GOD WAITS

1 Peter 3:19-20 After being made alive,[a] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

Do you know that God waits? He suffers long. He is a longsuffering God. 1 Peter 3:20 talks about the longsuffering of God. It talks about how He waited patiently for Noah to build the ark. He waited for Noah to finish so that He could perform His word.

Do you know that God waits for us? The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He waits for us to do what we said we’ll do. He waits for us to come to true repentance. He waits for us to come to Him in prayer. He waits for the morning to come so we may rise to give Him glory & thanks (but some of us never do). He waits. As I asked the question in my heart, God why do I have to wait? He reminded me that He waits too.

Do you know that whatever promise you are waiting for, God is waiting with you? Yes, God works, but He also waits. He waited for Christ to be born in the Earth. He waits for His second coming. He waits with us. Yes, He is the Creator of time & is everywhere at the same time, but He waits. He waits for the appointed times just as we do. He understands the importance of the right time, His time.

We wait for change and for God’s time. Yet, God waits for us to change and He waits for the appointed time to bless us. Therefore, be encouraged as you wait. Know that God is waiting with you.

Be Blessed.

Who Shall Separate you from the love of Christ?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

 

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8-:35-39).

 

The daily struggles of life are enough to make a person depressed and want to give up. From finances, to sickness, to loss of a loved one, the trials we face can cause us to question God’s love and sovereignty. Many times in my own life I’ve asked God, “Where are you? Do You not see me? What are You doing?” Some of the battles we face and trials we endure can cause us to become bitter with God or even lead us astray from the will of God. As I prayed today, I became discouraged because sometimes it seems as if I pray often but get no answer. Though I felt this way, I know that the true reason that I keep seeking God is because I know He exists and He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Another reason that I continue to seek God even though I may not get answers to my prayers right away, is because I’m determined to know and love God. The Lord has put a determination in my heart to love Him, to seek Him, and to serve Him with my whole heart. I believe that this determination has come because of the different tests that I’ve endured, like unanswered prayer.  

 

As I read the scripture it reminded me that no matter what I’m going through God still loves me. And so it is with you. No matter what you are facing, don’t let the enemy tell you that God doesn’t love you, or that He has forgotten about you. That’s a lie. The Apostle Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Will you let these things separate you from the love of God? Be determined to know Him, to love Him, and to commune with Him even in your distress. These things that are happening to you are working out for you a greater glory. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).

 

I want to encourage you today as you read Romans 8:35-39. Nothing that we have done or anything that we face in life is able to separate us from the love of God. He loves us with an everlasting love. Just because you are going through or you don’t get answers to your prayers doesn’t mean that God has stopped loving you. Furthermore, it doesn’t mean that you should stop loving God. So

even when your prayers remain unanswered. Even when you become weary in well doing. Even when you are facing every trial known to man. Ask yourself, “What or who shall separate me from the love of Christ?” The Bible says that even in these various trials, you are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you.

 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body

(2 Corin. 4:7-10).

The Lord is Your Portion

The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. ~ Lamentations 3:24

In the book of Lamentations, what did the Prophet Jeremiah mean when he said the Lord is my portion? The word portion here means inheritance or share. What better inheritance can you have than God?

Over the past few weeks, I have been professing to God that He alone is my portion. No matter what I think I lack, my cup is always running over because God Himself is my portion. The same is true for you. As I looked at Numbers chapter 18, God explained to Aaron the priestly duties that he must share with his sons. After that, God told him that he was to have part of the most holy offerings…from all the gifts the people brought to God as most holy offerings…that part belonged to him and his sons (Num. 18:9).

And this also is yours: the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the Isrealites. I have given them to you and to your sons and to your daughters with you as a continual allowance forever: everyone in your house who is (ceremonially) clean may eat of it. ~ Numbers 18:11

Aaron lacked no good thing because God was his portion. God told Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in the land [of the Israelites]; neither shall you have any part among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites” (Num. 18:20). Oh my goodness, in other words God was separating Aaron and proclaiming that his portion was God Himself. We who are Christians belong to God and God belongs to us.

Sometimes we look at the world and the people in it and we think they are winning or getting over on God. God is saying to us, “Don’t worry about it. They have already received their share. As for you, I AM your portion.” In Psalm 73 Asaph complained about this very thing. He said, “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2-3). He then proclaims, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever (Psalm 73:26). He knew that no matter what happened in this life, as long as he had Almighty God on his side, his inheritance was great.

David said in Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. God is your Provider, your Guide, and your Shield. You shall not lack any beneficial thing. Understand that if God is your portion, nothing else matters. He alone has all power, all might, all strength, all wisdom, and all resources. He is inexhaustible. How can you lose? If God is your portion, circumstances and people won’t dictate your disposition. You have all you need in Him. God Himself is your reward.

In a vision, God told Abram in Genesis 15:1,“Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great." And since Abraham is our ancestor in the faith, this inheritance has been passed down to us.

The cares of this life are enough to burden us with feelings of hopelessness, depression, fear, and anxiety. However, we are to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (1Peter 5:7). Remember: Fear not, God is your Shield, your Portion, and your exceedingly great reward.

Be Blessed...in Jesus name.

Do You Really Know God?

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Phillipians 3:10-11

            How did you come to know those that are the closest to you? You probably spent a lot of time with them over an extended period. We naturally come to know each other through relationships (fellowship) with each other. In a relationship you usually communicate often - you stay connected to that person. As a result, a bond and a relationship is formed. You can say with an honest heart that you know that person. The same way we get to know people, we can get to know God. Knowing God derives from a relationship. You didn’t become acquainted with those closest to you by weekly rituals and practices. Similarly, you don’t get to know God by weekly rituals and practices. Christian spirituality is about your relationship with God, not religion (Don’t use that as an excuse to skip church, ha-ha).

            We get to know the character of God as we invite Him into our everyday affairs. We also get to know God by studying His Word because the Word is God (John1:1) and studying the life of Jesus, who is the Word of God (Rev. 19:13), and was God is the flesh. Getting to know God is a moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day relationship and conversation with the Father.

  So many of us go to church but don’t have a solid relationship with God. He longs to fellowship with us. When we are in fellowship with God, we are less likely to give in to certain temptations and think erroneously about the different trials we face in life. When tribulation comes, instead of blaming God you will learn to thank God because you know that He is working all things out for your good (Romans 8:28). To know God is to understand His attributes and become acquainted with Him. How can we say we know God if we don’t understand who He is? Many times God will position us where He can reveal Himself to us. For instance, God allows you to lose your job. God can show Himself to you as your Provider in this circumstance. Sometimes, the uncomfortable circumstances that God allows are simply a means for you to get to know God. It’s a way for Him to make Himself known to you.

            I’ve learned that prayer is vital in my journey of getting to know God. It’s in prayer that God will instruct, correct, comfort, and answer us. It’s important to your Christian walk that you have that one-on-one time with God. If you look at Moses, he often withdrew from the people to talk with God. The bible says that God spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Ex. 33:11). That’s my heart’s desire – to be that close to God. Psalm 103:7 says, “God made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” There was a difference between the type of relationship that Moses had with God compared to the children of Israel. They knew His works (God blessed me with a job, a car, a spouse, etc). However, Moses knew the ways of God. He understood God. He knew God personally. It’s one thing to know of a person, but it’s another to intimately know someone.
 

            No matter what challenges we face in life, we should be able to stand because of our knowing God. He is faithful, He is able, He is a deliverer, and He knows all things. The enemy may try to discourage and sway you away from the will of God, but because you know your God, you can withstand. Daniel 11:32 says, “And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." Those who don’t know God or understand His ways are likely to give up under pressure. However, those who know God will withstand the pressure, receive the anointing, and do great things for God.

       This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: That they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Get to know God.

Be Blessed.

The God Who Sees and Hears

Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Therefore, the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered. Genesis 16:13-14

            I’m going to be honest and admit that sometimes I don’t think that God sees or hears me. There are times when I feel forgotten or invisible to God. But, I thank God for His word that reminds me of the truth. The truth is, God does see me. He sees and hears all of us. God showed me numerous scriptures that testify to the fact that He is the God Who sees and hears. The scripture that resonates with me the most is Genesis 16:13-14. In Genesis Chapter 16, the bible chronicles how Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, fled from her mistress Sarai. Then, God found her (Genesis 16:7). I love the fact that the bible says that God found her. He found her, which means His eyes were upon her. God knew where she was because His eyes were upon her, even in her wayward state. He saw her and came to her aid. Hagar was an Egyptian, she wasn’t  a Hebrew, she wasn’t even one of God’ s people. Nevertheless, God saw her. She wasn’t anyone of great importance. But God saw her. She wasn’t even Abraham’s wife, she was the mistress, the maid, the pregnant woman on the side…but God saw her. I believe God visited her because she didn’t ask to be put in that position. It was forced on her because they (Abraham & Sarah) couldn’t wait on God for His promise in His time (that’s a whole other topic). Anyway, I believe He showed compassion on her because of her situation. Regardless of the cause, He saw her just as He sees you.

            In Genesis 16:14, it mentions the well called, “Beer Lahai Roi”, which literally means Well of the One Who Lives and Sees Me. One thing we have to remember is that God is a living God. His Spirit is alive and moving all the time. The bible says in 2 Chronicles 16:9, that eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. Proverbs 15:3 says, the eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. He sees us no matter what it looks or feels like. So when the enemy tries to penetrate your mind with negative thoughts that are contrary to the word of God, remind yourself of El Roi, The God Who Sees. He is always watching and He sees you. He sees you when…no one else does. He sees you when…you do good deeds out of the sincerity of your heart. He sees you when…you are weary but you keep pressing on in faith. He sees you when…you continue to do the right thing despite what it seems. He sees you. 

            God visited Hagar again in Genesis 21 proving that He hears us. After Hagar and her son Ishmael were told to leave the camp of Abraham and Sarah, they journeyed into the wilderness of Beersheba. And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is (Genesis 21:17).  Meeting Hagar where she was again, God not only saw, but He heard this time. When you feel like God doesn’t hear your prayers or see your needs, God says in Psalm 94:9, "He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?" Why would He give us ears to hear and eyes to see if He couldn’t hear or see? After all, we are made in His image.

            Be encouraged. God sees and hears you. No matter what it looks like, things aren’t always the way they seem, especially with God. He knows. Trust Him even when it seems He doesn’t see you. There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13). Continue to pray and cry out to God. God promises in Psalm 34:17 that the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. This is a promise and we know that God keeps all His promises. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Believe that God's eyes are upon you.

Be Blessed.

RESIST TEMPTATION

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:12-16

    
     What is temptation? Temptation is a desire or craving for something, especially something considered wrong.  It means to lure, entice, appeal, persuade, or pull. We have all been tempted before, as temptation comes in different forms. You may be tempted to give up on God today. You may be tempted to cheat on your spouse, engage in an immoral sexual act, or get drunk although you haven’t picked up a bottle in years. You may be tempted to act outside of your character simply because you are weary in well doing. However, the bible says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation” (James 1:12).  Please understand that these temptations are there to test you. Notice they come at your weakest moments. The enemy knows when to tempt you and lure you away from your purpose, away from your integrity. The bible tells us your adversary, the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy can’t tempt you with something you don’t like. He is going to tempt you with that thing that you struggle with, that thing that you find attractive. However, you need to submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

 

     I believe one of the reasons God came in the form of a man, Jesus, was to understand what we as humans face on Earth. I believe He wanted to feel our pain, anxieties, temptations, and heartaches.

     For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]  Hebrews 2:18

     He is concerned about us. Therefore, He lowered Himself for the sake of us in our weakest moments. Jesus is holy. Therefore, He did not sin. He could not sin. It’s not in His nature. However, that doesn’t mean He was not tempted. The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness but He resisted him (Matthew 4:1-11).  As Jesus was tempted and did not sin, so you can be tempted and not sin. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). So you see, you can turn to Jesus in prayer when you are tempted. It’s not as if He doesn’t understand. Whatever you’re struggling with, He can help you. But you have to want His help. Moreover, you will be richly rewarded for resisting temptation and overcoming your trials (James 1:12).
 

     What temptation is it that you are rehearsing in your mind? Whatever it is, bring it to Jesus. You must watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).

 

Remember, no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13