Nothing Gets Wasted

Nothing is wasted. God knows how to use every part of your story for his glory. Even the ugly parts....ESPECIALLY the messy middle.  Every bit of it, he uses as a testimony.  Don't be discouraged, it all has purpose. 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 KJV
http://bible.com/1/rom.8.28.KJV

A Delay Is Not Denial

A delay is not a denial!  There is something in the essence of the word and an answer of “wait” that assures us that our petition has been heard, and an affirmative solution is on its way, but after just a little while.  If God has answered your prayers with “wait”, then be encouraged to do just that.  Wait doesn’t mean “no”, it just means at a set, appointed time he will perform on your behalf.  Don’t fret, don’t doubt, don’t rush, just wait, quietly and patiently. 

 

And the Lord appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the Lord shall do this thing in the land. Exodus 9:5

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:3-4

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.  Lamentation 3:25-26

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  Hebrews 10:35-38

#wait #waiting #waitongod #waitonthelord #confidence #faith #prayer #trustinggod #trustinthelord #answeredprayer

The Broken Vessel

Jeremiah 18:1-6
The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.  Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

I have considered recently, where were the people that had used and maybe even broken the vessel?  The potter asked no questions about how the vessel had been broken, how it had been misused, how it had been wasted, he only saw that it was once his masterpiece, now shattered.  In my mind, this scenario could have played out thusly.  A beautiful vessel, strong, new, useful, purposeful and purchased by someone who just did not know the value of such a masterpiece.  So it was used, possibly mishandled, loaned out for others to use, carelessly stored away, used for purposes other than for what it was intended, pushed around, knocked around, left out in the cold and wet, all the while being tarnished, becoming dull, becoming fragile until the day it was carelessly knocked down and broken.  Then, the one who had purchased it but never valued it, cast it aside for good.  To him, he saw no more use, he saw no more purpose.  Then the maker, the creator, happens to come along and sees his masterpiece laying among the garbage and the rubbish.  He recognizes it, though it's severely altered, because it's his.  It's his creation.  It's his masterpiece, and he could never forget it.  He gathers it carefully so as not to cause anymore damage, then carries it down to house.  And there, Jeremiah finds him, working on the wheel, recreating a vessel that had been marred.  The truth is, the one who used it only saw it's value from their own, selfish, purpose and once it was broken, he deemed it no more good.  But the one who created it, even in it's broken, dirty, shattered state, he still saw purpose.  He still had vision of the reason for it's creation. 

Isn't it just that way? The world, with it's cruel intentions and hard heart has taken and marred so many beautiful vessels.  The "pursuit" of happiness, riches, love, fame, acceptance, and so on, have caused so many "vessels" to sell themselves to the first bidder, at a low price.  And they were purchased, and used, and abused, and broken, then discarded.  Because after the world has robbed you of your essence, and used you up until you can no longer function, it has no more use for you, and has neither desire nor the know how to repair what it has broken.  And yet, there is one, who knew us from the very beginning. "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)".  The user looks at the broken vessel and sees trash, the creator looks at the broken vessel and sees purpose. 
  

Forgiving God? Total Surrender!

I read the other day..."If we truly want to love, we must learn how to forgive". I am inclined to believe that forgiveness unlocks chains and frees us from pain, bitterness and sorrow. But what if it were God that allowed or "inflicted" your deepest pain? Forgive God? It sounds absurd. It sounds presumptuous. It sounds even blasphemous. Who are we that we dare to think that God has done anything for which he would require or desire our forgiveness?? And yet...there are times we find ourselves in situations where we face resentment and bitterness for the things God seems to have allowed. In those times, how do we turn our eyes and hearts and look with love to a God that seems to have betrayed our hope and confidence? How do we accept, with joy his divine direction when it seems to be leading us into more pain, discomfort and heartache? It is in my mind that forgiveness is not for the sake of the "offender" but for our own sake. When I forgive, I let go of resentment, bitterness, offenses, etc... All these things would rot and kill ME on the inside, not the offender. So with that thought, for all of the accusations that the enemy has ladled against my God and for all of the presumed offenses, hurts, pains that it appears God has allowed, or caused...I let it go. We must let it Go. Not because God needs our/my forgiveness, but because holding on to the pain and perceived offenses will only destroy us/me on the inside and hinders our faith and true healing.  The remedy? Let Go, Let God. The method? Seek him, love him, declare your love for him, draw nigh and don't withdraw, acknowledge the hurt...don't live in denial, take it one day, one hour, one moment at a time! "If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive." Perhaps this is the lesson that God is trying to impart. Can I love the one who seems to hurt me, deceive me, betray me? We know that he is NOT doing these things, but when it seems that he is, can I forgive and let go and love him anyway? That's how true love is borne! Not through the good times, but through the bad! And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30 KJV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:7-10 KJV) For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. (2 Samuel 22:29-31 KJV)

And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: (Mark 7:37a KJV)

Excerpt from "Hinds Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard

The laughter died out of His face and very seriously He asked, "Do you love Me enough to be able to trust Me completely, Much-Afraid?"

She looked at him in the usual startled fashion so natural to her whenever she sensed that He was preparing her for a new test, then faltered, "You know that I do love you Shepherd, as much as my cold little heart is capable.  You know that I love You and that I long to trust You as much as I love You, that I long both to love and trust You still more."

"Would you be willing to trust me," He asked, "even if everything in the wide world seemed to say that I was deceiving you - indeed, that I had deceived you all along?"

She looked at Him in perplexed amazement. "Why, yes," she said, "I'm sure I would, because one thing I know to be true, it is impossible that You should tell a lie. It is impossible that You should deceive me. I know that I am often very frightened at the things which You ask me to do," she added shamefacedly and apologetically, "but I could never doubt You in that way.  It's myself I am afraid of, never You, and though everyone in the world should tell me that You had deceived me, I should know it was impossible.

"O Shepherd," she implored, "don't tell me that You think I really doubt You, even when I am most afraid and cowardly and despicably weak. You know - you know I can trust You. In the end I know I shall be able to say Thy gentleness hath made me great."

He said nothing for a little, only looked down very tenderly, almost pitifully at the figure now crouching at his feet. Then, after a time, He said very quietly, "Much-Afraid, supposing I really did deceive you? What then?"

It was then her turn to be quite silent, trying to grasp this impossible thing He was suggesting and to think what her answer would be. What then? Would it be that she could never trust, never love Him again? Would she have to be alive in the world where there was no Shepherd, only a mirage and a broken lovely dream? To know that she had been deceived by One she was certain could not deceive? To lose him?

Suddenly she burst into a passion of weeping, then after a little while looked straight up into His Face and said, "My Lord - if You can deceive me, You may. It can make no difference. I must love You as long as I continue to exist. I cannot live without loving you."

He laid His hands on her head, then with a touch more tender and gentle than anything she had ever felt before, repeated as though to Himself, "If I can, I may deceive her." Then without another word He turned and went away.

"All The Way My Savior Leads Me" 

by Fanny Crosby and Robert Lowry

All the way my Savior leads me;

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know, whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,

Cheers each winding path I tread;

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living Bread.

Though my weary steps may falter,

And my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see;

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me

O the fullness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father’s house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings its flight to realms of day

This my song through endless ages—

Jesus led me all the way;

This my song through endless ages—

Jesus led me all the way.

Beauty in Dying

There is, in nature, a natural phenomenon that occurs every year.  Yes, the seasons change from winter to spring, spring to summer, summer to autumn, and so on cyclically.  But it's the transition from summer to autumn that somehow strikes me as nothing short of miraculous.  The leaves of the trees, as they are painted in a myriad of colors, ranging from bright red, to auburn, to burnt orange to soft brown, are actually in the process of dying.  The leaves that so beautifully arrayed the trees were actually preparing themselves for death, and to fall to the ground. We are styled as trees, are we not?  And though the tree itself is not dying, it does shed some of it’s adornments to make way for new life to be produced.  It is not for the leaf to stubbornly refuse to leave the tree, nor for the tree to hold on to the previous springs foliage, it is in the trees best interest to shed the old, and prepare to make room for the new.  

My encouragement today, first to myself, and hopefully to you is that there is a beauty in dying out to yourself, and letting Christ reign in your life.  There is a benefit, and in some way even a pleasure when you truly allow yourself to die and let Christ live.  And the beauty of this death, will be/should be evident to those around you.  So much so that they’ll look on your life, and remark at the beauty that Christ is working in it, although you may very well be in the process of dying. Philipians 3:7-14 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Secondly, death will produce new life.  Our own potential, those things, dreams, goals and desires that God has placed in us to achieve, for his glory and his purposes can be revealed, I daresay can ONLY be revealed, when we allow ourselves to die. Death is, in fact, a requirement for releasing spiritual potential.  Just as the leaves of the tree die from the branch to make room for new life in the spring, so we are to allow old things to die from our life and make room for new gifts, talents, callings, grace, new places in God, greater soul burdens and blessings. John 12: 23-25 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Lastly, new growth, development, increase, and the glory of God in and resting on our lives can be produced only as we decrease and mortify.  In order to have God’s anointing, his favor, naturally and most definitely spiritually, we HAVE to suffer and die the death of the righteous.  In other words as we decrease and mortify, Christ is increased and glorified, and that is where the real beauty lies.  We find this opportunity to die to self in our test and trials, in our sufferings from day to day, in relinquishing our will to God, and in keeping an excellent spirit regardless of persecutions, hardships and disappointments.  

I Peter 4:1-2 & 12-14 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

In Christ, our perfect example, abides the miracle of the resurrection.  John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Death always precedes life.  If I want life, increase, abundance, something must die first.  My way, my will, my thoughts, opinions have to die to make room for Christ.  The beauty, the glory in it all is that I am taking part in the suffering that Christ underwent.  Therefore, when the Father looks from heaven to earth, he sees not me, but his son, whom he loves so much.  It makes the suffering, and the dying, worth it. Be blessed! -JAL

I Hear the Sound of Abundance of Rain:There Shall be Showers of Blessing

I hear the sound of abundance of rain.  We all have expectations to receive blessings from the only one that can bless, the true and living God.  My attitude today is that it’s time to stretch my faith like never before.   So, I’m digging ditches, making preparation for the rain.  Ecclesiastes tells us that if we regard the wind or the clouds, we may not sow or reap. Ecclesiastes 11:3-6 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.  And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. 

So, what shall we do then?  We trust the promises of God.  God promised and so according to his word, I believe that there shall be showers of blessings!  And with these showers of blessings, there is increase.

Ezekiel 24: 26-27 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.  And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.

Using what I have in my hand and trusting God that for every deficiency he is all of my sufficiency, I’m digging.  Do I think God will disappoint? NO! Am I anxious about his timing? No!  No matter how long it takes for the showers to arrive, the exercise of building faith in him is worth it all as it proves my love and commitment to him, and his towards me.   Lack of faith produces lack of preparation and lethargy, renewed faith will produce diligent activity and productivity.  But while I prepare what am I to do?  I find it fascinating that before the man of God told the King to fill the valley full of ditches, he called first for a minstrel.  It makes me think that God is looking for me to be singing and praising and worshiping as I make preparation, and before the shower of blessing arrives.  2 Kings 3:15-17 & 20 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. 16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. 17For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. 20And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.

So with today’s offering I’ll say, “Get up! Prepare! Make Ready! Dig Ditches! The rain is coming!”  I Kings 18:41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. Be blessed! -JAL

There Shall Be Showers of Blessing

By Daniel W. Whittle

There shall be showers of blessing:

This is the promise of love;

There shall be seasons refreshing,

Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain:

Showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need:

Mercy-drops round us are falling,

But for the showers we plead.

There shall be showers of blessing,

Precious reviving again;

Over the hills and the valleys,

Sound of abundance of rain.

There shall be showers of blessing;

Send them upon us, O Lord;

Grant to us now a refreshing,

Come, and now honor Thy Word.

There shall be showers of blessing:

Oh, that today they might fall,

Now as to God we’re confessing,

Now as on Jesus we call!

There shall be showers of blessing,

If we but trust and obey;

There shall be seasons refreshing,

If we let God have His way.

www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/h/thershow.htm

God's Favour Leads to Promotion

Joseph found favor in God's sight and in the sight of men.
With his father, Joseph had favor. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. (Genesis 37:3 KJV)  
When he was in the house of Potiphar, he had favor.  And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. (Genesis 39:3-6 KJV)  
When he was wrongfully condemned and imprisoned, he had favor.  And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. (Genesis 39:20-23 KJV)
Finally, when he was elevated to #2 in the kingdom, he had favor.  And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:38-41, 44 KJV)
Be encouraged that, regardless of your surroundings and present condition, God's favor still abounds.  Joseph's imprisonment set the stage for his greatest promotion.  It took the events of just one day to raise Joseph from the pit to the palace.  We've heard before that what looks like a setback, is only just a setup to receive honor and promotion from God.  What appears to be your breaking point may be, in fact, your greatest breakthrough.  Remember, when you feel that you have reached your lowest point, LOOK OUT and get ready to rise.  God is working and moving beyond what we can even ask or think.  

If I am allowed to make one final point, before closing this thought, it would be on the remarkable spirit of Joseph and his willingness to allow God's gift to work through him.  God gave Joseph a gift of interpreting dreams.  It was that very gift that caused him to be despised by his brothers and set off a series of events that forever altered his life.  Because of his "dreams" he was abused and sold into slavery.  And yet, if Joseph had begun himself to despise the gift, and see the gift as a curse perhaps he would have missed the opportunity of his greatest deliverance.  What if he had refused to interpret the dream of the baker and the butler?  He'd never had been in a position to interpret the dream of the King/Pharaoh.  In short, what looks like a curse, or a useless endeavour can be the very thing to deliver you at the right time.  My encouragement, to myself and others, continue to let God use the gifts he put in me.  Though it looks like the gift may, in fact, be causing me pain, I'm convinced that through faithfulness, submission and a willingness to be used, God will wrought a GREAT deliverance, greater even than I've ever seen. Be blessed!- JAL

Psalm 75:6-7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Romans 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.