Waiting Means

October 27, 2011

9:16pm

“God’s ways are not to take us out of the difficulties and trials, not to avoid them. His way is to enable us and to strengthen us, so that we can go through them with heads erect and undefeated, more than conquerors in them and over them and that is a wonderful thing.”

-       MARTIN LLOYD-JONES

“His purpose for us is nothing but joy in the end, for He is love. It is worth nothing that the bible does not say God is justice, or God is power. It says HE IS LOVE. How is it possible that He would purpose anything less than our highest joy?”

-       ELISABETH ELLIOT

“The Lord has promised wisdom to all who ask it. He has promised guidance to those who are willing to accept the way He chooses. He has promised to fulfill the desires of all who fear Him.”

-       ELISABETH ELLIOT

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.

-       ELISABETH ELLIOT

Hebrews 10:36

English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

We may ask for anything and hope for anything our heart desires. But we do so always with an understanding that our Father knows what’s best for us, and sees beyond what we see. When we hope it is always with the “fine print” in which we acknowledge that we at times don’t know what to ask for, don’t know is what we hope for is right and good. So, we leave the decision to Him, knowing He will do whatever is truly best for us.

Romans 8:28

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,^[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.

All things- it doesn’t matter what. We must TRUST Him absolutely and explicitly even when we cannot understand.

Philippians 4:11

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Waiting means-            Steadfastness that is holding on;            Patience, that is holding back;            Expectancy, that is holding the face up;            Obedience, that is holding one’s self in readiness to go or do,            Listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear.

-       S.D. GORDON

Psalm 33:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
   the purposes of his heart through all generations.
   the purposes of his heart through all generations.  

Proverbs 16:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

Proverbs 16

 ¹ To humans belong the plans of the heart,
   but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.
 ² All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
   but motives are weighed by the LORD.
 ³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
   and he will establish your plans.

Proverbs 16:9

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
   but the LORD establishes their steps.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

The happiest person doesn’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best out of everything.

Philippians 4:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Our deed determines us, as much as we determine our deeds.

We often think that who we are determines what we do. It is equally true that what you do today determines, in part, who you become tomorrow.