Trust God’s Perfect Timing

After writing “Our God is the God of Abundance” yesterday, I kept thinking about God’s timing. I thought about how although we know God is sovereign over all things (Colossians 1:16), we must still wait for His plans to unfold.

Knowing that God is an abundant God with unlimited resources, it can be a struggle at times to patiently wait. When we are anxious, we can easily find ourselves wondering why God is taking so long to move in our situation. After persevering in prayer for days, months, or even years we may feel tired and discouraged.

Psalm 27:14 NLT, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”

There are times when God chooses to move suddenly and turn things around, but He doesn’t always do that. We don’t always know the reasons behind our waiting. God may reveal details to us, but other times He requires us to just trust Him.

I used to have a picture on the wall that said, “Faith is trusting God when you do not understand.” That’s what is great about putting our faith in Jesus Christ, we don’t have to understand. Everything does not have to make sense to our human minds (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We can find comfort in knowing that He will strengthen us as we persevere through our waiting. We can cry out to Him at anytime of day or night, and He promised to hear our cries for help.

Psalm 18:6 NLT, “But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.”

He promised to give us His peace in exchange for our prayers (Philippians 4:6-7). As you are waiting, remember that God will never leave you. With every trial you face, God has a purpose and a plan, so don’t lose hope.

Our God is the God of Abundance

The more the enemy tries to steal, the more I realize the importance of recognizing that we serve the God of abundance. Our God’s resources are unlimited. The evil one is always on the prowl seeking to steal our peace of mind, our stability, our resources, our joy, our loved ones, you name it. But probably most of all he wants to steal our faith and trust in our God.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Focusing on the abundance of God, reminds us that as we work to bring glory to His name, He will supply our every need. He will never leave His children empty handed. Mark 10:29-30, tells us that we will be rewarded when we give of ourselves, or our resources to follow Christ. I have days where I feel I want “more” of something. But when I stop and think about God’s goodness, I realize that He has always supplied exactly what I need, and even many of my wants. Remember that we serve an abundant God who has more than enough. He will faithfully take good care of us. In Him there is no lack.

Your Little Means A Lot

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Has God ever spoken to your heart to give something, but you were afraid to because you thought it wasn’t enough?

No matter how small our offering is, it can bless the person receiving it. The smallest act of kindness can change the course of someone else’s day.

There is much more to giving than just money. Actually the things that many are starved for have nothing to do with money at all. It can be a simple phone call, a compliment, or an hour of volunteering, that can be used by God to lift a persons spirits.

Giving is an act of humility. We must put aside our own feelings and give what God is asking us to give. The fear of rejection can also keep us from boldly giving what we are being lead by God to give. Thoughts like, “What if they don’t want it” or, “What if they think I’m weird”, may plague our minds.

I recall a time where there was a lady at church who was having issues with her son. I had a small devotional book in my purse that was specifically for mother’s. I felt lead to give it to her. I was nervous. However, I did give it to her after service. She was very delighted and appreciative. I was glad I didn’t let my fear of rejection hold me back. I’m sure God used that book to encourage her.

Don’t ever hesitate to give the little that God tells you to. When your little is filled with His love, it will make a difference. As the old saying goes, “Little things mean a lot.”

Sunshine Blogger Award – 3

Thank you Mrs. Holliman at GOD’S LOVE for nominating me for The Sunshine Blogger Award. When I stop by your blog, I encounter the truth and love of God’s Word. Thank you for being an inspiration.

Please check out her blog! Here’s one of her most recent post: Living Your Best Life with God’s Promises

Rules:

1. Use the sunshine blogger award logo

2. Give thanks to the blogger that nominated you

3. Answer the 11 questions that you’ve been asked

4. Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 questions

Question For Me:

1.What place would you like to visit? Rome, Italy 🇮🇹

2.Who is the most important person in your life? My relationship with Jesus Christ is always first. 🙏🏿

3.What is the last place you traveled to and why? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for my uncle’s funeral. ✈️

4.What good did GOD bring into your life? He has brought a lot of good, but learning to understand His love for me has been life changing. ❤️

5.What is your favorite color? Green 🌿

6.What got you to start your blog? I decided to start as a way to encourage others by sharing about God’s faithfulness. 🖥

7.What is your favorite food? Pepperoni Pizza and French Fries. Love them! 🍕🍟

8.Do you like to play sports or watch sports? I don’t play any sports, but I enjoy watching baseball. I’ve been to several professional baseball games. New York Yankees are #1!! ⚾️

9.How do you feel about what the world became to be? The world is becoming worse everyday. It’s becoming more like it’s father, Satan. The Bible said things would get bad in the last days. On the other hand, us Christians should strive to become more like God our Father. We should spread the truth and love of Jesus Christ. He died for the sins of the world. 🌎

10.Do you like being in the snow? If yes why? No I don’t like the snow. I lived in Michigan, outside of Detroit for 11 years. I don’t miss those snowy, brutally cold winters at all. ⛄️

11.What beach do you like to visit? I’m not really a big beach person, but living in Florida I’ve been to many. I grew up in Virginia, so Virginia Beach was close by. I don’t really have a favorite. 🏝

***I’m nominating 11 of my most recent connections. 😊 Participation is optional, but thanks for your blogs!! I appreciate your writings. ❤️ My questions are below.

1. https://joycottage.blog/2019/05/23/i-thought-it-was-just-a-memory-on-facebook/

2. https://godinspiredart.wordpress.com/2019/02/28/im-back-well-not-just-yet/

3. https://inspiredgrisele.wordpress.com/2019/05/20/whats-your-we/

4. https://imeellasblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/im-back/

5. https://wonderblogz.wordpress.com/2019/05/15/our-dreams/

6. https://husnayot.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/pen-and-paper-sketches-from-my-past-pt2-2/

7. https://fayannswearing.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength/

8. https://florenceezekafor.com/2019/05/25/how-my-life-got-messed-up/

9. https://briannaheaden.com/2019/04/26/fear/

10. https://missionloved.com/2019/05/13/pygmy-chiefs-village-transformed/

11. https://hhhigh.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/weeks-after-weeks/

My questions for you:

1. What’s an important lesson you’ve learned in life?

2. What is a good book you’ve read?

3. What is your favorite characteristic about yourself?

4. What are your hobbies?

5. Why did you start blogging?

6. What topics, if any, have you wanted to write about but haven’t because you feel your “fan base” would not approve?

7. Are you married or single, kids or no kids?

8. What are you passionate about and why?

9. What is your favorite food?

10. What is one of your favorite memories?

11. If you could wake up in the morning in a different place, where would that place be?

The Word: The Believers Daily Nourishment

Thank you Fay for this reminder of the importance of staying in God’s Word daily!

Fay Ann Swearing's avatarThe Inspirational Room by Fay Ann Swearing

Bible

In Jeremiah 15:16, the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Your words were found and I ate them, And your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart.”

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The Desires of Your Heart

Psalm 37:4 ESV, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

As we delight ourselves in the Lord, our desires will begin to line up with His. We will think more like Him. We will act more like Him. We will make loving Him and pleasing Him a priority.

Even though God allows us to go through situations that help us to mature into godly people, He still wants us to enjoy our lives. The good thing is that, He knows what we are mature enough to handle. He will not give us blessings that we are not ready for.

I remember when my daughter was little and I would drive her to daycare. I would always pass a park (River Bends Park, which ended up becoming my favorite park). I used to think to myself, if I didn’t have to go to work, I would go to the park to walk and spend time with God. God heard this desire, and about a year later, I felt He was leading me to leave my job. After a few months of making excuses not to leave, I finally left. Almost every morning after I put my daughter on the bus, I would head to that park.

River Bends Park in Shelby Twp, Michigan

In order to have my desire fulfilled, I first had to obey God and leave that job. For me, it was a huge leap of faith since I was a single parent. I knew leaving my job would mean putting myself completely into God’s hands and trusting Him to provide for me and my daughter. I also knew I would have to make sacrifices financially.

It was amazing though, how God allowed those closest to me to be so supportive. He wanted to grant me my hearts desire from the moment I fell in love with that park as I was driving by. However, I had to mature enough spiritually before I was willing to take that leap of faith so it could happen.

God had an even greater purpose for me during that time than just walking in the park. I got to be a stay at home mom for that period of time, and be there for my daughter. She still remembers how nice it was for me to bring her Subway during her lunchtime at school. God also gave me this time away from work as a season of rest.

What are your hearts desires? Do you trust God to grant them to you? Just remember, it may require you to step out on faith and go in a different direction from what you planned. Or you may be challenged to do something that is not quite “normal” by the world’s standards. God has unique, and often unexpected ways of blessing His children. The best thing we can do, is have willing hearts that are ready to obey Him.

Delight yourself in Jesus Christ, then trust Him to give you the desires of your heart.

River Bends Park in Shelby Twp, Michigan

The Thorn In Our Flesh

I, like most people, have wondered what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was. There are many speculations, but we don’t know for sure. He did say that this “thorn” helped him to stay humble. It kept him from thinking too highly of himself.

2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV, “or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.”

I know for me, there is always something that I struggle with at different times in my walk with God. Even if I think I’ve gotten pretty good in one area, then something else will pop up that I need to work on. God is always stretching us. He wants us to be a reflection of His Son. He desires for us to have an impact on those who are around us.

We are constantly in need of God’s grace and power to be effective. Our “thorns” will keep us sensitive to the fact that without the power of the Holy Spirit, we are nothing. It’s Him who causes our efforts, gifts, and talents to touch the lives of others. It’s Him who gives us the ability to follow Jesus.

Give your thorns to God in prayer and trust Him to use your weaknesses for His glory.