HANGING ON

 Have you ever come to a place in life that you know you are doing everything right but in spite of your best efforts life is going horribly wrong. 

I'm in that uncomfortable place right now where I'm smiling on the outside but screaming Foul on the inside.I have been bringing my prayer requests to God but there are no answers in sight. I don't understand why he feels so far away especially when I need his help now more than ever.  

Are you there God? Can't you see I'm just hanging on by a thread.   

Sounds a little dramatic but as a prayer warrior, I was feeling confused,frustrated, and abandoned. In the process of seeking God's answer I began to realize I was missing something vital to my spiritual growth. I have been a Christian for a long time so I believe with all my heart that God answers our prayers. I have seen him work many times in my own life and the lives of others. So why was waiting for him to answer this time becoming so difficult to bear? 

• Fortunately, God didn't make me wait long for his encouraging answer. First off, he showed me that waiting is a big part of the blessing. Remember Abraham and Sarah , our spiritual founding fathers. God promised to make him the father of nations but they had no children. (Genesis 12:2-3) In spite of Sarah's advanced years they waited and believed for 40 years. God kept his promise and answered their request with a son, who was a blessing to his elderly parents and to future generations to this day. So while we anticipate God's answer to our prayers, understand He is doing something bigger within us by helping us develop perseverance. "Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)
• Next, he showed me that suffering, disappointment, hardship and trials are also part of the blessing. God cares deeply for our spiritual growth so along with perseverance he wants to forge in our lives greater trust. "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6) As we wait , he is building greater confidence in us so we learn to move forward in faith before the answer comes . Lets face it, it's easy to trust when life is going our way bur trusting God in the storms of life produces champions. God is growing prayer warriors for the future.  
• Finally, coming to the end of yourself and feeling like you are hanging on by a thread is a very real emotion when trouble surrounds us but God wants us to operate in faith : not fear and defeat. When we are weary, tired, and frustrated and want to give up, our Heavenly Father hands us another blessing. Humility.  God exchanges our human inclination to take matters into our own hands with his power and strength to endure all things. "With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26 ) 
• The point is, the next time you feel like waiting is just too much to bear, remember: the greatest blessings are built into the process.  

THE ART OF WAITING

 
 Did you ever wish God answered prayer more like an Amazon order? You phone it in and it arrives within hours or at least a few days after your request. 

I'm currently in the process of waiting for a huge prayer request for OVER two years. In that two year window God has answered my other prayers and petitions relatively quickly with answers ranging from a definite yes, a parental no or the very much dreaded...wait.

When God says not yet, I tend to allow discontentment, and disappointment take control of my emotions. Waiting for this length of time has led to hopeless moments when I felt like giving up and giving into the temptation to stop praying. Truth be told, I have been at this point in my faith journey many times before and if I've learned anything in my years as a follower of Christ is he is faithful and hears our prayers. "Don't fret or worry, instead of worrying pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God know your concerns." (Philippians 4:6-7 MSG) On the flip side of discontentment is dissatisfaction, a better place to park your emotions. When we are not satisfied with the result we can choose to persevere. Moving forward with a positive mindset sets the stage for God to bless us while we wait. God is not in the business of instant gratification. He is a loving father who wants us to trust the outcome to him and his timing. He said we should shape our worries into prayers so here goes my prayer straight from the pages of scripture. "For the vision awaits the appointed time; it hastens to it's end, it will be fulfilled. It seems slow in coming yet I will wait for it. It will surely come. It will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3) Thank you Father God. Amen

As of this posting I am still praying and waiting, although, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how long it takes I will be waiting in expectant faith for God's answer. I believe "Nothing is impossible with God." ( Luke 1:37)

HOW TO MANAGE GIANTS

 

The other morning while I was enjoying my coffee and looking over the news headlines, I couldn't help but think how similar we are today to the Israelite's thousands of years ago. The slaves at that time were miraculously delivered from bondage to Egypt, led through parted waters by Moses and wandered through the desert for forty years until  God brought them to a land that was filled with milk and honey. A remarkable journey to freedom but their story doesn't end there. 

The people arrived at their destination and Moses assigned leaders from every tribe to go spy and scope out the lay of the land. Although they encountered plentiful crops, water and grazing fields for livestock their focus was on the giants. Mighty men who were decedents of Nephilim, savage warriors known for their ferocity. Instead of confidently taking over the land God himself promised them, they pulled back and cowered in fear. Were these giants real? Yes. Was fear a rational response? Yes, but something else was the underlying issue. A greater giant seized their minds. UNBELIEF. The leaders who were sent to scope out the land and bring back a report caved to doubt, putting mistrust into the minds of the people they were supposed to lead.  Only two men, Joshua an 85 years old warrior and Caleb, brought back a good report because they believed God's promise of provision in spite of the danger that was ahead.

I can look at our headlines and clearly see GIANTS. Chaos fills the news cycle and attacks our minds like arrows shot from the enemy's bows. Some days I'm tempted to despair. But then I remember the words God spoke to Joshua. " Be strong and courageous for you will bring the Israelite's into the land I promised." Moses, Joshua and Caleb saw the same obstacles the other leaders saw but they saw these so called giants through the eyes of faith in the power of God.

The take away I get from Numbers 13  in the Old Testament is how important strong leadership is to a nation. A minority with faith always outweighs the majority who fears. We need bold, God fearing leadership or we are doomed to failure. Thankfully, we have that kind of leadership in the White House now. 

So what can we do to handle the giants we are facing in the world today? I believe "We the People" have a monumental role to play as our 250 year journey continues. We need to back up our leaders with prayer every day and have faith that 'where two or more are gathered He is with us."  Show up and vote for responsible, intelligent men and women who serve with common sense. Be bold enough to stand against evil so the culture does not change the fabric of our country but that Jesus will change the culture.

  

 

GREAT EXPECTATIONS '2026'

  What if we began our New Years Resolution from a different perspective. What if we begin the year in an attitude of surrender instead of my way or the highway. What if we surrendered our plans, dreams, desires and expectations to God's will for our lives. What might that look like?

First of all, let's examine what it means to hand over control to the Creator of the Universe. When we choose to surrender our future into God's hands we are not giving up or giving in to someone who doesn't have our best interest at heart. On the contrary, we willingly turn over our small expectations for His greater plan for our future. "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and to give you a (great) future." Jeremiah 29:11

When we hold onto our wish list too tightly we are actually asking for second best. God's plan is far greater than anything we could ask for, hope for, or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)  Surrendering to God is a leap of faith. It demonstrates to our Heavenly Father how much we trust Him to keep his word and to take care of everything that causes us anxiety. Your finances are not as big as God's provision. "And God will supply all my needs...(Philippians 4:19) Your health is in the hands of the great physician. "And the prayers offered in faith will make the sick person well,,, (James 5:15)  Relationships? Love God with your whole heart and love others as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31)

The bottom line is...when we surrender our plans in exchange for God's will, we choose to partner with the King of Kings and invest in His kingdom and mission here on earth. All the success in Wall Street can't compare to what God offers now and eternally. "Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

 

IF THE MOUNTAINS DEPART

 

It's amazing to me how quickly we have moved through the autumn season this year. I blinked my eyes and , poof...like magic, the orange, red and golden leaves had all blown off the trees leaving a stark grey reminder of the cold winter months ahead. It made me realize that like the changing seasons, our lives are in a constant state of transition. However, God's word assures us that no matter what is changing around us we are safe in His care. "The mountains may depart and the hills be removed but God's steadfast love shall never depart from us." (Isaiah 54:10)

This verse in the Bible really spoke to my heart about letting go of the past and fearlessly embracing what lies ahead. As we move from season to season in our lives we will experience good and bad times but God assures us that He is with us through it all. His love is constant and never changes.  "Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) Our good news take away is God's character is steadfast. His love for fallen humanity is unchanging. Our feelings and thoughts fluctuate but His stay firm.  No matter what we face going forward in life always remember God loves us, and cares about us, like a loving father. His thoughts for us are for good. He remains patient with us, always calling us back to faith. Look to Him for all your needs. His love is the one and only constant in our lives.

YOU ARE SPECIAL

Statistics say there are 7 billion people in the world.  In New York City alone there is a staggering 8 million!  You might think with all those people running around you would be nothing more then a spec and get lost in the mix.
           Think again..
Take a minute and look at your fingertips.  Those little lines and ridges you see there are all uniquely yours.  No one else in the world has the same pattern that you have.  And those tiny lines are exactly the same the day you are born as they will be the day you die. If that is not enough to make you feel special, here is something else to think about.  The Bible teaches us that the creator of the universe knows you by name and has numbered the hairs on your head.  "You" are special to God and just like your fingerprints are uniquely yours he has a personal plan for your life.

It does not matter if you are an atheist or a believer; you were created by God and there is a reason you are on planet earth right now. Think of it this way. The world you live in is God's great house. You are one of his treasures that he displays across the globe for an honorable or dishonorable cause.  Your life is not a question of whether or not he will use you but what will he be able to use you for?

Let me explain. Silver and gold are useless when they are first brought in from the field. The original compounds are full of impurities that make the metal unfit for use.  The silversmith must refine it and remove all the imperfections so it can be softened and shaped.  This process involves fire and very close attention by the smith. The metal goes in and out of the furnace until he can see his own reflection in it.

If you are up to the challenge the same process applies to you.  The problems and difficulties you face each day are part of the refining process God uses to get you ready for the special job he has for you.  Like the silversmith, he never takes his eyes off you because you are his work in progress. When you allow God to work out his amazing plan for you he will help you live up to a higher standard enabling you to become a vessel of honor fit for every good work.


In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.  If anyone cleanses himself of dishonor, he will become a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for God, prepared for every good work.  2 Timothy 20 - 21






  

ARE DEMONS REAL?

 Occult.?  Innocent fun?  Or Something More?