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God Is Waiting On You - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) November 26, 2024

The patient nature of God is explained in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Although we've likely heard that scripture too many times to count, do we really understand what His patience means?


From our perspective, the Lord seems slow to punish but that is one way to comprehend His patience (2 Peter 3:9). He kindly gives people ample time to choose Him, so much so, that the wicked begin to think there will be no consequences for their evil (Zephaniah 1:12). However, His patience is an opportunity to spare many from an eternity in hell. Sadly, they're often too stiff-necked to realize before it is too late.


Another key way the Lord displays His patience is in how long He waits on us to figure out His word has already been spoken concerning our lives. Covenants and promises made long before we were born. All assuring of His love and the great inheritance He's apportioned to those who would have confidence in Him. He's just waiting for us to believe what He said because without that faith, we'll miss the miracle making a beeline our way.


It is easy to think God is slow to keep His promises. We may think He has delayed in fulfilling His word in our lives. But what if the person who's been slow and the one who delayed was...you?​

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​God is waiting on us to believe He is faithful and to trust Him. He wants us to study His word and know that He poured out His compassion, love, grace, mercy and more through it. He is waiting for us to believe He is able. He is waiting on us to have faith that He will do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask or imagine. He's waiting on us to ignore that voice of disbelief and fear that chokes out faith. He wants us to take a Jairus Stance and believe the word Jesus spoke in Luke 8:50 - ...Don't be afraid; just believe...


Walking in faith isn't easy but God is determined to help every person that is willing. When our confidence in Him fractures, we must speak out like the father in Mark 9:24 who cried out to Jesus, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." And we must be like the disciples who said, "increase our faith" in Luke 17:5. The Lord enjoys answering our prayers. He understands we are mere mortals and so it is in our weakness that His power is displayed (2 Corinthians 12:9).


May we all realize that we simply need to believe without a doubt that God is faithful and will do what He has said He will do. He will help us to continue to serve Him (Philippians 2:13). We must repent when we sin, listen to His Holy Spirit, and choose to be guided on His path of righteousness. Through Jesus, we have overcome the evil one. We are more than conquerors by our testimony, the blood of the Lamb, and our lack of fear of even death (1 John 2:13; Romans 8:37; Revelation 12:11). Our miracle shall surely become tangible and IJMN, we shall be like those who proclaimed, [w]hen the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed (Psalm 126:1). Amen.


And as we allow Him to help us in our faith journey, He will patiently persevere for our hearts, minds, and bodies. Waiting on us to believe Him fully in all things.​



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Again, On Suffering - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) November 22, 2024

We previously considered how suffering can be for our good. We also discussed that the Lord can and does use a person's suffering for His glory by advancing His kingdom plans on earth. In addition, we learned that our Heavenly Father uses suffering to produce a barrier between us and sin in His children. It creates a distaste for the sinful desires that satan peddles as a way to capture our souls in its evil plans.


Last time, Abraham had the spotlight, but today, we focus on King David and his son, King Solomon.


David endured maltreatment at the hands of his family, so much so that he was an afterthought when Prophet Samuel came to anoint God's choice for Israel's next King. Then, his father-in-law, a man he'd faithfully served in battle, hunted him for years with murderous intent. The Book of Psalms is filled with his anguish about how he was treated while on the run, waiting to step into the role God chose him for.


Through his trials, David learned to rely on God, instead of his intelligence or strength. This was why he didn't kill his father-in-law when the occasion arose. God also heralded him as a man who was pleasing to Him. David left such a legacy, becoming the standard for every new king. God instructed them all to behave like David to be blessed.

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Solomon inherited the throne and sought the Lord for wisdom to rule (1 Kings 3). God was impressed by the purity of his petition and promised him exceedingly and abundantly more than he'd requested - wealth, honor, and long life (if he obeyed God). The Lord kept his promises. He was known, and remains known, for his wisdom and wealth.


Unlike his father, the Bible did not illustrate long-suffering and challenges in his pre-kingship life. Alas, much of his reign was dominated by sin. He married hundreds of foreign wives contrary to God's word in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 and began to serve their false gods (Exodus 20:3; 5). Solomon entrenched idolatry and the worship of foreign gods in the land, which angered the Lord and led to the splitting of the kingdom with his son, Rehoboam, receiving the smaller portion.


The distinction between King David and King Solomon has been simplified for brevity. Nevertheless, their stories highlight how challenging times curb the flesh and cause people to walk in greater fear of the Lord. That in turn transforms their nature, making them less desirous of sin. Apostle Peter taught in 1 Peter 4:1 - whoever suffers in the body is done with sin...


Don't be quick to reject the suffering God permits. In such cases, His objective is not to punish but to build up. Therefore, let Him teach what needs to be learned during a season of struggle and be done with sin. Submit to His lead through every stage and portion of life. so He steers away from what creates unnecessary suffering. Far too many fail in this regard and end up enduring pain that was never part of His plan. But God is faithful. Even when mistakes have been made, He is ready to rescue and save those who genuinely repent and call out to Him. Praise the Lord.




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The Role of Suffering - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) November 19, 2024

We spend a lot of time trying to avoid suffering. This drive touches all areas of our life. It is the reason we spend years in school then many more years working at various jobs. That resistance to suffering pushes us to pay our bills on time so we do not encounter embarrassing surprises and adjustments to our lifestyle that signal stepping backward.


But, God has made it clear that suffering is a part of the deal when it comes to Him. There is almost no one of note in the Bible that didn't go through some period of distress. Moses was repeatedly challenged by the people God assigned Him to lead. David's own father-in-law tried to have him killed. And as if that wasn't bad enough, his son also wanted him dead. The disciples would enter cities and be insulted, physically assaulted, and chased out - all for sharing the gospel. And as for Jesus, He was crucified on a cross for being holy, healing the sick and teaching people to live godly lives. He used each of these people to do great things and their suffering contributed to their success as God's servants.


This is why God will not allow our suffering to ever be in vain. There is no challenge we experience that He will not use to bless us and glorify Himself. So much so, the Bible teaches that our suffering hardens us against sin, driving out the taste for the desires of the flesh. 1 Peter 4:1 - Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. We are to expect suffering but we must understand that it plays a role in pulling us away from sin and making us more serious about the Lord.

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Think about Abraham who waited for an heir for so long that he and his wife opted to 'help' God resulting in the birth of Ishmael. Arguably, that wasn't the only mistake Abraham made. For instance, on two occasions, he lied saying that his wife, Sarah, was his sister. He did this because he feared others would see her as beautiful and kill him to have her. But when he turned 99, the Lord told him "I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers” (Genesis 17:1-2).


Abraham obeyed and within a year, Sarah birthed Isaac. After that, Abraham was so humbled before the Lord that when told to sacrifice the very child he'd prayed for, he didn't question the instruction. God had to stop him and declare him faithful (Genesis 22:12). His struggles and the way God got him out of them, curbed his desire for sin and increased his submission to the Almighty. Suffering can have a similar impact in our lives if we trust the Lord to usher us through painful periods and bring us to a place of blessing and peace.


Suffering as a Christian is an inconvenient truth. That said, God's promise is goodness for those who love Him and are called to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Thus, let us not avoid or reject how God chooses to train us for His purpose. We should give praise instead. Plus, the Bible promises that suffering is for a short time. 2 Corinthians 4:17 - For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. And, if we ask, He will provide a way for us to endure it and come out unscathed (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is not God's will for us to endlessly suffer. That is for sinners who will spend eternity in the lake of fire. And so, we shall endure some struggles now so we don't become the sinners who will share a resting place with satan. Praise God!



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