“W.A.I.T. With Anticipation”

 Heavenly Habits  1 Response »
Oct 042012
 
“W.A.I.T. With Anticipation”
Would you say you are patient or impatient? 
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord will….”  and Psalm 40:11 says, “I waited patiently for God to help me….“ God promises wonderful things to us when we wait for him. But I think our attitude may very well determine how long we have to wait. What is your response when you have to wait in line, or in traffic, or when you are waiting on the answer to your prayers?  Most of us get very impatient, because we think we are wasting time.  We seem to have this idea that waiting is passive, but when you look at the definition of the word, you find it is a very active state of being.  We are going to look at two uses of the word wait; here is the first one.
Wait: 1. To stay in readiness or in anticipation (until) something expected happens or (for) someone to arrive. 2. To be ready. 3. To be in expectation or anticipation of.
Expect: 1. To await. 2. To look for as likely to occur or appear; anticipate. 3. To look for as due, proper, or necessary.
When you are waiting for God to answer your prayer, do you really expect him to answer you?  Do you anticipate the answer?  Do you believe an answer is due you or that it is proper for God to answer you?  Think about it for a moment; “to expect implies a considerable degree of confidence that a particular event will happen, and to anticipate implies a looking forward to something with a foretaste of the pleasure it promises, or a realizing of something in advance and a taking of steps to meet it.” (Webster Dictionary)
God calls the things that do not exist as though they did (Rom. 4:17).
We should be doing the same thing! Now let’s look at the other definition of wait:
Wait: 1. To serve or wait on a person. 2. To act as a servant. 3. To supply the needs or requirements of someone.
As we WAIT we should be serving the Lord by meeting the needs of others; we should be asking him what he wants us to do.  Is there someone he wants us to help or is there a place we need to go?  That kind of waiting is productive and certainly not a waste of time.  So, are you WATCHING with anticipation to see what God is going to do?  Is you ATTITUDE one of expectation?  Are you seeking God’s INSTRUCTIONS about what he wants you to do?  Do you TRUST that he knows exactly what you need and that he will supply it at just the right time?
The rest of Psalm 40:11 says, “…and he turned to me and heard my cry.”  and Isaiah 40:31 ends like this, “…renew their strength. They will mount up on wings as eagles.  They shall run and not grow weary.  They shall walk and not faint.”  God’s promises are for you and your children and your children’s children, so let’s wait with anticipation.  Waiting on God is never a waste of time.
While you are waiting, God is working.
~ Written by Beth, “My husband of 46 years and I recently retired from full time ministry and we are looking forward to discovering what God has in store for the next part of our journey.  I am a very proud mother and grandmother and I love to encourage others through the word and my life experiences.  My life verse is Psalm 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord has made; I choose to rejoice and be glad in it.”

Water and the Word

 Heavenly Habits  1 Response »
Sep 062012
 

 

“Water and the Word”

Bob and I just got back from our vacation and we were blessed to spend some time in Gatlinburg.  The hotel we stayed in combined two of the things in nature that minister to me the most: water and mountains.  From our balcony we had a view of the mountains and it overlooked a stream.  It was so relaxing to sit out there and read or commune with the Lord as I listened to the water flowing over the rocks.  The road we took home ran beside a river for the longest way and as I looked, it got me to thinking about how God uses water in so many different ways.

There were places where the bed of the stream had been carved out of rock, but everyday it changes a little because of the constant flow of the water over the rocks.  Some places were very sandy, because the rocks had been ground down till there was nothing left but grains of sand.  In some places the water danced over the rocks so swiftly that it causes white foam to form and float on the surface. Then we would pass a spot that looked almost stagnant, like there was no movement at all.  In some spots the water was peaceful looking. Then in other areas it danced and flowed with abandon or cascaded over the rocks with power and force.

God created so many uses for water.  It is essential for life; nothing can exist without it. Not plants or animals or humans.  If you don’t get enough water you will become dehydrated, which can cause all kinds of things to go wrong in your body. Without water you will die. Water can be used to cool a fever, wash away dirt and germs and when harnessed by a dam, the power of water can turn high turbines and produce enough energy to light up an entire city.

You are probably wondering what this has to do with the Word. Here are a few examples:

  • Hebrews 4:12 – the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
  • Psalm 119:105 – God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
  • Psalm 119:9 – a young man can cleanse his way by taking heed according to God’s word.
  • Psalm 119:93 – through God’s word we are given life.
  • Psalm 119:130 – the entrance of God’s word gives light and understanding to us.
  • Psalm 119:140 – God’s word is pure. Psalm 119:170 – the Word brings deliverance.

So you see, the Word of God is powerful, is life-giving, provides light for our way, cleanses our hearts, provides wisdom when we don’t know what to do or say, purifies our thoughts and brings deliverance when we are going through trouble. God’s word is His love letter to us.  Just as we physically need water to live; we must have the word of God for our spirits to live. Let me encourage you to get your Bible and take a BIG GULP before this day ends. It will quench your thirsty soul!

*Written by Beth, the mom of Angie one of our regular contributors. “My husband of 46 years and I recently retired from full time ministry and we are looking forward to discovering what God has in store for the next part of our journey.  I am a very proud mother and grandmother and I love to encourage others through the word and my life experiences.  My life verse is Psalm 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord has made; I choose to rejoice and be glad in it.” ~Beth

A Day in Your Prayer Life

 Heavenly Habits  No Responses »
Aug 202012
 

“Knock, Knock, Who’s There?”

I have written about our little friend the squirrel before. I’ve told you how it comes right up to the door, looks in and waits for us to get up and get it some bread.  Well you will never believe what happened the other day. We had been gone from the house for a couple of hours, doing the grocery thing.  This day we did the big three: Wal-Mart, Publix and Kroger.  You can imagine how tired we were.

We came in the back door and were busy putting everything away. All of a sudden I hear this sound, like something hit the front door.  I didn’t really think anything about it and went back to putting away the groceries.  It hadn’t been more than a minute and I heard the noise again. So I asked Bob what it could be.  He started looking around and when he opened the front door, there was the squirrel just waiting for us to open the door and give it some food. He came expecting and he was going to keep on knocking till he got what he came for.

How persistent are you, when it comes to prayer?  Matthew 7:7-8 encourages us to…

“…Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

The key words there are “keep on.”   Sometimes our prayers are answered right away, but most of the time the answer seems to be delayed.  It seems to be delayed because we don’t immediately see anything happening in the physical realm. I believe that as soon as you make your request, God begins the process of answering you.  You may never know what keeps the answer from coming right away, but God always has a reason.

Sometimes it is to make us exercise our faith so that it will grow.  Sometimes God has to move people and situations around to fulfill what we need. Sometimes the answer is “no,” because God knows it would not be good for us. But sometimes the answer is delayed because of warfare that is going on in the spirit realm (check out Daniel 10).  When we pray, God moves. So let me encourage you to be like our little squirrel, “keep on knocking.”

Whatever your need is today, don’t give up. Your answer is on the way. It may be a long wait or it may be just a heartbeat away.  Remember the promise: the one who asks, receives; the one who seeks, finds and when you knock, the door will be opened.

~ Written by Beth, “My husband of 46 years and I recently retired from full time ministry and we are looking forward to discovering what God has in store for the next part of our journey.  I am a very proud mother and grandmother and I love to encourage others through the word and my life experiences.  My life verse is Psalm 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord has made; I choose to rejoice and be glad in it.”

He Will Give You R.E.S.T.

 Heavenly Habits  2 Responses »
Jul 302012
 
Dear readers, we are so excited to introduce you to Beth! She is the mother of Angie, one of our regular contributors. She will also be a regular contributor here. She says, “My husband of 46 years and I recently retired from full time ministry and we are looking forward to discovering what God has in store for the next part of our journey.  I am a very proud mother and grandmother and I love to encourage others through the word and my life experiences.  My life verse is Psalm 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord has made; I choose to rejoice and be glad in it.” ~Beth

“He Will Give You R.E.S.T.”

We got a new mattress yesterday. We chose one of those memory foam ones because we hope we will be able to rest better at night.  I hear so many people talking about being tired lately. We are bombarded on every side by negative stuff through the TV and internet.  We have more gadgets to make life easier but then we become trapped by all the technology.  We run, run, run, from morning till night; fall into bed exhausted and get up the next morning to start all over again.  It’s enough to make you scream, “Let me off this roller coaster!”

What are we to do? Well, for one thing, get some sleep! Learn to say no sometime. Take a day off and do nothing. There are a lot of things we can try. Some will bring temporary relief. But the only lasting solution is to spend some time with Jesus and get your spiritual batteries recharged.  When we are doing well spiritually, we will do better physically. But only time in the Lord’s presence will bring that inner healing we need to truly restore, refresh and renew us.

In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Here’s a question for you, what is rest?
Rest: peace, ease and refreshment of your body; peace of mind; mental and emotional calm; state of being still; a resting or stopping place.  In Psalm 46:10 the Lord said, “Be still and know that I am God.”  In order to enter into God’s presence, we must stop what we are doing and be still.  When we do; He will…
RESTORE – He will give back or make restitution of what has been taken away from us by the enemy. He will bring us back to our former, normal condition, by repairing and rebuilding us.  He will put us back in a place, position or rank of authority in Christ; and He will bring us back to health and strength.
ENCOURAGE – He will give us courage, hope and confidence. He will embolden and hearten us; and He will give us support and be favorable to us.  He will help us to keep standing and to keep going.  God encourages us so that we in turn can encourage those around us.
STABILIZE - He will cause us to not be easily moved or thrown off-balance.  He will make us firm and steady; not likely to break down, fall apart or give way to negative situations or circumstances we may be going through. He will make us firm in character, purpose and resolution; steadfast, reliable and dependable.  He will help us not to be changed or adversely affected by trouble.  He will make us lasting and enduring, no matter what is going on.  We will be emotionally steady, composed; self-possessed and mentally sound, sane and rational, even when everyone is else is falling apart.
TRANSFORM – He will change our condition, nature and function.  He will change our personality and character.  He will change us so that we will become like Jesus; then and only then will we be the person He created us to be.  Only as he transforms us into the image of Christ will we be able to face life with the peace and joy He promised.

So say “yes” to His invitation today.  Come to Him and He will give you R.E.S.T.

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