‘’’…Wait For It; It Will Certainly Come…’’’ Habakkuk 2:3 NIV
Waiting is not easy, but it is necessary. God is working on both ends of the line; He is getting you ready for it (even when you do not know what it is), and He is getting it ready for you. Look at Joshua. He’s been to the Promised Land, now he has to go back and live with the people who have no idea, and in most cases no interest in what he’s talking about. Is that where you are today?
To get from where you are to where you are going, you have to be willing to be in-between. It’s hard to let go of the familiar and stand with your hands empty while you wait for God to fill them, especially in the area of: a) feelings. When you finally face your resentment and decide to let it go, you can feel empty for a time. This is normal. You are in-between pain and the peace that comes from forgiving and accepting.
Hang in there, it will pass b) relationships. When you let go of someone it can be frightening, because now you are feeling a sense of loss. Do not rush into another relationship half dressed and ill prepared. Talk to God: you need this time to become whole and learn to make healthy choices c) jobs, homes and goals. You have let go of the old but you are not sure if you can handle the new, or even when it’s coming.
When Jesus said, ‘’’Let us go over to the other side’’’ (Mark 4:35 NIV), the lessons His disciples learned in-between changed them forever; and they will change you too!
Source: Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Barometer for Spiritual Growth 2 Peter 3:14-18 There will be times when life has a stagnant feel to it. We can even become depressed in our thoughts as we wonder what God is doing.
Just as there are seasons of immense growth, there are times when we feel as though we are standing still spiritually. Seasons like these can be restful, especially when we make up our minds to allow God to do His perfect work in our lives. Even when you feel as though nothing major is happening, God is at work.
We need times of spiritual rest in order to be refreshed by God's Spirit. Take advantage of the quiet seasons of life by committing yourself to prayer, keeping up with your spiritual journal, and studying God's Word.
The secret to the deeper life is not found in activity but more often in restfulness, where we concentrate on the goodness and richness of the Lord and where we are taught by Him how to live each day according to His will.
It is only in times of quietness that you are able to hear God's most intimate words. Have you learned to listen for His voice? Can you rest right where you are even as the world continues its fitful turning around you?
Seasons of quietness teach us how to find healing solitude in times of great activity. This is why Jesus told the disciples to abide in Him. When we abide, we rest, and when we rest, we experience great peace.
There can be no testimony without a test. I am praying to go through this test and come out the other end with a new and better marriage then before.
January 23, 2006 God?s Determined Will Ephesians 1:1-14 Believers frustrated by the Christian life lack two critical pieces of knowledge: an understanding of God's will and an awareness of the steps to discover His plan for our lives. Over the next few days, we will study the nature of God's intentions and how to access them. Let's begin with a look at His sovereign will.
God's "determined will" includes His unchangeable plans for the world. As the sovereign ruler, He is in total control--no government rises to power and no physical ailment occurs unless He allows it. He is determined to carry out the plan that He developed before Creation.
God reveals very little of His determined will to mankind. We can anticipate only those events He has disclosed, such as Christ's return and the White Throne judgment. (Revelation 19:11; 20:11-15) Much of our knowledge comes from our experience and Bible reading. We know, for example, that the Lord has given us limited free will and that He has a plan for redeeming us from the sin we choose.
God's ultimate purpose is His glory. Because of a limited human perspective that sees only the evil, people wonder how He can allow crime, disease, or war. But we know that "God causes all things to work together for good" (Romans 8:28). Look at the cross--that device of torturous death is the greatest _expression of good and glory in Christianity!
God will have His way, whether we believe in His sovereignty or not. His plan is far bigger than we can grasp, and it is designed to highlight our need for Him.
There can be no testimony without a test. I am praying to go through this test and come out the other end with a new and better marriage then before.
I needed this very much today. I have been through alot in the last couple of months. H leaving after 13years moving in with Girlfriend and leaving us behind. I feel lost and having been trying to find my way back spiritually. Thanks
Del All this that you a copied is great and on point. Keep this going on a daily basis because everyobe needs that angel to shine and you are that shining angel
"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." Proverbs 17:27-28
January 24, 2006 God?s Desired Will Jeremiah 29:11-13 Unlike determined will, God's desired will is resistible and conditional. We have a choice to do things our way or His. The Lord designs a specific plan utilizing a believer's unique gifts and talents for the kingdom. He wants to share His desired will so that we can live successfully.
First, God desires that we follow the moral laws, like the Ten Commandments, which apply to everyone. Throughout Scripture, we find principles that can add joy and meaning to our lives, such as the instruction always to give thanks and put aside bitterness in favor of forgiveness. (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 4:31-32)
Following those basic principles allows us to clearly discover the second part of God's desired will--His intentions for our personal life. One good example is vocation. Before our birth, God predestined us to have specific skills, talents, and spiritual gifts, which suit us for certain types of work. Our vocation may change, but with divine guidance, our work will consistently "fit" us. Other examples of His intentions include (but aren't limited to) spouse, finances, and ministry.
Finally, God's desired will is active in our daily life. What interests us interests Him, no matter how trivial. We have all sent up desperate prayers when something we needed was missing. Often we find the object within moments because a caring Father leads us right to it.
The Lord wants to work in our life, and He will send blessings if we follow Him. It is impossible to get less than the best when we do things His way.
There can be no testimony without a test. I am praying to go through this test and come out the other end with a new and better marriage then before.
Nobody but God can tell you who you are and what you are worth. Until you know that, you will not know whether you are in love or in need. You will keep looking for somebody to love you so much that you will finally start feeling good about yourself.
The trouble is, when you find that person you will cling to them like a vine. You will agree with all their opinions and have none of your own. You will try to meet their every need and make yourself indispensable and you will feel threatened if they can do anything without you.
When they enjoy somebody else's company you will panic and say, 'All I need is you, how come you do not feel the same?' No human relationship can sustain such a load.
It is in God's presence, free from the demands of others, that you begin to look at yourself in the right mirror. It is there you prepare the gift to be given. But something has changed, now you know how much the gift is worth, and you will give it only to someone who places the same value on it.
God has always wanted the best for you; He is just waiting for you to come into agreement with him. Listen; I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.
Extract from 'The Word For Today', Tuesday 18th January 2005. UCB, PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
