Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12No one I know likes to wait especially if it is unexpected and they are in a hurry. Recently I stopped to find a coffee place going down I 65 and I need not mention which one. It was the most crowded of their chain stores I had ever seen, even in New York City. The line grew longer and patience grew thinner. Smiles turned into looks of frustration. I began chatting with a customer next to me passing through from Florida to Wisconsin. Even though I wished they were faster, I was not late for anything so just hung in there.Waiting is not fun and at times very difficult to do. It could be waiting in a line, waiting for news from a doctor, waiting for a phone call, waiting for test results at school, waiting for an important letter. Whatever it is it is necessary to focus on something else while you wait. Probably waiting for an answer to prayer is especially difficult. But we press on and pray on holding onto hope not listening to doubters or nay sayers, simply believing and trusting.What are you waiting for today? Are you able to calm your heart and be still while you wait?PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you that I know you hold the future no matter what it is. I know you will help me press on as I wait for things to include answers to my prayers. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Showing posts with label waiting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waiting. Show all posts
Monday, March 30, 2015
The Line..The Wait
Thursday, August 7, 2014
You Have Need Of Patience
Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
As I sat gazing at a lady in her van at a coffee shop, myself being inside by the register, as we both waited and waited and waited some more for our order, I simply smiled at her and shrugged. Why get upset? Our world is so much for instant everything. That is not God's way. When things don't happen fast or according to our time table it is easy to give up or get mad.
This is not what God wants. Throughout the Bible are stories of waiting. Man's way is always rushing and getting things now. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, God does not operate according to our rules. I know I am thankful for that! His plan is better and sometimes it involves waiting.
Do you have a problem with trusting God and waiting? Just as a farmer waits for a crop or lady waits for her newborn baby, we too need to develop patience so as to not wreck God's plan.
PRAYER:Lord I am thankful for the times I learned to wait and want to forget the times I messed things up by not. Thanks for guiding me along the way. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
INSTANT JESUS!
Today in 2013, those growing up, at least in America hardly know what it is like to wait. No more waiting for film to be developed to get pictures. No more waiting to hear from a friend via snail mail as email and texts are prevalent. In an instant gratification world it can be difficult to teach children how to wait. In order to grow up healthy and whole it is very critical to teach children the value of waiting.
We can get to a point in life with lack of patience when we expect Jesus to hear us and answer us NOW! My friend it does not work that way. Patience is one of the "fruits of the spirit" mentioned in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23. Patience is a vey good virtue to teach children. Have you ever heard the saying "Good things come to those who wait"? There is truth in that.
When a woman is pregnant she has to be patient until the baby is ready to be born. Making it come into the world too early will either result in death or other problems.
Isaiah 40:30-33 says 'Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.'
PRAYER: Help me Lord as I seek to be patient and wait for your timing in things. Guide me to do and say the right thing and keep my heart from evil. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
HURRY UP, WILL YOU!!
Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that is very important to try to cultivate, with God's help, in your life. I often have heard if we pray for patience to look out as many "tests" will come. Seems like in order to learn certain things we need much practice in order to master them. For instance,I am a runner and when I used to run in races on a regular basis, it took a dedicated regimen of training. I could not expect to run in a 10 K race and not become injured if I did not properly train.
Galatians 5:22-23(NIV) says 'But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance(patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Without patience it is hard to let some of the other fruits of the Spirit "grow" in your life.
Do you have a hard time cultivating this in your life? Be honest with yourself. Do you become easily agitated when things don't happen NOW?
Ephesians 4:1-3 says to us 'I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in it manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'
My friends if you know you need to work on this area, do not be afraid to pray and ask for God to help you. Your life for the Lord can be so much more peaceful when you are able to get a hold on this and continue working on perfecting it each and every day of your life.
PRAYER:Lord at times it is hard to wait. To wait on test results from school or the doctor, to wait to find out if I get hired for a job, and a myriad of other waiting scenarios. I know Lord with your help I can master this in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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Monday, June 3, 2013
KILLS,STEALS, DESTROYS (PART TWO)
PRAYER: Today Lord I need your help to not just blurt things out without thinking about how they affect others. I desire to lead a life where I can be patient. I know many "tests" will come my way and help me Lord to learn from them and pass them. In Jesus' name. Amen.Recently I wrote about how the words we use have the power to kill, steal, and destroy. Another thing that can also "kill, steal, and destroy" is our impatience.
How many readers have observed an angry driver who is tailgating and
can not wait to pass often doing it in a no passing zone? Perhaps you
were the unfortunate witness to a T-bone or head on collision as a
result of someone's impatience to have to get to where they were
going and passing when it is unsafe?
Impatience can cause you to react to a situation before really thinking it over first. Being impatient can result in misspoken and often not well thought out words. Impatience can cause a person to buy something they do not need without first thinking it over or discussing it with their spouse.
You can see being impatient is not a good thing. When our first son was born he was three weeks beyond the anticipated due date. I remember the doctor saying "Don't want to take the cake out of the oven before it is done" and in this case you would wind up with a premature baby.
Rush, rush,rush. Fast food that takes five or more minutes sends some into a rage. Waiting at the doctors office may make your blood boil. It is essential to try to practice this very important "fruit of the Spirit" in order to have a healthy, balanced, loving, Christ centered life.
Galatians 5:22-23(NASB) says 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.' It is critical in order to walk with Jesus and be more like Him we develop and "grow" these fruits in our lives.
As for developing patience before we speak or email, Proverbs 29:29(NIV) says 'Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than him.' Ouch, now that hits home with me and maybe it does with some of you.
Let us constantly be seeking to imitate Christ in all that we do and maintain peace and patience.
Monday, January 7, 2013
GOD'S WAITING ROOM
GOD'S WAITING ROOM
How many of you out there like to wait? I would venture to say not many. In this hurry up society most people want things NOW. Waiting is not an option. Often tempers flare if needs
are not met in a nano second. Just kidding on that illustration of course but the point being some things take time.
You cannot take a cake out of the oven before it is done baking or it will fall. You can not expect to get through rush hour in a major city like Atlanta in just a few moments. It takes time and patience. If you have ever done ceramics or pottery you are aware the piece is not complete until it is "fired" in a kiln. You cannot just take a wet lump of clay home. Often times when we pray and do not see instant results we may wonder why God is not hearing us. Maybe He is trying to say he needs time to do His perfect work in you.
James 1:4(NKJV) says 'it let patience have its' perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.' Hebrews 10:36(KJV) says 'But you have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.' When a farmer plants a seed it takes time for his crops to grow to full maturity. They have to receive nourishment from the soul, the rain, and the sun. You can not rush the process.
When you go to the doctor often times waiting is necessary for your appointment and later for test results. You can not always have everything instantly just as if it were a microwave meal. It is a good trait to learn to be patient. Patient people do not fly off the handle and do or say things they regret later. Patience is one of the "fruits of the Spirit" found in Galatians 5:22-23.
God can often help you grow in those "waiting rooms" of life. Why not ask Him to help you today?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus forgive me when I rush around and get frustrated when things don't happen NOW. I know good things take time. I know impatience can create many problems people often regret. Lord help me as I learn to be still in your waiting room. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
PATIENT OR IMPULSIVE??
Are you able to wait or do you rush into things on your own time table and later embarrass yourself? We can not wait for answers from people and we assume the worst because we are impatient, impulsive and do not trust God with our situation.
Patience is a character trait and spiritual discipline we all should strive for, as it makes us more enjoyable to be around and things are better tolerated when you can sit still and be at peace. True, there are personality types that may lean more towards a 'rushed' spirit but on the other hand, it is easy to just react or speak if we don't just stop and think. Sometimes without waiting and thinking we can really make a mess of things. We can cause ourselves much inner turmoil as well. Depending on what it is, it could backfire on you. When you relax, let go, and let God you just start feeling better. When you get all worried and flustered about stuff you have no control over, it only leads to fretful behavior. If you suffer from a spirit that can not seem to wait, ask God to set you free. He can! You do not have to make excuses. Be aware of this weakness and seek God's help to get you on a more peaceful path.
Here's what God's word has to say. Perhaps one of the best is Psalm 46:10 which says "Be still and know that I am God." Remember the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 where Martha was distracted by preparations for Jesus visit when he in effect said "chill out". Read this in your spare time. She was rushing around in a frenzy unable to relax and be patient. He just wanted her to be calm. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23 it says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Start today and be start trying to not be so frenzied and wait for God. Waiting is hard but we have to learn to do it. Isaiah 40:31 says "Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and no faint." Finally Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." What are you waiting for or on today? Let go and let God!
PRAYER: Lord I choose to wait on you. Help me Lord as when answers to prayer do not come or things do not happen on my time table I tend to get flustered. Help me to turn things over to I and trust in your reflect timing. In Jesus name. Amen.
Click on link for a worship and praise song to help you wait.
http://youtu.be/Bb7TSGptd3Y
Patience is a character trait and spiritual discipline we all should strive for, as it makes us more enjoyable to be around and things are better tolerated when you can sit still and be at peace. True, there are personality types that may lean more towards a 'rushed' spirit but on the other hand, it is easy to just react or speak if we don't just stop and think. Sometimes without waiting and thinking we can really make a mess of things. We can cause ourselves much inner turmoil as well. Depending on what it is, it could backfire on you. When you relax, let go, and let God you just start feeling better. When you get all worried and flustered about stuff you have no control over, it only leads to fretful behavior. If you suffer from a spirit that can not seem to wait, ask God to set you free. He can! You do not have to make excuses. Be aware of this weakness and seek God's help to get you on a more peaceful path.
Here's what God's word has to say. Perhaps one of the best is Psalm 46:10 which says "Be still and know that I am God." Remember the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 where Martha was distracted by preparations for Jesus visit when he in effect said "chill out". Read this in your spare time. She was rushing around in a frenzy unable to relax and be patient. He just wanted her to be calm. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23 it says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Start today and be start trying to not be so frenzied and wait for God. Waiting is hard but we have to learn to do it. Isaiah 40:31 says "Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and no faint." Finally Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." What are you waiting for or on today? Let go and let God!
PRAYER: Lord I choose to wait on you. Help me Lord as when answers to prayer do not come or things do not happen on my time table I tend to get flustered. Help me to turn things over to I and trust in your reflect timing. In Jesus name. Amen.
Click on link for a worship and praise song to help you wait.
http://youtu.be/Bb7TSGptd3Y
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
SIMMER DOWN NOW, YOU HEAR!!
Does anyone out there have trouble waiting and being calm? It is easy to get excited about stuff but sometimes we need to 'simmer down now' and be calm and not overreact to things or get excited and impulsive and do or say something we may regret later. Overreacting without thinking, planning or praying can backfire. Acting on something on spur of moment is not good. For instance in a business deal it is best to not rush to judgment but to get all the facts. When you are buying a house you shop around and not act impulsively or you may make a bad decision. Telemarketers prey on impulsive people who do not think and end up whipping out the plastic and running up bills and spending money they do not have on something they do not need.
Sometimes this rushing into things can take the form not only of signing a contract we have not read thoroughly but it could be in the form of chattering away with our mouth or clicking on those computer keys. Once something is said it is gone forever.
Misunderstandings can occur and hurt feelings and in some cases it takes quite awhile to undo misspoken words. Sometimes the words were spoken with no harm intended but were taken out of context by the receiver. Some people may get angry and not want to forgive a mistake. Those are people I feel sorry for as that is not what God would want. He wants love, restoration, mercy and reconciliation. But he also wants us to be careful with our impatience and flapping tongue which often can be misunderstood or be a perfectly honest totally innocent mistake.
Waiting and patience are keys to having a happy, productive, peaceful, stress and worry free life. 'Jumping the gun' leads to trouble in many areas.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Proverbs 10:19 says "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Isaiah 40:31 says "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."Be patient. Hang in there. Hebrews 12:3 says "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Psalm 37:7 tells us "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
Are you able to use the fruit of the spirit of self control to help you wait for things in God's time? If not, call on God as He can heal and deliver.
PRAYER: Lord at times I get impulsive and impatient and I need to learn to relax, let go, and let you take the controls of my life. Help me slow down and wait for you and be patient when praying to wait for your perfect timing for answers. Help me not be hasty with my mouth as well. Help what I do and say bring glory to you. In Jesus name,amen.
Note: Got idea for title from friend at first church we went to here in Huntsville who always said "Simmer Down Now". Thanks Robin!
Sometimes this rushing into things can take the form not only of signing a contract we have not read thoroughly but it could be in the form of chattering away with our mouth or clicking on those computer keys. Once something is said it is gone forever.
Misunderstandings can occur and hurt feelings and in some cases it takes quite awhile to undo misspoken words. Sometimes the words were spoken with no harm intended but were taken out of context by the receiver. Some people may get angry and not want to forgive a mistake. Those are people I feel sorry for as that is not what God would want. He wants love, restoration, mercy and reconciliation. But he also wants us to be careful with our impatience and flapping tongue which often can be misunderstood or be a perfectly honest totally innocent mistake.
Waiting and patience are keys to having a happy, productive, peaceful, stress and worry free life. 'Jumping the gun' leads to trouble in many areas.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Proverbs 10:19 says "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Isaiah 40:31 says "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."Be patient. Hang in there. Hebrews 12:3 says "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Psalm 37:7 tells us "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
Are you able to use the fruit of the spirit of self control to help you wait for things in God's time? If not, call on God as He can heal and deliver.
PRAYER: Lord at times I get impulsive and impatient and I need to learn to relax, let go, and let you take the controls of my life. Help me slow down and wait for you and be patient when praying to wait for your perfect timing for answers. Help me not be hasty with my mouth as well. Help what I do and say bring glory to you. In Jesus name,amen.
Note: Got idea for title from friend at first church we went to here in Huntsville who always said "Simmer Down Now". Thanks Robin!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
IMPULSIVE? TRY WAITING.
Are you impulsive? Sometimes it is hard not to be. Do you think over purchases you make while at the local mall shopping or do you just buy, buy, buy with no thought of money or if you need an item? Do you say things without thinking and later regret it or feel stupid? Not waiting and just acting under impulse can backfire in a big way. When it comes to shopping ask yourself "want or need" and you may leave lots on the shelf. When it is your mouth ask yourself is what I am about to say going to help or hurt and is it necessary? Oddly enough even while focusing on this topic to write about I got impulsive a couple times and just sort of sat back and laughed. It is so hard sometimes to learn to wait.
Maybe stop and pray before we do things. Say "God give me wisdom as I shop today" or say "Lord I need your help to control what comes out of my mouth. Give me your strength." He cares about every little detail of your life so why not ask Him?
What does the Bible say about waiting? Perhaps one of the most well known verses about waiting is Isaiah 40:31 which says "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Somehow waiting for anything is hard. Waiting for news of an event. Waiting for grades. Waiting to find out if you got a job you applied for. Waiting to see if you are approved for a loan. Waiting to see if you got a scholarship. Waiting for a baby to be born. Waiting for the day of your marriage. Waiting for it to stop snowing so you can get out of the house is one people up north can relate to. Waiting for your flight to arrive so you can leave. Waiting in traffic. There are many types of waiting. Acting under impulse and getting angry while in the waiting process is just not a good thing to do.
If you could not wait for a baby to be born and wanted the OB doctors to take the child out early and give it to you, just think how silly that would be. God is not done with the process of forming and knitting the child together in the mother's womb and obviously, barring a miracle from God himself, the child born early, because of impatience of parents, would not survive. If you are baking a cake and can not wait til it is done and open the oven door it will fall and besides that be all mushy and unfit for human consumption. If you are running a race and can not wait to get to the finish line and cheat and take a short cut you will be disqualified.Surfers have to wait to catch the perfect wave. So you see the many examples of why we need to develop the habit of learning to wait. Don't rush things. Do not get impulsive with your tongue while you wait. And do not think you have to go shop just because there is a sale.
Waiting and not being impulsive truly take spiritual discipline. There is that word again. Discipline. Why do things have to be so hard? Why can't things be easier? Nothing good happens easy or overnight. Micah 7:7 says it well "But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." Psalm 141:3 is a good verse to end with and it simply says "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, Keep watch over the door of my lips."
PRAYER: Lord help me to wait for your perfect timing in all areas of life. I know being impulsive with words or actions is not a good thing so I need your help and strength to overcome this weakness. Guide me Lord. Thanks ahead of time for helping me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link below to listen to a song dealing with waiting.
http://youtu.be/Bb7TSGptd3Y
Maybe stop and pray before we do things. Say "God give me wisdom as I shop today" or say "Lord I need your help to control what comes out of my mouth. Give me your strength." He cares about every little detail of your life so why not ask Him?
What does the Bible say about waiting? Perhaps one of the most well known verses about waiting is Isaiah 40:31 which says "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Somehow waiting for anything is hard. Waiting for news of an event. Waiting for grades. Waiting to find out if you got a job you applied for. Waiting to see if you are approved for a loan. Waiting to see if you got a scholarship. Waiting for a baby to be born. Waiting for the day of your marriage. Waiting for it to stop snowing so you can get out of the house is one people up north can relate to. Waiting for your flight to arrive so you can leave. Waiting in traffic. There are many types of waiting. Acting under impulse and getting angry while in the waiting process is just not a good thing to do.
If you could not wait for a baby to be born and wanted the OB doctors to take the child out early and give it to you, just think how silly that would be. God is not done with the process of forming and knitting the child together in the mother's womb and obviously, barring a miracle from God himself, the child born early, because of impatience of parents, would not survive. If you are baking a cake and can not wait til it is done and open the oven door it will fall and besides that be all mushy and unfit for human consumption. If you are running a race and can not wait to get to the finish line and cheat and take a short cut you will be disqualified.Surfers have to wait to catch the perfect wave. So you see the many examples of why we need to develop the habit of learning to wait. Don't rush things. Do not get impulsive with your tongue while you wait. And do not think you have to go shop just because there is a sale.
Waiting and not being impulsive truly take spiritual discipline. There is that word again. Discipline. Why do things have to be so hard? Why can't things be easier? Nothing good happens easy or overnight. Micah 7:7 says it well "But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." Psalm 141:3 is a good verse to end with and it simply says "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, Keep watch over the door of my lips."
PRAYER: Lord help me to wait for your perfect timing in all areas of life. I know being impulsive with words or actions is not a good thing so I need your help and strength to overcome this weakness. Guide me Lord. Thanks ahead of time for helping me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Click on link below to listen to a song dealing with waiting.
http://youtu.be/Bb7TSGptd3Y
Thursday, December 15, 2011
ICANTW8
Puzzled by what this title means? This was a personalized car tag I recently saw that gave me an idea for a devotion. In case you can not make it out it says "I CAN NOT WAIT". How many of us can say that is true in our lives? We just can not be patient enough to wait for whatever it is? We are hasty and rush into things and often blurt out things we are sorry for later. Patience is a virtue we should all try to have in our lives. It would sure make life easier for us and the people around us. We get nervous waiting on news to come in or hearing the results of tests and can not seem to relax.God wants us to try and He can help. God wants us to have peace. Kind of hard to be peaceful when we are fretting over something or impatient.
What does the Bible have to say about patience and waiting? In Isaiah 40:31 it says "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." In 1 Corinthians 13 in referring to love it says in verse 4 that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." Good things are worth waiting for. A farmer can not rush the growth process of his crops or animals. Parents awaiting the arrival of a newborn baby can not speed up that process. Things take time and we have to get busy with other activities so we are not constantly concerned over 'the wait'.
Patience is also one of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22 when it says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness". This is a 'fruit' God needs for us to develop in our lives so we do not cause trouble by our lack of patience. A person who is impatient may rush into things and cause accidents or turmoil. For instance a person who can not be patient on the highway may cause a motor vehicle wreck. A person who can not wait in line at a recent Black Friday sale may end up hurting people and getting arrested. Impatience really is not good for much of anything.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." We also have to be patient until the coming of the Lord for no more knows the day nor hour. Psalm 37:7-9 says "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land." Proverbs 15:18 tells us "A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel." Patience equals peace and tranquility.
So get your mind off things that are making you be impatient whatever it is. The discipline of focusing on something else is very important. Things happen when they happen and nothing we can do is going to change that.
PRAYER:Lord I need to learn to wait and not be rushing into things I do or say. Help me Lord to wait on you and to be patient. Tests and trials may come along the way but I know Lord you will see me through things if I only trust in you. In Jesus Name. Amen.
What does the Bible have to say about patience and waiting? In Isaiah 40:31 it says "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." In 1 Corinthians 13 in referring to love it says in verse 4 that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." Good things are worth waiting for. A farmer can not rush the growth process of his crops or animals. Parents awaiting the arrival of a newborn baby can not speed up that process. Things take time and we have to get busy with other activities so we are not constantly concerned over 'the wait'.
Patience is also one of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22 when it says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness". This is a 'fruit' God needs for us to develop in our lives so we do not cause trouble by our lack of patience. A person who is impatient may rush into things and cause accidents or turmoil. For instance a person who can not be patient on the highway may cause a motor vehicle wreck. A person who can not wait in line at a recent Black Friday sale may end up hurting people and getting arrested. Impatience really is not good for much of anything.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." We also have to be patient until the coming of the Lord for no more knows the day nor hour. Psalm 37:7-9 says "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land." Proverbs 15:18 tells us "A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel." Patience equals peace and tranquility.
So get your mind off things that are making you be impatient whatever it is. The discipline of focusing on something else is very important. Things happen when they happen and nothing we can do is going to change that.
PRAYER:Lord I need to learn to wait and not be rushing into things I do or say. Help me Lord to wait on you and to be patient. Tests and trials may come along the way but I know Lord you will see me through things if I only trust in you. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO WAIT??
Being patient is a spiritual discipline. Here in this 'instant' society we want things to happen and we want them to happen now. Things do not happen overnight. If you push, pry and nag to find out things or wonder why something is not happening faster than it is then you are going to get yourself all wound up and in some sort of emotional tsunami. Just try to relax and get involved someplace else to take your mind off whatever it is you can not wait for. Hastiness causes words to be spoken that you wish you would not have ever come out of your mouth or makes you do things because you can not be still and wait.(See Psalm 46:10). Taking matters into your own hands is usually a disaster waiting to happen.
The following brief paragraphs are a few examples of things we have to wait on and sometimes do not enjoy very much.
Patience waiting for a baby to arrive is commonplace for a young married couple especially waiting for a first child. You get a hypothetical due date but then that date comes and goes and no baby. What happened? Did someone miscalculate something?
You do not hear back from a friend in quite a while and start wondering what is wrong when in effect you find out the friend or a family member is sick or dying then your huffy inpatient spirit made you feel stupid.
You are excited about an interactive display at the store where a demonstrator is telling you how wonderful some new gadget is, so you succumb to his sales pressure, take the item home, and regret ever buying it. What you should have done is waited and thought about it and most likely you would have left it in the store.
At times we speak out of impatience and are sorry we did. We can not wait on some action so you 'shoot off' your mouth to someone and are sorry.
The computer is not printing something so you keep hitting the print button repeatedly. Finally you give up and the next day 25 copies of the same page come shooting out of the printer.
There is a place you want to reserve for a special function and you can not get them on the phone and you are getting so frustrated.You assume things that may not even be factual about why this place is treating you rudely.Things take time.
If you are building a house or pouring concrete for a sidewalk you need to be able to wait for cement to cure and dry or your home or sidewalk will not be stable.
Waiting for an internet signal sometimes is maddening at the local coffee shop or at home.
Raising a child takes patience but in the end yields a wonderful reward.
We call some business and are transferred multiple times or put on hold then disconnected. Now there is an exercise in patience! So you see by these examples that patience is a valuable spiritual discipline to learn and practice.
Why is it so hard to wait? We want things and we want them now! If you have small children it is good to start early instilling in them the value of waiting and not making them think everything in life comes easy or they are 'entitled' to it. Isaiah 40:31 says "But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak." Proverbs 20:21 has something to say about waiting and money and it says "A large gift received at one time in a hurry will not bring good in the end."
Do not make snap judgements. Think things through. Pray at all times. Pray over business decisions, marriage partner decisions, job decisions, major purchases and many other things.
You have to work hard to get things and not think things should be just dropped into your lap. This too is an area that requires patience in saving for the future and things you want to have. Only through diligent hard work and waiting on God can a person have success. A person does not become a doctor without much study, sacrifice, and hard work .Today in the world people think they should get things without the effort. Things worth anything take effort. We live in a society in America where people do not want to wait or work and think they are 'entitled' to things.Sadly our own government is perpetuating this attitude which is not Biblical might I add. It takes hard work and patience to build up savings. If you give up, you may think you need government assistance or you just use credit cards because you can not wait. Be patient until you build up the money. Do not fall into the trap today of the 'class warfare' going on in our nation. If you want something go to school, learn a skill and work hard. Do not sit around thinking other people should not have their wealth. In America we all have a chance to succeed. It is so sad becasue this mentality is teaching people to envy those who worked hard, took the time, and did what they did to gain their wealth. You mature and grow by working hard for something , not being envious of others. Work hard and wait and you will receive a reward.
2 Corinthians 9:6 says "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." Work hard at all you do as if you were working for the Lord because you really are. (See Colossians 3:23).
Patience is in fact a fruit of the spirit(See Galatians 5:22). Proverbs 21:5 says "The plans of those who do their best lead only to having all they need, but all who are in a hurry come only to want." Do not be quick and hasty in deciding everything. There are those persons whose jobs often depend on snap decisions such as in the military, medicine or pilots but most people can have time to think through things if it is not some dire emergency. Proverbs 29:20 says "Do you see a man who is quick with his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
It truly is a spiritual fruit of the spirit and discipline to be able to wait. Rushing into things only leads to trouble in many instances. Listen to the warnings of God in the Bible and pray. Cast your cares upon him and give him your impatient spirit. Before you decide a matter perhaps sleep on it overnight .It might save you lots of heartache in the end.
PRAYER: Lord it is so very hard to wait at times. We speak before we think and then regret it and end up apologizing. We do things without thinking how they will affect other people. We jump to conclusions and rush to judgment. Lord help me to not be hasty to do anything but slow me down Lord. Help me sit and rest and wait for your timing in all things. In Jesus Name .Amen.
Song included: click link to enjoy this worship song...While I'm Waiting
http://youtu.be/hbRVm0wJVi0
The following brief paragraphs are a few examples of things we have to wait on and sometimes do not enjoy very much.
Patience waiting for a baby to arrive is commonplace for a young married couple especially waiting for a first child. You get a hypothetical due date but then that date comes and goes and no baby. What happened? Did someone miscalculate something?
You do not hear back from a friend in quite a while and start wondering what is wrong when in effect you find out the friend or a family member is sick or dying then your huffy inpatient spirit made you feel stupid.
You are excited about an interactive display at the store where a demonstrator is telling you how wonderful some new gadget is, so you succumb to his sales pressure, take the item home, and regret ever buying it. What you should have done is waited and thought about it and most likely you would have left it in the store.
At times we speak out of impatience and are sorry we did. We can not wait on some action so you 'shoot off' your mouth to someone and are sorry.
The computer is not printing something so you keep hitting the print button repeatedly. Finally you give up and the next day 25 copies of the same page come shooting out of the printer.
There is a place you want to reserve for a special function and you can not get them on the phone and you are getting so frustrated.You assume things that may not even be factual about why this place is treating you rudely.Things take time.
If you are building a house or pouring concrete for a sidewalk you need to be able to wait for cement to cure and dry or your home or sidewalk will not be stable.
Waiting for an internet signal sometimes is maddening at the local coffee shop or at home.
Raising a child takes patience but in the end yields a wonderful reward.
We call some business and are transferred multiple times or put on hold then disconnected. Now there is an exercise in patience! So you see by these examples that patience is a valuable spiritual discipline to learn and practice.
Why is it so hard to wait? We want things and we want them now! If you have small children it is good to start early instilling in them the value of waiting and not making them think everything in life comes easy or they are 'entitled' to it. Isaiah 40:31 says "But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak." Proverbs 20:21 has something to say about waiting and money and it says "A large gift received at one time in a hurry will not bring good in the end."
Do not make snap judgements. Think things through. Pray at all times. Pray over business decisions, marriage partner decisions, job decisions, major purchases and many other things.
You have to work hard to get things and not think things should be just dropped into your lap. This too is an area that requires patience in saving for the future and things you want to have. Only through diligent hard work and waiting on God can a person have success. A person does not become a doctor without much study, sacrifice, and hard work .Today in the world people think they should get things without the effort. Things worth anything take effort. We live in a society in America where people do not want to wait or work and think they are 'entitled' to things.Sadly our own government is perpetuating this attitude which is not Biblical might I add. It takes hard work and patience to build up savings. If you give up, you may think you need government assistance or you just use credit cards because you can not wait. Be patient until you build up the money. Do not fall into the trap today of the 'class warfare' going on in our nation. If you want something go to school, learn a skill and work hard. Do not sit around thinking other people should not have their wealth. In America we all have a chance to succeed. It is so sad becasue this mentality is teaching people to envy those who worked hard, took the time, and did what they did to gain their wealth. You mature and grow by working hard for something , not being envious of others. Work hard and wait and you will receive a reward.
2 Corinthians 9:6 says "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." Work hard at all you do as if you were working for the Lord because you really are. (See Colossians 3:23).
Patience is in fact a fruit of the spirit(See Galatians 5:22). Proverbs 21:5 says "The plans of those who do their best lead only to having all they need, but all who are in a hurry come only to want." Do not be quick and hasty in deciding everything. There are those persons whose jobs often depend on snap decisions such as in the military, medicine or pilots but most people can have time to think through things if it is not some dire emergency. Proverbs 29:20 says "Do you see a man who is quick with his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
It truly is a spiritual fruit of the spirit and discipline to be able to wait. Rushing into things only leads to trouble in many instances. Listen to the warnings of God in the Bible and pray. Cast your cares upon him and give him your impatient spirit. Before you decide a matter perhaps sleep on it overnight .It might save you lots of heartache in the end.
PRAYER: Lord it is so very hard to wait at times. We speak before we think and then regret it and end up apologizing. We do things without thinking how they will affect other people. We jump to conclusions and rush to judgment. Lord help me to not be hasty to do anything but slow me down Lord. Help me sit and rest and wait for your timing in all things. In Jesus Name .Amen.
Song included: click link to enjoy this worship song...While I'm Waiting
http://youtu.be/hbRVm0wJVi0
Friday, September 9, 2011
WAIT JUST A MINUTE!!
In this country people always seem to be in a hurry. Unless you are doing something you do not feel productive. This country is very impatient. We are an instant society. Americans are used to instant oatmeal, microwave meals, digital pictures, instant coffee, and quick fixes. It is very hard to wait. We want things to happen and we want them to happen NOW!
Some of the things we have to wait for are answers to prayer, for a prodigal child to return, for rebellion to cease, traffic tie ups to end, delays in flights at airports, healing of illnesses, plants to grow, outcome of a job interview,waiting for the birth of a child, for a cake to bake in the oven, saving enough money for a major purchase, hair to grow out,and many other things. If we do not learn to wait we react with stress, offense, anger and Satan can create stumbling blocks to take us away from the Lord. Our walk with the Lord is hindered. We may try to rush things and take matters in our own hands. Not a good idea.
No one really likes to wait if they would be honest. In one day alone in a period of 30 minutes I had 3 incidents happen that taught me the value of patience. First it was the bank. There was no apparent reason for them to be slow cashing a small check but they were. Next came a fast food restaurant where my coffee took forever it seemed to get to me. Finally a greeting card store where normally they greet you with a cheery "hi can I help you" but this day I was in a hurry no clerk came to my aid for a return. Was the Lord trying to get my attention and teach me a valuable spiritual lesson perhaps?
A familiar Bible verse on waiting is Isaiah 40:31 which says " Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary."
Waiting is a spiritual discipline for sure and is a good one for parents to start early training their little ones. Psalm 130:5 says "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." Pray, trust, wait and believe and in God's timing things will work out.
PRAYER: Lord I yearn to be at peace and develop patience and a content spirit no matter what the situation. Many times in life we have to wait. Sometimes it is very difficult. Nothing good is easy so Lord as we wait, help our soul seek you with all our hearts in quietness and peace. In Jesus name. Amen.
Once again here is an awesome praise and worship song from the Hollywood Movie 'Fireproof'. Click on link to listen.
http://youtu.be/xHIqOHU6Dhg
Some of the things we have to wait for are answers to prayer, for a prodigal child to return, for rebellion to cease, traffic tie ups to end, delays in flights at airports, healing of illnesses, plants to grow, outcome of a job interview,waiting for the birth of a child, for a cake to bake in the oven, saving enough money for a major purchase, hair to grow out,and many other things. If we do not learn to wait we react with stress, offense, anger and Satan can create stumbling blocks to take us away from the Lord. Our walk with the Lord is hindered. We may try to rush things and take matters in our own hands. Not a good idea.
No one really likes to wait if they would be honest. In one day alone in a period of 30 minutes I had 3 incidents happen that taught me the value of patience. First it was the bank. There was no apparent reason for them to be slow cashing a small check but they were. Next came a fast food restaurant where my coffee took forever it seemed to get to me. Finally a greeting card store where normally they greet you with a cheery "hi can I help you" but this day I was in a hurry no clerk came to my aid for a return. Was the Lord trying to get my attention and teach me a valuable spiritual lesson perhaps?
A familiar Bible verse on waiting is Isaiah 40:31 which says " Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary."
Waiting is a spiritual discipline for sure and is a good one for parents to start early training their little ones. Psalm 130:5 says "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." Pray, trust, wait and believe and in God's timing things will work out.
PRAYER: Lord I yearn to be at peace and develop patience and a content spirit no matter what the situation. Many times in life we have to wait. Sometimes it is very difficult. Nothing good is easy so Lord as we wait, help our soul seek you with all our hearts in quietness and peace. In Jesus name. Amen.
Once again here is an awesome praise and worship song from the Hollywood Movie 'Fireproof'. Click on link to listen.
http://youtu.be/xHIqOHU6Dhg
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