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Has anyone been waiting on God to open doors in their life and it seemed to be taking a loooooooooooong time, even though you've been stepping out on faith, hearkening to His word, and focusing on meeting the needs of others. (Faithfully tithing, attending church, and seeking Him in His word and through prayer.)
How long did it take and what was the final outcome? What lessons did you learn?
Need answers, please.
For sure! I had to wait on God to give me an OK go on a relationship. After my parents forbade us to have contact, a year into our dating and friendship, I waited 3 months, praying and seeking God, until my 18 birthday to see him, wondering if he had moved on or not. I had to have patience, and had to know that if he moved on and I didn't, I would be hurt. I knew that if it was God's will, it would happen. The final outcome was us getting engaged, and realizing the commitment we have to each other even through tough times with no contact. The lesson I learned, was patience- all things will have their time, and things like that are worth all the time in the world.
I know God comes though in the end and in HIS time. It just seems like HIS time is sooooooooooooooooooooooooo long. I'm waiting on God to bless my husband with a job and to set me on a divine career path for my life as well. I've been waiting since 2004 and my husband since June 30th when he got out of the Navy. The economy is terrible, but isn't that why we need God on our side? I'm losing hope... things seem to just be getting worse.
Matthew 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Yes , waiting for the Lord while the wind is against you can be tough .But the Lord has His time and it is the fourth watch of the night.The fourth watch is the last watch and right then when I have no more strength in me , and no more voice to cry out , that is the Lord's hour!
I am in that same position with you right this moment, trying to hold on for one more day and one more day and one more day , always remembering that God is my FATHER and even if the whole world is against me , He is WITH ME !
God bless you!
I'm sure all of us who have put our trust in God have had, and still have, similar experiences. Just read the Psalms of David. They not only relate His "waiting on the Lord", often with a large amount of impatience, but his system of recovering from lagging hope. He looks back to those times when God heard his prayers and brought about a good outcome on other matters.
The timing of God seems incomprehesible when we are waiting. I've heard God called a "midnight God" because He seems to bring about a solution at the "last" moment.
This could be due to a testing of our faith in His love and caring for us... or it could be that what good (better) thing God wants to accomplish in our life is dependent on other things in this world.
For instance, look at the promise of God to Abraham about the land and heritage which God gives to him. It is not to come to reality at that time, but in future because some heathen who are living in the land have not reached the level of evil for God to act against them and free the land for the Isrealites:
Gen 15:12-16
12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure."
NIV
This is an extreme example because it is talking about a whole people and not just an indivual or a family as in your case. God WILL take care of you and your family in His way. That is His promise. And His way will be good or better than you ask.
Adam and Revdr, thanks for the encouragement! Both your replys are so rich that I will have to meditate on them a little each day... allow it to go off in my spirit and produce a personal revelation. I will keep you posted on what God shows me.
Revdr, I really like the ending, where you say... "And His way will be good or better than you ask." I keep thinking about how the words says, "more than you can ask or think." I'm really waiting to see that kind of favor in my life. Surely, I have with meeting my husband who is a wonderful man of God. So, wonderful, sometimes I want him to simmer down with his enthusiasm of how God is going to deliver us. Hee Hee
Adam, I love the part where you said, "Yes , waiting for the Lord while the wind is against you can be tough .But the Lord has His time and it is the fourth watch of the night.The fourth watch is the last watch and right then when I have no more strength in me , and no more voice to cry out , that is the Lord's hour!" The Lord keeps waking me up between 3:00 am and 4:00 am... and I know that's the time for me to pray and sometimes just listen. So far, nothing major has been revealed. I lye there and a zillion thoughts swarm through my mind and I just talk with God like he's my most intimate friend (surely he is.) I am going to be more aware of these times, for my breakthrough may be in the that time.
Jaime, thanks for your reply as well... it is an awesome feeling when you know you've given it totally over to God and you see Him honor it in a big way. I know I can't wait to see the end of this season of wilderness and see the favor and promise of God in my life in this time. I will keep you posted on the outcome.
We all go through what is called the "death of a vision" .Abr. Promised a son.. none comes for a long time. Joseph's dream, but he ends up in Egypt for years. Am reading through hebrews this month.. through faith and patience they inherited the promises. Walk by faith, not by sight. Personally, 11 years ago I left being a pastor, and am working at a Window factory. I have tried so many doors to pastor again, all to no avail. So I lay this dream on the altar, when God opens a door,no none can shut it, when He closes a door, no one can open it. What do we do in the mean time. Be faithful. You have a divine career already. You are a wife, (a mother, I am assuming), gifts to build up the body. See Habakkuk 3:17-19. Never give up. Blessing.
CrissiDi , you wrote...
''The Lord keeps waking me up between 3:00 am and 4:00 am''
I know how it feels!!
I pray for you!
9 Blessings... Death of a vision is sooooo real and such a hard pill to swallow. Yes, I am a wife... not yet a mother, but maybe soon (having symptoms lately) and yes, I have a strong ministry with several young women around me.
God is so awesome! I just read Habakkuk 3:17-19 yesterday! I must need to read that again cause you are the second person to suggest it to me.
Not Giving up, and continuing in faith and patience is much easier said than done, but as a child of God, I really have no other option. I can't turn back and I can't give up... I must see the end of my faith, that's for sure. Sometimes, it just feels like you can see a glimmer of hope or a milestone in the waiting period and once that time has reached and proves to be no more than a mirage or a mere speckle of dirt, it can get rather discouraging.
I am such a doer, want to get up and be out and taking action. The last several years, it seems that God is halting me and keeping me from moving forward in my dreams and desires. He is being rather tight lipped and strategic about which doors He will allow to open. (Not letting me produce anything out of my flesh.) Only His desires are manifesting in my life no matter whether I like it or not.
Argh! It means He loves me and has something great for me. (So I am told) And yet it proves rather fustrating cause every time a great opportunity comes along, I want to jump on it, but God is like, "No, Mame!" So, I run back to my mat with my tail between my legs. Haa Haa Haa
Adam, thanks for the prayers! I will pray for you in that time as well. If you get any praise reports, let me know! = )
There have been no changes in my situation as of yet, but I am feeling confident that God is setting things up for my good.
I was driving the other day and as I looked to the sky I saw an aeroplane from a distance and from my point of view it seemed that it was like just standing , not moving at all . Of course that that can't be and as I drove a little bit further I could see the aeroplane flynig fast.What I am trying to say is that our sight has limits and can be blocked , that does not mean that things are moving.
Hope that helps!
That's deep Adam! Yes, from my point of view, things seem to be halted and any movement seems to come in slow spurts. But as you say, from another angle, it could be full speed ahead. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by adam7gur
IT IS DONE!!Quote:
Originally Posted by CrissyDi
Thank you for your prayers !
Haggai 2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
good question crissydi. I have some points I came up with reading the responses:
1. thankfulness- relating to god your thankfulness in prayer, for that which you have already
2. listening- in prayer, listen to god... he may be saying something totally off your subject, and like you said, a personal revelation might come from his spirit
3. use what you have- take the things god has given you and use them the best you know how for him, cause it's the small faithfulness he blesses
4. process of change- in my opinion, it's not what you're asking for that god focuses on, it's the process of receiving it... a process of changing you. Perhaps through patience, or faithfulness, or a sin that's dealt with or repented of. The bible says to seek first the kingdom of god. First is first.
Yes, I have 'waited on the Lord' as you put it. If I may say so, without hurting your feelings, the answer is not with the lord but within yourself. I am not telling you what to think. I am only telling you what I think and have come to know. That is, there is no lord. There is no god. It is ALL a myth. Your ministers, priests, or whatever are probably telling you what they believe because it's their job but they are either misled or downright lying.
Go to see "Religilous" currently playing in theaters. You will come to see, with humor, the falsness of religion. And forgive me if I have in any way upset your beliefs, but you did as a question didn't you.
Yes I have waited on the Lord to open doors or opportunities during my 75 years of life and he has done so many times.
Often it was not what I was hoping for.
He chose and I followed.
There were a couple along the years that I did not take advantage of and I paid the price of not doing so.
There are sill regrets I carry.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
Fred, thanks for the reply, I have to ask myself that also... if I had missed an opportunity somewhere. Either way, all I can do at this point, is continue to seek Him each day and let Him guide me. I am learning that no matter what, I will have to wait, so it's how I wait that determines what the other side looks like.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by arcura
Change- that is a big word. I am always seeking God for ways in which I can become more like Him. My life is a constant focus on helping others and ministering to others and so I earnestly try to take some moments to reflect on myself. That is not so easy for me because God is contstantly bringing people into my life that He is asking me to minister to... and I'm learning to balance that call with investing in my personal relationship with God, myself, and my husband. And humbling myself before God in knowledge that my good works don't mean that God is required to give me what I want. (He is my Lord, not my Genie. Ouch! That lesson hurt! Hee Hee)Quote:
Originally Posted by cogs
Thankfulness- I know I lack in that area, because it's so easy to listen to the words of the enemy about how far away I am from where I want to be or "deserve" to be. I've been forcing myself to verbalize little things that God does for me, to myself, so that I can combat the enemy's seeds of frustration that he sows into my mind.
CrissyDi
I think that you have a good attitude about that.
Peace and kindness,
Frefd
Someone posted a response to my previous one that suggested I 'stay on the topic'. I think it was Cogs? Well, if you really read it you would see that I indeed DID stay on the topic. I answered the question: have you ever waited on the Lord and What happened?
Wasn't that the question? Or do you people only expect and accept a positive answer? I have indeed waited on the lord and what happened? Nothing! I have been through all religions and eventually found they are all based on... mythology. Far be it from me to discourage anyone from their beliefs, however futile, but, some night, look up at the cosmos. Isn't that enough to wonder at? The magnificance of it. Isn't that religion enough for you? Okay, I will shut up. Believe in your Lord as it gives you purpose in life.. but if you ask a question, expect an answer not necessarily to your liking.
No, I said, 'i hope everyone stays on topic... lol'
I should have added everyone else.
richka, the stars are nice to look at, but won't help my soul to grow.
Richka, thank you for your honesty. I respect your standpoint and all others who have replied.
COGS
You are assuming there is a soul. Read Carl Sagan. A scientist and a great man. You might understand that the 'stars' are not just 'nice to look at' but can deepen awareness, enlarge consciousness, even give a spiritual awakening to the soul, whatever that might be. Nature is a wonder. I had a spiritual experience once, in Mazatlan, Mexico of all places. Just watching the waves crash upon the beach but it was far more than that. A breathtaking vision if you will. I came away changed.
richka,
I'm familiar with Carl Sagan and his Cosmos program. I read some of his books
I find the universe to be a mind blowing phenominon.
I often wonder how God planned and made it to be what is is today.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
[QUOTE=CrissyDi;1382208]it's so easy to listen to the words of the enemy about how far away I am from where I want to be or "deserve" to be. [QUOTE=CrissyDi;1382208]
CrissyDi
The enemy's name is in Greek ''anaxiopestea'' and it's job is to make someone feel not worthy of God's love and blessings.Pray to Jesus and He will send it away!
When me and my wife were trying to have a baby , that spirit was there to make us believe that it was not going to happen.
Our son's name is Hristoforos and it means ''he that carries Christ''!
Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Mark 14:36 Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Dear Acura Sir,
I'm so glad you are familiar with Carl Sagan. He was such a marvelous man, who unfortunately died so young. Well, I guess you would already guess my opinion on the universe and the extended cosmos. i.e, god did not 'make' it. It came about through natural selection. I respect your viewpoint but that's the scientific explanation that I follow and can be just as mind blowing as being designed by a supernatural being somewhere.
My sincere wishes for your continued happiness with the "lord". Richka
Adam, thanks for James 4 and Mark 14. They are great to meditate on. I have been reading a rereading LISTENING TO GOD by Charles Stanley. It is an awesome book. Anywhoo, thanks for your input. I've been like a thick sponge, trying to absorb all the word I can get. I've always attended church faithfully, and I attend an awesome WORD ministry... I use to be so focused on serving, but in this season God is really calling me to listen to HIM and spend more time with HIM. It's hard getting out of my habits of being busy with the world. But I know it's what I must do. (Quiet my soul.)
1. crissydi, you have the 'quiet my soul' correct... listening to him, is like listening to an internal person. You do learn what he says by spending more time with him. That's the living word in you.
2. richka... so the experience touched you internally, doesn't that mean you have a soul? Also, the creator of the mormon religion, joseph smith, had a vision, and I don't believe every vision or supernatural happening is god's will for us. I believe satan is able to deceive us in this manner.
richka,
Thank you and I respect your right to believe as you want to.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
1. crissydi. You said before that you were non religious but spiritual! Yet you are quoting the bible all the time. That's Bronz age religion!
2. Cogs. Being in awe at thesight of giant waves, glimmering in the sun as they crash onto the beach at Mazatlan does not mean I have a soul. The way I see it, it just means I have an appreciation of the BEAUTY of nature. Now you're going to say god created that beauty. Isn't it rather 'natural selection'?
cogs. I just drove down from Phoenix. (I live in Tucson)
You seem to be an educated man. I just don't understand then, how could you believe in a being like satan? Re: Joseph Smith. I've read a book (forgot the title now) that exposes the entire scam of mormonism.
Acura.
Thank you! For clearly seeing everyone has that right. This reminds me of once in my health club locker room the other guys were talking about god and I foolishly said " But I'm a non-believer". Then one was going to punch me out and said he had fought in Viet Nam. I failed to see what that had to do with it but there you are. (Believe as I do or else). So I said, what you were fighting for was my right to think as I please. He didn't get it!
richka ,
I think the hot head you were referring to was one (like me) who fought for God, Family. And Country so goes the indoctrination.
He had not right to threaten you or your beliefs, but some folks just don't "get it".
It's like the people who believe in freedom of speech but only for them.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
Same here I am spiritual Christian and not religious. Religion is man made formulas on how they believe you reach God.Quote:
Originally Posted by richka
Yes I have waited on the Lord for over 20 yrs on most things and God is finally starting to bring about some good things in my life. I believe he allowed me to go through many things so that I can relate to others and use my life experiences to help people.
Many people go out to help people but can't relate but want to do 'good deeds'. They can't help much more than that because they do not understand what many of the poor and hurting are going through. I believe people need more people that have gone through it all to share their experience and be there for them as well.
NoHelp, that's awesome! I know how good it feels to see God moving in your life. I'm learning in my wilderness period, that even though I can't see him moving, He is moving and therefore He is good.
I do understand about helping others out of your experience rather than just sympathy. I do find that my ministry to others is much more effective when I can relate to what they are going through.
N0help4u,
I do not believe that all religion is man made.
God made the religion of Yahweh. He set up the laws and rules for it thousands of years ago.
It is all in the Old Testament.
Jesus Christ established His religion my forming the teaching and commandments to be taught and followed by what He called "My Church"
In that is where we learn about, worship, and do the things that Jesus told us to do.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
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