Put on hold

Ever made a business phone call and been put on hold? The wait gets so long you wonder if they know you are still on the line. Sometimes you have to call back a time or two. That happened to me recently as a scheduler had never called me concerning scheduling me for the procedure the doctor ordered. Finally after over 3 weeks I called again. This time I got a hold of my doctor’s nurse who was able to contact the scheduler and in a couple of hours I received a call, with an apology for the order had never gotten to the scheduler. My calls were needed.

Do you feel like you have been put on “hold” by GOD?  What I mean by that is the LORD has promised something but day after day, week follows week and even year after year goes by and you are still waiting.

Unlike my scheduling situation, delays with GOD are never that lines were crossed.  But it still feels like I’ve been put on hold.

One morning I woke up while it was yet dark, feeling greatly troubled and defeated but not sure why. Then I read, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12).

“Yes,” I agreed, “That’s it!  That is what I’m feeling, my heart feels sick.”

Circumstances looked so wrong, not a bit like my expectations concerning the Promise the LORD impressed on my heart years ago. Rather the situation seemed to mock the promise.

Then the LORD’s whisper came, “Didn’t I promise you?” and the word ‘deferred’ came to mind. 

I pondered that word. Looking it up I saw it has 2 meanings.  1st It can mean delayed, put off for a while, but not denied.

“The LORD is not slack (tardy) concerning HIS promise, as some men count slackness (being late); but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any (of us) should perish, but that all (of us) should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

“Do you despise the riches of GOD’s goodness and long-suffering and forbearance (putting up with things?) Don’t you know that the goodness of GOD leads you to repentance?” (Romans 4:2).

The reminder that this time of waiting has a purpose, and its purpose will help people. This lingering delay is for me as much as the others for during the years of delay GOD has changed me and even now patience has not yet finished its perfecting work in me (James 1:3-4).

Then there is the 2nd meaning of ‘deferred’ to submit to and accept.

LORD, YOU are a faithful GOD who has synchronized the universes, so stars and planets never collide, and autumn follows summer therefore I choose to humbly submit to YOUR timing!  YOU know all things and do all things well, I defer to YOUR wisdom and understanding and completely trust that this delay will achieve things that far surpass anything I can imagine.  I bow before YOU my GOD and defer to YOU as I expectantly await the fulfillment of YOUR word to me, YOUR servant.  Thank YOU, LORD for loving me and sending JESUS to save all who will believe and reconcile us to YOURSELF.  My eyes are on YOU, and I am watching to see YOUR plan unfold.

Are facing a delay like me?  Turn your eyes to JESUS.  Look to GOD, HE has preset the exact times and places for a reason (Acts 17:26-27).  If you have asked the good LORD is neither ignoring the issue you are facing nor is HE late with the answer. HE will get there before the tardy bell rings IF you have asked and continue to remind HIM. 

Remember James 4:2 “You have not because you ask not”

Isaiah 62:⁶ “…never be silent day or night.  You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest ⁷and give HIM no rest till HE establishes”

It is not that GOD needs to be reminded but that by going to HIM continually HE continually assures your heart restores your confidence in HIM, HIS wisdom and that HE is at work behind the scenes.

Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! (Psalms 116:2 – NIV) 

Hugs

Sharon L Manning

I will do it

Psalm 119:¹⁶⁰ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endures forever.  

Yes, GOD’s word is true (2 Samuel 7:28) and GOD’s word is magnified even above HIS holy name (Psalm 138:2).  As JESUS told us, we cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD (Matthew 4:4). Therefore, we know we can trust it.

Therefore, we need to go to GOD’s word, not man, to understand what GOD means (Isaiah 8:20).  The Word of GOD written and explained by the HOLY SPIRIT (2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:10-13) is its own best interpreter. So, let’s prayerfully look at a promise the Word of GOD gives us.

Hebrews 9:²⁸ So CHRIST was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto THEM that look for HIM shall HE APPEAR the second time without sin unto salvation.

JESUS will APPEAR in the clouds for believers only. That is commonly called the Rapture a word from the Latin translation which means= to catch away.

The bible also refers to the Rapture as being made perfect.

Hebrews 11:⁴⁰ GOD having provided some better thing for us (who are alive and remain until HIS coming), that they (who died believing) should not be made perfect without us (before us).

The Rapture is also called the redemption of the body.

Ephesians 1:¹² That we should be to the praise of HIS (GOD’s) glory, who first trusted in CHRIST (JESUS). ¹³ In whom (JESUS) you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom (JESUS) also after that you believed, you were sealed with that HOLY SPIRIT of promise, ¹⁴ Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS (GOD’s) glory.

Ephesians 4:³⁰ And grieve not the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.

2 Corinthians 4:¹⁴ Knowing that HE (GOD) which raised up (the body of) the LORD JESUS shall raise up (the bodies of) us also by JESUS and shall present us with you.

1 Corinthians 15:⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: ⁴⁴ It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (see the two groups?). ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Thessalonians 4:¹⁴ For if we believe that JESUS died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (have died believing) in JESUS will GOD bring with HIM (JESUS). ¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. ¹⁶ For the LORD HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD: and the (bodies of the) dead in CHRIST shall rise first: ¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (with new bodies) together with them in the clouds, (then together we will go) to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.

Therefore, when the LORD JESUS CHRIST comes back 7 years later to fight as seen in Revelation 19:11- 20:3, we will be with the LORD. 

Then, when JESUS judges those alive after Tribulation and sets up HIS 1,000-year reign (Revelation 20:4, Matthew 25:31-45) we will be with HIM.  

1,000 years later after the devil is released and gathers an army against JESUS and GOD sends fire down from heaven and the elements of heaven and earth dissolve being melted with a fervent heat and flee from the face of GOD (2 Peter 3:10-12, Revelation 20:11) leaving only a great White Throne, we will still be at JESUS’ side. 

For you see only the dead in trespasses and sins will be judged that day (Ephesians 2:1, Revelation 20:12-13).  Since none of them have believed in JESUS their names will not be written in the book of life therefore they will be cast into the eternal lake of fire with the Antichrist, the false prophet (already there 1,000 years Revelations 20:10) and the devil and his hordes (Revelation 20:15).

GOD’s word, especially prophesy, is not intended to scare you but to prepare you.

If you believe in JESUS and trust HIM to save and lead you, you will be at JESUS side (John 3:16).  If you choose you want to call the shots by yourself and refuse to look to JESUS you will be among the dead standing before that Great White Throne (John 3:36). So where will you be?

Looking to JESUS

Sharon

GOD is fair

GOD is just. HE does what is right.

The war in Israel is being talked about everywhere along with videos the horror of it’s beginning, plus Israel’s retaliatory actions necessary in order to stop further attacks of like nature not only from the south but also from the north.

Israel WARNED Gaza’s residents to leave before they bombed.  That was Mercy to the unmerciful. Just as our great GOD and Savior the LORD JESUS taught us (Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:7).

I pondered on that WARNING given to Gaza before Israeli active retaliation against the terrorists. It gave the citizens time to leave, which is something Israel is known to do before civilians are affected.  That WARNING makes me think about how Israel’s need to strongly retaliate in order to stop further such attacks is like GOD’s need to stop sin but cause it only increases.

GOD’s WARNING is what we believers are to give out to the unbelievers.  It says “GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “He who believes on the SON has everlasting life, and he that believes not on the SON shall not see life, but the wrath of GOD abides on him still” (John 3:36.

Just as the Jews must stop these attacks for they will only get worse, so GOD must stop sin. HE must utterly wipe it out. Yet GOD does not delight in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn and live (Ezekiel 18:23, 32). 

In the ALMIGHTY’s longsuffering HE sends out the WARNING both through HIS word and HIS believers longing for people to reach out to HIM and be saved (Acts 17:27).  But the day of reckoning, that day of the attack has been set (2 Peter 3:7) we call it the 7-year Tribulation or Jacob’s Trouble.  No one knows when it will happen, but when it comes it will come suddenly unsuspecting.

Have you fled to safety by believing in the LORD JESUS CHRIST’s blood that saves from the coming wrath of GOD?

As I thought of these things I recognized that this is a picture of what is coming. Israel is giving us a view of GOD’s wrath.  

We have a hard time watching, but seeing the escalation of sin we know it is necessary.

Surprisingly, many nations who usually condemn Israel’s defense of themselves are now in support of Israel.  By that very action we know this isn’t yet the time of the  Ezekiel 38 and 39 war. For the Bible is clear that at that time, though many nations will say to the aggressors why are you attacking Israel, no nation will help Israel.

Be ready for we know not the day.

Hugs

Sharon

Always the same

We lived out in the country when my kids were small. One spring day as I walked, I noticed little tadpoles swimming in a muddy shallow puddle on the dirt road out in Ellicott and pointed them out to my children and telling them that one day those tadpoles would be frogs.  Days later John and Shirley came excitedly to me exclaiming they had seen those tadpoles had turned into frogs and had hopped out of the water.

But in the biblical times when the Jews were slaves in Egypt, when all the frogs hopped out of the Nile River, the Egyptians were none too happy about it at all.  The frogs got into everything, on the beds, in the ovens, and on people (Exodus 8:3).

Rereading the account of the plagues GOD brought upon Egypt to deliver the Hebrews from their slavery, I was impressed how GOD always acts the same (James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8).

Each time before GOD acted and brought a plague whether it be frogs, or hail, boils, or darkness, HE always 1^st warned the Pharaoh.  So, Pharaoh always had an opportunity to believe GOD’s Word and believe that GOD would do as HE said. If Pharoah acted accordingly, he could avoid the plague. Time after time after time he refused to obey GOD.

GOD’s long-suffering finally came to an end when the wickedness of Pharaoh was full (Genesis 15:16) after refusing to believe and obey time and time again. Then GOD hardened his heart.

It’s just like our salvation from our sin. We are given an opportunity to turn to GOD by believing in JESUS. “For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM would not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) “He who believes on the SON has everlasting life; and he that believes NOT the SON shall not see life, but the wrath of GOD abides on him” (John 3:36).

GOD is warning people now and it is written in HIS book the Bible. GOD will do what HE has said he will do and although in HIS loving long- suffering HE is waiting as the earth grows in wickedness not wanting any to perish but all to come to a knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:9).  Only GOD knows the appointed day when their wickedness is full (Genesis 15:16) and HIS long suffering will come to an end.  At that time, judgment will come on all those who refuse the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10) and suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18), those who even now are storing up wrath to themselves (Romans 2:5), just like Pharaoh did.

Every believer in the LORD JESUS CHRIST has been made an ambassador for JESUS (2 Corinthians 5:20) and has been commissioned by JESUS to be HIS witness (Acts 1:8). Do you tell others about JESUS?  They really do need to hear.

Looking for JESUS and talking about HIM,

Hugs

Sharon

Apples and stars

Many things are hidden right under our noses, just waiting to be discovered.  As I cut an apple into wedges, for a snack, I thought, ‘well, I won’t see the star this time.’  Can you believe, I was an adult with children before I discovered there was a star in the center of every apple?  Why?  No one had ever told me it was there, and I was taught to cut an apple for wedges top to bottom for coring it, not across.  You will only see the star if you cut an apple across the middle.

It is the same in the Bible. Many things are hidden in the Bible and we must search for them like treasure.  GOD loves to reward our seeking. “It is the glory of GOD to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2).

I love it when I sit reading my Bible and a word or a phase seems to jump off the page speaking directly to something I’ve either prayed for or wondered about.  Previously I’d not seen those words and phrases in the same light for I was reading either with preconceived idea, because I was in too much of a hurry so rushed right past them or because the time was just not right (GOD works on a time schedule Acts 17:26-27).  Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of GOD is alive and powerful and speaks to us where we are at today.

I’ve learned to pray, “Open the eyes of my heart, LORD, and keep me from deception.”  GOD promises that if I call unto HIM that HE will show me great and mighty things that I know not!  (Jeremiah 33:3)  And GOD is not a man that HE should lie (Numbers 23:19)

So as you open up the good Book and seek to hear for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find..“ (Matthew 7:7).

Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfecter of my faith.

hugs

Sharon

The elephant and the dog

After reading an African folktale to day I wanted to share it for it illustrates something most of us face often.

An elephant and a dog became pregnant at the same time. Three months down the line the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months later the dog was pregnant again, and nine months on once more.  Each time she gave birth to six puppies.  On the eighteenth month the dog approached the elephant questioning, “Are you sure that you are pregnant? We became pregnant on the same date, I have given birth three times for a total of 18 puppies and they are now grown and are becoming big dogs, yet you are still pregnant. What’s going on?“

The elephant replied, “There is something I want you to understand. What I am carrying is not a puppy but an elephant. I only give birth to one in two years. When my baby hits the ground, the earth feels it. When my baby crosses the road, human beings stop and watch in admiration, what I carry draws attention. So, what I’m carrying is mighty and great.”

1^st the elephant knew she was pregnant.  We need to know if we have the right to claim a specific verse from GOD’s word to answer a specific request of ours.  Because quite honestly sometimes the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY in HIS love and wisdom says no. HE says no if what we want isn’t the best thing for all concerned and will NOT bring about HIS purposes.   

How can we know if we can claim a certain promise?

Of course, asking GOD if a specific thing is ours to claim is the 1^st step.  If we are seeking GOD’s perfect will, HE says HE will place in us both the desire and the ability to act (Philippians 2:13, Proverbs 3:5-7) toward that end. For HE has the ability to turn our thoughts where HE wants them to go (Proverbs 21:1).

Bear in mind, however, HE has given people the ability to resist what HE places in our hearts.  That is called choice.  Many times, personal ideas or desires for things even for healing turn us away from that still soft voice saying ‘NO.’

Two primary requirements are to learn to distinguish GOD’s voice and to trust HIS loving wisdom. We learn what HE is like and how HE deals with people through the Word of GOD.  HE will give phrases from the Bible to direct us. Those phrases may not even be on the subject but if HE gives it initially you will know it is from HIM. The problem arises if we disagree with HIM and argue. When we resist what HE whispers we turn our back on HIS word, then we can’t hear HIM.

Charles Stanley gave 7 points that might help us know if a promise is ours to claim.   

1-if the promise meets a personal need (Matthew 6:8).

2-if the promise is consistent to GOD’s immediate will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

3-if it will glorify GOD

4-if we are being obedient to what we know HE wants us to do (Isaiah 59:2).

5-If we are willing to do what GOD wants HIS way.

6-if GOD gives us peace (Colossians 3:15).

7-if HE has given us a verse to claim (Isaiah 55:11).

Most of my promises come to me as I am reading the Word of GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT lights a text up. It is also how HE leads me.  Very early one morning as I read, I came to a verse saying, “Do not fight against this it is from ME” I knew it applied to me even though the context did not apply to me.

I had no clue what GOD meant at the time but several hours later I discovered.  And through that horrible time I claimed GOD’s words, “This is from ME.”  Those words saw me through and later looking back I could see HIS amazing wisdom in what HE had done at that time.  Sometimes HE simply impresses on my heart, “I know what I am doing.”

With the inner awareness the HOLY SPIRIT gives each of us, that something is of GOD, and it is agreeing with HIS nature, I know I can claim that promise.  But timing is a different story all together.  Unlike the elephant in the story above, we don’t know the times for the FATHER has placed them in HIS own authority (Acts 1:7).

As Fred Markert with YWAM once said, “The longer you have to wait to get the answer to your prayer the better the answer will be.” 

GOD is developing each of us and it is a process/ a step at a time.  The LORD synchronizes (preset the exact times and places Acts 17:26) events.  HE must get everyone, and everything involved lined up in the proper place before HE acts.  

GOD has an astounding, absolute foreknowledge all things past, present, and future.  That even includes how each of us will choose to respond in any situation.  That foreknowledge is necessary for HIM to give a promise that HE can keep (Number 23:19) without taking away PART of what GOD gave man when HE made man in HIS own image.  The LORD gave us the ability to choose. HIS foreknowledge keeps HIM from ever being surprised about anything and in complete control.

Therefore, some prayers seem ‘on hold’ to us.  GOD says wait.  If GOD has given you a promise, you know HE is at work and will do it at the right time. 

So don’t, stumble and lose faith when you see others receiving answers to their prayers, while you wait, and wait, and wait. If you haven’t received answers, don’t despair. GOD knows the good plans HE has for you (Jeremiah 29:11). What GOD is doing behind the scenes is a process where HE is developing and preparing and packaging the answer for the greatest impact.

Say to yourself, “GOD knows what HE is doing and when HE answers it will hit the surface of the earth, GOD will be glorified, and all will be blessed.”

Hugs

Sharon