by guest writer Deborah Lautt
I am a woman who hates to wait. Waiting in lines, waiting for returned phone calls, waiting in traffic jams- I painfully dislike any form of waiting! Waiting can be a very difficult thing to do, especially in our Western "going, going, going", and on-the-spot, ultra-achieving society. How is it that such a biblical task as "waiting" can have such an imminent reward every time it's used? I am such an "instant gratification" character that I think this is the paradox that attracts me to this repetitive biblical principle. To think that because such great and powerful things come out of "waiting on God", I'm actually starting to enjoy it with expectancy!
Throughout the Bible, different characters met obstacles that required the tough discipline of "waiting". So, what does it mean to "wait on God?" When David sings how "truly (his) soul waiteth on God" Ps. 26:1, the literal translation is "truly my soul is silent upon God." This is our soul, in utter hush and quietness, casting itself upon the Father of our very hearts. Two books later, his own son, Solomon, echoed the Lord's voice.
"Blessed is the man who heareth me, watches daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." Ps. 8-34
The thought here is that of a servant and his master. The slave may have no work or service to do at the moment, but he continually waits at his master's door, knowing that at any moment, the door may swing and his master may say, "My servant, I need you." So, likewise, I need to always be prepared at the "door" of my Father, whether it be for a job, a task, a wonderful call to be a wife, or even something so great my mind cannot fathom. I believe it is the attitude of readiness and obedience that God desires, that we might be able to avail ourselves for His sake whenever we're called, or at any given moment. No matter how long it takes, the patient, or the "waiters" in life need to keep their eyes on God, in prayer, in the Word, and on His principles. They're always true. And, while we're waiting for our answers to reveal themselves, try serving. It's always better to give than to receive. Give to the widows and orphans. Mentor those who don't have anyone to train them. Try to carve some time in your day to serve, or spend some time with someone who hasn't any hope. Waiting on God while "waiting on" others will never go unrecognized, or unreciprocated.
Through Solomon, the Holy Spirit concludes in Prov. 8:36 with the costly reminder that whoever "sins against me wrongs his own soul", and that "all those who hate me love death." Surely I want to choose the way of waiting on God than to rush into my own ways and fulfill that verse's negative outcome. The worldly saying, that "haste makes waste" surely originated from God's flawless Word. Oh, that I might always choose the Lord's narrow, sometimes more uncomfortable gate instead of the broader, quicker, and more convenient one!
The most encouraging verse in the Bible regarding my hopes for my vision's outcome is possibly Habakkuk's 2:3. I'm always humbled by this minor prophets' honesty in questioning, and his "impatience" for God's holy outcome. God is telling us each personally through this pillar in the faith to "write the vision (of our hearts' desire) and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Not only have I written my vision and dreams in a memoir, or, "tablet", but I pray over the written vision regularly. The Lord honors the faith of His righteous brides. In addition to that, Paul reaffirms his sisters that "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith'."
Women, believe God for bringing your children back. Believe God for financial breakthrough for your household. Believe God to answer your many prayers for your husband's salvation. As you prayerfully wait on God, it won't be impatience or our actions that moves your mountains. It will only be the God of our hearts Who is moved through your faith of waiting on Him. God bless your faithfulness, of which He's always mindful.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
2009 Planning?
Happy 2009 Everyone,
At Koinonia Business Women, we are certain that 2009 is a year of opportunity and favor for all those who will take advantage of what God places in front of them. According to Tammy, she heard that the first 22 days of a new year will set the tone for the rest of that year. Wow - interesting thought.
At Koinonia Business Women, we have an exciting project planned for our Christian businesswomen's group meeting on the 20th. Each lady is going to create their own 2009 "Faith Board" (otherwise known as vision boards, goal boards or dream boards). Even if you are not in the South Puget Sound (Western WA) region, you can still follow what we are up to by receiving our free e-Zine called *BLING*, specifically for Christian women in business. Not only that, but we will soon be offering "Faith Board" kits so that anyone anywhere can post their dreams in a visual way.
So, what are you believing God for in 2009? Give that question serious consideration this week. Otherwise, 2009 will start to slip away without goals or vision. As we know from the Bible, where there is no vision, the people perish.
Blessings to you!
Krista Dunk
http://www.kbwomen.com/ Co-Founder
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What Are You Made For?
Have you ever stopped to wonder what God has made you for?
Or what your divine purpose is as a successful, faith-filled woman?
“We are the clay, and thou are Potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8
Consider this: We are as a lump of clay in the potter’s hand. God is molding and refining you with is caress and loving touch, and it is our job to remain pliable and in right spirit with God. This is true for all aspects of life and business. We are being molded for something truly magnificent, something that God will use for His appointed time.
When we consider all the elements of the wheel, water and pressure of the potter’s hands, how they all work together to create a beautiful earthen vessel, we can easily tie that craftsmanship to the work of God in our lives.
Sometimes it is hard to keep our balance and stay firmly planted where God has placed us. The pressures of the world, the economy, the weight of the care for the family can all feel as though they are mounting against us. What is key is to stay in touch with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit so that together you will be created into the beautiful piece of work that can solely be used by God and for His glory.
Be cautioned - the emotions of your inner man can get you off balance and out of sync. Just like an earthly potter’s emotion during working hours at the wheel plays a sensitive role in making a beautiful and durable earthen vessel. Every time a joyful potter puts clay on the potter’s wheels, spinning and forming it according to his will, the result is always superb and delightful beyond degree. On the other hand if grief floods the potter’s soul, no remarkable vessel is made by his grief-troubled hands. The product always reveals the potter’s emotion.
When we get off balance with Him, just as clay can become imbalanced on the potters wheel, we may go flying every direction or simply slump in the middle of the wheel, just as clay that is out of touch with the potter’s hand does. God wants to mold, sculpt and caress us into the divine beauty that He has planned for us to be. Will you allow him to?
Every believer is in the hands of God and being shaped according to His perfect will. As the potter pats the clay for a purpose, so is the Lord in shaping us through chastisement, not to destroy us, but to teach, discipline and strengthen us. It is also a wonderful manifestation of His great love for His children.
When God has completed the sculpting process according to His perfect will, we are not done yet. It’s time to get refined – in the fire! This process makes us strong, giving us stamina to endure the pressures of the world. -But He knows the way that I take when he has tested me. I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10
Caution: This is often when the enemy will come even stronger against us to get us to crack under the pressure of his lies and deceit. Stand firm child - God is there watching, strengthening, adorning and waiting to bring us up, through and out of that fire. On the other side of it you will be a piece of beautiful artwork, ready for His divine use. – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
We encourage you to stay the course, even if the pressure is seemingly too much to handle – ask for God’s hand to move to relieve, to support so that you may keep moving toward what He plans for you. Coming out of the fire too soon can actually cause us to crumble when the next round of pressure comes. Then, the process starts over again at the wheel. We have to be patient, wait on the Lord and rebuke the attacks from the enemy. – Casting all your care upon Him, for he cares or you. 1 Peter 5:7
1. How many times do you need to go back to the wheel?
2. How many times do you crack under the pressure of the refining, which is when God puts the beauty on us for His glory and purpose?
3. What do you feel at this moment?
4. Where are you in the process?
5. Imagine the sculptor and the gentle touch it takes to create a beautiful piece of art.
6. What shape are you noticing you are taking on through the process?
7. How will you use your new shape, adorned with His best, in the world, your family and your life?
The Wonderful Result
The result is so amazing to the point that we could be led to sing “How Great Thou Art.”
The final piece is not just for viewing pleasure; no, God wants to use you. He may make you a vase to adorn you with flowers for sharing their scent and beauty. He may make you a bowl for holding fruit to feed and nurture others with. He may make you a cup for watering souls. It’s always something to be shared, not kept hidden.
So true to believers in Christ, as we are in the Master’s hands, we go through a progressive process and the time will come when the greatness of our Maker will be displayed through our lives in an awesome way.
Or what your divine purpose is as a successful, faith-filled woman?
“We are the clay, and thou are Potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8
Consider this: We are as a lump of clay in the potter’s hand. God is molding and refining you with is caress and loving touch, and it is our job to remain pliable and in right spirit with God. This is true for all aspects of life and business. We are being molded for something truly magnificent, something that God will use for His appointed time.
When we consider all the elements of the wheel, water and pressure of the potter’s hands, how they all work together to create a beautiful earthen vessel, we can easily tie that craftsmanship to the work of God in our lives.
Sometimes it is hard to keep our balance and stay firmly planted where God has placed us. The pressures of the world, the economy, the weight of the care for the family can all feel as though they are mounting against us. What is key is to stay in touch with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit so that together you will be created into the beautiful piece of work that can solely be used by God and for His glory.
Be cautioned - the emotions of your inner man can get you off balance and out of sync. Just like an earthly potter’s emotion during working hours at the wheel plays a sensitive role in making a beautiful and durable earthen vessel. Every time a joyful potter puts clay on the potter’s wheels, spinning and forming it according to his will, the result is always superb and delightful beyond degree. On the other hand if grief floods the potter’s soul, no remarkable vessel is made by his grief-troubled hands. The product always reveals the potter’s emotion.
When we get off balance with Him, just as clay can become imbalanced on the potters wheel, we may go flying every direction or simply slump in the middle of the wheel, just as clay that is out of touch with the potter’s hand does. God wants to mold, sculpt and caress us into the divine beauty that He has planned for us to be. Will you allow him to?
Every believer is in the hands of God and being shaped according to His perfect will. As the potter pats the clay for a purpose, so is the Lord in shaping us through chastisement, not to destroy us, but to teach, discipline and strengthen us. It is also a wonderful manifestation of His great love for His children.
When God has completed the sculpting process according to His perfect will, we are not done yet. It’s time to get refined – in the fire! This process makes us strong, giving us stamina to endure the pressures of the world. -But He knows the way that I take when he has tested me. I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10
Caution: This is often when the enemy will come even stronger against us to get us to crack under the pressure of his lies and deceit. Stand firm child - God is there watching, strengthening, adorning and waiting to bring us up, through and out of that fire. On the other side of it you will be a piece of beautiful artwork, ready for His divine use. – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
We encourage you to stay the course, even if the pressure is seemingly too much to handle – ask for God’s hand to move to relieve, to support so that you may keep moving toward what He plans for you. Coming out of the fire too soon can actually cause us to crumble when the next round of pressure comes. Then, the process starts over again at the wheel. We have to be patient, wait on the Lord and rebuke the attacks from the enemy. – Casting all your care upon Him, for he cares or you. 1 Peter 5:7
1. How many times do you need to go back to the wheel?
2. How many times do you crack under the pressure of the refining, which is when God puts the beauty on us for His glory and purpose?
3. What do you feel at this moment?
4. Where are you in the process?
5. Imagine the sculptor and the gentle touch it takes to create a beautiful piece of art.
6. What shape are you noticing you are taking on through the process?
7. How will you use your new shape, adorned with His best, in the world, your family and your life?
The Wonderful Result
The result is so amazing to the point that we could be led to sing “How Great Thou Art.”
The final piece is not just for viewing pleasure; no, God wants to use you. He may make you a vase to adorn you with flowers for sharing their scent and beauty. He may make you a bowl for holding fruit to feed and nurture others with. He may make you a cup for watering souls. It’s always something to be shared, not kept hidden.
So true to believers in Christ, as we are in the Master’s hands, we go through a progressive process and the time will come when the greatness of our Maker will be displayed through our lives in an awesome way.
Think of where you have come from, how He has sculpted you thus far. Resist the temptation to come out of the fire too early, causing crumbling under pressure. Allow Him to finish what He has started with you. Remember what you have learned, and advance to the next stage. God wants you to have victory!
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