Waiting

Ecclesiastes 11:6New Living Translation (NLT)
⁶ Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.
2 Timothy 3:14New Living Translation (NLT)
¹⁴ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.
How do you react when waiting on God? Some of the things that may go through our minds is:

• Thinking He has forgotten
• Whine I want it now
• Question if He heard us
• Get frustrated

Sometimes, God wants to see how we will wait on Him. He already knows what His answer is. How are we going to act or hat are we going to do while we wait? Are we going to trust in His goodness and sovereignty or are we going to think that we have to do this ourselves instead of with God?

We need to keep preying while we wait. He will strengthen us as we wait. Our trust grows as we pray aas we are waiting. If we don't pray we leave the door oopen for the enemy...

• Doubt
• Discouragement
• Disappointment
• Despair

or even worse

• Loss of Faith

God wants to and does answer prayer. He has proved it in the past, present and future. How will you wait for God to answer today?

The Giver Of Real Joy

Do you find more pleasure in the giving or receiving of gifts? Most people are more inclined to the getting versus the giving. Why do we have such a "me, me, me" or "mine, mine, mine" attitude? It is even worse when we Christians want more. We tend to look at God as a "magic Genie" or "Santa Claus". We ask and don't even think about giving to anyone else.

God is the true joy giver. When we keep asking and asking we seldom find joy that lasts. It is only a short time before we want more.

We need to come as children...in awe and wonder...thankful to our heavenly Father and leave as adults...so thankful that we give to others out of the abundance we have been given. There are many ways to give. Our time, our heart, our finances are just a few ways to give.As we are generous with what we have, we find real joy.

Real joy is really found in the giving and not the receiving. What have you given back to others...to God...out of your abundance?

What is worship...

OK...so we go to church on Sunday mornings. We get all "prettied up"...put on our "Sunday best." We got to a building and maybe greet some people. We find our favorite seat (and don't let someone be sitting in it) sit down and wait? What are we waiting for? Why are we even here in the first place? What are we expecting to hear...to see... to feel? What is this worship thing all about?

Well we need to ask ourselves a few questions:

1. What is our attitude about going to church? Are you going there because it is an exclusive club for you or is it a place for both "sinners" and "saints" alike? Is it a joy or a drudgery?
2. What is our motivation for going to church? Is church a duty...a item on your checklist or is it something much more? Is it a place where you come to be entertained or a place you expect God to show up and is present amongst us?
3. What keeps us from going to church if that is what is happening...? Is it a place where you feel safe or is it a place where you feel you have to always watch your back? Has it become that social club and not a place where you experience the life changing message of hope?

OK...Romans 12:3-5 tells us:
(Romans 12:3-5New Living Translation (NLT)
³ Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. ⁴ Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, ⁵ so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

We gather together as the body of Christ...becoming one body with many parts. We come together to worship God...to thank God for all He has done and is doing in our lives and in the lives of the body of Christ...in the body of believers.

So why do we need corporate worship...why do we need to gather together in one place? Can't we worship God in our own homes...on our own? Well yes we can and should worship God in our homes and our work place...we should live a life of constant worship. But...but...when we come together in worship it renews our faith and renews our joy...we hold each other up in prayer and come along side each other in times of crisis. 

There is value in a Godly community. It is a place where we find our role in God's great design and our purpose for His Kingdom. Have you discovered your role or purpose? It can only be done in community. In community is where we should be able to find meaning and purpose in life. Otherwise we just go through life and not live the abundant life God has in store for everyone who believes.

I think our biggest deterrent to the issue of finding our purpose in life... We use those two favorite words "I can't"... You are right...we can't, I can't...you can't...but God CAN... In Mathew 19:26, Jesus tells us:

(Matthew 19:26New Living Translation (NLT))
²⁶ Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

We just can't do it on our own but God...in and through community with Him and other believers...can do far more than we can ask or hope for. As we come together in community, Ephesians 4:16 tells us"

Ephesians 4:16New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

We grow and become whom God would have us to be...even if we have a hard time, at times, believing in ourselves...God will always help us to succeed in what He has planned for us...God keeps His promises. This truth we can "Take to the bank...we can bank on it."

So what is worship? To me it is a way of life. You don't really "do" worship but you "be" worship in what you say and do. It is saying "Thank You" to God not with just lip service but with action. It is gathering with a rag tag group of people...as Jesus did...and hear the Good News. It is during worship I can expect God to show up and I will be changed forever. It is in and through worship I am free to love all...to see the sacred worth in all...to invite others into my "worship space" and feel the movement of the Spirit with in them.

So...what is worship to you and what will you do with your worship of God. I would like to leave you with a piece of scripture found in the Gospel of Matthew... it kind of says it all...

The Workers Are Few

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Are you ready to be counted amongst the workers?

God's Standards...

No Condemnation (John 3:17)

We often go through the day feeling as if someone is looking over our shoulder ready to judge our actions. My husband probably wonders why I bought that dress . . . My boss is thinking I’m taking too long with that project . . . The elders don’t understand why I can’t take on that committee . . . This isn’t how Mom would have done it . . . And perhaps the voice we hear the most is our own: Why aren’t you good enough?

Even if others praise us, the pressure we put on ourselves can drown out the latest acclaim. We put pressure on ourselves to do more—and do it better and quicker. How could God be pleased with us, we wonder, when we feel so weak?

Listen to the words in this chapter of John’s Gospel. God wants a relationship with us—not to condemn us, but to free us. He offers redemption through Jesus—not because we have done something to deserve it, but because he loves us.

Though we may read those words again and again, they can be hard to believe. But try to wrap your brain around this truth: God does not condemn you. None of the pressure you feel throughout the day is from God. In truth, you may be trying to please others or achieve your own goals more than you are trying to please God. You may feel guilty because you keep changing the standard.

Richard Foster writes, “The less we are manipulated by the expectations of others, the more we are open to the expectations of God.” Yes, we are weak. Yes, we often fail to meet our own expectations. But what does God expect of us today? To believe in his Son who set us free from sin. To believe that he is stronger than our doubts, fears, pride and ambition. To believe that he does not condemn us for who we were before we met his Son. To discover who we are in the light of his love, freedom and grace.

We may not feel "qualified" but...our God qualifies the called..."

God of Time and Space

God of time and space, thank you for this New Day Dawning...this New Year given... How awesome it is to know that time is in Your hands. Thank your for the year gone by. As I look back I can see You moving in my life...I can see that in those times I thought I was alone, You were there. How wonderful it is to know that You have all the times in my life setup for me and as I trust You with my life each day comes into being. May I feel You even more present...may I see You even more often...May I know You even more fully in this coming year. Lord, God, create me a new this year. May I serve You more fully as I step out in faith into this new horizon You have created for me. May I be ever closer to Your heart as I strive to live out the life You have set out before me. May I love more passionately...May I be more compassionate with others...May I shine more brightly...May I walk more humbly all to Your glory this coming year. May You use me as Your earthen vessel, waiting to be filled and then poured out for others. I look forward to what is ahead as You use me to bring about Your Kingdom come where Your will is done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen...!

God of Hope

God of Hope and Peace, full of compassion and healing, I pray for the gates of Heaven to be open and Your hope, peace healing and grace would pour down from Heaven upon Your people and Your land. We are thirst for Your showers of mercy to rain upon us...renewing us...redeeming us...flowing upon the dry parched land of our souls. We pray for Your grace to forgive those who trespass against us so that we too will be forgiven. Forgive us, we pray, for those times when we have ignored Your nudging to forgive others and hold onto anger and bitterness. Forgive us, we pray, for those times when we should have shown mercy but have taken on "self-righteousness". Help us to set aside our differences and our agendas and see each other as beloved children of the Most High God in order to understand and believe that everyone is of Sacred Worth to You. May we bring wholeness and healing, hope and peace, joy and healing, mercy and grace. Help us to be Your hands, feet, face, voice and grace to a world full of despair and chaos...

God of Christmas

God of Christmas, full of love and forgiveness, where true joy and hope are found, thank you for the ultimate Christmas gift that keeps on giving, the gift of that first Christmas when You became flesh and walked among us. May we accept that gift and not only accept it but open it each new day instead of leaving it on the shelf for the tomorrow that never comes. May we not be selfish and keep the gift to ourselves but share it with abandonment with those around us. May we help them to open and share Your gift of love that poured down from heaven in the form of a baby that was laid in a manger...a feeding trough...who became the Bread of life...eternal life with You. May the Bethlehem Star shine bright within us as we strive to live as Advent people each and every day of our faith walk with You. Amen

God of Advent

Forever God of Advent, full of hope, peace, joy and love. Thank you that You loved humanity so much that You came down in a form that we would understand...the form of a human child...and taught us how You want us to live. Forgive us for those times that we forget the true meaning of this season. You are not found in the noise and confusion, You are not found in the tinsel and garland, You are not found in business of the season, You are found in the quiet, still, small voice of our hearts. Thank you for the most precious gift of Yourself found in our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. May we share the perfect gift of the season, You, with all those who live in darkness. May we be light bearers  for the world that still is in need of light for it's eyes.

Lord...You Are

God of my life, giver of all that is good, my Refuge and Rock, thank you for Your ever present love for me. Thank you that I never need to fear in my life because my life itself is in Your hands. May I trust and love You with abandon as I step out in faith and follow where You lead me. May I "free fall" for You so that I may soar on wings as eagles. As I take that "leap of faith" with You each and every moment of my days, I am so blessed by You. You will never let my foot slip as I take each step on the awesome journey You have orchestrated for my life. Help me in my times that I may doubt...strengthen me in those times when I feel I can't take another step...lead me into life eternal as we dance the dance of faith, hope, love and joy together. You truly are the music of my life...the song in my heart...You are the Lord of my dance...

A Sheep of Your Flock

Compassionate and protecting Jesus...the One who Shepherds me daily. Thank you that when I wander You will leave the others and search for me until I am found. I love to hear Your voice of compassion and hope. Lead me this day out of the pasture of rest into the world where I may lead others to Your loving arms of peace. Use me in this world so that others may come to know Your protective love. I am Yours and You are mine forever more. Use me to do Your good and perfect will...

My Hiding Place

Yahweh, you are my hiding place. When there is a storm of life You are always there keeping me safe from harm. When I begin to fear what is happening in my life, You hide me beneath Your wings of peace, hope and love. You hedge me in from all sides so that no harm will befall me. You are my hope. my song and my Deliverer. In You there is no fear, only peace. Thank you for Your loving grace. Than you that Your perfect love casts out all fear. Thank you for the life I have in Christ Jesus, my Rock and my Redeemer.

I WILL rejoice in the Lord

God of mercy and hope, thank you that your mercies are new each day. Thank you that each day you give me is a day that I can do your will in the world. Help me to be focused on you and your will in my life and not on the world around me and what it says I should be doing. Help me to hear your still small voice and not the siren sound of the world. Help me to hear your description of who I am and not what the world has labeled me. May I drawer near to you as you draw near to me. Today is a day that YOU have made...I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!

Blessed Beyond Measure

Oh Great God, thank you for loving me so much! To think of all the wondrous things I survey that was fashioned by your hand and to know that I am cherished above all of these is very humbling to me. TO think that you breathed the breathe of life into me is too marvelous for words. To know that I am your beloved child is incomprehensible to me. May I never forget your promises to me that I may stand firm in my devotion to you. May I never forget that you have a purpose for my life...even when I don't see it. I will ever sing your praise for the life I now have in Christ Jesus... I am blessed beyond measure...