WAIT FOR THE WIN

It is right to pray for a sign of God’s goodness. As David found, it may be just what we need. But let us not overlook the signs he has already given, the support of family and friends, the fellowship of other Christians, the light of each new day. And we can be confident that he knows our situation no matter how desperate it becomes, and he cares. (Psalm 86:17, NIV Application Notes).

Q: God, how long must I wait for what I want?

A: “Be still, and know that I am God . . . .” (Psalm 46:10, KJV).

Q: God, You know I'm not getting any younger, I didn't think I'd be waiting this long?!

A: Since before time began no one has ever imagined, no ear heard, no eye seen, a God like Me who works for those who wait for Me. (Isaiah 64:4, MSG).

Q: Surely I'm not asking You to do something that's outrageous and out of your scope of work, so what's the holdup?

A: But I'm not finished. I'm waiting around to be gracious to you. I'm gathering strength to show mercy to you. I take the time to do everything right--everything. Those who wait around for Me are the lucky ones. (Isaiah 30:18, MSG).

Q: Okay, but my friends and relatives got what they wanted years ago, don't You think it’s about time for me to get what I want?

A: I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. (Jeremiah 29:11-13, MSG).

Q: Well, why does it appear that my enemies have everything they want?

A: Be still before ME and wait patiently for Me; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7, NIV).

Q: I know I am not perfect. I also know that I seek You daily, I read Your Word, I study Your Word, I practice Your Word, I'm a vehicle of compassion, and I pray for others. Don't I qualify to receive what I desire?! Uuuuugh . . . I'm tired of waiting!

A: Why would you ever complain, . . . saying, "God has lost track of me. God doesn't care what happens to me"?

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?

I don't come and go. I last. I am the Creator of all you can see or imagine. I don't get tired out, I don't pause to catch My breath. And I know everything, inside and out. I energize those who get tired, give fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon Me get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.  (Isaiah 40:27-31, MSG).

God, there are moments when I get so anxious about my future, I start grumbling. Considering my résumé and credentials, I believe I should've already achieved certain milestones. I get so caught up in thoughts of where I think I should be, I don't give my entire attention to what You're doing right now. (Matthew 6:34, MSG).

Forgive me, O Lord, for being impatient and prideful. Please accept my sincere apology for not always respecting Your authority over my life. I know I shouldn't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow" and I am truly sorry for not honoring Your timeline. (Matthew 6:34, MSG). When I'm frustrated and life is challenging for me, please remind me to go off by myself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear." (Lamentations 3:28-29, MSG).

God, I appreciate our conversations. Like Abraham, I can approach You and we can engage in a Q & A session.  Life is good because You show me "that asking for anything is allowed, with the understanding that" Your answers come from Your perspective. (Genesis 18:33, NIV Application Notes).

LORD, I am serious about finding You and I really do want it more than anything else! (Jeremiah 29:13, MSG). While I wait for my win, strengthen my faith and remind me that life is abundant because You reward those who earnestly seek You. (Hebrews 11:6, NIV). While I wait for my win, let me acknowledge all of what You are doing for me right now, and let me be grateful.

While I wait for my win, I wait for YOU, my whole being waits, and in Your Word I put my hope. (Psalm 130:5, NIV).

In the name of Jesus Christ...AMEN.

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Calm down & stop fidgeting! God heard you at Question 1 and replied.

God is working; remain confident & expect to be wowed by God!

That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. (Romans 8:24-26, MSG).

FRIENDSHIP VOWED

Jonathan said, "Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God's name, saying, 'God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!'" (1 Samuel 20:42, MSG).

God meets me in my powder room routinely. Just as the water flowed from the showerhead, tears flowed from my eyes. Without warning, I started sobbing about how much I will miss E.M. once he graduates.

Every time I think about my friendships, the fullness of my heart prompts me to cry gleeful tears.

O Sovereign God, I thank You for being the engineer of my friendships. I exalt You because You have created bonds that will last beyond my lifetime.

Forgive me for the times when I don't appreciate Your friendship. I confess that loneliness can be so distressing that I forget that You are my closest companion. "Nevertheless I am continually with You; You do hold my right hand." (Psalm 73:23, AMP). Lord, give me the proactive faith of Abraham, so that You too will call me friend.

O God, please continue to bless the bond between my friends and me. Though short and long distances separate us, draw us close as we pray for one another. Let the Holy Spirit connect us when we're needed most. Your Word says that I'm unprotected when I'm by myself; however, with a friend I can face the worst. (Ecclesiastes 4:12, MSG). I thank You for loyal friends I can depend on during tragic and triumphant times. I thank You for the ability to distinguish an artificial friend from an authentic friend.

Life is challenging because I've had to terminate some relationships because the friendship was shady. Life is good because You help me to establish new, positive friendships. Life is abundant because You will forever be the bond between my friends and me! (1 Samuel 20:42, MSG).

O Sovereign God, I praise You for the wonderful friends You have placed in my life! I intercede for those who are lonely and don't know the meaning of genuine friendship. I ask that You would place people in their lives that will demonstrate a friendship similar to that of Jonathan and David. Lord, thank You for being my Best Friend!

In the friendship-vowing name of Jesus Christ, I pray...AMEN.

And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God's will in thought and deed), and he was called God's friend.  (James 2:23, AMP).

A DOSE OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Monday, October 11, 2010

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it—no matter what. Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. (Hebrews 4:12-16, MSG).


Hebrews 4:12-16 is encouragement to STAY connected with GOD through the reading of the Holy Word.  REMAIN faithful and obedient to His Word, O children of God.  Sit still and READ His Word--LISTEN to God (and stop being rebellious).
 
Christians are confused, hurting and desperate, yet we're unwilling (forgetting/neglecting our literal connection) to connect with Christ and accept His help through the AFFIRMING Word.
 
Life is challenging because I am afraid to walk up to Christ to acquire what He's eager to give me.  Life is good because the Word of God is an available resource for me to read and learn how to approach Christ.  Life is abundant because the WORD is God's unlimited lifetime warranty!

Dear God:
Help me to admit that right now is the time to accept JESUS' help!
Considering all of the sins I've committed, there are times that
I am literally petrified to approach You.
When I want to run away from reality, help me run to You.
Prompt me to talk with You about my struggles and ambitions.
Give me the discipline to read Your Word routinely.
Increase my faith and help me to believe Your written promises.
In the guarantee-giving name of JESUS, I pray...AMEN.

When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, "I promise that I'll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless!" Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they'll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:13-20, MSG).