Live while waiting

We have all had to wait for something in some or other stage in our lives. Whether it is for a holiday, promotion, a partner to love, provision, healing or a promise from God, waiting can be difficult. It can be a rollercoaster journey of highs and lows, where some days are better than others. People around you celebrate victories and blessings while it feels as if your life is standing still.

The thing that you are waiting for doesn't even have to be something big or maybe you are waiting for something to end rather than to start. We easily start developing the mentality of 'when' that thing ends or happens 'then' I will do this and that. Jesus says “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” and that is what He has for us every day, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.

When we start putting life on hold because we are waiting, then we open a door for impatience, frustration and doubt to creep in and our days drag on. This happens when we take our eyes off life and God and we start focusing on the situation or the thing that we are waiting for. The trick is not to live waiting, but to live while waiting.

I'm reading Nick Vujicic's new book Unstoppable and he always says that if you haven't received your miracle (yet), be the miracle for others. His positive attitude has inspired millions of people, in spite of the fact that he was born without arms and legs. If you haven’t heard of him yet, I encourage you (and your children) to watch some of his videos on YouTube or read his books. He is truly an inspiration.

Decide today to make the best of each day, no matter what challenge you are going through. Waiting can be incredibly hard, but when we tap into the daily plan which God has for us we realise that there is joy to be found in every circumstance. It’s all about your attitude and the manner in which you approach your day. Do not allow your circumstances to isolate you from the life God has for you, rather reach out to God and others around you. If you are struggling, do not be discouraged, Paul says: “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in (your) weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:9-10

Do not let your days be dulled by waiting, but live as if you have received everything you need, because Jesus has already given us His strength, joy, peace and love so that we can live each day to the fullest.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

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Claiming the promises

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God has equipped us in Jesus with everything that we need. I just want to have a greater revelation of this truth every day! We just need to realise daily that we have already received in Christ everything that we have asked for. The entire Bible is full of promises that God has made to us and any word that we believe, we can receive.

I always say that you can almost “sue” God. The Bible is a contract and if it is in His word, then you can claim it. The problem comes in when we don’t know what’s in the contract and then we have no foot to stand on in court. Satan comes as the accuser with his lies, doubts and fear and our only weapon as our defence is the Bible. When Jesus was tempted in the desert by Satan, He exposed every one of Satan’s lies by quoting scripture.

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” Eph 6:16

The Bible says “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” Rom 10:17 Thus the “shield of faith” is hearing the word of God and knowing how to defend yourself from the lies and schemes of Satan and even from the insecurities in your own mind.

If you are struggling with something, whatever issue it is, take the thought captive and submit it to the word of God. For example, if you are doubting whether you can hear God’s voice, read John 10:1-18 where it says that a sheep knows the voice of the shepherd and claim it for yourself. I normally say something like “God, Your word says that the sheep hears your voice and I am your sheep, so I expect you to speak to me and I believe that you want to.” Or if you wake up not feeling loved or full of joy, remind yourself that “you can do all things through Him that strengthens you” and that God loved you so much that He gave His only Son to die for you or read Song of Solomon and know that “you are beautiful my darling, there is no flaw in you”. God likes it when we take His word seriously and act boldly. He likes it when we exercise our faith and proclaim what we know is true.

I just have this picture now of two kids, you are the child of God and you are saying to the lie of Satan: “I don’t care how big your dad is, my Dad is bigger and He can beat up your dad, one shot!” Every dad is proud when his son believes in him. It is the same with God, He is so proud of us when we know who He is and what we have in Him and that every lie that the devil will ever tell has already been beaten.

You can find a verse for any issue that you have and speak it over your life. Be bold and courageous and break the lies that Satan ties your mind down with. It really is ALL in the mind. The Bible says “as a man thinks in his heart, so he is”. Change your way of thinking by learning what the Bible says about you and the power that you have in Jesus and start living life free from the limitations that Satan, other people or even you for that matter have put on yourself.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

Speak life



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“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

When God speaks a word, it has to come to pass. It cannot return to Him empty. In Genesis 1 it says that God said “Let there be light” and there was light. He spoke light into being and many other things if you read further. When God speaks, He speaks life, His words bring life and when God has spoken something over your life, then you know that it will come to pass and bring life.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matt 24:35

“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil? Behold, I received a command to bless: He has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.” Num 23:19-20

We should guard our hearts and not let doubt side-track us from what God has spoken. It will only rob us of our joy. Sometimes it is good to not tell everyone about the secrets which God has revealed to you. Some people might not respond in the way that you would want them to or discourage you by saying it is impossible or that you have surely heard wrongly. Rather share with people who you know are full of faith and willing to walk the journey with you.

“But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”” Matt 4:4

When God has made a promise to you, He will walk the journey with you. He has already gone before you and made the way. He is more committed to this thing then you could ever be and He has so much in store for us. And as God is in us, let us speak life over our lives, loved ones, our promises and our situations.