Why is it so difficult waiting on the LORD?

Well for one thing, God lives beyond time, in an entirely different dimension. And because of that, His ability to see “perfect timing,” for every event, is outside of the realm, in which we can.

Also— He is Omnipotent and Sovereign, and He knows what’s best for us. His timing is not aligned with “our” timing.

But of course, His will and timing,  is perfect, no matter what, when, where or why. Always perfect, and always “on time.”

And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. 

Isaiah 46:4 (KJV)

The Prophet Isaiah, and the Book of Isaiah, is powerful, moving, and provides insight into God’s character. Along with His love, His wrath, His forgiveness, and the foretelling of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, (Immanuel—which is to say…God with us).

Isaiah 46:4 — brings an emotional shaking to my very soul, in a great way, every time I read it.  It’s reassuring, because it states so much, in a relatively “small amount of words.” But make no mistake about the meaning, and the vision it conjures up, in ones mind.

For me, it is a promise, and a continuation of God’s providence, and His unparalleled love.  It’s saying, although we ourselves invariably will grow old, ostensibly, our Father never does.

He is the “Ancient of Days” (Dan. 7-9, 13, 22) and He remains as strong to sustain and nourish us this very day, as He was in all the days prior; such as the days of  Adam, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, David, and Joseph. As He was there for those in days of Old, so too He is there for each of us, today, tomorrow, always.

His incomparable fortitude of strength, and unwavering grace, is our fortress, which guides our faith.  It’s the temperance of Christianity, and the depth of our roots, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Isaiah 46:9, 10—“I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done…”

There have been various guesses, and estimates, that lead us to believe that thirty percent of the Bible, were about future events.

God has repeatedly said to us, through His word, that we should inherently trust, believe in Him, and His Holy Word, the Bible.

Through the course of our acquainting ourselves with His Word, and following His commandments, we can meditate, and live out our lives, according to His will, and purpose.  When we do, peace is surely our neighbor, and love is the threshold of prosperity, as joy embodies our spiritual life.  We build on that foundation, and we stand on the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ.

Do you know the Rock? 

Have you given yourself to Him? 

Do you know the Word? 

Most important, do you know Him and His love?

If not…may I invite you to open His precious and Holy Book, and get to know Him?

Then sit awhile, and chat with Him, it’s the best time you’ll ever spend this day, tomorrow, or ever!

“Father God, thank You for holding me close from conception, when you knit me in my Mother’s womb, at my birth, and all the days since, I thank You for being with me now, tomorrow and always…in Jesus precious name, Amen.”

A televised Pastor had a great segue into his message. He opened with the following: “When I ask how someone is, and they reply with ‘I’m fine under the circumstances’ that bothers me, because we are not under our circumstances, instead we are over our circumstances.”

And that is true, with Christ we are victorious…and we are overcomers.  Through Him, each of us are conquerors, “under His power” and strength. But of course it’s mainly through His unmerited Grace that we can overcome.  He is with us through it all. Our happy times, our sad times, our anguished times, our grieving times, and during all of our celebrations.  Always.

When we order something out of our lives, and take command of it, by the power of Jesus Christ, we are covered by His blood. He gave us the gift of salvation, and by His stripes we were healed.  (Isaiah 53:5)

Fear shouldn’t be in our lives, when we have Christ.  Christ’ love and Spirit within inherently pushes out “fear” because we were created in perfect love. In love there is no room for fear. (1 John 4:18) His Spirit fills our inner selves to full capacity. With Him, in our life, there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish.

The world is treacherous at times, but when we are grounded in His foundation, we are sure-footed. throughout our journey. while here in our flesh bodies.

Overcomers have the knowledge, relationship, trust and love in the LORD. and follow His commandments, and seek His face daily, in all we do.  This of course allows for confidence, and inherently sets us up to walk the “narrow” path of righteousness…eventually to gain our rewards in our Eternal home.

Turn to the LORD for a life worth living.

Turn to the LORD for an education about humanity.

Turn to the LORD for a love that’s fulfilling.

Turn to the LORD and give it all to Him every day of your life.

Remember, He loves you, with a capacity in which we cannot comprehend.

His promises are unwavering, and He is with us no matter where we go, no matter where we live, no matter what we do.

He will always hold us up, in all things at all times.

So when someone asks, how are you doing?— instead of saying I’m well under the circumstances,  garner your inner strength, then feel confident, by saying, I’m well over my circumstances.

Don’t ever forget this vitally important fact… there isn’t anything too big or too small for our God to handle and conquer.

With God all things are possible, Amen!

“Father God, may I always realize that You are with me and through You I am victorious, may I always turn to You for all things, and may my spiritual growth continue all the days of my life, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Isaiah 41:10

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings…”

Psalm 17:8 (NKJV)

Many pastors are speaking on “end times” and concentrating on the Revelation prophecies, as evidenced by what’s happening in the world.  Jesus warns us in all four gospels, to be aware of the times, a to be alert while warning others.

We are currently in tumultuous times.  Christianity is being assaulted more than ever, denigrating behavior towards one another with different viewpoints is on the rise, violence and murder occurs daily throughout the world, some places more than others.  Education is being “realigned” to fit narratives, and social conscience is seemingly gone to the rafters, thrown into the wind by unrest and dubious origins of discourse, promulgating vigorously on all social platforms, media and otherwise. It’s a whirlwind and a vortex of uncertainty in disparaging heights.

Although I am aware of Jesus’ warnings, I  also know of His profound love for us, and His ability to protect and guide us.

I’m aware of our Father’s way of “being an umbrella” that shields us from improprieties, and ghastly situations, that would otherwise destroy us, if not for Him. And His unwavering promises.

I like to be aware each second of the day.  I also want to adhere to His commandments, and secure myself in the net of security, which is to say “the Rock” of my existence, Jesus Christ.

But as seconds tick away of our life here on earth, let’s not forget that there is a place where we shall dwell for all eternity.  That when this life of ours is over, and we have completed the journey in which God intended, we are heading for our permanent home…Heaven.

So while we have a “job to do” while here, let’s do it well…and give all glory and honor, to the One and Only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  However, let’s rejoice that when our life here is over…we will be called home.

Keep going, keep doing what you’re doing.  And do it well.  Live life fully, completely and implicitly involved in goodness, and rejoice in His love. Even with “all that is going on around us” even when things seem bleak, strange…or unfamiliar.  Realize that He is with us, and that we are His, and His alone.

We are the apple of His eye, and no one shall touch us!

For God says so!

“Father, thank You for Your love, protection, provisions, and for the gift of grace and eternal mercy, may I always do all things according to Your will and purpose for my life, may I always be the apple of Your eye,  in Jesus name, Amen.”

*****************

“He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.”

Deuteronomy 32:10

*****************

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

****************

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

*****************

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 John 4:16

*******************

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 3:1

*******************

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Do not be preoccupied with an evildoer who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes.
 Let go of anger, and leave rage behind.
Do not be preoccupied.
It only leads to evil.
 Evildoers will be cut off from their inheritance,
but those who wait with hope for the Lord, will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:7-9 (GW)

When we surrender to the LORD we are acknowledging our deep abiding faith, and inherent trust in Him.  We are relinquishing control, and thereby submitting to His power, authority, and unconditional love.

Jesus, in the NT, came to fulfill the scriptures, to essentially live and die for us, surrendered His rights, and prerogatives, as the second person of the Trinity, yielding to the will, purpose, and plans, of His Father. You can certainly see and read this in Philippians 2:6-8.

We are advised throughout the Bible,  to surrender our lives, in order to accept the “free gift of salvation” —that was paid in full in horrific…albeit, loving fashion, by Christ, our LORD and Savior.

We are to called to pursue, an altruistic, consistent daily walk of faith, by giving up our sinful and prideful nature, while adhering to the LORD’s will, and purpose for our lives.  When we do so, we are pleasing our Father, showing and expressing inwardly, that truth, love, and His ways, are above all else.  Nothing else should come before Him. Nothing should be more important than Him. Nothing should be more satisfying to our soul than Christ!

Christ willingly and completely emptied Himself of anything, and everything, that stood in the way of the glory, and gain of His Father, through Him.

If Christ is the “truth, way & the Life“(John 14:6)— how can we not consciously aspire to be according to the “will of our Father?”   If Christ surrendered to the Father, how can we not aspire to His standards and therefore acquiesce to our Father in Heaven?

Life is tough enough with our faith fully intact.  However, thinking about  the complexities of “life,” it really becomes so much easier, when we “turn it over and surrender completely, and place it into the hands of our wise and Almighty Father!”   

“Father, may I always be mindful that You are in control of all things, I surrender to You fully and ask for Your daily guidance and strength all the days of my life, in Jesus precious name, Amen.”

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psalm 23:5 (KJV)

The LORD, continues to give His people, what they need, and does so in abundance, especially in the midst of trials, and tribulations.

His blessings are throughout the Bible, and not limited to “material” ones.  No, in fact there are a myriad of ways the LORD can bless each of us. These blessings, include the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, of all who ask. (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:1-4)

The Father’s promises, love, blessings, and power, pour over those who reciprocate His love, accept Him, and give witness to His glory.

Many supernatural things were manifested, as told throughout the Bible, when people of faith, were filled with the Holy Spirit.( Luke 1:67; Acts 4:31)

Our cup will overflow, when we are in compliance with the LORD, and are filled with the Spirit, and surrender to Jesus, as our LORD and Savior.  (Psalm 23:5)

But it is vitally important, in fact, critically imperative, that we are not filled with sinful pride, or self-righteous behavior.  Understand that before we can have an overflowing cup, we have to empty ourselves of anything, and everything, that could thwart the Spirit, from working in us.

When our hearts are contrite, and true to the LORD, we then will be able to accomplish what the Father wishes to get done, utilizing us in the process, as His servant, and dedicated follower. Going and doing all things according to His will and plan.

His love has absolutely no limits, its infinite.  His grace is a gift, and ever faithful to those whose hearts, mind, and soul are set wholly on Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

He truly enjoys giving us rewards of being faithful, and obedient to Him, and His word.  He wants to fill our “cups” to overflowing, and He longs to fill us with His Spirit.

In and through Christ. we have joy, love and peace. We begin a growth that will result in fruits, that will extend beyond our time here on earth.

Paul, in Ephesians 3:20, says “God is the One who is able to do so much more that we can possibly realize of begin to imagine.”

And in Romans 8:37, it states, we are “more than conquerors through Him who loves us.”

God’s love, and incomparable Omnipotence, and providence, is reflected in His Word, from Genesis (OT) to  Revelation (NT)  His generosity, along with His unapparelled love, and divine mercy, is echoed over and over throughout His Holy Word.

His blessings aren’t merely confined to the temporal  (2 Corinthians 4:18) but which is not seen…our eternal home.

Have you looked at your cup lately? 

Is it clean inside, as well as out?

Remember that in and through Christ, all of us can experience an overflow of joy, peace, and love.  His grace reaches out to anyone who wants to accept it, and His love is unlimited to all who readily open their hearts to it.

His cup is waiting for you, take it…then get ready to experience the biggest, and most phenomenal gift, you’ll ever receive in your life!

I say, “overflow cup, overflow.  Thank you Jesus!  Amen.”

“Dear Lord, may Your Spirit, fill the hearts of those who don’t know You yet, and continue to fill the cups to overflowing, of those who DO know You, in Jesus name I give You thanks, glory and honor, Amen.”

I know many Christians, who have trouble with “forgiving themselves,” of past transgressions, or issues, that might have been “beyond the parameters of Christianity.”

At times, many of us can be our own harshest critics, and determined to “beat up” on things done, or words said, or actions that were less than worthy.  However, the most important One of all, while nailed to the cross said, “It is finished…” John 19:30

We need Him, in all areas of life, which is to say without Him, there is NO LIFE.

Jesus, is our Kinsman redeemer, sent to set us free.  And His mission, not only served “us” and brought into focus, the glory of His Father, and the plan for humankind.  But with Him, we are able to have forgiveness.  Not just “one time,” but no matter how many times we transgress, or backslide. He is unconditionally there for us, when we truly repent with a contrite heart, He willingly forgives.

In Matthew 18:21, Peter asks of Jesus, “How many times should I forgive someone, as many as seven times?” Jesus replied with, “No, you should forgive seventy times seven.”

Still there are versions which say seventy times, but we’ll concentrate on the larger number right now.

Think about that for one moment.  Just think!   That response from Jesus Christ is beyond our human comprehension.  But to our amazing calculations, seventy times seven, amounts to exactly 490 acts of forgiveness!

So if Christ can do that, and asks that of us for our transgressors, then why is it so hard to “forgive ourselves?”  We are His. He is ours.  And His words are for everyone who has the ears to hear.

So hear it!

Embrace it!

Share it!

And Praise Him!

We are forgiven!

Next time we look into the mirror of our souls, remember there is One who created us, and loves for who we are.  And He forgives us, even if we can’t forgive ourselves!

“Father God, thank You, for the blood of  Your Son Christ, who declared, ‘It is finished’ — may we forgive those who offend us, and may we forgive ourselves, as we seek Your grace, and love, all the days of our lives, in Jesus name, Amen.”

For the Chief Musician.

A Psalm of David.

There is no human understanding that can grasp the Omnipotence, and intensely powerful ways of our LORD, for His knowledge is way past ours, and inherently majestic in brilliance.

As our Father so strongly states in Isaiah 55:8-9 —“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts…”

David is expressing in Psalm 139, the tremendously amazing and infinite characteristics of God, or what is often referred to as “Omniscience.”

His ways are indefinable, as compared to a mere mortal, nor can any human begin to fathom the undeniable love He bestows upon us,  His children.

In fact, in all His ways…He is perpetually at the helm, looking to guide us, lead us, direct us, heal us, and sustain us in all things.

However it’s up to us to seek Him, and receive Him fully, unconditionally, and reverently. And most important of all this is, “to love Him,” with all of our heart, mind, body, strength and soul.” (Luke 10:27)

He is our Amazing God who never ceases to astound.

He alone is our Amazing God who never ceases to provide.

He alone is our Amazing God who never ceases to protect.

He alone is our Amazing God who will never leave us.

He alone is our Amazing God who loves us fully and forever.

He is simply…AMAZING!

Seek Him early, so that you shall find Him. (“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”) Proverbs 8:17 KJV

Get to know the One and Only GOD— King of kings, LORD of lords, and the Great I AM.  He is worthy of our love, and worthy of our praise.

Laugh with Him.

Cry with Him.

Talk with Him.

But most of all…open your heart to Him.

Let Him in.

Please believe that it’ll change your whole life.

God desires to change your life, if you are willing.

For those of us who know Him.  How blessed we are.

For those who don’t know Him, that can stop right here, and right now.  He is waiting patiently for you to acknowledge Him, and love Him, and accept Him.

Grab your Bible, dust it off.  Take it off your shelf, or out of your closet.  Or perhaps borrow one, if you don’t have one.  God’s promises, and love are fundamentally life changing.  Whatever ails you, God has the answers.

“Father God, I pray that those who don’t know You, seek You and accept You as their LORD and Savior, that they would get to know You, for all You are, and all You do, and I pray that those reading this, will be blessed and protected by Your love and power all the days of their lives, in Jesus name, Amen.”

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.   

Hosea 6:6 (NKJV)

Throughout the Bible, there are various verses in the scriptures, that reveal our LORD, has no desire for half-hearted “rituals” — but that He truly wants our love, and a heart on fire for Him.

He wants us to rejoice, and not only fully love Him, but others as well.

He wants us to truly “seek Him” with all of our strength, and to spend precious time alone with Him.  When we do, we are revitalized.

Coming to the LORD with an honest heart, and surrendering to our Father, is the best decision anyone can possibly make.

Did you know that God wants us to seek Him with daily requests, and honest questions? 

He truly wishes to be fully involved with the daily happenings, events, scenarios, and everything pertaining to our lives? If we leave Him out of the equation in our life, we are setting ourselves up for unnecessary “hardship” and “indecision” along with an unsettled soul.

All answers are found from above. 

All requests are validated from above.

All things that are needed are from above.

God is constantly inviting us to “walk with Him.”

When we give God total control of our decisions, a burden is  lifted and an influx of peace flows forth.

When we become more acquainted with God, and His love, he takes delight in our actions.  He wants us to know Him.

When we decrease, and pull back, allowing God to be God…He then INCREASES in us.  And we begin to truly learn what LIFE really is.

For Life is Christ, without Him…there isn’t any life at all.

Get to understand and know God, and His love, on every level. When we engage in an active dialogue, and ongoing devotion towards Him, we will fully understand, and actively know the extent of what it means to LIVE!

“Father, You are all I need in all aspects of my life, today, tomorrow and always, may I always put You first, praise You continuously, and give You all the Glory no matter what, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Matthew 22: 37-39 (KJV)

“Good morning Father, thank You for another Day, thank You for Your protection, Your wisdom, and Your love, in Jesus name, Amen.”