Is it about waiting endlessly, without seeing God come through for His people on earth? Naww. He'll come through for He keeps His promises. Biblical faith sure ain't confessing what kind of wealth that you long for until a pile of bucks arrive on your doorstep via some erroneous word-faith kinda blab-it-and-grab-it application. God will meet your needs, but who is here to force His hand with some childish demands or weird verbal magic.. allegedly spoken in His Name? No one. Be careful what so called ministers you listen to in the media and test what I say against the Word as well. Faith ain't about what you or I want, even though God does work in us both to will and then to do of His good pleasure. Faith ain't about running ahead of the Lord in presumption thinkin' that you're acting in God-pleasing faith, or about lagging behind when the Lord is actually prompting you to step out and act. How you apply God's Word and His timing are so important. I say pray enough to get the details of how, when, where and with whom - the details He wants you to have. God indeed has a part, and you, believer, have a part in this vital relationship of faith.
Ask.. Is the Bible for or against this ..or silent on this issue? Who does God want me to edify or witness to at this time? Do I have peace with God and the peace of God about this matter? What are my motives and reasons for wanting to see this happen? Is my spirit and attitude right? Do I need to pray some more until the circumstances of life allow me to proceed legally, and where others for sure won't be hurt by some sin? What does the Lord want me to learn at this time? Has God provided what I will need to proceed?
Biblical faith has to with Christ and His Cause primarily. Sure God loves to bless His kids more than they want to be blessed. But it's about a servant's obedience to his or her Lord, where God is sovereign instead of you or me.. and where you and I never try to take that sovereignty away from Him as if we could... as if we knew better. Father knows best. Sadly too many believers try that kinda thing.. as they seek to be Lord of their own lives. But God has better things for you and for me, as we closely follow and exalt the Lord to the ends of the earth.
Biblical faith seems to have six "D" phases:1. (In answer to righteous believing prayer, God gives a believer a) Dream a.k.a. a vision if you will, of what He wants to do with and through you to glorify His Son. Have you prayed fervently to become a greater blessing to the Lord first in worship, as well as a blessing in helping other people to better know and serve God?2. (You make the) Decision to obey God His way, not your's, in what He is calling you to be and do.3. (You expect a) Delay. Yes, study those who received a dream or vision as you go through the Bible and many times we see that several days would pass until the dream or desired vision would be fulfilled. I'm thinking about Joseph in the bottom of that well his bros through him in, and then in Egypt. You remember all that happened to him there. Sometimes the vision doesn't happen overnight, because God is more interested in developing godly character in you and me, and faith, and those talents, and other gifts. Yes, what He makes of you is more important to Him than what He makes through you.4. Difficulties will come your way. There might be suffering at times. There might be several personalities opposing you along the way. Mr. Lu-Cifer and his creepy minions will fight to make sure Christ's purpose and Message won't advance to lost people through your life. He still hates all that Christ stands for.Ya know that verse.. "Jesus said, 'Take ye heed. You'll have an easy time.'" I love that one.. but it ain't really in His Book. see James 1:2-4. Suffering can bring life into perspective. I'm just here to encourage ya.
5. Dead-end – some believers call this experience "the death of the vision" (perhaps you've experienced more than one death of a dream before) where things suddenly look very impossible. But after God allows it to die, He can make a way where there is no way. God wants to see that you love Him more than your dream, more than a ministry vision, more than all types of ministry to people. Is your relationship with God number one still, and with your spouse second or has your "ministry position" or something or someone else been prioritized ahead of your relationship with God? We don't ever want to make an idol out of church work or any kind of work.6. (Finally it happens..) Deliverance! Perhaps you've run out of hope? Do you feel like the God of all hope has missed His opportunity and it's now it's much too late? Think about dead Lazarus in the ground awhile. Everyone thought God was too late to arrive. His sisters were really hurting about it. It wasn't too late for Jesus. Have your dreams turned to ashes in your hands? Hey, things might get worse before they get better circumstantially, but God is still in control. I wish I could tell you how it will all work out, but know that God is still Good, not mean at all, and He has your best interests at heart. He has no tricks to play on you. It's not too late - put your hope in the Lord. He indeed knows what He is doing. Hang on tight to Christ. Stop, think, appropriate His strong grace when you feel afraid. Praise and worship Him no matter what. Be honest with Him and trust. Get alone with Jesus regularly before you do other stuff. Doing your best just commit the rest. And when the Lord "pulls it off" then people will be so glad and give Him the glory for they will see that He did it rather than any man. Needs will be met. Yes, people will be saved and delivered through Jesus Christ.
Do you ever feel antsy or tempted to take matters in your own hands? I've been there before, but please don't do it. No. Please wait on the Lord long enough, and please don't wait too long ..when He says it's time for you to advance in faith. Be encouraged in Him today. He has not left you. He hasn't forsaken you. HE FIERCELY LOVES AND WANTS YOU FOR HIMSELF IF YOU WILL, BUT NOT OUT OF INVERTED SELFISHNESS. Yes, He is right there with you, believer and there is way too much at stake here to miss His lead in this. Want more peace? Prayerfully meditate upon and memorize His Word.
"Then the Lord answered me and said: 'Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry'" (Hab. 2:2-3, nkjv).
"It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord" (Lam 3:26).
"The road to true success leads through the valley of humility, and the path is up the ladder of patience and across the wide barren plains of perseverance. As yet, no short cut has been discovered." ~ Joseph. J. Lamb
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth" (Ps. 37:7-9).
"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord" (Ps. 27:14).
"Patience and delay achieve more than force and rage." ~ Jean de La Fontaine
"Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy Name" (Ps. 33:20, 21).
"Patience is the ability to let your light shine after your fuse has blown." ~ Anon.
"But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses" (Rom 8:25-26).
"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Ps. 27:13-14).
"'Stand still' - keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing Voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, 'Go forward.'" ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord..." (Jam. 5:7, 8).
"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isa. 40:29-31).
"I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good" (Ps. 52:9).
Talkin' about the birth of a vision, the death of a vision and the resurrection of a vision ...yes made alive by God not by man. He can do it. Be faithful. Where are you at? Are you born again and growing in Jesus Christ? Are you hanging out with spiritual believers who love to study the Bible and pray.. who love to seek Him with all their hearts? How do I pray about this kinda stuff? Well... Lord, please help me/us to learn all the lessons that You want me/us to learn in the class of disappointment and delay, because I/we don't really want to have to go to summer school. I know you love me and that Your timing is perfect. Thank you that faith comes through You. Do Your thing, when and how you want to do it. I want to be a part. In Jesus Name. Amen.
