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. 

HE MAKES BEAUTIFUL THINGS OUT OF MESSES

Several years ago there was a book by the author Patsy Clairmont  entitled "God Uses Cracked Pots". Great title for a book about normal people with normal issues in life that aren't perfect but God uses them for His purposes. Some people who at one time have been the furthest away from God are now working mightily for his kingdom.  It is through these "cracks" or imperfections in life we often learn to grow closer to the Lord. Mistakes often teach us valuable lessons. One of the greatest illustrations I can think of is former Watergate insider, the late Chuck Colson,  who went to prison for several years as a result of his crimes and later started Prison Fellowship Ministries.

Sometimes it takes complete brokenness to get someone to see their need for Christ.  When many think God is being hard on them, maybe He in fact has you on His "potter's wheel" shaping you and molding you so you can be more effective for Him.

You may recall the verse in Romans 3:23 (NIV) which says 'All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.' Don't  think you are beyond hope no matter what you have done. That is a lie from the pit of hell. He turns scars into stars.  From your mess He creates your "message". So no matter what, God can use you if only you will let Him. 

PRAYER: Lord I realize the enemy, Satan, is the one who lies to me to make me feel beyond redemption. I know Lord you are the great redeemer and came to set the captives free. You have forgiven my sins and remember them no more. For that I thank you. Help me lead a life pleasing unto you. In Jesus' name.Amen. 

BURY THE PAST

Do you have a habit of thinking or worrying about the past? The past can not nor should not be resurrected. It is gone. We move on in life and learn from mistakes. If you confessed your sin then why not let it go and keep it buried? God forgets and forgives mess ups and sins so why can't we? It is because Satan is the "accuser of the brethren" ( see Revelation12:10) and tries to put guilt on you. Guilt is not from God. If you confessed it then as The Bible says 'go and sin no more.' ( see John 8:11).

Isaiah 43:18(NIV) tells us 'remember not the former things', so are you able to let the past with all of its' mistakes go and look ahead and know God has redeemed you and set you free? You can learn from your past but you need not dwell on it. Just like in the "love chapter" 1 Corinthians 13 in verse 5 it says 'love does not keep a record of wrongs'. That is great news! Remember it is only Satan who condemns you. If you have those feelings tell Satan to get behind you in Jesus' name.

Psalm 103:12(NIV) says 'As far as the East is from the West so far has He removed our transgressions from us'.

PRAYER: Thank you for forgiving my sins. My desire is to focus on day to day things and let things in the past be "lessons learned". I know I do not need to keep asking you to forgive me because you have. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS....NO NOT ONE!

NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS..NO NOT ONE

How many of us have been guilty of judging others or pointing the finger at sinners when we in fact are sinners ourselves?  Do you beat up on "God's sheep" trying to come back to the fold? Do you classify sin as which one is despicable and the absolute worst?

There are churches out there that have a habit of "shooting their wounded". Just what gives us the right to classify sin? Some of those people who were the greatest in the Bible have had rough shady pasts. God can and does redeem. God can and does set free. God can and does

love you regardless of what you have done. God can and does heal the brokenhearted. God can and does set the sinner free.

In Isaiah 64:6(NIV) it says 'all of us become as one who is unclean. And all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. We all shrivel up like a leaf. And like the winds, our sins sweep us away.'  Just remember we all have messed up so do not get so high and mighty deciding which sin is better or worse than the other.  Let God be the judge. Romans 3:23( NIV) says 'All have sinned and fallen short of Gods' glory.'

As you begin a fresh new year here on the 4th day of January 2013 make it a point to stop judging others and and feeling that what you have done is not as bad as what someone else has done. It is your job to try to lead a righteous life. So go now and seek His face in 2013.

PRAYER: Father if I have every tried to act like a judge please forgive me. Forgive my self righteousness. Lord Jesus I want to be your servant and have a pure heart. Help me as I walk daily with you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ANGER? GIVE IT TO GOD!

Is something eating on you that you can not seem to let go of? In starting this new year out if you are harboring something in your heart against someone why not give it to God once and for all and attempt to make 2013 a year of new beginnings?

The Bible says in James 1:20(NIV) that 'the anger of man does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.'  Almost everyone gets angry but it is learning how to control that anger or to diffuse it altogether that is vitally important. If someone has hurt you, sometimes they may not even be aware of it, so you have the choice to just let it go or let it fester and tear you up inside. How can you be effective for the body of Christ  and shine the light and love of Jesus when you hold grudges or bitterness against someone? 

You must be consistent in pursuit of peace. In Psalm 34:14(NIV) we are told 'Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.'  To pursue means to continually go after without stopping. Make it a goal of life to be peaceful. In speaking with others it says in Proverbs 16:1(NIV) that 'a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.' 

There may be people in your life who "push your buttons" so to speak. To continue to try to win a war of words is useless or to try to prove you are right. Just drop it! Be the bigger person. Sometimes it drives people nuts when you do not argue back. 

A real challenge for you is to not go to bed angry. Try to give up what it is that is making you mad. Good time to pray and read the word of God. Ephesians 4:26( NIV) reminds us 'in your anger do not sin and do not let the singe down while you are still angry.'  

There you have it. A new challenge for 2013 to stay upbeat and try to let your anger go. Try praying instead.

PRAYER:Lord,  I know anger is a normal emotion. Help me learn to control my anger if things start to upset and agitate me. I know I can not be a good witness if I am all tense inside and holding bitterness in my heart. Forgive me Lord. I choose to pursue peace and forgiveness in 2013. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

FORGETTING AN OFFENSE

Has something occurred in your life you can not seem to let go of and
it is driving a wedge of hurt or anger towards the offender? Maybe it
is a friend,a spouse, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, a family member, or a
co worker? Perhaps you think they were heartless and cruel and you

deserve to feel the way you do, but does harboring this anger or ill

feeling towards someone get you anywhere? The answer is NO!

So what do you do about it when you feel left out, hurt, betrayed, or
forgotten? Do you "pick the scab" so to speak causing you to feel
anger and be offended even more or do you do what God would want and
turn the other cheek and let it go? Maybe you have already said
something to the person or someone else and wish you had not. It is

never too late to start again and mend your heart and the

relationship. Maybe the other person is not even aware that they hurt

or offended you. It is always a good time to try again.

Taking offense against others is not a God given thing. This is not a
trait you should want to possess. It is easy to become offended and
consequently bitter as a result, when focused on yourself. Give up
your right to be angry or hostile. God does not want His children to
be bickering and having bad feelings about each other. Especially
married couples need to learn their spouses "love language" and need

to be willing to say they messed up and ask forgiveness. If your

spouse is unaware he or she hurt you then just drop it and move on as
to not keep the offense alive. We are supposed to be God's children
and act like Christ. Harboring a bad attitude or a grudge has you

working on Satan's team,not God's! (Note:If it is something deeper in
a marriage perhaps counseling should be sought).

What do you do if you are caught up in this trap Satan likes to lay
for Christians? You know you cannot very well focus on your "love
walk" and getting closer to God if bad feelings exist. Ephesians
4:31(NIV) says to 'Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.' Try to let go
and let God do a work in your heart and life and do not always try to
win your battles.

PRAYER: Lord I love you and I do not want to break your heart by
harboring bad feelings in my heart towards those who might have hurt
me in some way. Help me start this new year making an effort with your
help to be different regardless of a situation around me. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A new year means a new start. What are your plans? Do you look forward
for the opportunity to try new things? Maybe you are fearful of the
future ahead? Usually a new year means a time for new hopes and new
dreams and second chances.

There have been times in past years I have attended what is called a
"New Years' Eve Watch Night" service which basically is a prayer and
praise fest to usher in another year. It is an opportunity to start it
off right by thanking God and keeping Him first.

When many think of the New Year they think of parades, parties,
football games and the start of school again. Why not make it a point
to purpose in your heart to make this New Year a great one no matter
what is transpiring around you? Stay hopeful. Stay encouraged. Stay
in the word of God.

When you are deciding what you will do different or making your list
of resolutions why not make spending time alone with God daily your
number one priority? Resolutions are made nearly every year to get
physically fit and lose weight. Why not get spiritually fit and lose
the weight of the enemy that is dragging you down the wrong road. You
can not expect to be a powerful Christian if you do not study and read
His word. So start 2013 by truly making Him after priority on your
resolution list.

'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they
shall be filled.' Matthew 5:6(NIV).

PRAYER: I am thankful for the start of a New Year which gives me a
chance to start over on things I have messed up on. Lord I truly want
you to be FIRST in 2013. When I start to let worries and fears
overwhelm me help me to remember to run to you for strength. In Jesus'
name. Amen.