MAY 19 2012. GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.
PROVERB: He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor. Proverbs 21:21.
PROMISE: For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. Psalm 37:17.
PRAISE: Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him; let all the upright in heart praise Him. Psalm 64:10.
May 20, 2012
Study: May 18, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY MAY 18, 2012.
STUDY
DEFINITION:
The mental effort of understanding; the acquisition of knowledge; examine thoughtfully.
SCRIPTURE:
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We feel that there is a great need for a reminder to all of us that we need to do a better job of studying God’s Word. Many sincere professing Christians are spiritually starving, or spiritually ill, because they have never thought seriously about the quality of their Bible study.
If our physical diet is not well balanced, or if our digestive systems are not functioning properly, our bodies will decline in health. The same is true if we do not take full value of the spiritual diet offered to us in the Scriptures, we will become spiritually disabled.
We would like to suggest several important basics for you to consider if you would like to have an effective Bible study. Someone that is starving spiritually must regularly eat nourishing spiritual food, which is the Word of God. These foundations, we pray, will help you learn to study the Bible.
To begin with you must know what the Bible says about itself. In the verse above from Psalm 19:7 we are told that the law (the Bible) is perfect. It is the Word of God and without error.
We need to know what God intended the Bible to do for us. The Bible is clear that it was written for us by God. In the Old Testament alone the Bible asserts over 2000 times that God spoke what is written in it. The Bible is not only the Book from God, but is the Book about God. God’s purpose in giving us His Word was to reveal Himself to all mankind. In God’s Word we learn that He is our creator, our sustainer, our judge and our hope while we are in this world and for eternity.
We need to know that the Bible stands above all human options. It is the inspired Word of God so it saves us from listening to the babble of all human options. The Word of God will shape our opinions and give us direction for our lives if we allow God to work in us as we study.
God’s Word is truth. Perhaps the greatest lie that Satan gives us, being the arch-liar, is that there is no such thing as truth. But the fact is that JESUS IS TRUTH! When we study the Bible we need to understand that not only did every word in the Bible originate with God in heaven, but that most of its contents deal with how God’s truth relates factually to the way we are to conduct our lives on this earth. As we study God’s Word we need to pray that the Holy Spirit will illuminate the truth and how we are to apply it.
Finally, it is imperative that you develop a method of Bible study that is systematic and thorough (II Timothy 2:15). You will find Bible commentaries very helpful in giving additional insight on verses you read. In Bible book stores there are many excellent Bible study books.
Paul tells Timothy in II Timothy 2:2 to commit what he had heard from Paul to other faithful men who would be able to teach others. Thus the Gospel was passed from generation to generation. This is why Bible study is so important. It equips us to teach others the truths of the Bible.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
Help me to first of all commit time daily to study Your Word. Then help me to learn as I read. May the Holy Spirit guide me in my study and give me the power of Your Word to strengthen my faith and draw me closer to You.
STUDY
DEFINITION:
The mental effort of understanding; the acquisition of knowledge; examine thoughtfully.
SCRIPTURE:
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We feel that there is a great need for a reminder to all of us that we need to do a better job of studying God’s Word. Many sincere professing Christians are spiritually starving, or spiritually ill, because they have never thought seriously about the quality of their Bible study.
If our physical diet is not well balanced, or if our digestive systems are not functioning properly, our bodies will decline in health. The same is true if we do not take full value of the spiritual diet offered to us in the Scriptures, we will become spiritually disabled.
We would like to suggest several important basics for you to consider if you would like to have an effective Bible study. Someone that is starving spiritually must regularly eat nourishing spiritual food, which is the Word of God. These foundations, we pray, will help you learn to study the Bible.
To begin with you must know what the Bible says about itself. In the verse above from Psalm 19:7 we are told that the law (the Bible) is perfect. It is the Word of God and without error.
We need to know what God intended the Bible to do for us. The Bible is clear that it was written for us by God. In the Old Testament alone the Bible asserts over 2000 times that God spoke what is written in it. The Bible is not only the Book from God, but is the Book about God. God’s purpose in giving us His Word was to reveal Himself to all mankind. In God’s Word we learn that He is our creator, our sustainer, our judge and our hope while we are in this world and for eternity.
We need to know that the Bible stands above all human options. It is the inspired Word of God so it saves us from listening to the babble of all human options. The Word of God will shape our opinions and give us direction for our lives if we allow God to work in us as we study.
God’s Word is truth. Perhaps the greatest lie that Satan gives us, being the arch-liar, is that there is no such thing as truth. But the fact is that JESUS IS TRUTH! When we study the Bible we need to understand that not only did every word in the Bible originate with God in heaven, but that most of its contents deal with how God’s truth relates factually to the way we are to conduct our lives on this earth. As we study God’s Word we need to pray that the Holy Spirit will illuminate the truth and how we are to apply it.
Finally, it is imperative that you develop a method of Bible study that is systematic and thorough (II Timothy 2:15). You will find Bible commentaries very helpful in giving additional insight on verses you read. In Bible book stores there are many excellent Bible study books.
Paul tells Timothy in II Timothy 2:2 to commit what he had heard from Paul to other faithful men who would be able to teach others. Thus the Gospel was passed from generation to generation. This is why Bible study is so important. It equips us to teach others the truths of the Bible.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
Help me to first of all commit time daily to study Your Word. Then help me to learn as I read. May the Holy Spirit guide me in my study and give me the power of Your Word to strengthen my faith and draw me closer to You.
Creator: May 17, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MAY 17, 2012.
CREATOR
DEFINITION:
One who creates or causes to come into being; God.
SCRIPTURE:
Remember now your creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, I have no pleasure in them. Ecclesiastics 12:1
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There are many people today that question the fact that God created the world we live in today, but the Bible is very clear on this. In the very first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, we are told that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
If we believe that the Bible is the Word of God and was written without error then what else can you believe than that God created the world we live in? If you say no or doubt this fact then you are saying the Bible is not true and the Bible is not the Word of God. And worse yet, then you make Jesus a liar and not our Lord and Savior.
In addition to the fact that God created the heavens and the earth He also created man. In Genesis 1:27, God’s Word tells us that God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created both male and female.
God created this world in six days and the scripture tells us that He then rested on the seventh day. In six days he created the heavens and the earth, light and darkness, waters and the dry land, grass and trees, the moon and the stars, the fish of the sea and the living creatures on the land (animals). Yes, God is our creator and everything we have today is because of God.
As parents we need to teach our children about creation as outlined in the Word of God. It is the responsibility of the parents to teach creation to our children so they are well prepared for the onslaught of evolution that they will face in school and the work place.
Solomon advises in Ecclesiastics 12:1 to acknowledge God as our creator in our youth. Honoring God as our creator and Lord of our life early in life can make a real difference in the direction of one’s life and will help a person avoid “difficult days.”
Creation is a very critical issue for families today. The world and everything in it is evidence that God exists. We ask, “How does anyone look upon the wonders of creation and not believe that there is a God who created it just as God recorded it in Genesis?” We do not have the choice of picking and choosing what we want to believe or disbelieve in the Bible. We urge parents and children to study the Bible and study what the Bible says about our creator and how He created, not only the heavens and the earth, but each one of us.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the assurance that I have in my heart that You are not only the creator of the world that I live in but my creator. Help our family to be an example to those we meet so that we can show them they need to acknowledge God as their creator and make Him part of their life
CREATOR
DEFINITION:
One who creates or causes to come into being; God.
SCRIPTURE:
Remember now your creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, I have no pleasure in them. Ecclesiastics 12:1
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There are many people today that question the fact that God created the world we live in today, but the Bible is very clear on this. In the very first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, we are told that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
If we believe that the Bible is the Word of God and was written without error then what else can you believe than that God created the world we live in? If you say no or doubt this fact then you are saying the Bible is not true and the Bible is not the Word of God. And worse yet, then you make Jesus a liar and not our Lord and Savior.
In addition to the fact that God created the heavens and the earth He also created man. In Genesis 1:27, God’s Word tells us that God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created both male and female.
God created this world in six days and the scripture tells us that He then rested on the seventh day. In six days he created the heavens and the earth, light and darkness, waters and the dry land, grass and trees, the moon and the stars, the fish of the sea and the living creatures on the land (animals). Yes, God is our creator and everything we have today is because of God.
As parents we need to teach our children about creation as outlined in the Word of God. It is the responsibility of the parents to teach creation to our children so they are well prepared for the onslaught of evolution that they will face in school and the work place.
Solomon advises in Ecclesiastics 12:1 to acknowledge God as our creator in our youth. Honoring God as our creator and Lord of our life early in life can make a real difference in the direction of one’s life and will help a person avoid “difficult days.”
Creation is a very critical issue for families today. The world and everything in it is evidence that God exists. We ask, “How does anyone look upon the wonders of creation and not believe that there is a God who created it just as God recorded it in Genesis?” We do not have the choice of picking and choosing what we want to believe or disbelieve in the Bible. We urge parents and children to study the Bible and study what the Bible says about our creator and how He created, not only the heavens and the earth, but each one of us.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the assurance that I have in my heart that You are not only the creator of the world that I live in but my creator. Help our family to be an example to those we meet so that we can show them they need to acknowledge God as their creator and make Him part of their life
Battle: May 16, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 16, 2012.
BATTLE
DEFINITION:
A fight; hostile encounter; an engagement between opposing forces; a struggle; a conflict.
SCRIPTURE:
For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. Psalm 18:39.
For the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands. I Samuel 17:47.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Our “word” today is BATTLE. Probably the first thing crosses your mind is a battle among countries or cultures. Maybe it is a battle among politicians. Our concern today is the battles that are happening in our homes. Every day there are battles that are happening probably in over half of our homes around the world. In light of this it is a serious issue that must be discussed. These are not battles with guns or weapons but battles with words, attitudes and actions.
In most cases these are verbal battles and there are no winners because words are hurtful and can do irreparable damage to family relationships. Words between spouses and between parents and children often concern commitments, standards and choices. When the home has become a battleground over these issues and the family is falling apart it may look like and feel like an impossible situation to solve. Many people are ready to give up in despair.
The children that are involved in battles in homes sometimes are forced to take sides in a conflict and this is a no win situation for the children or the parent.
When your home has become a battleground and your family is in constant verbal warfare, it is time to put the situation into God’s hands and let the battle be the Lord’s. There is no situation that is so hopeless or so impossible that the Lord cannot give you victory over. The key is that you must be willing to turn to Him in faith and submit to His will and His direction.
We have said it so many times and we repeat it now. The first and foremost responsibility that a family has beginning with the spouses on their wedding day is to make a commitment to God. Without a commitment to God families will sooner or later become dysfunctional and they will fall apart.
In the verse above from Psalms we read that David made a commitment to God and as a result God armed him with strength for the battle he was set to face. The same can be true for us if we have our faith and trust in God as David had. This includes battles in a family or a major conflict at work. Our Lord will guide us through every battle we face if we put our trust in Him.
In I Samuel 17, we read about one of the most famous battles that have ever happened. It was the battle between David and Goliath. David fully understood what this battle was all about. The chief issue was that the Philistines were challenging the Lord by confronting the Lord’s people.
We all know the story but what we can learn about this battle today is that David prayed to God, asked for His protection and then he proceeded with confidence knowing that God would give him victory.
We can have the same confidence that David had but we must be prepared. In our lives Satan initiates battles to destroy a family’s relationship with God. To confront these battles we prepare by reading the Bible daily and communicating to God daily through prayer. The result will be that each day we will grow spiritually and God will answer our prayers and go before us in all of our battles.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for today is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
Prepare my heart and the hearts of each member of my family so that we can face every battle with the confidence that You are with us and with Your help we can see victory.
BATTLE
DEFINITION:
A fight; hostile encounter; an engagement between opposing forces; a struggle; a conflict.
SCRIPTURE:
For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. Psalm 18:39.
For the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands. I Samuel 17:47.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Our “word” today is BATTLE. Probably the first thing crosses your mind is a battle among countries or cultures. Maybe it is a battle among politicians. Our concern today is the battles that are happening in our homes. Every day there are battles that are happening probably in over half of our homes around the world. In light of this it is a serious issue that must be discussed. These are not battles with guns or weapons but battles with words, attitudes and actions.
In most cases these are verbal battles and there are no winners because words are hurtful and can do irreparable damage to family relationships. Words between spouses and between parents and children often concern commitments, standards and choices. When the home has become a battleground over these issues and the family is falling apart it may look like and feel like an impossible situation to solve. Many people are ready to give up in despair.
The children that are involved in battles in homes sometimes are forced to take sides in a conflict and this is a no win situation for the children or the parent.
When your home has become a battleground and your family is in constant verbal warfare, it is time to put the situation into God’s hands and let the battle be the Lord’s. There is no situation that is so hopeless or so impossible that the Lord cannot give you victory over. The key is that you must be willing to turn to Him in faith and submit to His will and His direction.
We have said it so many times and we repeat it now. The first and foremost responsibility that a family has beginning with the spouses on their wedding day is to make a commitment to God. Without a commitment to God families will sooner or later become dysfunctional and they will fall apart.
In the verse above from Psalms we read that David made a commitment to God and as a result God armed him with strength for the battle he was set to face. The same can be true for us if we have our faith and trust in God as David had. This includes battles in a family or a major conflict at work. Our Lord will guide us through every battle we face if we put our trust in Him.
In I Samuel 17, we read about one of the most famous battles that have ever happened. It was the battle between David and Goliath. David fully understood what this battle was all about. The chief issue was that the Philistines were challenging the Lord by confronting the Lord’s people.
We all know the story but what we can learn about this battle today is that David prayed to God, asked for His protection and then he proceeded with confidence knowing that God would give him victory.
We can have the same confidence that David had but we must be prepared. In our lives Satan initiates battles to destroy a family’s relationship with God. To confront these battles we prepare by reading the Bible daily and communicating to God daily through prayer. The result will be that each day we will grow spiritually and God will answer our prayers and go before us in all of our battles.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for today is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
Prepare my heart and the hearts of each member of my family so that we can face every battle with the confidence that You are with us and with Your help we can see victory.
Armor: May 15, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY MAY 15, 2012.
ARMOR
DEFINITION:
Any covering worn for protection against offensive weapons; anything that protects.
SCRIPTURE:
Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Every believer can be assured that we are in a spiritual war with Satan and all the demons of his army. The goal of Satan is to defeat Christ’s church. In our own power we cannot withstand the attacks of Satan. There is no doubt that we need armor to protect us. The scriptures give us a clear picture of the armor that God has provided for us. We face a very real enemy in life who seeks to deceive and distract us from becoming who God wants us to be. So it is very important that we remain alert, at all times, watching for the deception that Satan will put in our way.
We need to prepare for spiritual warfare by taking time every day to communicate with God and by making sure that we put on the various armor pieces that God has provided for us. The apostle Paul has outlined for us what God has available for us in Ephesians 6:13-18.
We are to put on the “helmet of salvation” to protect our mind and imagination from Satan’s weapons of doubt and discouragement that he uses to destroy our assurance of salvation. We need to focus our thoughts on the love and power of our Lord that is ours because of our Lord’s victory over sin and death on the cross.
We need to claim the righteousness of Christ by wearing the “breastplate” that will protect our heart and our emotions. The “belt of truth” should be wrapped around the core of our being to protect us from deception and so we will not be governed by feelings.
By putting on the “sandals of peace” God will guide our steps and see that our feet are planted firmly in the good news of God’s redemption and His love and saving grace for all the world. These “sandals” will also empower us to stand firm against any and all attacks that Satan will wage against us.
We need to put on the “sword of the Spirit” which is the Word of God. There is no greater weapon to combat and defeat Satan. We must keep God’s Word ready and available at all times by reading it and planting it in our hearts. This will allow us to always be ready to deflect and cut down Satan’s lies against the truth of God and allow us to claim victory over all his evil ways.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
Help me to never be so preoccupied with the anxieties in my life that I lose my focus that I need to be placing on the joy of knowing You. Help me to daily “dress” for battle knowing that You will enable me to be fully victorious over every temptation and evil desire that Satan tries to use to draw me away from You.
ARMOR
DEFINITION:
Any covering worn for protection against offensive weapons; anything that protects.
SCRIPTURE:
Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Every believer can be assured that we are in a spiritual war with Satan and all the demons of his army. The goal of Satan is to defeat Christ’s church. In our own power we cannot withstand the attacks of Satan. There is no doubt that we need armor to protect us. The scriptures give us a clear picture of the armor that God has provided for us. We face a very real enemy in life who seeks to deceive and distract us from becoming who God wants us to be. So it is very important that we remain alert, at all times, watching for the deception that Satan will put in our way.
We need to prepare for spiritual warfare by taking time every day to communicate with God and by making sure that we put on the various armor pieces that God has provided for us. The apostle Paul has outlined for us what God has available for us in Ephesians 6:13-18.
We are to put on the “helmet of salvation” to protect our mind and imagination from Satan’s weapons of doubt and discouragement that he uses to destroy our assurance of salvation. We need to focus our thoughts on the love and power of our Lord that is ours because of our Lord’s victory over sin and death on the cross.
We need to claim the righteousness of Christ by wearing the “breastplate” that will protect our heart and our emotions. The “belt of truth” should be wrapped around the core of our being to protect us from deception and so we will not be governed by feelings.
By putting on the “sandals of peace” God will guide our steps and see that our feet are planted firmly in the good news of God’s redemption and His love and saving grace for all the world. These “sandals” will also empower us to stand firm against any and all attacks that Satan will wage against us.
We need to put on the “sword of the Spirit” which is the Word of God. There is no greater weapon to combat and defeat Satan. We must keep God’s Word ready and available at all times by reading it and planting it in our hearts. This will allow us to always be ready to deflect and cut down Satan’s lies against the truth of God and allow us to claim victory over all his evil ways.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
Help me to never be so preoccupied with the anxieties in my life that I lose my focus that I need to be placing on the joy of knowing You. Help me to daily “dress” for battle knowing that You will enable me to be fully victorious over every temptation and evil desire that Satan tries to use to draw me away from You.
Guidance: May 14, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY MAY 14, 2012.
GUIDANCE
DEFINITION:
The process of giving direction; advice or counseling.
SCRIPTURE:
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait on all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5.
Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. Psalm 25:12.
He will guide you into all truth. John 16:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When you are facing the need to make a decision, big or small, it is important to wait on God for His guidance, direction and timing. We want to share with you three ways that we can take an active role in the process while we wait on God.
First, we need to examine our heart, asking the Holy Spirit to expose any wrongs in our life. If something comes to your mind that the Holy Spirit brings to you it is important that you take care of that sin immediately.
You accomplish this by confessing, repenting and doing whatever is necessary to correct the situation. At times we often put this aside because the impending decision we need to make is our main concern. We cannot expect God to work in our lives as long as we allow sin to control our life. In order to receive God’s full blessing, we must deal with any sin in our life.
Second, when we seek direction from God we need to learn how to listen patiently and attentively for the Lord to give us the guidance we are praying for. We find it very difficult to wait on the Lord because we want quick answers and a quick fix. Our timing, however, is not the Lord’s timing.
Another reason why we find it hard to wait is that we want the Lord to do it “our way.” We cannot allow ourselves to be tempted by our feelings and our own logic if we want guidance from God. God knows what is best for us and He will give us the guidance we ask for which we can be sure is best for us because it will be in accordance with His perfect will for us.
Third, the answer to our request for guidance sometimes requires our involvement. For example, if you are out of work and trusting God to provide a job for you, God expects you to actively look for a job. Some people just sit back and pray several times a day reminding God of their need. Waiting on God is not an excuse for inaction on your part or to be just lazy.
How can you be sure that you are making the right decision? What do we need to do to hear the voice of God responding to our need for guidance?
We need to clear the pathway. We already mentioned above the need to get rid of the sin in our life but we also need to be willing to make our desires secondary to His.
We need to exercise patience. Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength when you feel time is so important in making your decision. But if you rush ahead of God, you may not only miss His will but miss a special blessing that He has for you.
You need to search the scriptures. Many people just take time to pray but how can God communicate to you if you do not read His Word? The Word of God has an answer for every need and the Holy Spirit will always point us to the right direction if we wait on Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
When I face a critical need in my life and need to make a decision help me to wait on You. Help me to be patient, search the scriptures and not rush to a quick answer that is not according to what You want for my life.
GUIDANCE
DEFINITION:
The process of giving direction; advice or counseling.
SCRIPTURE:
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait on all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5.
Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. Psalm 25:12.
He will guide you into all truth. John 16:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When you are facing the need to make a decision, big or small, it is important to wait on God for His guidance, direction and timing. We want to share with you three ways that we can take an active role in the process while we wait on God.
First, we need to examine our heart, asking the Holy Spirit to expose any wrongs in our life. If something comes to your mind that the Holy Spirit brings to you it is important that you take care of that sin immediately.
You accomplish this by confessing, repenting and doing whatever is necessary to correct the situation. At times we often put this aside because the impending decision we need to make is our main concern. We cannot expect God to work in our lives as long as we allow sin to control our life. In order to receive God’s full blessing, we must deal with any sin in our life.
Second, when we seek direction from God we need to learn how to listen patiently and attentively for the Lord to give us the guidance we are praying for. We find it very difficult to wait on the Lord because we want quick answers and a quick fix. Our timing, however, is not the Lord’s timing.
Another reason why we find it hard to wait is that we want the Lord to do it “our way.” We cannot allow ourselves to be tempted by our feelings and our own logic if we want guidance from God. God knows what is best for us and He will give us the guidance we ask for which we can be sure is best for us because it will be in accordance with His perfect will for us.
Third, the answer to our request for guidance sometimes requires our involvement. For example, if you are out of work and trusting God to provide a job for you, God expects you to actively look for a job. Some people just sit back and pray several times a day reminding God of their need. Waiting on God is not an excuse for inaction on your part or to be just lazy.
How can you be sure that you are making the right decision? What do we need to do to hear the voice of God responding to our need for guidance?
We need to clear the pathway. We already mentioned above the need to get rid of the sin in our life but we also need to be willing to make our desires secondary to His.
We need to exercise patience. Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength when you feel time is so important in making your decision. But if you rush ahead of God, you may not only miss His will but miss a special blessing that He has for you.
You need to search the scriptures. Many people just take time to pray but how can God communicate to you if you do not read His Word? The Word of God has an answer for every need and the Holy Spirit will always point us to the right direction if we wait on Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 7:7.
Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
PRAYER:
When I face a critical need in my life and need to make a decision help me to wait on You. Help me to be patient, search the scriptures and not rush to a quick answer that is not according to what You want for my life.
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