artwork used by permission of Ronald Barba

Every day of this pilgrimage we find that we are in the midst of a huge battle ground. One in which we must hold tight to the truth of who God is and the Glorious Gospel of Christ.

We at times find that we must cling tight to the Joy we have found in Him; while everything surrounding us tries to steal that joy. We are bombarded on a daily basis with annoyances, beepers, phone calls, failing internet service, car break downs, traffic, and the ever pressing interruptions. If I could only sit at Jesus feet all day, I would be content; but that is not what we are called to do. We must go into the world to preach the gospel.  We are to be ambassadors of faith in all that we do and in every situation.  This is true even when in the midst of the chaos surrounding us.  I am certainly not saying that from that point of view that I have gotten this right always.  When the internet was not working last night, at first my tone of voice with the representative I am certain displayed my frustration.  After all, I only want internet.  I need it to post my messages.  I use it to listen to sermons and to study.  It is my resource.  Or is it?  Is not God my only true resource?   Is it not more important that I represent Christ by my tone of voice even when frustrated?  We must remember that we are in the center of the largest battlefield carrying across all the centuries.  Satan is angry because he failed in his attempt to overthrow God and it is Satan’s desire to take as many followers as he can with him into destruction.  Let us turn to the scripture in

Continue reading The Battleground Is Set-What are You Fighting For? →

Where do we turn when we need advice?  Where do we go for counsel?  How can I find clear direction for my journey through this pilgrimage?  When major questions come in life about what to do, where do we turn? Do we run to friends, co-workers, family, and to counselors in search of an answer?  We want to sort through the possibilities to make the best choice.  We want to know what direction we should take on this journey of life.  If we turn to scripture we can see that there are three counselors which we should avoid and there is a principle we should follow if we want clear direction and even become the light that guides others toward Christ.

PHOTO COURTESY OF @ISTOCK

HOW DO I FIND CLEAR DIRECTION?  WHERE DO I SEEK COUNSEL?

 

PSALM 1

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

So, what are we to avoid?

Continue reading Where Do We Find Clear Direction For Our Journey? →

We have explored the promises of God when we wait and also we explored the reasons why God sometimes asks us to wait; yet, how do we do that.  It is good to understand the why and to cling tight to the promises; but, how do we wait?  Am I just to sit still and ignore everything around me?  How do I take what I know and write it so tightly on my heart so as to be able to perform?  We know the truth so how do we live out that truth so that we might free ourselves from all the anxiety and fear that surrounds us on the earthly pilgrimage?  I read a quote the other day which is as follows:

“Our purpose on earth is not to get lost in the darkness of our journey but
to be a light to others, so that they may find way through us.”
–Author Unknown

How do I light the way for others if I begin to fret or worry when God doesn’t answer quickly?  There are some very important steps in waiting for the Lord.

used courtesy of @istock

Wait patiently, prayerfully knowing that God worketh on Behalf of those who wait on Him.

1.  Seek council from God.  Do not make a move until you have spent time with God seeking to know His will.  Prayer is your key in this matter.  Those worries, those concerns, and those questions as to what to do next; all need to be presented to God.  This is not because He doesn’t know already; this is because you need to spend the time alone with Him.  It is there that He will comfort you and it is there that He will provide you with His answers.   Isaiah 25:3 “O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”    Look at Hebrews 6: “¹⁷ Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:¹⁸ That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”  He has promised that His counsel is truth and He has proven His faithfulness over and over again.  So, seek His counsel before making any plans or steps.

2. Once you have poured out your heart before God; then, wait for further instructions.  There are times that God asks us just to wait, quietly for Him.  2 Corinthians 20: “¹⁷ Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you”  Isaiah 30: “¹⁵ For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength”

3. This means that while waiting, you are listening closely; because when He gives instructions to act, we are to be ready.  Having prepared by prayer, Bible Study, and putting on the armor of God; we are then to act when God says act.  For example:  if you are searching for a job, you will need to apply for jobs or nothing will happen.  Yet, when you apply do so after prayer and listening for God’s counsel.  Then, even when acting or doing; it is important that you maintain the spirit of waiting on God.  He it is who will answer.  If no answer comes or the answer is not what you wanted, that does not mean God is not working out His will in your life.  James 5: “⁷ Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.⁸ Be ye also patient”   The husbandman had to plant the crop; but then he waits upon the Lord to provide the crop.

4. Wait in a Spirit of expectancy and praise that God is working out His best plan for your life.  Psalm 62: “⁵ My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. ⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved.”

We can trust in Him to act on our behalf and to provide all that we need through His great riches.   Isaiah 64: ⁴ For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

Psalm 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

Let your battle cry be: "We Trust in the Name of our Lord God."

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned with the exception of my own book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

HE ASKED ME TO WAIT

He asked me to wait I wanted to try

Yet, trembling within I then asked Him “Why?”

Have you not seen the pain that I’m In

I need an answer, I need to know when

 

Calmly, He sat and silence ensued

While anxiously on my will I pursued

So many thoughts encircling my head

Unable to sleep, no rest in my bed

 

Oh, Lord I do know you want for my best

Yet, how do I get my mind now to rest

I don’t know the answer, I don’t know the why

Where have you gone? I asked with a sigh

 

A soft, gentle voice whispered my name

Trust me, dear Child, for I am the same

The one who has loved you before time was born

I am still here, don’t look so forlorn

 

I need you to see that I am your joy

Not money, not things, nor a fancy new toy

I love you too much to let you run wild

Your safety, your hope is in me, my Child.

 

I want for you more than your eyes can see

Wait, I will show you my victory

Trust in my love, I’ll give you rest

Then you will see, my plan is the best

 

Oh Lord, forgive me; I must have forgot

Twas you, who died; my salvation was bought

At such a high price, to prove me your love

How could I e’er doubt your plan from above

 

Let me now wait, until Lord You Speak

Patiently, calmly, humble and meek

Cradled within yours arms held so tight

Resting in you until darkness is light.

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned with the exception of my own book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

“Why would a God that loves me ask me to wait?  How can that be an act of love?  Doesn’t He see that I am desperately hurting—why would God wait?” Aren’t those the questions we ask when we are in the midst of trials and God seems to be silent to our wailing and inconsolable tears.  Let us turn first to John 11 where we may be able to begin to understand, “That it is because He loves us that He asks us to wait.”  I urge you to read the entire chapter very carefully when you get alone and have the time to meditate.  Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus because their brother was sick and dying.  Verses 5 and 6 then say, Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus; so He waited.  What?  Because He loved them, He waited.  They wanted Him to come and to heal Lazarus; yet, because He loved them, He waited.  In fact, He waited long enough that Lazarus had died and been buried already 4 days before He arrived.  Mary, Martha and all their friends and family were beside themselves with grief.  Martha went out to meet Him and said, “Had you been here, my brother would not have died.”  She had seen the miracles of healing for others.

Artwork used by permission of Ronald Barba. © 2011 Ronald Barba. This artwork is copyright protected.

“Why would a God that loves me ask me to wait? How can that be an act of love? Doesn’t He see that I am desperately hurting—why would God wait?”

Why didn’t Christ come and heal her brother? Didn’t He love her?  Why would He have waited?  Mary didn’t even want to come to Jesus, He had to call for her.  She was so distraught.  They had wanted Him to come, they had more than Him; wanted His miracles.  Now, it was only Him—He was too late for a miracle and they were sad—they could not see that He was enough.  He had come to give them life and they could not see that He was life.  He had come to display

Continue reading Wait (Part 2) Why would a loving God ask us to Wait →