Wait on Me

Hey sweet girls! We came across something from Sheri Rose Shepherd that we wanted to share with you... it goes so well with our lesson from last Saturday! Sheri has written many devotional books (His Princess, etc.) and writes "love letters" as if they are written from the Lord just to us. Be encouraged as you wait on the LORD!

My Princess,

Wait on Me, My princess. My timing is always perfect. I know you're anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vindresser nurtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don't run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away.

Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on your own. You will run farther and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of My blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest of rewards.

Love,
Your King and Lord of perfect timings

"But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grown weary. They will walk and not faint." ~Isaiah 40:31, NIV~

September Notes!

Questions to begin with: how was your summer. What is one thing you are so happy you got to do this summer? What was your favorite summertime snack?! What is one thing you really wished you could have done, but didn’t get to do? What is one thing that you look forward to doing before the end of the year?

Waiting.

What kind of things do we wait for in life? birthdays, Christmas, a dog, a sibling, a baby!, a car, dinner!, break from school, the weekend, vacation, answers to prayer...

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! -Psalm 27:14

~Amplified: Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

~the Message: I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God.

~NET: Rely on the Lord! be strong and confident! rely on the Lord!

Be assured that if God waits longer than you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious - Andrew Murray. 

If it doesn’t come down, then something’s up! - Beth Moore. God is always up to something good. He wants a relationship with us. Wants us to rely on Him more and more. His calendar might be different than ours, but it’s to teach us more of His character! We need more of God!

Individuals in the Bible who had to wait/trust God: Joseph (waiting to be remembered while in prison, Genesis 41:1, 2 years! he chose not to become bitter. trusted that God meant it all for good), Daniel (as he prayed in chapter 10... waited for God’s answer to his prayer... 21 days). Ruth (as she waited to receive word from Boaz in Ruth 3:16-18). When she came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “And how did things go, my dear daughter?” Ruth told her everything that the man had done for her, adding, “And he gave me all this barley besides—six quarts! He told me, ‘You can’t go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law!’” Naomi said, “Sit back and relax, my dear daughter, until we find out how things turn out; that man isn’t going to fool around. Mark my words, he’s going to get everything wrapped up today.” -Ruth 3:16-18, the Message. Mary and Martha (John 11:40, Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? They did not understand why Jesus waited so long, or how He allowed Lazarus to die. His presence could have stopped it all, but He didn’t come until several days later. If they believed, they would see. We will not always understand. He does not expect us to. He asks us to TRUST).

Patience! how we all need more patience! it is finding something else to do in the meantime. 

So, what is at the root of not wanting to WAIT? Could it be greed, worry, jealousy and discontentment? Why does our culture feed so much on complaining? You will face disappointment in this life; we all will. It’s what we do with those feelings of disappointment that matters! The next time you are overwhelmed, put into practice gratitude. Do this by stopping and putting your focus on God. Thank Him for 5 things right then. Aim to make it a habit to be thankful and to see God’s hand at work in your life! 

What do I believe about God that is not true? What do I believe about myself that is not true? Satan lies to us, and attaches FEAR to those lies. Fear and lies can talk us into just about anything. Choose obedience. How did Nehemiah handle fear? Nehemiah 6:9b, 13-14 prayer for strength. Ask God to remember. Hebrews 4:14-16

“The people who know their God will display strength and take action.” – Daniel 11:32b

We’ll never outgrow our need to wait on Him. He always wants us to be dependent on Him! God always calls us to wait on Him!

“If you are in the cocoon of waiting right now in some area of your life, please remember that Jesus is allowing you to wait so that His greater purposes may be served. He has not forgotten about you, nor has He become more consumed with other things. He is still in control. You must believe that and rest firmly in His promises in Scripture that declare this truth. Don’t focus on the fact that you are waiting. Rather, focus your attention on the reason you are waiting. Changing your perspective can change everything!” ~And We Are Changed, p. 42 by Priscilla Shirer

Place {it} in Jesus' hands and let Him do something good and beautiful with it. He makes all things beautiful in His time! He's got us! He won't let us miss out on His best - whatever that is! Psalm 84:11~ no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly!

End by reading this story from Priscilla’s blog on appreciating and living in the season where God has placed you.

May you be encouraged and strengthened as you wait upon the Lord!

Graceful!

Watched this just a minute ago, and wanted to share it. While we have not read the book, we have heard many wonderful things about it. In watching this video, the question comes to mind: what sins do you need to let go of? who can you encourage in freedom? Remember that you are loved!
Galatians 5:1, In this freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [ which you have once put off].
Psalm 34:4-5, I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.