we worship. That while we wait, we trust that He desires to do good in us and through us. That while we wait, we come to Him in prayer, and completely open up our hearts to Him. This is the kind of personal relationship and faith He desires.

The Bible explains the spiritual importance of coming before God with our daily requests and concerns:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

I am also thankful that God continues to be patient with those who still have not received the Gospel. Many in my extended family are not followers of Jesus.

There is a very important reason why God is so patient:

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2Peter 3:9)

Historically speaking, God had to be really patient with me because of my many years of rejection and lip service directed toward Him. I am forever grateful for God's unfailing love, mercy, and grace sprinkled with tons of patience.

We have to consider while waiting on God for whatever reason, we still have a purpose that is primary to a meaningful existence. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we are also to love our neighbor. This means that one of the greatest acts of love we could do while we wait on God is to reach out to the lost and brokenhearted. A great part of our purpose is to share the hope we have though Jesus' work on the cross.

The Bible reminds us to set ourselves apart to Christ and share the Gospel with others:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)

These verses below exhort us to wait on God:

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

(Lamentations 3:24)

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

(Psalm 27:14)

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

(Psalm 130:5)

Here is the blessing for waiting on God:

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; 

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:31) 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. ”The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

(Lamentations 3:22-25) 

When we wait for God we ultimately pronounce His worthiness to lead and guide our lives especially when we are going through difficult circumstances. By persevering we are allow God to continue His work in us and through us.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 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. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

(James 1:2-5)

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  (Hebrews 10:35-36)

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3)

So even when it becomes difficult to wait on God to change our circumstances, or even answer our prayers, we can be confident that God is continuing to work for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose. Remember, God will work to perfect us by even allowing our prayers to go unanswered and to keep us in our circumstances for a time in order for us to learn something about ourselves and to test our faith and trust in Him. 

What will help us in this time of anticipation is to remember believers have the awareness to experience God's perfect timing and to experience just how amazing the mind of God really is. With that realization, we understand how blessed we really are to part of God's family and that gratitude that permeates from within our heart has the potential to change us from the inside out.

We are assured that anyone who is truly a follower of Christ has been changed.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So while we wait, let us live the way God intended, set apart to Him on the road to Christ-likeness.

With patience comes blessing:  

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.

For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

(Isaiah 30:18)

Jesus promises us that He will one day return to bring us to our heavenly home. With this promise we can live this life with hope and with confidence, waiting on the Lord to fulfill this eternal blessing.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."  (John 14:1-4)

As I write this I am reminded about one more thing. Those whose identity is in Christ will be opposed.  The enemy is looking to bring down anyone who a follower of Jesus.  For this reason we have to remember that Jesus warned us about the troubles we are going to face as His followers and we must not forget to always put on the armor of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground,   (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Even with the opposition from the enemy and the world, living for God is worth any struggle we will face. Jesus died to rescue us so let us die to self and wait for Him to direct our path and to be patient while He changes us from the inside out!

Just Sayin………………..Dave 

How We Make Sense Out Of Tragedy (Revisited)

How We Make Sense Out Of Tragedy (Revisited)

It is very hard from a human perspective to make sense out of a tragic loss of a loved one. We think to ourselves, why would God allow this to happen? Yet from an eternal perspective only God knows why He does not protect everyone from the effects of sin in this fallen world. Maybe the greater purpose in all tragedy reminds us that our Creator is making light of the sin and brokenness in this world. He is calling us all to turn to Him for hope which He freely offers graciously to all.

No one I know of is going to be able to escape physical death. Whether young or old we have to face the fact that our bodies are infected with the disease of sin. And because of that sin in us and in others, our bodies will either break down over time or be in the line of fire of accidents, violence, natural disasters, or evil.

Many people live their lives through a horizontal existence and perspective which is the reason why people in general are really not concerned about their eternity. The only time we start thinking about life and death it is when someone we know dies or there is a tragedy we hear about in the news where there is a loss of life.  

But we should be concerned about eternity and the reason is our Creator has revealed to us the whys. According to God’s Word, the Bible, it matters how we live and where we are going to spend our eternity. 

As far as eternity is concerned we are either going to be with God or separated from Him.  We can choose our eternity and that is why it is fair for people to choose Hell over Heaven. God has revealed the way one can be with Him for eternity and the good news is, the way is clear and we don’t have to earn it.

So here is the way:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

And with this choice comes abundant life: (Jesus said)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

Great News:

Jesus not only came to rescue people from spiritual death but also to give them a purpose driven life. For those who put their faith and trust in Jesus have a great purpose through the amount of impact they can have in this world by testifying and modeling their new transformed life and faith due to the power of God’s love and amazing grace.

Here is what we need to take to heart:

Those who receive the gift the faith are transformed from death to life.

Here is that promise from Jesus that we all can receive:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

(John 5:24)

Those who become followers of Jesus are no longer enemies of God. In fact, they have become God’s friend. Jesus’ death on the cross reminds us of His great love and willingness to suffer and die to rescue us from our sin which is what separates us from God in the first place. The Bible reminds of Jesus’ love and willing sacrifice:

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:10)

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deed (Titus 2:14)

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

Each person that Jesus purchased with His life has an amazing God story to tell. Their testimonies of God’s love, mercy and grace reminds us that without God intervening in our circumstances, we would remain separated from Him for all eternity.

A great reminder - God came to rescue people like you and me:

^“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8)

Remember we are all infected with a sin nature!

God created us with a purpose which is to love Him and fellowship with Him. Followers of Jesus worship and praise Him for His extravagant mighty work of creation and salvation. They experience Him because believers are given the gift of the Holy Spirit that indwells within each believer. Through the Holy Spirit’s influence, guidance and teaching they are willing and able to serve God and others through the spiritual gifts and talents they have been given. Their service is not out of obligation but out of a new desire to love God and their neighbor. And when it is time to go home and be with God, He has plans for His people as well.  

It is important to know that God has an even better home for us than this earth. He has prepared a place for His people where there will be no more death, pain disease, violence or suffering. Yes, we can have an eternity that is far better than the life we have been given here on earth. Praise God for that better place called heaven!

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples in order to comfort them. This is a promise for all believers as well:

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”(John 14:1-4)

God's Word reminds me about how much God loves us and desires to reassure us that even though our sin nature causes us to stumble at times, it does not prevent us from the receiving the promises God made to those who have received the gift of faith. 

No one can snatch us away from God:

 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all^; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29)

We will never be separated from the love of God!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Those who have received the Holy Spirit through there confession of faith confirms that they are God’s Children.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (Ephesians 1:13)

The Holy Spirit is our assurance that we have truly been rescued from our sin:

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

Many times I have seen the glow and joy of a new believer in Christ. God’s supernatural work changes a person’s heart and it is quite evident that they are different and in the process of transformation from the inside out. Their new identity is in Christ and they begin to serve God out of love and not out of obligation or even to try to earn God’s approval. God has already approved of them and their call to faith proves that He does.

The greatest achievement in this life is not status, wealth or worldly success. The greater success story is to be known and loved by God. This is not done by any work we can do but by God’s supernatural work and intervention into our circumstances.  We are given the gift of faith.

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ^- not by works, so that no one can boast.

(Ephesians 2:8-9)

Those who have received the gift of faith will never die spiritually even though they will die physically in this world’s timeline. This physical death brings sorrow to us because of the temporary loss we experience while we are still awaiting our turn to enter into that same state.

The Believers joy:

As followers of Jesus we can celebrate the eternal life of a Believer who has passed knowing that we will one day be reunited with them again in heaven.

Still, losing a friend or a family member is devastating. Yet, there is one important thing I have witnessed about the family of God, they do not grieve alone. They are surrounded by other believers who will offer comfort, prayer and counsel during the difficult days of sorrow ahead. The acts of kindness and compassion remind us that God has wired His people to be an extended family. They are truly brothers and sisters in Christ.  There will always be moments of loss as we go through this life. Yet, we get to experience moments of blessing due to God making sure we are cared for by His family.          

There are so many great promises God has made to His people that should encourage us as we go through life in a broken and fallen world. Two passages have helped me through the most difficult of days:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)

My experience:

God planned and then brought me to my moment of salvation which is the greatest gift I have ever received. Meanwhile as I trust Him to direct my every day, He leads me into a life filled with abundance all the while showing me how to appropriate His blessings.  I desire for Him to do a work in me and through me which is the real evidence I look for in every believer. This is how I see the abundant life: The Holy Spirit working in us and through us creating an amazing depth of love a person has for God and for others. This is the legacy we should all desire to leave as followers of Jesus. The reward we get is the privilege to serve and glorify God. Our new Christ-likeness represents God’s love and not the world’s darkness. We must remember our purpose includes demonstrating God’s love to the broken, the hurting, the poor, and the lost. This is important because the legacy we leave behind will be impacted by our character, our heart, and how we lived, not just what we achieved.

To me, if a Believer's life affects other people in a positive and loving way, God will remember what they have done. If a Believer loves and serves God with gratitude using the gifts and talents He gave them, God will surely remember that as well.  

Good works are the ones God has prepared in advance for Believers to do. Their obedience to God assures them of His love and God promises to reward the ones He loves.

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

(Hebrews 6:10)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14:23)

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Take this to heart - we will be judged on how we have lived.  

But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Followers of Jesus ought to reflect on their lives and see if the kind of work they are doing truly reflects God’s love and principles. This passage below is one we should all take to heart:

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. (1 Corinthians 3:11- 15)

So the way we live is important. They way we treat others and love God even more so.
 
As we are faced with the difficulties of living life in a broken and fallen world, whose character are we going to reflect? Even if we can't make sense out of tragedy how are we going to continue to live and act? If we turn to God for answers He will reassure us that we can live and act with an eternal perspective where everyday counts, every moment has meaning, every action filled with eternal purpose, so even with death all around us, there is still abundant life to be appropriated, there is still good work to be done in God's name. 

The good news:
In Christ there is abundant life. 
In Christ we will be transformed from the inside out. 
In Christ we can have a hope and a future.

So even if we can’t make sense out of tragedy we can make sense out of this: Jesus came to rescue us from the sting of sin and death and will gives us a new life and a new hope. Jesus' action carries the weight of eternal significance. If one ignores God’s life giving gift of faith than they will unfortunately drown in the turbulent waters of a broken and fallen world.

Remember this:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

The greatest tragedy is to be separated from God. Don’t let that happen.

Just Sayin…………….Dave