The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. He comes in any way he can and he knows no bounds and operates in no rules. He strikes when people are unsuspecting and because they know not; he in his stealth, yet limited ways destroys lives. Pressing in when you are tired can be extremely challenging; although when you understand warfare and the enemy tactics it will put you on the offense to taking down the enemy so you walk in the victory that you already have; just have yet to experience.
Now there is nothing wrong with being or getting tired as it happens and is normal; especially with the hustle and bustle of today’s every rapidly moving society. The thin though is understand how and when to know when to stop and rest; and when the enemy is interfering with you to keep you off your game.
As it’s commonly known, Christians in the western world pray on average 5 minutes per day and pastors 30. This is a huge clue as to why so many are living defeated! When the enemy spends more time petitioning God than Christians that should be a wake up call to say the least! There should be no reason for Christians to be broke, unhealthy; or rejected. None whatsoever!
So it brings cause for question: what really is going on? How do I press in when I am tired; and why am I even tired in the first place? Well; let’s examine:
1- You are tired because the enemy keeps you tired. The enemy loves it when God’s people are not productive. It’s hard to advance the Kingdom when you are too tired to move. It’s easy for him to win the battle and continue to beat you down. Do you often feel guilty when you want to take a nap or a day off; or if you sleep longer than your boss thinks you should. Of course there will always be more to do; but guess what? You are not the Savior! When you recognize all the tactics the enemy uses to steal your joy, keep you pursuing unnecessary and unfruitful endeavors, how he uses other people to steal your time; it will oh so obvious what has happened.
2- You are eating all the enemies delights and not God’s. Eve was deceived by what she saw in Genesis 3:6: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” What is pleasing doesn’t mean healthy whatsoever. Companies and advertisers have blurred the lines and many unsuspecting consumers are filled with what is pleasing to the eye yet killing them. It’s time to wake up and see that what is man made manufactured not from God is probably not what will sustain you.
God created wonderful food for us to eat so it begs the question: why are we as a nation so unhealthy, so obese, so sick? Studies continue to reveal that America is the sickest nation in the world with the most advanced health care yet in reality if we ate better we would not need be tired all the time, sick; and have children with obedience issues. It’s really beyond time to start paying attention to what we are feasting our eyes upon so to not be deceived by that which is not of Him.
3- You have fallen prey to the ways of the world. Oh yes the ways of the world really are depleting. The world offers nothing but bad credit and heartache. Look at America now; suffering of a big belly ache. The world will keep you busy chasing everything except for the relationship with God. By the end of the night are you just too tired to read the Bible, have too much a not so much headache that you don’t have intimate moments with your husband, and have just a few more thousand emails to check? Sure the enemy knows this. Is he preying on your vanity, your approval addiction or addiction of any kind; your need to be needed and all the other things that really won’t suffice when the rubber hits the road? The ways of the world will leave you more than tired if you aren’t aware and on the offense in overcoming.
4- You are not offensively praying; or praying at all. It’s sick and sad that Christians pray so little yet expect so much. See; the only prayers not answered really are those that you don’t bother to pray. And no outsourcing your prayer life to those strangers on facebook is no the answer either. No. It’s really an insult to the Lord and only reveals you care so little about your relationship with Him; or even Him at all. So the best way to get on track and press in when you are tired is to pray. When do you pray? When you feel like and when you don’t. Otherwise; you won’t get anywhere- or rather anywhere you probably want. How could you? The enemy is already 5 steps ahead of you making sure you are and stay tired. You must press in and get going. Remember that whatever you are not willing to protect you won’t keep. Ask any divorced person about that and listen quietly and carefully.
So the question is: how do I press in? What do I do?
1- Recognize where the enemy is keeping you tired. You probably can identify them- you just have to stop long enough to pay attention and then do something about it. And then of course stop making excuses.
2- Cancel those assignments in the name of Jesus; against your mind, your sleep, your health, your finances, your peace, your spouse, your children, your boss, your company, your friends, your joy, your time with Him and any and everywhere else that the Lord reveals. See; if you don’t take authority in the name of Jesus you are giving the enemy legal ground- to destroy you. Period. And he delights in nothing more than the destruction of the Lord’s children.
3- Pray for strength and energy to get through the day and night. God created the ‘day’ and the ‘night’ as written in Genesis 1:5: “God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning–the first day.” As a result of this separation of you pray for strength, energy and faith for the day; what about the night? Because these are consumables we need refilling for both times.
When you truly grasp the reality that the enemy means you no good and that while yes there is a time to sleep an a time for all things; pressing in when tired requires strategy. If you don’t have one you will succumb to the ploys of the enemy which he just loves. Think about this: tired people get into more vehicle accidents, have more stress, make more wrong decisions, engage in more conflict, eat more unhealthy and the list goes on and all to the detriment of the person.
It’s time now to have a plan to taking the territory from the enemy that is for God’s Kingdom and know how to press in so that you are living on the strategic offense for Him instead of sleeping on the job while the enemy destroys and laughs all the way doing it. You have more to live for and more to do and now is the time to press in!
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There are many books written on the topic of boundaries; boundaries in dating, boundaries in marriage, boundaries with children. Boundaries abound! While it’s all wonderful and necessary to have boundaries; what about boundaries when it comes to our relationship with Christ? Setting boundaries in your relationship with Jesus must and should be a priority.
When you think of your life what boundaries do you currently have in place? I often ask this of my college students and well; you probably would not be surprised by the answer. None. I ask them what boundaries they have in place with their cell phones, sex before marriage, their time; and I’ve been told they don’t really have much time to think about such trivial things and here is where the problem will continue. Those young adults turn into 40 somethings; and still with no boundaries. And by the way; do you have any boundaries with your cell phone? Do you own it or does it own you?
If we have no boundaries in anything in life; then what impact will it have? Obviously we can see the impact in how we are treating one another and being treated, the divorce rate, the singlehood rate; the rate of abortion and everything else is evident of clear boundaries and some may say lack of respect for self.
As we examine boundaries in our relationship with Christ what boundaries do you have in place? Do you set aside specific time daily for reading scripture, studying scripture, meditating on His Word; prayer? Or it is just go and serve in the building? Now in no way am I coming against serving by any means although what tends to happen is a scenario such as this:
People enter into a church and because there is such a need they serve. It’s wonderful as there is a need and people are pleased to meet the need. Then the need grows and the people are needed more; and because they believe they are called to serve it continues only to the downfall of the relationship with Christ. The relationship with Christ for many turns into a complaint session of how tired they are from serving. As such instead of growing closer to the Lord they grow further and drift away. Christ is left there alone while people resent Him when in reality if only they had set boundaries with Him they would not be in such a position in the first place. They would have both; the healthy relationship with Christ and be serving.
It all begins with Christ and our relationship with Him. Period. We must start there because there will always be a need. Always. There will never not be a time in life when there is not a need for something. If you do not have boundaries in place then won’t you simply get tired and who’s fault will it be? It’s time that we set in place boundaries to protect our relationships with the Lord because if we don’t how can we expect it to grow? Remember that you will not possess what you are not willing to protect!
So how do you do it? How do you set boundaries in your relationship with Christ? As I was reading John 21:15-17 I was drawn by the fact that 3 times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Peter answered 3 times yes. Each time he did the Lord gave him a responsibility. The one thing that Jesus never asked was about his skills or education; because obviously He knew what was most important. Love.
Through that I recognized that there are many ways to demonstrate love for another; and the Lord demonstrates His love for us as well. So how do you do it? What are ways that you can demonstrate your love for Christ? Set boundaries. It’s quite simple when you actually sit down and apply it. What are all the other things in your life that you are willing to protect? Make your relationship with Jesus the most important and the results will be there. Answer the questions truthfully and you will be able to develop the boundaries that are most suitable for you and your relationship with Christ.
1- How much time am I spending with the Lord now?
2- How much time would I like to be spending with the Lord?
3- What am I giving more priority to that isn’t adding to my life?
4- What have I allowed others to make a priority in my life that really isn’t?
5- What am I willing to rearrange or remove in my life to build and maintain my relationship with Christ?
What you will find is that just as Christ asked Peter if he loved Him; the answer was there along with the proof. Peter went from denying Christ to being all in with love and passion for Him. 3k people gave their lives to the Lord to begin the Book of Acts and God used Peter to reach the non-Jews. Peter also held prayer meetings, kept regular hours of prayer and followed through with his love for the Lord.
You see; his priorities changed and through that there has to be boundaries in place. If there were none there would be no consistent prayer meetings or anything else. Anyone would have free reign to enter and take charge; and that’s what has happened all too often in the lives of Christians. They have good intentions; but so what? Imagine if all Peter had was good intentions and no follow through; where we would be today?
It will require an in-depth introspective look at your relationship with the Lord; no different than a marriage. What do you want in place? What do you want your relationship to look like? What are you willing to accept or not accept? What do you want it to be filled with? If you are not paying attention to that and setting those boundaries in place- someone else with an agenda will use you. It happens all the time to unsuspecting Christians who don’t have those boundaries in place. They get tired and you my dear brother and sister; are worth more than that. And Jesus is. And so is your relationship with Him.
It’s time to reflect on the boundaries not in place or maybe those that need some revising; and set them in place. It’s time to ensure that your relationship with the Lord above all is protected and that your relationship will be all that it is supposed to be for His purpose.
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Many people believe that forgiveness is just something to do in passing; yet God’s Word gives us so much more. Understanding forgiveness as a type of deliverance will help you grow in Christ and live in the fullness of what He has for you. If you are wanting to expand your territory for the Lord, live in increase; be free from internal clutter there is no better way than to be delivered than by forgiving. Unforgiveness is plaguing our society and yet people recognize it not. It’s symptoms of bitterness, hatred, resentment; and turn away from the Lord are just some of the almost 40 symptoms keeping people in bondage.
I share some of my personal testimony of the years of abuse I endured and how the Lord healed and restored me and I pray in Jesus name that it helps someone else who has ever been abused; whether sexual, satanic ritual, physical, verbal, emotional, or psychological. God’s Word reigns supreme regardless of what you have gone through. While forgiving certainly was not easy; it did prove that forgiveness is a type of deliverance and because His word never returns void there is a testimony that gives Him all the glory.
What is going on in the Body of Christ today? A few questions may be why are people leaving, where the miracles signs and wonders have disappeared to; and what happened testimonies? When the church and the world look the same it should have every Christian questioning themselves by asking one simple question: Am I a lukewarm Luke or Lucile?
Being a follower of Christ is a lifestyle; not just a Sunday afternoon retreat for a feel good sermon to enjoy yet that seems to be the commonplace for America. Don’t like the message; jump to another church. Oh yes and don’t forget to stop at the one giving away Cowboys tickets in the raffle! And then of course repeat until you find the one that gives you the most goosebumps and talks the least about repentance. I get it. I too once liked the messages that made me feel good; until I got that feeling good was like eating tiny food at a restaurant- you leave hungry because you didn’t get fed.
Not growing up in the church I didn’t know what it truly was to be a Christian and even when I became one all I did was sit in church; for 18 years. Yet my life didn’t change. I had no power. I walked in no authority. I had no relationship. I was broke, beat down, discouraged and a sad excuse for what a Christian should be; much like many today. It didn’t change until I did something about. And it won’t for you either. So if you are lukewarm and do nothing; you simply will stay that way for there is no other way. And where really is a testimony of that? If you were to have a conversation with a non-believer what really would be the sharing point that you have that would have them wanting to be a follower of Christ?
Being a Christian isn’t about sitting and just listening to a message but rather taking action and territory for God and His Kingdom. You have an assignment; a purpose and it isn’t camping or glamping until His return. It simply is not! It is about your obedience to fulfill what you were created for. Nothing more. If you are not actively doing something beyond seeking yourself and your own glory; perhaps getting into His Word and seeking Him for what He would have for you is the best place to start- and really the only place. You can’t get beyond yourself only looking in the mirror and seeing your reflection.
It took me years to get that it was’t about me. I didn’t know how to not make it about me. I was a victim in many ways of many things and my life reflected it. You may be there to except here is the thing. Your life can reflect that of you or the Lord- it’s your pick.
As I fast forward to a life of growth in Christ I see it now. It is so painfully obvious when pastors and church leaders today have the audacity to tell their congregations that sin filled lifestyles are what are going to revolutionize the church. Are you serious? Shame on you! Never mind that Jesus came to set the captives free. Is that not for today?
We must ask ourselves: Why do we think so little of ourselves and of Christ to be ok living in sin, justifying it; and then trying to manipulate people into the church by telling them that sin is ok and to keep on sinning; that abortion is ok, that homosexuality is ok, that just because there if forgiveness all is ok. Where does that edify the Lord? How on earth does that advance His Kingdom? Are we ok with just giving to God 1.5 hours on Sunday and then get mad when He doesn’t deliver what we think we should have? Give me a break! Where are the messages of repentance? Oh yes is that not for today? Well; we need repentance and obedience more than we need one more prosperity message as it’s clear those aren’t truly helping the Body as a whole!
I was told that if I wanted to grow in Christ it would require 40+ hours per week. I thought my Bible teacher was high; he wasn’t. How could I even give 40 hours per week when hockey season was starting? Let’s get real here! I got serious about what it means to be a follower of Christ and my life changed. Yours will too and guess what? You won’t miss football for you will see the sin filled agendas they push down your throat. Oh yes when the NFL tries to bully cities about the gender confusion laws with the Superbowl. You won’t be so deceived that you fall for the satantic rituals performed during half-time. No you won’t feast your eyes on such rubbish because you will again see the Truth and of course be set free! The time in your life will be forever changed as much as you are in the name of Jesus.
You won’t miss the violence in movies or the hatred of women everywhere. You won’t find it funny when women act stupid and put down one another and curse and slander each other. Oh no. You won’t miss the need to be entertained because your standard of living will be beyond accepting sin filled crap in your life. You won’t be deceived by the feminist movement that is pure hatred. You won’t settle for less than what God has for you because you will recognize that the God you serve is holy and makes the impossible possible and just for you. You won’t miss not being seen at the bar looking oh so fly because the only One your focus will on is the One who matters most. And you won’t settle for less; oh no you won’t ever let someone call you out on being lukewarm because you know it won’t be possible.
Until we as followers of Christ are willing to stop placating sin, justifying it and minimizing and morphing it then the answer to the question is and will continue to be- you are a lukewarm Lucy or Larry and yes you will be spit out by Jesus in accordance with His word. It is beyond time to let these words sink in before it’s too late:
To the Church in Laodicea
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” (Rev 3:14-19)
There is time for you to make the personal change to not be known as the lukewarm lazy one but the gipper for God or as some may label but why care? At least you know who you are in Christ and that no weapon formed against you will come to pass.
It’s time to stop pretending as those days are revealing exactly what they are. It’s all collapsing and right before our very eyes. Too many people are losing their lives being deceived by what God says sin is and isn’t. It’s time now if you lay claim to being a Christian that you get up and stand up for Truth and stop actively networking your way through the social club of popularity in what is fake and fraudulent in the first place. Get with God and His level of holiness and then and only then will there be the full manifestation of transformation that takes place. Anything less than that is as fake as the Prada or Birkin bags people want people want you to believe are real. The time is now to do something about getting the real thing; and while you still can.
Stinking Thinking ,
You have a choice about what you think about. What you choose to think about will dictate where you go in your life. God’s Word tells us to ‘choose life so that you and your family may live’. It is a measure of protection that begins in the mind. The stinking thinking that you allow in will distort everything else in your life. Removing the stinking thinking will protect you and your family and will bring more of God and His larger plans into your life.
God’s Word also tells us to demolish every argument and pretension set up against the knowledge of God and so therefore; as we do that our lives will change. This is so that we can live in the freedom that comes only through taking every thought captive unto Him.
Brothers and Sisters; God is on your side. He wants the best for you it’s just time that you align yourself with you to align with God’s Word to receive just that.
You are not alone- He is with you!
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Before you judge; keep reading. Perhaps you have been there and didn’t know what it was or how to talk about it; or even how to deal with it. It’s one of those not so talked about things like most things of importance in Church. The reality of what many people go through in their relationship with the Lord leaves many trapped and seeking help; yet because God is God may are told just go back and read some scripture and you will just fine. And while true; there is much more to it and when we grasp the full reality of a relationship with the Lord there is much to be gained.
You see; for me personally it was you are a servant of Christ. I was under the authority of a former Vietnam Veteran who’s wisdom and teaching has changed my life in ways unimaginable. Growing in in the Lord and understanding my role and position in Christ and what it means to be a servant is one where was related to military. You are an order taker. You are in rank that of a E-2 and of course ask no questions. You are not worthy of such things because well; you are where you are and God is as well. You are there to serve and take orders as commanded. What you think or want is not important; nor relevant
I got it. I learned much and took orders and grew exponentially. Everything became a status update of ‘I want whatever you want me to have Lord’ and that was how I lived. After all it’s God with the purpose for my life and I am just the one to fulfill that particular role and ask no questions. No opinion necessary. I climbed the ranks and of course as you climb the ranks what you get to do gets better. Increase territory means more fun missions and increase in hearing from God; which also means you are a more lethal target to the enemy. And I loved that part of it. I was battle ready and moving forward.
A few years later I listened to a pastor talk about the difference between being a servant and a friend. There are rewards due a friend that a servant doesn’t have access to. The servant; well rank E-2 has the access that only he is allowed to have and let’s face it it isn’t much. I started to wonder at that moment why I wasn’t thought of us as much more than a servant in the eyes of the Lord.
I searched and started reading the scripture in a new way. When Jesus asked Bartimaeus ‘What do you want’ and he replied ‘I want to see’ that was life changing! It meant that Jesus actually cared more about was someone wanted than the orders given and followed. He wanted interaction! It was also a challenging time to recognize that I could be in that type of relationship with Jesus and that it was ok to actually have an opinion about what I wanted; something that I hadn’t experienced before. And also a challenge because I didn’t know what I wanted; because I had never been asked. Through the process of digging and talking with the Lord I transformed from being the servant rank to being a friend who served and as such knew I was climbing the ranks for the Lord. It was an amazing time of growth with the Lord to say the least.
Well; as with any relationship there are ebs and flows and yes the Lord knows the desires of our hearts and for me it was a husband and family. Knowing that God’s Word is clear in may places in the Word that it’s not good for man to be alone, that He puts the lonely in families, that when you ask believe and don’t doubt, that a man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord; and I could go on and on. I knew that God answers my prayers because now there are 5 women whom I’ve prayed with for husbands who all have them and within months of the initial prayer.
I listened to a woman say that she is married to the Lord and I asked her what that was like. She said what I expected; God is her provider, she loves Him and all is great. I wondered what really her role in that relationship was or if it was just the proverbial answer that so many recite yet don’t take any further. I reflected on my relationship with the Lord and it wasn’t even close to being a super marriage. In fact I was miserable. Miserable. And I felt worse by even admitting it.
You see; what I saw in my marriage to God was that I was the one doing all the work. I was the one cooking dinner, doing the dishes; and waiting for Him to arrive. I was the one barely making ends meet, driving the vehicle with 160k miles while believing that God will provide. He is after all God right? I was the one in ministry asking for help every which way and getting nothing but the proverbial answers; and then going back to prayer only to leave with less than what I entered with. Where was my husband? Where was the love? Where was the touch of intimacy? I was a wife starving for something- anything from the One could deliver all yet I was completely alone and alone in every way. I felt abandoned, neglected; forsaken. I was begging for something; just a clue that I wasn’t alone. And I was sick of reciting the scriptures as this was’t just a go and read the Bible again answer that so many give. Perhaps you too have been to the depths with the Lord seeking that response that only can come from Him. Press in and keep pressing.
It wasn’t that I didn’t love God. Not at all. It wasn’t even that I wanted to divorce God or walk away. Oh no. We are in this for life and there is no walking away. I am beyond that and didn’t come this far to walk away. I am all in! There is a purpose for my life and regardless I will fulfill because after all; I am more than an E-2 (although we all start somewhere and nothing wrong with starting there) and there is no going back once you go forward. There is only forward. There are no knobs on the other side of the door even if you wanted to go back.
Maybe you’ve been there; where it feels like a stand still with the Lord. You feel like you are doing all that you can and that it isn’t enough, you aren’t enough; and that you can’t get to a place of enough. That is where I was. I started resenting God for who He was in my life because I couldn’t quite grasp how the God who loves me and created me couldn’t even show how much He loved me. I started to resent the fact that God created me in the first place because this was just a joke. Most of my life started looking a joke and a bad one all at my expense. Sure you can judge all you want and say ‘well sister He will never leave you’ and sure I know this. I’ve heard all the religious sayings and the word of faith bla bla bla and that brings more bondage than anything I’ve ever heard. It has people having more faith in the words they speak than in the God who delivers and for me I wanted answers. I wanted to feel love. I wanted to feel cherished. I wanted to feel anything other than forgotten, forsaked and a fool. That’s all. I wanted to feel alive!
Think about your marriage for a moment. Think about what it was like when you first got married; the excitement, the love, the passion, the hope for the future. Then fast forward. Do you ever feel forgotten, not important, or completely unnecessary? Are you an important part of your marriage or are you just in place of it to bake more cookies and pot roast? It’s a lonely place and something much change. And quick before you lose what you have. I had to make a change and quick for the sake of everything And maybe you do to.
I took my issues to the Lord as any wife would take her issues to her husband. And let me say this; if you do have issues with your husband don’t not address them. He and you and your marriage are deserving of that. Of course timing is everything and I told the Lord how much I love Him, respect Him, and don’t want to ever be away from Him- and just how much I resented Him for everything. I resented that He found it ok for me to drive a vehicle falling apart, I told Him I resented Him for the things that He allowed to happen that left me worse off than I had been in years and that as I felt that He as my husband wasn’t protecting me. I told Him everything. Everything. And whether or not my perspective was ‘correct’ didn’t matter. It was how I felt and that was important- just as it is for you. Trying to hide behind religion is what will hurt you more than anything. Just be you and spill it. I had to. And if you are in such a situation- so do you.
You see; what many fail to recognize is that a relationship with God is that- a relationship. A marriage is a marriage and it requires open communication. If you cannot communicate and be honest you are simply living a lie- and most people will simply lie to themselves to they can master the lie to others. Eventually though it will all crumble.
When I reflect on my relationship with God and where we started and the growth over the years I can tell you that Regardless of what you are going through- go to the Lord and share it with Him. If you don’t- what you are going through will only burden you further and that burden will separate you.
When I shared everything with the Lord it changed our relationship entirely. It freed me to just be who I am without the pretense of all the ideologies of what people think a Christian should be. It freed me from the bondage of how I should behave, and how I should approach the Lord; and how I should seek, ask, knock. I stopped worrying about the ‘you can’t say that’ to ‘well; I did and the Lord still loves me’ I went to the Lord based upon ‘my’ relationship with Him and got to the root of the issues I was dealing with and was free. I didn’t want anything in my marriage causing problems and anything evident not dealt with will only increase separation and I didn’t want that any longer- and I’m sure you don’t either.
I share all of this to say that the Lord loves you. He understands what you are going through at every level and when you share with Him your deepest feelings and desires it will not only transform you but also your relationship and your heart toward Him. It changed my level of intimacy as that is a key component in any relationship. If you are struggling with anything in your relationship with the Lord- share it with Him. Deal with it. Open the doors of communication so that you can move toward what’s next with Him and know that you will never be the same in Jesus name.
Dr. Julie is president of Julie Blair ministries helping people grow in Christ. Her television and radio program ‘Living in Forgiveness’ can be heard daily at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
To have Julie speak to your congregation or business visit www.julieblair.com.
There is nothing fun or enjoyable about waiting in most cases. Some love the anticipation and joy of what is to come as in waiting the 9 months for the birth of the baby. For others it’s the ‘When God when’; as in when will I get promoted, when will I be the bride instead of the bridesmaid, when will it be my turn to shine. Regardless of what it is there is much to learn about what to do while waiting and much to come for those who wait.
- Waiting is forward motion. The time of waiting isn’t just for sitting and doing nothing; oh no. There is much to do and growth to take place. What happens with many people is that they just give up before they get breakthrough and then never actually reach the pinnacle of what God has for them. It’s sad to see because I bet many Believers would be living more fulfilling lives if only they went forward with God instead of ringing out to date and settle for the wrong person, job; life. Imagine if Queen Esther didn’t continue her preparation to be the queen and she just decided to ring out because it was just too hard. No- she sought where she was going and didn’t just sit and put all the responsibility on God. She didn’t take control but rather she moved at a proper pace within her time of waiting.
- Waiting is preparation. During the time of waiting there is something to be doing so that when the time arrives you are not trying to go back and complete what should have been done in the first place. Could you imagine not having enough time to be read for the new baby to arrive? The time of waiting is preparation in anticipation of what is to come. In the book of Ruth we see where she positioned herself to be prepared for Boaz. She was always doing something on her way to doing something. She was progressing in the environment she was in getting herself prepared for the future that became her present. If you are single what are you doing while waiting? Does your home reflect the readiness of that spouse or are you just enjoying your life as a career single person? Are you preparing yourself for the job upon graduation so you don’t have to go back and try to get prepared? Waiting is not doing nothing and expecting everything. Ruth had plenty of reasons to just do nothing; yet she prepared for her future and a future in the entirely unknown.
3. Waiting isn’t God’s denial. Waiting is not easy. For most it’s not enjoyable either. For so many years I struggled with waiting as I love getting to the destination rather than the journey. I believed for so long that God just was withholding all the good in m life and I struggled with how a God so good just would withhold when it’s contrary to His Word. I started to resent Him and in many ways because all I could see was that each day was going by and the only thing that still remained; was that I was still waiting. Then I learned that in the time of waiting God knows better than I. He has the plan and it’s in His time when it’s to be executed. I am reminded of how long Abraham and Sarah waited for their baby and while it was a long time- God delivered.
Having a change of perspective about waiting is hard. It is beyond challenging at times and it’s especially hard when it seems like every day is just like the previous yet the only thing difference is that you are one day older but here me clearly on this: God has a plan for you that can only be done His Way. If you want all of what God has for you it will require you to stand firm; and stand firm to the end. It will require strength and it will require your mind to be rightly aligned with Him so that He can deliver as only He can.
To be restored to love and forgiveness in Christ visit www.julieblair.com
Dr. Julie Blair is president of Julie Blair ministries; helping people live lives of love and forgiveness; and the victory that comes with it in Christ.
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Society is changing and in reality has just plain gone mad. Everyone moves at a frantic pace trying to accomplish everything in an instant and most often without thought. Everything is needed 5 minutes ago regardless of what time it is. Understanding the weapon of patience your life will change; and in ways you can’t imagine.
I never was a patient person. Not at all. My nickname was New Yorker because of the pace I moved at; which was contrary to that of those in Denver. I simply believed it was that everyone around me was just high and I was the one moving with purpose. I even found it irritating in NYC all the people who just had to stop and look up; do it somewhere else! Move out of the way. People often believe New Yorkers are rude; no they are just misunderstood is all. And so I was the leader of the impatience pack and either move with more or be moved out of the way. The problem is that it isn’t the manner in which God moves at. Haste makes waster and in reality impatience is just that. When God revealed to me the great weapon of patience my life forever changed.
You see; patience as a weapon gives you much more than you think. It gives time of reflection, steady movement forward, an increased in hearing from the Lord. It gives you a strategy that cannot come otherwise. It is a growth in wisdom. It yields greater results and it changes not only personal interactions; but the results of them. It brings experience that those without the weapon demonstrate they don’t have. It; the weapon of patience is a gamer changer.
People typically are not accustomed to patience. Not in today’s society. There is no time for patience when websites need to be built, the deal must be done; and the ladder must be climbed. Society has attempted to remove what patience people had and the results are proving disastrous. The invasion of text messages for instant results removes the face to face interaction and that; what is needed to be seen is lost. The pace of shoving food down ones throat without even knowing what it is is obviously noticed in the waist size of Americans; which over the last 5 years has grown and has no reason to decline. The stress and strain that impatience is placing upon families is seen in divorce; whether in or out of the church.
The weapon of patience brings an understanding of the world around you. It brings noticeable results that one simple cannot get while rushing to boast of 100 hour workweeks. Much in life is lost when impatience and ‘now’ reign. You see; even the Lord rested. He does everything with purpose yet still stands so patient with every person knowing that as they continually seek Him that patience will endure.
The weapon of patience is built on love for it is written in 1 Corinthians 13: 4 that “Love is patient”. So when you use the weapon of patience you are walking and living in love; which will accomplish more than anything else that you can acquire.
When you grasp the reality that patience is a weapon to be used to your advantage you will see more, achieve more, sell more; and in the end become more. You will find that while people are toiling faster and faster impatiently to their deaths you my dear friend will see the harvest of patience because you will still be standing to see it.
To know Jesus visit www.julieblair.com
To remove the stinking thinking and be transformed in Christ join Julie for Kingdom Thinking and Living Seminar on October 8th. For more visit www.julieblair.com
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There is so much emphasis on the entitlement of the Millenials which everyone except them sees it. Those born into that generation don’t believe it’s entitlement it’s just normal; normal to expect everything without giving an iota or doing anthing. The trend is coming of reality in the Body of Christ as well. The entitlement factor of Christians is something not of a phenomenon just something that actually is prevalent and needs to stop.
When we get to the core of Christianity it was God who first gave. It was God who gave His Son who died on the cross; giving us the opportunity to be in relationship with His Son. Yet that example of giving seems to be ignored and it’s instead the ‘what do you have for me’ syndrome that is become exasperating to say the least.
I am witnessing ministries across America asking for help yet it’s disregarded. These are not the prosperity preachers but those who go to Israel quarterly to share the gospel with the Jews. It’s those who have a call on their lives that are barely making it and that should not be so. These are brothers and sisters in ministry who give and give so willingly yet don’t have money enough to even pay their rent or mortgage. Pastors are walking away and well; can you blame them? They give and get what in return? Not much. Not much at all. Oh yes the satisfaction of giving? Is that what you think? Sure. Because everyone wakes up with the goal of being satisfied in a life of giving to takers who take for granted. Right. Now of course we know it’s not all although the numbers are speaking for themselves. More churches are closing than opening and the average church in America has 100 people in it. And if that’t not enough I just learned that only 4% of people in Dallas, TX are churchgoers! Yeah in Dallas where churches are on every street corner.
And so it goes; Christians have a mentality that because we are brothers and sisters something is owed to them- sure. Except why? Why brothers and sisters are you owed anything by your brothers and sisters? Why do you expect that your brothers and sisters should give and give and give and give to you while you give nothing in return? It is because no one ever truly told you about what Christ gave and that He is the example? Or do you not care? What is it?
What is it that you believe you are actually entitled to from your brothers and sisters? Shouldn’t it be that you are entitled to give and give abundantly? Oh yes! Especially if you are going to be a follower of Christ who gave His life. But that isn’t really what we want to actually talk about right? Of course not. Instead it’s how do I get this or that for my own motives and pleasures. And what does that say about us as Christians?
With the ministries in need I’m learning that other communities are stepping up to help. It’s a sad day for the Body of Christ when more Muslims help Christian ministries than Christians. And yes. Not only this I know an apostle who actually stayed in the home of a Jihadist for 2 weeks in the Middle East. They took him in because they knew he was a man of God and upon his departure the Jihadists actually gave him suitcases of clothes for his children and treasures of gold jewelry for his entire family! Yes- the Muslims who are known to behead Christians gave to that man and did so willing. They held nothing back. It’s a day when Athiests are giving more than Christians. Why oh why brothers and sisters are you even allowing that to happen? Do you not see that your holding back hurts not only you, but denies your blessings and blocks in the Body of Christ from moving? Yes!
I never knew to be honest how to give; and so I didn’t. I was broke most of my life and as a college student it was either pay rent or car insurance but not both. I never learned how to give and and a result my money was funny, my change was strange and my prayers unanswered. See; money is the answer for all things. Yes open your Bible. Read Ecclesiastes 10. It’s written right before your eyes. And yet it’s missed.
I have too learned that most Christians tend to live in the receiving end too; yet are still broke. There is a clue there brothers and sisters. If you have a need sow a seed. Do it. Know the soil first though. If you don’t do your research you not only won’t know the 4 types of soil but won’t get the best harvest either. See; you have to get to a place of looking outward and not inward. That is where life begins to change. Again; the example of Jesus.
I recall listening years ago to a largely known female preacher share that the day Disney World employees dread the most was Christian day because the Christians were so rude, loud, obnoxious and inconsiderate. She shared that they knew the hotel cleaning staff would be left tipless as well. And how sad is that that the people who represent the most giving God are such takers and not following the simple example of ‘give’? Now I must say it’s not true of all you so put your feathers down. I must also share that when I heard her speak that about Christians like that I took offense; except that now I see it and am in a position of agreement. That too is sad.
It should not be so that Christians live expecting so much from their brothers and sisters all the while doubting and disbelieving God. Stop asking your wallet as it will always tell you that you don’t have enough. Ask the God who has more than enough! It should not be so that Christians expect free from everyone who gives and willingly and yet not even think about sowing back to who just gave. It takes a lot to give and those who give know so and do so willingly. Those who receive well; do so and do so willingly. Of course the receiving means that the giver gets blessed but here is the thing: if all you do is receive you won’t be blessed to the full. You can’t be because God’s Word really is based upon giving and not just living a life of taking.
So the next time you see someone in need don’t be a miser. Don’t. You are hurting yourself because giving isn’t about you- it’s for you. Yes you are entitled to all the promises in God’s Word; and those promises are between you and God. It’s time to stop pushing your entitlement to others Christians in expectation that they were only created to serve you and that you were only created to receive. You are blocking blessings from moving forward in more ways you can imagine. And the next time you see the Muslims and the Athiests happy with will full accounts it may just be that they are blessed because they are obedient to God’s principles. It’s that simple. God’s principles apply to all and those that know that follow that. So give. Keep giving. And don’t stop. You are entitled after all if you are a Christian- to give. Give as Jesus did. And you will be blessed.
If you ready to turn your heart toward giving: give to Julie Blair Ministries. (www.julieblair.com) Julie Blair Ministries is a Faith Based Organization reaching 3 Billion a day sharing God’s Word and send Bibles to those in need and there is such a demand that without your giving it can’t be done. Know it’s good soil and the Word of the Lord is uncompromised.
If you attend a church in your local area; know that your tithe is a demonstration of your obedience to the Lord and that it isn’t about the amount you give but that you are giving. It’s ok if you give more than 10%. God won’t be upset. You will be blessed by the purity of your heart in your giving.
Watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ Monday-Friday at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork. To know Jesus visit www.julieblair.com
To change your mindset and experience Kingdom Living Join Dr. Julie for ‘Kingdom of God Seminar October 8th at 9am in Farmers Branch. Visit www.julieblair.com for more information.
Rest is one of the biggest tools to be used if understood properly. It is evidenced in today’s society that this is not the case as working 130 hours and sleeping in a cube while the norm for some; is truly not sustainable for any type of normal or quality of life. The weapon of rest on the other hand; will prove much more sustainable and even to greater lengths; if that rest is found in the Lord. For without Him there is no such thing.
When I understood the weapon of rest my life changed. It changed entirely because my strength in the Lord increased and my vanity decreased. When there is no rest in the Lord there is simply toil and vanity and all is vanity so says King Solomon. And so the question is what really is going on here in today’s society that it is so highly thought of to either work 130 or more hours per week or boast about that? What is the expected outcome other than tiredness and exhaustion; and loss of life. What is the ultimate goal of rising at 4am if not to spend time with the Lord? That too is vanity and chasing after the wind; and in the end what will you have to show for your chasing? What really will you have?
When we examine Genesis 2:3 we see it clearly that God rested for it is written: “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (KJV) Understand that 1) God created everything and everything in everything, 2) God didn’t need to rest because He is God, 3) God created ‘rest’, 4) God does everything on purpose with purpose, 5) God doesn’t make mistakes.
When you understand that rest is one of the greatest weapons and how to rest in Him you won’t fall prey to the so called experts dying to prove something for a world that doesn’t care. You will recognize that a life resting in the Lord will bring more peace, more success; more solitude than any 100 hour work week at any time of the year. You will understand that success really isn’t what you always thought it to be but that in reality you were living in a warped world with a warped sense of accomplishment and identity and as such; you will need and find rest and be better for it.
The world loves to ostracize those who rest or rather those who don’t do what they are doing; comparable to those who write checks or use cash but let it be known that if God rested and created rest there is a reason. If you want to increase your hearing from the Lord simply stop. Rest. Listen.
When there is no rest there is not peace to the full. When there is no rest there is no ability to actually reflect on anything; how could there be because there is no time. The frantic hurried pace of accomplishing must go on! As a result the understanding of time and space in relation to anything is gone and for no reason. Without rest the here and now is simply nonexistent because there isn’t one because it too has passed. Without rest there is no growth; only a quicker death that can’t even be seen or experienced. And that is not a life God would want for anyone; not even you.
The weapon of rest is one of the most important weapons a Believer can have; of course in addition to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit; angels (not to worship) Bible etc. etc. and it’s when it’s understood how to use the weapon of rest in your own life everything will change. You will change.
The ways of the world are wicked and the days are marked with evil. There is no rest in any of it. The trap of the world is large; ready to catch if you don’t stop to see it. The world must toil because of the earth curse but brothers and sisters you do not have to. You do not have to live a life where you are simply existing to serve the wrong master; the one of death and disaster. You are called for something much higher. And if you do not stop and use the weapon that the Lord has already given you and follow what He did; you won’t have it or anything else to use for it will be too late. And in the end wouldn’t it be a shame to rise at 4am every day for nothing?
For more about growing in the Lord visit www.julieblair.com
Watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ Monday-Friday at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
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