A Little at a Time...

It's not very often that I do this...as a matter of fact in the last year I've only re-posted one other devotion...but today...I know I need to re-post this devotional from December 2, 2010.

(So...whoever this is for...I sure would love to hear from you!)

G. Campbell Morgan wrote, "Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given." (http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/w/waiting_on_god.htm)


I don't know if you are like me...but, at 18 the promises of God seemed more attainable...Now,twenty three laters the "S" once shining brightly across my chest and the super-woman feelings of invincibility tend to fade with endless loads of laundry and ever-pressing twists and turns of life.

Today's Word is Wait.

Nothing seems more difficult than (after hearing God's will) being forced to wait to see His promises fulfilled.

The middle ground of waiting wearies me with an ever-growing list of questions: "What if I misunderstood God's promise?" "What if I messed up or made a wrong decision?" "Did God really say what I thought He said?" "Have I made God mad?" "Why aren't things working out like I thought?"

If you're battling any or all of these thoughts...SHOUT OUT WITH ME TODAY--STOP!!!!!

In order to RISE ABOVE LIFE'S CIRCUMSTANCES, we must learn to patiently WAIT and TRUST the One Who died for us.

I came across a verse this morning that completely astounded me...Look at what God promised the Israelites, in Exodus 23:27-30, "I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land." (NIV)

Ok, at first glance maybe you didn't see what I saw, but check it out...God didn't drive all of Israel's enemies out at once, because the land (the promise) would have been too much for them to handle. The wild animals (the abundance of the promise) would have been too great for them to manage. Rather, God shared that He would drive Israel's enemies out little by little, so they could increase enough to take possession of the land (He wouldn't give them the full promise of blessing until they were prepared to manage, enjoy, and fully handle the ability to "possess" the promise.)

Friends, the same is true in our lives. God loves us enough to cause us to wait, because waiting refines our motives, removes impurities, and builds faith in what matters most. Our accomplishments aren't what matter the most...our end destination of fulfilled dreams aren't what matters most...what matters the most is our journey of building a living, loving, relationship with GOD.

Waiting actually prepares our lives to receive our long awaited promise.

So, as we "WAIT"...

• Let's NOT ALLOW details or what seems like "Wasted Years" to distract us from embracing and enjoying the journey.
• Let's REMEMBER our end destination is already decided. God's promises will be fulfilled.
• Let's RESTconfidently in God's love and enjoy a loving intimate relationship with Him.
• Let's PURPOSE to ENJOY LIFE even as we wait...knowing that God is giving us our land (our promise) "little by little" so that we are prepared to fully possess it!
• Let's DREAM BIG, LAUGH OFTEN, and continue to remember GOD'S GOT IT ALL UNDER CONTROL!

PRAYER: Father, by nature we want to live a life free of conflict; You designed us to live in perfect fellowship with You; but because of the curse we wrestle with pride, fear, and feelings of abandonment. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for our sins. Thank You for restoring us to a right relationship with You. Help us to rest confidently that You ARE WITH US. Reveal Your Love to us each day. Help us to RELAX and WAIT for Your Promises. We put our HOPE and TRUST in You. Fulfill Your Promises we pray. And, Help us ENJOY LIFE...even as we Wait!

P.S. To hear more on this subject, join me on today's broadcast as I interview Latayne Scott and highlight the 3 phases of Faith! Phase 1 God's Promise...Phase 2 The test...Phase 3 God's resolution. Simply click this link to listen LIVE at 12 PM EST (or listen later at the same link) at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/04/20/his-love-extended