The undisputed boss

“Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.”- Ephesians 5:15-16

“My schedule is far less about what I want to get done and far more about who I become.”- Bill Hybels

Several years after Bill Hybels became a Christian at the age of seventeen, an older gentleman from his church began mentoring him.  One day, near the end of lunch, the gentleman asked Bill: “How would you spend your time if God were in charge of it?”  With that the older man paid for the meal and left.

The question stirred something in Bill’s heart.  Up to that point, Bill admits, he had been “the undisputed boss” of his time.  Ever since that day, however, that question continues to inspire a lifelong discipline for Bill.  Every day he asks himself: How would God have me spend my time today?

In order to stay spiritually centered, in tune with God’s whispers and able to listen to His guidance throughout the day, Pastor Hybels advises protecting those quiet, peaceful, and uninterrupted beginning hours to our day- surrendering them to God.  The author concludes that in rewriting our schedules, we’ll be making choices carrying far greater implications than we imagine:

“I’m of the opinion that the thoughtful arrangement of your daily and weekly calendar is one of the holiest endeavors you can undertake.”

Today’s question: How would you spend your time if God were in charge of it?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Your one-word commitment”

The undisputed boss

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

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

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

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