I waited…

“I waited and waited and waited some more, patiently, knowing God would come through for me. Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry. He stooped down to lift me out of danger from the desolate pit I was in, out of the muddy mess I had fallen into. Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.”Psalms‬ ‭40‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Waiting is not fun: waiting at hospitals, airports, government departments (immigration) can be deadly boring and frustraring, but can also be a time to seek the Lord. Recently I waited for four hours in immigration for my visa stamp. They tussled over the lack of stamps on my college receipts but finally gave way and approved them. While I waited I read my bible Ap. It kept me centered and spoke life into my heart in the waiting.

Waiting on God is fun in a retreat with others. A girlfriend and I are planning a retreat to a lovely part of a Nepal in two weeks, just for the weekend. I have a beautiful waiting on God study in my bible Ap and will take it along. My friend and I both love trekking and we will go out to different places to worship and pray.

Waiting on God for answers to prayer requires endurance. The Lord warned me a long time ago that I would need this attribute. He was right. My wait has been long. However, the fruit is coming.

Yesterday He surprised me. My son is involved in Random Acts of Worship at various places in Brisbane Australia and is beginning to draw a crowd. He has inspired me, as ai have inspired me. Next Saturday on my trek I am taking my ukulele, and my friend and I will sing worship choruses along the way. A particular spot I like is a lake with water lillies on it. It draws a crowd.

Times of worship takes the Holy Spirit out into the open and releases His beautiful presence. It is Him who changes things.

See the wait as space for Him! Amen!

A safe place

“Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

A safe place is needed by children and the elderly, the injured and frail. Warriors and soldiers know how to venture into dangerous places with wisdom and bravery. However, eventually they will need a safe place when injured or needing rest.

Even surrounded by enemies we have a safe place in our God. He creates a table for us amidst our enemies (Psalm 23). He knows He can protect us, He knows He is God supreme and Lord over all. Satan and demons are under His feet.

Our heart is safe with Him. We can trust Him not to abuse us. While all mankind may fail us, He won’t. 

Oh praise the name of the Lord our God oh praise His name forever more, for endless days we will sing Your praise oh Lord, oh Lord our God (song).

I believe in You, I believe You rose again, I believe in Jesus Christ our King (song). Amen!

Never gives up

“Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I praise God for dreams. Through dreams He shows me good outcomes. This encourages me in prayer. He is displaying His love for me and those I am praying for.

As His love is steadfast, I can rely on it to be a safe place to shelter. Of all creatures on the earth none are forever faithful and steadfast (dogs come close). Because my God’s love is steadfast I am safe telling Him my all. I do not need to hide anything.

When failure comes I may be discouraged but He is not. He sees through His Son. All things are possible through Jesus. If I take this view I place my trust in the Holy Spirit and not a person. The Holy Spirit takes my prayers and trust in Him and goes to work. He is faithful and mighty.

Today I must place my trust in my God and not myself or others. We may fail But He will not.

Rejoices when truth wins

“Love does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We see injustice everywhere. Corrupt governments steal from the poor without consideration for their lives. Religious fanatics persecute those of different faiths, not stopping to consider the brutality they are enacting.

However, there is a better way. Our God’s way is reconciliation, love and forgiveness. Restoring broken lives is His speciality. Bringing the crushed into a relationship of love, forgiveness and healing as opposed to persecution is His way.

Who will we represent? Whose children are we? Seek truth and rejoice in it!

Love’s best

“Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

True love is not selfish demanding it’s own way. Carnal love is very selfish. Our God is not selfish, He wants what is best for us.

Choosing what is best for us is wise, for best is God’s best, not our best. God’s best involves maturity, giving up what we want for others, when it is best for us all.

Self-discipline involves making right choices not pandering to our flesh. Our flesh wants to be spoilt, not be disciplined. Discipline is good. It is best we do the disciplining and not leave it to others. If we are stubborn we could end up losing all we cling to.

No record

“It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The worst part about memory is we remember well the wrongs done to us and recite them when needed. The best thing we can do is actively pray for those memories to fade and actually pray for the ones who hurt us and thank God for the good they taught us.

Thankfulness has turned many bad memories about my father to good memories. Maturity and experiences has given me insight into many of my father’s actions. Alrhoufh a Catholic my dad did not have a good relationship with ahis Heavenly Father until the last years of his life. I was instrumental in that because I chose to forgive and confront sin.

Thankfulness changes things, it bring the Holy Spirit into every bad situation and shines the light. He is waiting to be released into your life, start thanking The Father for all the good that now exists in your life, for being your strength, for being your Heavenly Father who waited for you to come home. Change the record from much to none with the one who hurt you. Amen!

The right love

“Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Jealousy is tied to pride and fear of man. When we expect to receive attention and someone else gets it, we are affronted. Being humble enough to step back and clap the other person takes grit. Hungering for attention comes when we are deprived of it from parents and those we respect. When we crave attention and someone else gets it, it hurts. However, learning that we are loved by our Heavenly Father fills that need.

The love this passage talks about is all about the love our God has for us. That love is patient and kind and never jealous or boastful. God is secure in who He is. As we get to know Him we become secure in His love and start to love others the same way.

The best thing we can do for ourselves and others is get to know our Heavenly Father and His love for us.