A lot of people view the Bible as just a bunch of rules that exist to keep me from having a good time!  I think that people get this idea, not from reading the Bible, but from listening and living with people that have read and applied it incorrectly!  Many people that call themselves Christians read the Bible and apply it’s truths to everyone else!  They incorrectly use the Bible to judge others and often miss the opportunity to grow themselves!  The people who are experiencing success and growth in life are the people who have taken the time through the Word to figure out who God wants them to become and what God wants them to do!  They have learned to use God’s Word as a guide that helps them to travel in the right direction!

If you want to truly be successful in every area of your life, then you must learn how to consistently apply God’s Word in your everyday living!  You life will always be full of uncontrollable circumstances, seemingly impossible situations and unlimited opportunities to make excuses!  But, do no give in!  Don’t blame your lack of achievement on bad luck or bad upbringing.  Whatever is going on in your life has a purpose and it is ultimately to make you stronger for God’s glory and everyones blessing!

Take some time this week to get into God’s Word – The Bible!  Read it with fresh eyes, not looking for how it applies to others, but for what it has to say to you and the situations of your life!  God has some amazing things that He wants to show you and teach you!  Enjoy the journey!

Today I want to slow us down just a Little bit, so that we can think about waiting!  Isaiah 40:31 says:  “But those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint!”  We love the last part of the verse that talks about being renewed, soaring, running and walking!  But we usually skip right over the first part – the part that gives us the pre-condition for renewal, soaring, running and walking!  It says “those that wait on the Lord”!

Waiting Is Hard To Do!  And while waiting is hard, we do have a choice!  Not everyone will make the choice to wait, in fact – most do not wait and even when we do decide to wait is is usually not long enough!  Why is it so hard for us to wait?  Could it be because we want results right now?  We live in a microwave/drive through society – which wants what it wants and wants it now!  I think another thing that gets in the way of our waiting is:  We think that we have to make something happen!  The truth is:  There are some things that no matter how bad you want them to happen, you cannot make them happen!  I think another problem is we worry about what other people will say or think!  The opinion that we need to be concerned with is God’s opinion – not what someone else thinks or says is God’s opinion!

The bottom line is this:  WAITING IS GOD’S PREREQUISITE FOR BLESSING!  The verse says:  “Those who WAIT on the LORD will…”  Waiting has it’s reward!  I am not talking about waiting for waiting sake, but waiting to hear, see and be moved by God!

Take a step back from the situation!  Put your hands behind your back and focus on what God might be up to!  You might just be amazed at how God can take whatever and use it for amazing things in and through your life!