The path for your victory

In Chapter 6 of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley offers these words of support when we are especially disheartened during times of delay:

“As you submit to the Father during this difficult time, He provides for you, makes you all you need to be, bends other people’s hearts toward you, and sets the path for your victory.”

At this point, Dr. Stanley notes that we question why God doesn’t change our circumstances, allowing us to suffer and wait.  After all, we know that God is with us in our darkness and is all-powerful, but things seem to be at a stalemate.  Here we need to remember this second point as difficult times persist:  The Lord has an important purpose for the seasons of adversity you face (author’s emphasis).

Especially when we see a glimmer of hope, a way out of our land between, postponement of that hope can make a normal person question everything.  Disappointments can plunge our soul into despair.  Dr. Stanley notes that these are times when we decide whether we truly believe in the Lord or whether He’s simply an idea we cling to.

Dr. Stanley offers five reasons why the Lord allows us to experience dark times.  The first is presented today.

1.  To firmly mature and establish your trust in Him when there is no visible evidence of His activity.  As our faith progresses from little to maturing to perfect, we become confident that the Lord already has accomplished what He has promised.  The wonderful blessing we’ve eagerly anticipated will be even more meaningful because we’ve clung to Him through every trial and setback.

Today’s question: What has strengthened your trust in God during your time of adversity?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: the new Short Meditation, “My Lifesong”

The path for your victory

The darkest of times

“The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”- Psalm 34:18

“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”- 1 Samuel 16:6

As Charles Stanley continues Chapter 6 of Waiting on God, he notes that when we go through extended times of waiting, we often feel “alone and utterly rejected.”  That is why it is crucial for us to remember this encouragement from Dr. Stanley as our adversity persists:

“You can be courageous because the Lord is with you in the darkest of times and will see you through this.”

Perhaps a particular failing or a seemingly insurmountable event from our past makes us think the Father couldn’t possibly love or bless us.  Scripture, however, testifies that the Father is closest to us when we feel most unworthy and defeated.

Whether we sense God’s presence or not, we must be intentional in affirming the truth that God know exactly what we are facing during our time of darkness and is walking alongside us in that darkness.  The Lord is with us, He hasn’t deserted us, and He never will forsake us.  What matter is not who or what we know, how intelligent or strong we are, or how much we’ve achieved in life.  Rather, we are powered by the Spirit of the living God in us and His active influence in our life.

Today’s question: What has enabled you to experience God’s presence in the darkest of times?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “The path for your victory”

 

The darkest of times

Courage and determination

In Chapter 6 (“Staying on Track: When the View Becomes Dark”) of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley states that it certainly is true that our wait can continue to be absolutely disheartening, especially when events don’t go our way or our burdens increase.  To our finite vision, it may appear as if the Lord never will come through for us.

When our emotions leave us raw and fragile, the smallest criticism or words of unbelief from another person may leave us reeling with hopelessness because those words confirm our worst fears rather than being a support to us.  We feel it is futile to go on and that there is little or no reason to try.  We are plunged into the darkness of despair because our problems and pressures persist.

This brings us to Dr. Stanley’s fourth and final requirement of waiting on the Lord, courage.  Dr. Stanley defines courage:

“Courage is a quality that enables us to endure suffering, danger, opposition, and the challenges of life steadfastly, fearlessly, and with confidence in God’s provision and protection.  It is this attitude of courage that is stretched and refined in these painful times.”

Joseph faced his dark time in Egypt with courage and determination, even though conditions increasingly worsened for thirteen years before God raised him up to be a great leader.  He stayed on track with God’s purposes and took hold of the truth that God would take care of him.

Today’s question: What Bible verses have bolstered your courage following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Coming Monday: the new Short Meditation, “My Lifesong”

Courage and determination

Faith, patience, and obedience

“It is resting in the Lord, in His will, His promise, His faithfulness, and His love, that makes patience easy.”- Andrew Murray

Charles Stanley concludes Chapter 5 of Waiting on God with a reminder that it is crucial we test our motives when it comes to God’s promises and while we wait for Him to answer our prayers.  The Father will not compete with any longing that replaces Him.

When we wait of God, He always will show us His grace, goodness, love, and mercy, as Dr. Stanley explains:

” . .  . delight yourself in the Lord, make His the priority of your life, wait for Him, cling to His promises, and trust Him to give you the desires of your heart. . . . He wants to fulfill them in a manner that reveals the awesome way He loves and provides for you.”

As we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises, Dr. Stanley notes we have three responsibilities.  We must exhibit faith, patience, and obedience.

1.  Faith.  Dr. Stanley defines faith as “the confident conviction God will do as He’s promised.”  Our faith and trust in God will grow when we believe even though every earthly indication is fighting against that faith.

2. Patience.  One of the New Testament Greek words for patience is hupomone, meaning “steadfastness, constancy, and perseverance.”  It is the picture of a Christian who remains on the course Christ has set, despite all obstacles and trials.

3.  Obedience.  Whether we understand God’s direction to us or not, we must allow Him to guide us to our destination step-by-step.

Today’s question: What Bible verses have strengthened and sustained your faith, patience, and obedience?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Courage and determination”

 

Faith, patience, and obedience

Walking in obedience

Today Charles Stanley concludes his presentation of seven questions designed to give us the criteria for confidently taking hold of a promise from God.

3.  Does the fulfillment of this promise glorify Him?  God’s fulfilled promises are part of our testimony.  In this way God makes Himself known to those around us.  Our request must benefit others, honor God and fit His character, and encourage others to seek Him.

4.  Is this promise consistent with His will for your life?  If we’re walking in the center of God’s path for us, generally His assurances will support what He is calling us to accomplish.  God’s purposes for us will take precedence over our expectations of His timing and methods.  When we obey God, He assumes full responsibility for our needs.

5.  Are you walking in obedience to Him?  Willfully choosing to go outside God’s will and meet our needs on our own means we intentionally deny His power and wisdom to help us.  God won’t contribute to our disobedience.  Dr. Stanley states:

“God’s promises are meant to bolster our trust in Him, not undermine it.  He will not sanction disobedience.”

6.  Is the fulfillment of this promise in your life encouraging to others?  We’ve been able to persevere because we see how God worked through the lives of the biblical saints.  We need to be that encouragement to others.

7.  Does the Holy Spirit witness with your spirit that God is pleased?  When the Holy Spirit confirms for us that this promise is for us deep within our soul, we’ll sense profound confidence and calm in our heart.  Although we’ll still face doubts and fears, the Father will restore tranquility to our heart by reminding us of His faithfulness.

Today’s question: Which of Dr. Stanley’s seven questions resonate most with you?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Faith, patience, and obedience”

Walking in obedience

Conditional promises

As Charles Stanley continues Chapter 5 of Waiting on God, he expands his discussion of God’s general promises, subdividing them into unconditional and conditional promises.  An unconditional promise is a guarantee from the Father that has no exceptions or qualifications.  For example, as believers we are guaranteed a home in heaven.  On the other hand, a conditional promise is subject to specific requirements.  God’s assurance to forgive our sins is dependent on our confession of those sins.

Dr. Stanley notes that the majority of promises in the Bible are conditional.  There is a responsibility attached to the assurance that must be observed.  It is crucial, then, for us to ascertain whether God’s promises are limited or general, conditional or unconditional to help us understand whether specific verses are intended for us and if we’re able to meet the associated requirements.

We actively must anchor ourselves to God by claiming His Word and obeying Him.  Dr. Stanley provides seven questions to give us the criteria for confidently taking hold of a promise from God.  The first two questions are discussed today.

1.  Does this promise meet a particular need or desire the Lord wants to fulfill?  Dr. Stanley encourages us to review the promised necessities the Lord enumerates in Scripture, ask the Father for guidance, search the Scriptures, and carefully consider if the promise is one the Lord delights to fulfill.

2.  Does the context of Scripture allow it?  We need to consider to whom the promise originally  was directed and determine whether a wider application is appropriate as well as if requirements accompany the promise’s fulfillment.

Today’s question:  How have you determined the appropriateness of a specific promise to your situation?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Walking in obedience”

Conditional promises

General and limited promises

In Chapter 5 of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley next discusses how we can be sure a particular promise is for us, and how, once we identify a verse in the Bible that is meaningful for us, we can appropriate it and claim it for our own.  Dr. Stanley provides two guidelines.

1.  We must understand that not every promise of Scripture is intended for us.  Dr. Stanley categorizes God’s biblical assurances as general and limited promises.

General promises are available for any Christian who wants to claim them.  For example, in Luke 11:9-10 Jesus says: “Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seek finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”  This is a promise we can appropriate with confidence because Jesus said we could do so.

Limited promises, Dr. Stanley states, “are given to a specific person, group, or nation, usually during an identifiable time, for a distinctive purpose that God desires to carry out.”  This can apply to us if the Lord announces to us what He will do in our life, as opposed to our finding this promise and appropriating it of our own volition.

2.  It is absolutely essential to learn how to listen to the Father and discern when His Spirit is speaking to you.  We must know with certainty that our imagination isn’t just interpreting our circumstances in a way that caters to our desires, but that the Spirit of God is revealing a biblical principle we can live by and telling us His plans for our life.

Today’s question: Who or what has been most helpful in enabling you to develop discernment?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Conditional promises”

General and limited promises

Promises, promises!

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises . . .”- 2 Peter 1:3-4

As Charles Stanley continues Chapter 5 of Waiting on God, he boldly proclaims that “God has an answer for every need you or I could experience.”  He notes that the Greek word for ‘precious’, timios, means “of exceedingly great value, costly, honored, highly esteemed, or especially dear.”  Similarly, megistos, the Greek word for ‘magnificent’, means “preeminent, greatest, or strongest.”

Dr. Stanley states this means that our loving heavenly Father’s assurances surpass the highest possible honor and worth our finite imaginations can conceive.  As we actively claim the assurances of God’s blessings, we are enable to endure the delays.

Obviously, a promise is only as strong as the character of the one making the promise.  As the length of our wait becomes seemingly interminable, it becomes difficult for us to trust.  If people we can see, hear, and touch can let us down, we extrapolate that belief to God, who we cannot see.  But God is not unreliable, impulsive, or limited.  We can be certain God will bring His promises to fruition.

In the next blog Dr. Stanley will discuss how we can appropriate a meaningful passage in Scripture and claim it for our own.

Today’s question: What promises have sustained you during your transitional journey?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “General and limited promises”

Promises, promises!

Actively expressing faith

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”- Hebrews 10:35-36

In Chapter 5 (“Claiming God’s Promises: Actively Expressing Faith in the Delays”) of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley emphatically states that the principle of claiming the Lord’s promises to you is a crucial precept during times of waiting.  This precept  will enable us to remain steady and strong when swamped by the waves and storms of adversity.

Up to this point, Dr. Stanley has discussed how waiting signifies an expected endurance demonstrated by a directed and purposeful attitude of prayer.  The third characteristic is that we must be active.

The Lord didn’t intend for believers to passively wait.  Although we are still in the sense that we relinquish all control of our situation and allow the Father to work through our circumstances, we must be active in our spiritual growth as we resolutely take hold of God’s Word.

Our ability to persevere is the key factor in receiving the very best God has planned for us.  If we jump the gun by taking matters into our own hands, we can’t possibly know with certainty that we will receive the blessings God has planned for us.

Today’s question: What Bible verses have encouraged you to take an active role in your transformational growth?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: Promises, promises!”

Actively expressing faith

God-given aspirations

“For the Lord is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”- Psalm 84:11

Charles Stanley wraps up Chapter 4 of Waiting on God with a series of questions designed to enable us to ascertain whether a particular path or decision is the Father’s will for our life.  Dr. Stanley prefaces his questions with an encouragement to trust the Lord’s guidance:

“. . . though He may not show you what your destination is, and though the desires and goals God has put on your heart may appear very far away, indeed, your heavenly Father is leading your step-by-step with love, wisdom, and power to His very best for your life.”

Our God-given aspirations can be the motivation to press on even through the devastation of our ministry downsizing or vocation loss.  Here are Dr. Stanley’s questions to help us evaluate the hopes that drive us.  A more detail discussion is found on pages 120 to 124 of Waiting on God.

1.  Is this choice consistent with the Word of God?

2.  Is this a wise decision?  Are you making your decisions with God in mind?

3.  Can you honestly ask God to enable you to achieve this goal?

4.  Do you have genuine peace about this path?

5.  Is this decision appropriate for who you are as a follower of Jesus?  Would you recommend this choice to another Christian?

6.  Does this fit God’s overall plan for your life?

7.  Will this decision honor God?

Today’s question:  How do these questions help you crystallize your thinking regarding your vocational revisioning?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Actively expressing faith”

God-given aspirations

Godly counsel

Today Charles Stanley concludes his presentation of four ways to seek God’s guidance, know Him better, and become who He created us to be.

3.  Through circumstances.  Dr. Stanley exhorts us to keep this important principle foremost in our hearts: “The Lord is with each one of His children every single moment of the day.”  God doesn’t just show up in emergencies.  He is guiding the circumstances of our lives every second of the day.  The Father employs every event of our life for our benefit.

Life circumstances are of extreme importance.  If we are intentional in paying close attention to what the Father is doing through those circumstances, we will learn a great deal about His will for our life.

4.  Through godly counsel.  Dr. Stanley draws an important distinction here.  He is not describing someone who simply will give us advice or will tell us what they would do in our situation.  Dr. Stanley is referring to someone clearly submitted to the Father- a Christian with a clear understanding of how to listen to God and who cultivates a strong relationship with Him.

A godly counselor guides us to the truth, even if that truth is uncomfortable or painful.  We need godly counsel to guide us in understanding the Lord’s will on our own, not someone to take over and direct us.  As Dr. Stanley concludes, the question isn’t, “What do you think I ought to do?”  The question is, “What does God’s Word say about my situation?”

Today’s question: Who can provide godly counsel as you revision and revitalize your vocation?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “God-given aspirations”

Godly counsel

Ways to seek God"s guidance

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”- Psalm 119:105

“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”- Psalm 16:11

In Chapter 4 of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley presents four ways to seek God’s guidance, know Him better, and become who He created us to be.  The first two ways are discussed today.

1.  Through God’s Word.  Dr. Stanley states Scripture is the main way God reveals His purposes for us.  Through meditation on God’s Word, we receive His counsel- and God’s chosen path is illuminated.  Dr. Stanley adds that we should not only read the Bible, we also should ask questions.

God also helps us understand the reality of our circumstances and how to handle them in a way that honors Him.  Dr. Stanley notes with absolute certainty that when we ask the Lord what we’re supposed to learn and to teach us the way we should go, He’s always happy to fulfill that request.

2.  Through prayer.  Scripture and prayer are inseparably linked.  Prayer involves not only talking with God, but listening to what the Father is saying.  God isn’t simply taking our list of requests.   He’s actively communicating His desires for us as He aligns us with His will.

Dr. Stanley unequivocally states that we can know “beyond a shadow of a doubt that if you are asking God for direction and are truly willing to listen to Him and obey Him, then you are praying ‘according to His will.’ ”

Today’s question: How have meditation and prayer helped you discern God’s direction for your life?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Godly counsel”

Ways to seek God"s guidance

Purpose in life

As Charles Stanley continues Chapter 4 of Waiting on God, he discusses the second characteristic of godly prayer in waiting- being purposeful in pursuing the Lord’s plan (author’s emphasis).  Dr. Stanley states that we find purpose in life through discovering the wonderful ways God is leading us “day by day and decision by decision.”

We need to understand, the author adds, that God’s will encompasses not only the minute details of our personal life but grand purposes affecting the whole of creation.  The Father actively is working in both areas.  He has placed the Holy Spirit within us to direct us, consistently providing opportunities to walk in the Lord’s wonderful purposes for our life and faithfully adjusting our path when we start to drift.

The Lord is desirous that we reach our full potential and will help us to do so, as Dr. Stanley explains:

“This means he recognizes all of your talents, skills, and abilities- even the innate ones, hidden in the fiber of your being and yet undiscovered.  He knows the profound needs you have to feel a sense of belonging, worthiness, and competency, and He understands exactly what it would take to satisfy them. . . . His plan is to work through every bit of who you are, to bring out the very best of who you were created to be, and to glorify Himself through you . . .”

Today’s question: What untapped talents, skills, or abilities has God revealed following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Ways to seek God’s guidance”

Purpose in life

Lost within Your beauty

“. . . you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”- Colossians 3:9-10

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream.”- C. S. Lewis

Opened in 1925, the Crystal Garden in Victoria, British Columbia, was modeled after other ‘glass palaces’ of that era.  A multi-purpose amusement center where all levels of society mingled, the Crystal Garden offered the largest salt water swimming pool in the British Empire, an art gallery, two full ballrooms, and a restaurant among its amenities.  By 1971, however, the Crystal Garden closed, the last remnant of a bygone age.  Nine years later it reopened, transformed into a conservation center and tropical garden that was home to numerous species of birds, including these striking hyacinth macaws, the largest parrots in the world.  In 2009, the Crystal Garden was repurposed as an extension of the Victoria Conference Centre.

The Crystal Garden has embraced revisioning and revitalization multiple times throughout its ninety-year existence- growth essential to maintaining its viability.  “The possibility of transformation,” John Ortberg writes, “is the essence of hope.”  To our limited vision, it appears that nothing can grow in the desert landscape of our vocation loss.  Author Jeff Manion counters that viewpoint by stating that desert soil has the greatest potential for producing life-altering faith.  The Land Between is the ideal climate for spiritual growth.

Our vocation is not the foundation of our identity.  C. S. Lewis states that we truly become ourselves when we let God take us over.  It is only when we give ourselves us to God that we begin to have a real personality of our own.  This is achieved not through a static existence, but through spiritual growth.  John Ortberg observes that all living creatures require change, adaptation, and challenge.  Spiritual growth is not a part of life.  Rather, every moment of life is an opportunity to learn from our Lord- to be lost within Your beauty:

“But to grow spiritually means to live increasingly as Jesus would do in our unique place- to perceive what Jesus would perceive if he looked through our eyes, to think what he would think, to feel what he would feel, and therefore to do what he would do.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1diyWXT59Q

 

 

Lost within Your beauty

God"s workmanship

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”- Ephesians 2:10

In Chapter 4 (“Discerning God’s Will: Finding Purpose in the Uncertainty”) of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley states he’s found over his lengthy pastoral ministry that believers are most concerned about God’s will during times of waiting.  We desperately want to know what God is planning and whether He will answer our prayers.  We would be greatly comforted if we knew with certainty that we were waiting for something definite- that God’s answer to our fervent prayers isn’t an outright, “No!”

Dr. Stanley assures us that the Father wants us to know the path He has designed for us.  However, in order to accomplish the good things God wants us to achieve, we need to know what He has called us to be and to do.  Just like a shepherd lovingly guides a lamb that is prone to wandering, Jesus trains us to listen to His voice, protects us, and even disciplines us to keep us on the right path.

We can be exceptionally confident, Dr. Stanley asserts, that God is working all things together for our good during our delay- that everything He does to lead us is for our ultimate benefit.

Today’s question: What Scriptures have been most meaningful in helping you to discern God’s will following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: the new Short Meditation, “Lost in Your beauty”

God"s workmanship

Gripping the past

“If you live gripping the past, you will forfeit you future.  Adversity can either make you bitter or better.”- Charles Stanley

In today’s blog, Charles Stanley completes his discussion of six common idols we often hold too tightly.

5.  The past.  Dr. Stanley states in no uncertain terms that the past is one of the most destructive idols of all.  This happens when we fixate on the people who have hurt us or we harbor unforgiveness.  If our pain turns to bitterness and unforgiveness, we have reached a dangerous point.  We begin to suspect the Lord’s motives, fearfully expecting more trials or further wounding.

Our past becomes an idol when we trust our experiences more than we believe in God.  We don’t have to allow this to happen.  Our adversity can be a bridge to a deeper relationship with the Father if we set our heart to trust Him.

6.  Hobbies.  While hobbies and preferred forms of entertainment aren’t necessarily wrong in themselves, there is a problem if they grab more of our attention than the Lord does.  Even ‘harmless’ activities and pastimes can consume us, Dr. Stanley writes.  Hobbies have no capacity to diminish our profound feelings of emptiness, exile, or worthlessness following our vocation loss.

Today’s question: Which of Dr. Stanley’s six common idols resonate most with you?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “God’s workmanship”

Gripping the past

Goals, dreams, and relationships

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”- Hebrews 11:6

Today Charles Stanley continues his discussion of six common idols we often hold too tightly as he covers goals, dreams, and relationships.

3.  Goals and dreams.  Dr. Stanley notes that we can become so driven to accomplish our objectives and daily goals that we lose sight of (a) the eternal life God has given us and (b) the Lord’s perfect plan for our life.  We seek to build our own kingdom and contentment.  We do what we believe is right from our point of view and see ourselves as accountable to no one.

Nothing we have acquired in this life will go with us into eternity.  But what we have done in obedience to the Lord will endure forever.

4.  Relationships.  Dr. Stanley observes that the concept of relationships even extends to a situation that never seems to improve.  Despair overwhelms us as we wait upon God and seek His guidance.  Feelings of rejection, fear, or bitterness drive us away from God rather than toward Him.  We resist moving in the direction the Lord desires.  It is crucial that we maintain our focus on the Lord, not allowing relationships to become a stumbling block.

Today’s question: How have you reassessed your goals, dreams, and relationships following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Coming Monday: the new Short Meditation, “Lost within Your beauty”

Tomorrow’s blog: “Gripping the past”

Goals, dreams, and relationships

Six Common Idols

Charles Stanley continues Chapter 3 of Waiting on God by identifying and describing six common idols, or subtle strongholds, that we often hold too tightly.  The first two common idols are discussed today.

1.  Our own understanding.  When adversity comes, we often don’t understand what is going on or why God allowed it to happen in the first place.  Certain puzzle pieces are missing.  Yet, we repeatedly analyze our situation from every conceivable angle because our finite minds cannot fully comprehend what is happening.

Our incessant scrutinizing only leaves us discouraged, disillusioned, and even more insecure.  This, however, is no reason to reject our Lord.  Rather, it’s a reason to depend on Him all the more and be intentional in seeking His good purposes.  We do not and cannot know all the details of our adversity.  But the Father does.

2.  A sense of security.  Dr. Stanley emphasizes that we don’t like losing control or trusting our future to One we cannot see.  We’d rather have a steady source of income and predictable results- that is, tangible security.  Dr. Stanley acknowledges that having goals is a good thing provided we’re seeking the Lord’s guidance.  Often, though, we’re seeking to create security through our own efforts instead of depending on God.

Today’s question: Prior to your vocation loss, how much did your career define you?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Goals, dreams, and relationships”

Six Common Idols

Strongholds in our lives

In Chapter 3 of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley builds on God’s testing of Abraham by asking the following question: Who or what is on the throne of your heart?  Idolatry is a stronghold that stealthily slips into our lives.  We may not even be aware it has taken hold.  Dr. Stanley asks three questions to help us determine if idolatry is a problem:

a.  Even though God has instructed you to trust Him, do you spend your time and energy trying to figure out what will happen?

b.  Although you have the Father’s assurance He’s making a way for you, are you frustrated and disheartened by your circumstances?

c.  Do you lash out at God in anger when a particular option is closed to you?

Dr. Stanley then gives three reasons why it is difficult for believers to admit their idolatry.

1.  We want to believe we’re good enough to merit our salvation and the blessing God gives us.  Confessing there are strongholds in our lives would be to admit our imperfection.  Out of pride, we want to measure up to what Jesus expects of us.

2.  We realize that admitting we have strongholds means acknowledging we have to change.  We’re afraid to allow the Lord to transform our lives because we’d have to give up longstanding patterns and behaviors.  We’d rather live the same defeated status quo than experience God’s extraordinary plan for our lives.

3.  We are trying to meet a need only God can fulfill.  The object or person we want represents more to us than what they actually are.  For example, we try to find our identity in our profession rather than in Christ.

Today’s question: Who or what is a stronghold in your life?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Six Common Idols”

Strongholds in our lives

Anticipated blessing

Charles Stanley continues Chapter 3 of Waiting on God as he concludes his discussion of Abraham’s responses to God’s promises.

2.  The temptation to speed the plan along.  Especially when the anticipated blessing is important to us, time has a way of wearing on even the strongest faith.  The temptation to take matters into our own hands becomes great.  Our focus is on the obstacles instead of the Lord’s ability to overcome them.  Like Abraham and Sarah, every time we get ahead of God or try to wrestle control from His hands, we make a mess.  Nothing good ever will come of it.

3.  The test to prove what really rules your heart.  Dr. Stanley notes that twenty-five years elapsed between the time Abraham received God’s promise and its fulfillment.  Certainly Isaac was very precious to Abraham and Sarah.  Yet the Lord tested Abraham by telling Him to sacrifice Isaac.

Dr. Stanley states that the Hebrew word for “tested is nasah, meaning “to try, assay, or prove.”  The word often is used when referring to examining the quality of weapons.  Here God demonstrated the quality of Abraham’s faith and what truly ruled his heart.  God already knew everything that was in Abraham.  Abraham need to make the choice, in the process recognizing that God indeed came first.

Submitting to God’s command wasn’t easy for this man of faith.  It certainly was downright agonizing.  While we aren’t privy to Abraham’s thoughts, we do know what he did.  He obeyed anyway.

Today’s question: What promises of God have strengthened your faith following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Strongholds in our lives”

 

 

Anticipated blessing

Human logic versus divine plan

In Chapter 3 (“Surrendering Your Focus”) of Waiting on God, Charles Stanley notes that an inherent battle occurs when we wait on God.  As our delay stretches to weeks, months, and even years, we struggle to decide whether our desire is aligned with His will.  Dr. Stanley observes that we sense an inherent conflict between what we pray for and what God has planned for us because our prayers go unanswered.

Although we try to have faith, despair gets the upper hand in our hearts despite our best intentions.  Dr. Stanley explains our problem:

” . . . our problem is that we focus on our questions far more than on the Father’s desire to answer them.  And the more we think about the desire of our heart instead of God, the more frustrated we become and the more tempted we are to take matters into our own hands.”

Even Abraham, a great man of faith, attempted to get ahead of God by trying to figure out His plan or somehow speed it along. Then Abraham faced the ultimate test.  Dr. Stanley addresses each of these aspects of human logic versus divine plan.  The first is covered today.

1.  The need to figure it out.  Just like Abraham, we allow the circumstances of our life to overcome our faith in God.  When there is no tangible evidence of God’s working, we use logic in our attempt to figure out what God would do.  Human logic cannot discern God’s divine plan.  When we spend time in the Lord’s presence, He will comfort and rescue us.

Today’s question: What Bible verses sustain your focus on God’s divine plan rather than human logic?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Anticipated blessing”

New addition to the Crown Jewels: “Genie or Jesus?”

 

Human logic versus divine plan

Our great potential

Today Charles Stanley concludes his discussion of ten powerful assurances from God.

5.  He will discipline you when needed for your own good.  God disciplines us so that we can be free from behaviors or thoughts that ultimately would destroy us, that don’t fit us as a child of God.  He helps us become all we were created to be.

6.  He will limit the pressure of your trials and temptations to what you can bear.  God knows our great potential- if we will learn to trust Him despite feeling that our trial is beyond our endurance.  Adversity strengthens our faith and refines our character.

7.  He will forgive your sins.  Not only that, the Lord will reveal what is causing us to sin if we listen carefully.  He will also help us to overcome our sins.

8.  He will always keep His promises to you.  Dr. Stanley states there should be absolutely no question in our mind whether or not God will do what He says.  God will keep His word, although it may be in a different way than we are anticipating.

9.  He will keep you eternally secure.  Dr. Stanley comments that “the great blessing of your salvation is that it is based entirely upon the love and provision of Christ.”

10.  He has prepared an eternal home in heaven for you.  Heaven will be the most joyful, peaceful, fulfilling home imaginable.  We will be in Christ’s presence.

Today’s question: Which of the ten assurances are most comforting at this time? Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Human logic versus divine plan”

Our great potential

Perfect, unconditional love

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”- 1 John 4:8

Charles Stanley concludes Chapter 2 of Waiting on God by stating that we can be certain God will help us because of His perfect, unconditional love.  Dr. Stanley contrasts God’s love and human love:

“. . . God’s love for you is not like most human love- moody, unpredictable, self-serving, and contingent upon your response.  His tenderness toward you is based on His holy character- which is unwavering, sacrificial, unchanging, completely trustworthy, and committed to providing the very best for you.”

The author describes ten powerful assurances we can count on God to give us every day of our life.  The first four assurances are discussed today.

1.  His lovingkindness and compassion are yours every day.  God never will leave or forsake us.  We can know with certainty that He is always working on our behalf.

2.  He is a solid, unshakable foundation for you.  The Lord is not given to sudden or volatile alterations in His behavior.  He operates on fixed, timeless principles that we can count on.  The Lord will hold us steady and secure if we focus on Him.

3.  He will guide you in the way you should go.  God faithfully leads us on the best path for our life or to what we are waiting for.  As long as we keep our eyes on Him, we are assured we’re on the right track.

4.  Whatever He requires of you, He will enable you to accomplish.  Dr. Stanley states the Lord has a supernatural way of “multiplying your time, talents, strength, wisdom, and supply when you trust in Him.”

Today’s question: Which of the first four assurances are most meaningful to you?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Our great potential”

Perfect, unconditional love

Omnipresence and omnipotence

As Charles Stanley continues Chapter 2 of Waiting on God, he focuses on God’s omnipresence and omnipotence.  Dr. Stanley states that God’s omnipresence is comforting because we can be totally assured that we always are with God’s reach.  Romans 8:38-39 reminds us that we never can be separated from God’s love.  It doesn’t matter where we are or what may be threatening us.

Dr. Stanley observes that it is “even more accurate to say that everything is in the Lord’s presence.”  This signifies that the Lord is where we cannot be, accomplishing what is of concern to us.  We may have no earthly idea where the Lord is raising up an answer to our ministry downsizing or vocation loss- but He is.  And the Lord is so intimately in tune with every aspect of our being that He is providing for our needs even before we’re aware of them.

The author also stresses that, during seasons of waiting, it is crucial to remember that God is omnipotent.  He is all-powerful and stronger than any forces opposing us.  Dr. Stanley explains:

“And because He is all-powerful, even the obstacles and trials in your life that seem to impede or thwart God’s plan are actually tools He uses to fulfill His purposes when you keep your focus on Him.”

Today’s question: How do God’s omnipresence and omnipotence comfort/strengthen you?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Perfect, unconditional love”

Omnipresence and omnipotence

Refining your faith

“Be still, and know that I am God.”- Psalm 46:10 (emphasis added)

As Charles Stanley continues Chapter 2 of Waiting on God, he urges us not to read past, but stop and reflect on the following statement: “You must fully accept that He is God.”  Saying we believe in Him, or that He is God, is not enough.  We have to know.  We must be aware of God’s constant and loving presence- then live in the light of that truth.

Dr. Stanley encourages us to remember that the Lord is committed to seeing us through every trial we face.  We can rely on Him and rest in His faithfulness.  Because God is omniscient, knowing everything about us, He lovingly trains and prepares us for what lies ahead, as Dr. Stanley explains:

“Knowing so much about you, the Father lovingly trains and prepares you for what is ahead- refining your faith and teaching you lessons that will eventually lead to your success.  He directs you wisely, helping your avoid the pitfalls and embrace opportunities that are important for your future.”

God has not forgotten us.  He has allowed our season of delay for a reason.  The Lord knows about issues that we cannot see.  He will lead us on the right path in His perfect wisdom and time.

Today’s question: How has the Lord been refining your faith during your desert, land between time?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “God’s omnipresence and omniscience”

Refining your faith

Directed toward God

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:30

Charles Stanley begins Chapter 2 (“Assured in God’s Character: The Wisdom of Directing Your Focus to Him”) of Waiting on God by asking this question: “Do you know who it is you are waiting for?”  Dr. Stanley notes that our natural tendency is to focus on the object of our desire rather than God- the Provider.  But the bottom line is, no matter what we petition God for, God is the One we’re really waiting for.

That’s why Dr. Stanley’s first characteristic of godly prayer in waiting- being directed toward God- is of paramount importance.  While it may appear difficult for us to shift our thoughts to God, Dr. Stanley states “without a shadow of a doubt that with the help and power of the Holy Spirit and some godly principles to live by, [we] can do it.”  God may not provide according to our expectations, but Psalm 91:10 reminds us that God never will forsake the person who seeks Him.

We have no reason to fear because God is unaffected by obstacles that limit and intimidate us.  It is the Holy Spirit who prompts us to remember God’s promises and faithfulness.  The Holy Spirit gives us the capacity to remain faithful during times of waiting.

Today’s question: What Bible verses have helped you deal with your fears following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog”: “Refining your faith”

Directed toward God

When God sifts us

“Delay never thwarts God’s purpose; rather, it polishes His instrument.”- Victor Raymond Edman

Today Charles Stanley concludes his discussion of five lessons we can learn while expectantly waiting on God.

2.  To value God’s timing.  Dr. Stanley defines God’s timing as “a tool God [uses] to effectively carry out His will and build dedication to His plan.”  Just like David, we can’t be driven by what others think.  God will take care of our situation in His perfect time.  We are simply to wait for His direction.  Dr. Stanley concludes:

“. . . the delays we face are not a denial of His promises; rather, they are an integral part of His strategy to arrange all the details and get us positioned for His excellent plan.”

3.  To prepare for His blessings.  Confining God’s blessing to our timing may be absolutely destructive to us today, but completely wonderful for us tomorrow.  Dr. Stanley adds that the Lord also cultivates our character to increase our commitment to the responsibilities and challenges of God’s gift.  Dr. Stanley states: “God lingers, develops you, and matures your character so you are fully equipped to receive all He has planned for you.”

4.  To strengthen our faith.  Our faith is tested and grows greatly when we only have God’s promise to rely upon.  For this purpose, Dr. Stanley stresses, “the Lord will intentionally put adverse conditions in our path so we choose to believe Him rather than focus on our circumstances.”  We’ll never go wrong waiting on God.

5.  To sift our moments and desires.  If our motives are wrong or our tactics sinful, God will work to align our hearts with His purposes for our lives.  Dr. Stanley encourages that when God sifts us, there’s no telling what “wonderful, exciting, energizing and fulfilling things He’s purposed to do through us.”

Today’s question: Which of the five lessons are most meaningful?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Directed toward God”

When God sifts us

Anticipation and Electroburgers

“Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.”- Psalm 5:8

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off.  You sit still and trust the engineer.”- Corrie Ten Boom

I raced up the steps to the Roosevelt Road Station of the North Shore Line in the Chicago Loop, hoping the next scheduled train was the stylish and comfortable Electroliner.  There it was, resplendent in its trademark salmon and turquoise color scheme!  I waited with anticipation for the doors to open so I could rush to my favorite spot- a single seat opposite the motorman, with an unobstructed view of the tracks ahead (right front window).  Along the way, familiar landmarks like the Great Lakes Naval Training Station signaled that the Hennings were getting closer to Milwaukee.  In open country, the Electroliner reached speeds of 85-90 mph.  And no ride on the Electroliner was complete without a pilgrimage to the dining car for the unsurpassed, beef tenderloin Electroburger!

Anticipation and Electroburgers.  An unbeatable combination!  Each step of my journey on the Electroliner brought increasing levels of excitement.  Ruth Graham observes that anticipation is built into us in her book Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There:

“Our Creator made us to anticipate.  The act of anticipation is hardwired into the universe and into us. . . . We must learn to cultivate anticipation.”

Anticipating God’s plans, Ruth adds, means expecting God to show up in our tomorrow and to actively do His work.  To step boldly into God’s purpose, we must have hope.  We recall what God has done for us in the past so we can move forward with confidence, affirming the words of the psalmist David: “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation (Psalm 5:3).”

The anticipation of God’s plans we prayerfully cultivated prior to our ministry downsizing or vocation loss may seem impossible to resurrect.  Yet, our hope can be revitalized, revisioned, and transformed, as Ruth Graham encourages:

“If you just can’t see how God would ever want to affirm you or use your life, let me assure you that God does want to use you.  He is a restorer.  He is a redeemer.  He is a grace giver.  That’s who He is, and you are not exempt.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sG94EKGDcU

 

 

 

 

Anticipation and Electroburgers

Expectant endurance

Charles Stanley continues Chapter 1 of Waiting on God with the following concise definition of waiting on the Lord:

“. . . waiting on the Lord signifies an expectant endurance that is demonstrated by a directed, purposeful, active, and courageous attitude of prayer.”

Dr. Stanley goes on to describe how expectant endurance is exhibited.  Expectant endurance is:

a.  directed– our focus is on the Father, rather than concentration on what we’re waiting for.

b.  purposeful– our delay is meaningful because we anticipate God’s perfect direction, preparation, and provision.

c.  active– we trust God is working even though we cannot perceive it.

d.  courageous– in order to take hold of God’s very best for our life, we’re willing to forego less desirable alternatives.

Dr. Stanley then concludes Chapter 1 by discussing five lessons the anointed King David learned while he waited with expectant endurance on God.   The first lesson is covered today.

1.  To accept God’s direction.  It is important to listen to the Father in order to receive His clear direction.  Dr. Stanley notes that when we need to make important decisions, our natural inclination is to consult earthly sources of guidance.  These sources are extremely limited and faulty means of assistance.  Our trust must be in Jesus as our Source of instruction and direction.  Charles concludes:

“When you cannot see  your way clear, stay where you are until God answers you and trust Him to teach you the way you should go.”

Today’s question: Which of Dr. Stanley’s descriptions of expectant endurance do you currently exhibit?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: the new Short Meditation, “Anticipation and Electroburgers”

Expectant endurance

Intimate fellowship with God

Today Charles Stanley concludes his discussion of four aspects of waiting on God, found in Chapter 1 of Waiting on God.

2.  You are not just waiting around, doing nothing.  While we are waiting on God, we should continue to serve Him and carry out our daily business.  Even when circumstances don’t appear to be going our way, we must persevere in seeking and obeying God as well as maintaining intimate fellowship with Him.

3.  You are not missing worthwhile opportunities.  To our finite vision, it may appear that worthwhile opportunities are passing us by or that there are no better options on the horizon.  Now is not the time to force God’s hand.  As Dr. Stanley states: “Rather, count on His faultless wisdom to protect you from choices that would ultimately harm you.”

4.  You are not alone.  Even though we may not be aware of it, everyone we know is facing some type of delay.  When we entertain thoughts of humiliation and defeat, we must realize that the devil is the author of those thoughts.  He is out to isolate and destroy us.  Dr. Stanley reminds us that anyone in Scripture whom God used in a powerful way faced a long and difficult time of waiting.  Instead of giving in to despair, we should understand waiting as the Father’s special favor and guidance in our life.

Today’s question: which of the four components of waiting on God speak to you in a meaningful way?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Expectant endurance”

Intimate fellowship with God

God"s timing and wisdom

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”- Ephesians 3:20

As Charles Stanley continues Chapter 1 of Waiting on God, he states that “learning to be directed by God’s timing and wisdom- not our agenda- is one of the most important lessons we ever learn as believers.”  And one of God’s most effective tools for teaching us to wait on Him is time.

Yet, Dr. Stanley points out, while we are waiting on God it’s human to feel frustrated and anxious because we don’t have control over our circumstances.  Something or someone else seems to be impeding us from enjoying what we believe will make us happy.  Furthermore, we may view God’s delays as a waste of time- we’re doing nothing and missing opportunities while God ignores us.

Dr. Stanley states this is not the case at all.  Waiting on God’s timing and wisdom, he notes, has four components.  The first component is discussed today.

1.  The Lord is not neglecting you and has not forgotten you.  Every single moment, Dr. Stanley emphasizes, God is working in the unseen on our behalf.  As St. Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20, we can’t possibly conceive how God is working out everything for us.  Even if we could see it, we wouldn’t understand it.  Our responsibility is to set our heart on Jesus, trusting our life is safe in His hands.

Today’s question: What has enabled you to give up your perceived control and place your trust in God’s timing and wisdom?  Please share.

Coming Monday: the new Short Meditation, “Anticipation and Electroburgers”

Tomorrow’s blog: “Intimate fellowship with God”

God"s timing and wisdom