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)