Wait on the Lord
"Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14 KJV
Sister, I know you are tempted to take matters into your own hands. Things don't seem to be working out as you anticipated. The answers are delayed or look like they are apparently denied. Now PAUSE...I need you to place your trust in the LOrd. I know society tells you to trust the process. Well what process are they referring to? Certain things in life do follow steps, orders and organized procedures. However, when it comes to the things God has set in motion He controls the process. So ultimately Sister, you're waiting on God. When things go backward instead of forward and the account goes negative before positive; or when you receive "No" after "No", you are still waiting upon the LOrd. So it is truly Christ whom you must trust and depend on. The world has so many philosophies and strong suggestions that we can find ourselves looking to lean on without real hope. At times it appears quite easier to place value in following their subtle devices. That's the trap of the Adversary to get us to put trust in systems, people and theories over or more than God. Don't believe the HYPE. Wait on the LOrd! The Bible tells us to wait patiently. If we look at it, patience is the real issue. How can I wait patiently for something when I have no idea when it's coming? You've probably seen or experienced being at a door looking out the window every 5 minutes expecting for an important delivery or a guest to arrive but it feels like each passing minute is really 10 minutes. By the time it shows up at your door you've bitten off all your nails; your hair is a mess from scratching it and you realize you have nothing done. This is not how the LOrd wants you to wait on Him. It's important that while we wait on God we pray, stay in fellowship with Him and read His Word. He is the only One that can keep us steady during the storm and encourage our soul as we wait patiently for Him to move. Be encouraged Sister... you are not alone.
Prayer Focus:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You and praise You. You are the only God. You are above everything and I give you all of me. I surrender to your plan and I'm open to your timing. I have a way that is so opposite of You. Lord help me to walk in Your Way because You are the WAY. Help me Lord as I learn to wait patiently for Your Will to be done. May I learn to depend on you as I journey through life knowing you will never lead me astray and you promised to be with me. Teach me how to look at you with hope and assurance because You are in control.
In Jesus' Name
Amen
Application Exercise
Waiting isn't easy but in many cases necessary. We don't want a cake that's not fully baked or a companion that hasn't matured. So to help us work on waiting patiently we are going to do two exercises.
The first entails us thinking back to a time in our lives when it seemed like God came through late but afterwards we saw that it was right on time. As you think about His impeccable timing, begin to give God praise for how His is sustaining you through your current waiting time.
The second exercise entails a little baking... yes baking. Stay with it and you'll have fun. I want you to mix up a small batch of something delicious. Whatever you like to eat will work... Brownies, Cake, Mac and Cheese. Just make sure it's something you really enjoy. After you mix your ingredients and place them in the oven, I don't want you to use a timer or your watch to measure how long it should bake. When you think it's ready, I want you to pull it out of the oven and test the inside. See if it's fully baked? Were you patient in the process of waiting for it to be completely done? How far off were you from the correct time? Was it undercooked or overcooked or just right? You can rest assured if you wait on God, unlike that dish it will be perfectly done and at the right time. Keep waiting on the LOrd and we'll be trusting God with you through the process.
The Team of Push Pause & Pray
Don't Get Tired
“So, let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Well Sister, it's been three months since we started the ups and downs of this new year. Some of our sisters started out the block jetting down their paved plan of goals and visions. While others of us hit the year running at the pace of a tortoise. Whatever pace you started and whatever position you find yourself in presently... stay on course with God. He knew you would be exactly where you are. Whether standing in consistency or sitting in procrastination... Don't get tired! Let me encourage you. Please don't get tired of turning the other cheek. Let's not get tired of speaking kindly when you don't feel like the other person deserves it. Let's not get tired of praying for someone when they clearly don't seem to care about their own situation. Let's not get tired of taking care of our temples even when it's not convenient. Let's not get tired of showing love to others that don't seem to send it back the same way it was given. Don't get tired of doing the right thing... or should I say the Godly thing. Look back over the last couple of months. Sis, you've been working to do the right thing; stayed on track and on course with Jesus. You just made an Eternal Investment.... you planted something that you can harvest later if you don't get tired and give up. Some of us want to plant and harvest at the same time. We get so impatient about the portion we invested that we don't realize that we invested a seed but we are patiently waiting for a harvest. What you will receive in comparison to what you have sown is really nothing to compare. When we walk with people and sow the fruit or the seed of longsuffering, trust and believe when you are in need of longsuffering the Lord will send someone to walk with you. Pace yourself My Sister. This journey is about endurance. You are doing well, so keep striving. There is a payout/reward all based on the eternal investment you made by doing good and not giving up. The person you become tomorrow will thank you for not giving up today. We are praying for you Sister. You got this ! You can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens you. Philp 4:13
Prayer Focus:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your love, Your Grace and Your Mercy. You are Lord and sovereign over all things. I bless You and honor You today. Thank You for Your care and provision. I would not be here without you. You are worthy of all praise. Lord Jesus, I come asking you to grant me the grace I need to endure this journey. Daily I'm running this race in pursuit of a crown that I can not obtain without you. Just as John 15:5 says... "without you I can do nothing." I want to make an eternal impact by making an eternal investment with my life. Help Me to continue to do what you call good....whatever is righteous and honorable. More than anything I want to please you. Help me Father to stay focused knowing that I will benefit eternally and here on earth if I don't give up. Father please keep me strong and steady in obeying your commands.
In Jesus' Name
Amen
Application Exercise
Take a moment to write out all the good things ( the Godly things) you set out to do from the beginning of the year. Put a check beside all the things you have been consistent with and you're moving in the correct direction.
Now, circle the ones that you may be struggling to start or continuing to pursue. The things that you circled will become our Object of Focus. I want you to create a pretty sheet of paper for you to write on. Whatever is eye-catching... bling, boarders or glitter. Just creatively express yourself on this Paper then write all of the things you circled on it. Find a place to hang it up so that you are able to see it. These are the things we are going to keep in prayer daily until we see ourselves walking in them. When that day comes, we put a colored check beside it because we are NOW continuing in the good thing. Don't stress about anything.... Face it! Focus on it! and have Faith that you will not give up but reap the benefit of perseverance.
The Team of Push Pause & Pray
Pressing Forward
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
Finally! Reaching this point was hard. I can't believe all the battles that I had to fight in my mind, the sacrifices that I had to make and the pressure I had to endure from people all around me. I think the sleepless nights were the worst. I'd fall asleep from pure exhaustion and then find myself up again 3 hours later... thoughts racing. It had to be the enemy trying to torment me. My entire life seemed to be an uphill struggle with weights tied to my back. My past was pulling me backward while my current life situation was increasing the load. I'm thankful that I began to trust the Lord again with my life. After living a life apart from God and returning to Him... I thought my life would be smooth sailing by now. The decisions of my past seem to be plaguing me even now. I used to wonder if I would ever come from under the demands of life and consequences of my past. Now, I press forward .... I trust God to see me through each obstacle as my memories of what I've done try to nullify the Grace of God over my life. I'm grateful that I've learned to cast down thoughts that go against the Lord and His Word. I press forward... I'm extremely grateful that when discouragement hangs near, I experience the love of God that reminds me that yesterday was a distant moment never to return. I stopped wasting precious moments that I have yet to live. "Press ON!"comes to my mind in a loud voice. Then I pause and say "Thank You Lord." Moving forward and pressing on seems close to impossible at times but your Savior is with you to remind you to Press on toward a life in Christ that pleases God. Sister, if you're living and you are.... God is not through with you.
Prayer Focus:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being such an Awesome Father. You see all and you know all. You see me in all my weakness and You never turn me away. Please help me to continue to move forward in You and in my life. Thank You for forgiveness of every sin and freeing me from the guilt of my past. I know you nailed shame and guilt to the cross when You died and rose from the dead to rescue me. Father, help me to not concentrate on my past but to bring glory and honor to Your name by first trusting in You. When I'm tired and weak I ask You for strength. When I'm discouraged I thank You for sending someone to encourage me with Your Word. I press forward in Your strength and power. Thank You Father for Your mercy and Your love.
In Jesus' Name
Amen
Application Exercise
Let's practice the R- E -S- T Activity :)
Release - Release your issues by laying them down at the Lord's feet. You can do this by praying or writing them down in a prayer journal. Journaling your prayers help you to go back later to see how the Lord answered them... even if it's months and years later.
Engage - Begin to Praise the Lord and engage in His presence by singing... yes you sing not the Playlist. You can even Hum, Wave your hands or dance before the Lord. Take your mind off the problem and look to Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of your Faith.
Still - Be still; wrap your arms around yourself as tight as you can and rock. Imagine those are the arms of Christ cradling you in His embrace.
Take a Nap - He gives His beloved rest. Psalms 127:2 assures us of that . Sleep will help you reset and give your body, soul and spirit time to heal from stress.
Please take the time out to practice R E S T as often as necessary. We'll be praying for you on your journey. God's Grace.
Casting All Your Cares
It all begins with an idea.
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you." 1Peter 5:7 NLT
Each day seems as if there are more things added to my already overly-filled plate of circumstances and responsibilities. I feel as if "Overwhelmed" should be my new name. There is never enough time or energy to address all of the duties that seem to call Me. I'm drowning and I can't seem to get a handle on what to do and how to do it. BUT... One day as I was sitting quietly in thought, trying to calm myself down from the pressures of life, I heard deep down in my soul- " I will never leave you or Forsake you." I almost looked around as if the voice was coming from outside of me. Then as I sat for a moment I recognized the voice of my Heavenly Father speaking. Life can get so weighty and so filled with discouraging circumstances that we can forget the promises of God (Who is at the same time your Heavenly Father). We forget that we have Someone greater than the circumstance that we can run to for safety, shelter, comfort and direction. And mostly, we forget the depth of love He has for us. Now!, My Sister, cast all of your concerns on your Heavenly Father because He cares for you!
Prayer Focus:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the Great I AM, Ruler, Redeemer and King I'm so thankful that I can come to You with my concerns and you never turn me away. Life has become so complex. I'm overwhelmed and I need Your Help! I'm bombarded with all the issues of life and I don't know what to do. Save me Lord. Just like you saved Peter when he was drowning... Save me Lord. Please show me what to do. Please give me wisdom and insight and discernment to make the correct decisions. Show me how to prioritize each situation. I surrender each area of frustration to You. I thank you for the courage to handle everything You have allowed to come my way. Help me to put You first.
In Jesus' Name
Amen
Application Exercise
Take time to write down everything you have on your plate. You can even draw a circle representing a plate and divide them like a slice of pie. Talk to God about each one of them. Ask Him to help you determine which ones need to be taken off. If they don't align with His Will for you or they go against His Word scratch it off by drawing a line through it. Next, ask the Lord to help you prioritize the things that are left. If the things that are left are things that He has allowed, then ask Him for the strength, wisdom and courage to complete each obstacle with Joy. We'll be praying for you. God's Grace.