November notes

Waiting on the Lord. In waiting, sometimes we think we’re just waiting on God to hurry and make up His mind about our circumstance. He is God. He is Sovereign = He is in control. Do we realize that?? What does it mean for you and for me?

Let’s look at some Scenarios on Waiting:

waiting for plants to grow/bloom: you have to give them time, right? They won’t bloom until the proper season. You have to wait for a garden to produce. And so it is in our lives. There are certain things that are good for us, but God knows the right timing for those things. He wants us to learn to wait joyfully! Truly trust that He knows the right season. He has made everything beautiful in its time, Ecclesiastes 3:11.  Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing, James 1:4. Are you trusting God for each season in your life?

waiting for water to boil: they say if you watch a pot of water, it will never boil! Sometimes this is true in our life too. Our eyes might be so fixed on the problem or situation, that we become obsessed with it. Nothing is to become bigger than God in our lives (it should not block your vision of Him). Are your eyes on the problem/situation more than on God? Is the problem bigger to you, or is God still greater? Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2, Amplified. Fix your eyes on Him!

waiting to become accomplished: this might apply to school or music, or sports. You’re just waiting for the day when you can feel good about what you’re pursuing... when it brings some satisfaction.... when all your hard work finally pays off. David wrote many Psalms about waiting on God. He came to learn that God is the One who gives him strength and confidence for each task and life situation. Do you feel tired? Are you ready to give up? What is really wearing you out? Patiently wait for God alone, my soul! For He is the one who gives me confidence. Psalm 62:5 But those who wait for the Lord's help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles' wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. Isaiah 40:31 Live pure. Work hard. Leave it to God. - Tim Tebow

waiting for God to show you His will for your future (school/college/calling): This does take time. Don’t grow discouraged. Elisabeth Elliot said “do the next thing” and this is so true. God just lights one step at a time, and really, this is all we need. Trust Him for today. Tell Him your desires. He knows your heart. Ask counsel from your parents. Take advantage of some of the tools out there that address things life your spiritual gift and life calling. Ultimately, seek God, and seek Him first! Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37:4 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew. 6:33

waiting for Mr. Right: this can be a hard one. haha! After all, we’re still single. A godly man once said, “Jennifer, you only have one choice: marry the right man.” You may be tempted to ask - where are the right men? Are there any left? Yes, there are. God has a plan. Start praying for the guys around you. We’d encourage you to pray in general terms here. Pray that God equips them and brings godly mentors and role models into their life. Pray for spiritual protection. There is power in prayer, and you never know what God is doing behind the scenes. We also have an enemy and we need to stand against him with the Word of God. Pray God’s word. But don’t grow discouraged and never decide to settle. God may bring a husband your way in the near future, or further off. There is no doubt that you are deeply loved and that He has GREAT things planned for you. Believe that! The Lord is good to those who trust or wait in Him, to the one who seeks Him. It is good to wait patiently for deliverance from the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26. wait in patience. wait patiently. But don’t stop there. Get busy about ministry and service to the Lord. Pray for vision. Use your talents and time to further His kingdom now. You’ll never have the opportunity to serve Him like this again once you’re married (there will be other distractions and greater responsibilities than you’re facing now). Asking God to change your circumstances? He may be using your circumstances to change you! -Max Lucado When a godly guy does come into your life, be sure to “release and receive.” Waiting for God’s best timing throughout the whole process; being willing to give your relationship to God; being willing to receive what He wants to give you. Value purity! Remember, you are God’s royal daughter - a princess. Never allow anyone to treat you as anything different that that. Colossians 2:10 tells us that we are complete in Him. Your wholeness comes from Christ. 

DON’T LOSE HOPE: "Hope waits but does not sit. To wait is not to sit idly by, whittling our life away until something happens. That is killing time, distracting ourselves to death. Hope strains with eager anticipation to see what may be coming on the horizon. Hope does not pacify; it does not make us docile and mediocre. Instead, it draws us to greater risk and perseverance." -Allender (The Healing Path)

Lord, you give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure. –Psalm 16:5

Heb “you take hold of my lot.” The psalmist pictures the Lord as casting his lot (a method used to allot landed property) for him, thus assuring that he will receive a fertile piece of land (see v. 6). As in the previous line, land represents security and economic stability, thus “you make my future secure.”

Lot – bible dictionary: a destiny, as assigned by God

God controls our lot in life. It’s a special assignment. It’s one of security. It’s beautiful. 

(Habakkuk 2:3)

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (NET Bible: Even if the message is not fulfilled right away, wait patiently; for it will certainly come to pass - it will not arrive late.)

Mercy may seem slow, but it is sure. The Lord in unfailing wisdom has appointed a time for the outgoings of His gracious power, and God's time is the best time. We are in a hurry; the vision of the blessings excites our desire and hastens our longings; but the Lord will keep His appointments. He never is before His time; He never is behind. Come, my soul, canst thou not wait for thy God? Rest in Him and be still in unutterable peacefulness.- Charles Spurgeon

the "appointed time" in this verse means, a sacred season. A time that's set apart, a season or place that's appointed by God to bring Him glory. We can surely wait for His perfectly timed will, for it is good, and He has plans that are ultimately far beyond ours! So, today I hope and pray that I can rest in that. TODAY, this season right now, is appointed by God for me. Rejoice in that!

A spirit of restlessness and resistance can never wait, but one who believes he is loved with an everlasting love, and knows that underneath are the everlasting arms, will find strength and peace.  ~Elisabeth Elliot

Read Psalm 37:1-9, underline all the things that are God’s job. Go back and circle everything that is your job. 

I'm waiting 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

And I am hopeful 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

Though it is painful 

But patiently, I will wait 

I will move ahead, bold and confident 

Taking every step in obedience 

While I'm waiting 

I will serve You 

While I'm waiting 

I will worship 

While I'm waiting 

I will not faint 

I'll be running the race 

Even while I wait 

I'm waiting 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

And I am peaceful 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

Though it's not easy 

But faithfully, I will wait 

Yes, I will wait 

I will serve You while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting 

I will serve You while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting 

I will serve you while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord - John Waller