While I'm Waiting

Waiting on You, Lord

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”
Psalm 27:14

I’ve recently discovered John Waller’s (http://www.johnwallermusic.com/ ) powerful song entitled While I’m Waiting. It is featured in the new movie Fireproof and hit me harder than Ivan Drago’s first punch on Rocky Balboa in Rocky IV! Before I go on, read his words below:

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

I have to admit, I’ve been in a rut for several months now in my professional life. I have truly been waiting on God to tell me what is next in his playbook for my career, or more accurately, complaining to God about waiting for the next move to show up in a detailed letter in my mailbox so that I could know when, where, and how He was going to use me next. I had pretty much accepted my current position as a place to park for a while and have been constantly praying for what God was going to do for ME and how he could use ME and allow ME to make an impact for Him anywhere but here. Me, Me, Me.

That’s when John MacArthur and others began to slap me on the back of the head to wake up and be CONTENT with where I was for as long as God wanted me here. Next came the words above that really hit it home… While I’m waiting I will serve You, While I’m waiting I will worship, While I’m waiting I will not faint, I’ll be running the race even while I wait. And you see, that’s what God has been trying to teach me lately. It’s not all about ME and what I want to do next, even if I think it’s for His glory. WRONG. It’s about Him and His timing and His plans. If I can’t be trusted to tend to the flock I have been given or fields which I am charged to plant, then how can I expect to be rewarded with greater flocks and larger fields?
You see, we aren’t serving Him by praying for new opportunities and then complaining and moping about our present circumstances. No sir! To pray for God’s plans to be revealed in His time is a wonderful plan, but while I am planted where I am, I must SERVE Him, WORSHIP Him, and RUN THE RACE, even while I wait.

In one of my favorite movies, Facing the Giants, the football coach feels like his world is crashing down around him and that God must be planning for him to move on. This comes after he overhears several boosters plotting his exit as the coach because “he just can’t get the job done.” A local man who stops by the high school to pray over the students’ lockers suddenly appears in the coach’s office and told him “God is not done with you yet!” and that until God closed this door, he was to bloom where he was planted. You know what, that’s the absolute truth with us as well!

So what are you doing about your present circumstances? I don’t know about you, but I’m more focused than ever to give God my all right where I am, even while I’m waiting!

Who wants Jesus more? Part II

Song Lyrics: "Give Me Jesus!" by Fernando Ortega

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

When I am alone
When I am alone
When I am alone, give me Jesus
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

When I come to die
When I come to die
When I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

Check out music on youtube: here and here!
Bonus: here

Who wants Jesus more? Part I

Scripture:

Jesus…asked them, “Who is it you want? Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am He…again He asked them, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” I told you that I am He.” (John 18:4-8)

A Huge Conclusion:

I began to think about this passage recently. After meditating on it, I came to a huge conclusion. It is this:

“Everyone wants Jesus.”

2 ways to “want” Jesus: We either want Him:

1. “IN” our life

Or we want Him

2. “OUT” of our life…

There is really no in between.

Observation:

I’m struck how passionately the chief priests and Pharisees wanted Jesus “OUT” of their life…have a look…

• Mark 3:6- “Then the Pharisees went out and began to PLOT with the Herodians how they might KILL Jesus.”

• Mark 12:12-, “Then they looked for a way to arrest Him because they knew He had spoken the parable against Him.”

• Mark 14:44- Judas said, “The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away under guard.

• Mark 14:64b-65- “They all condemned Him as WORTHY of DEATH.

Then some began to SPIT at HIM;

They blindfolded Him,

STRUCK Him with their fists, and said, “Prophecy!”

And the guards took Him and BEAT Him.”

• Mark 15:13- “Crucify Him!” they shouted.

• Mark 15:14b- “But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

• Mark 15:15- “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them.

He had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.”

• Mark 15:16-20-“…purple robe…crown of thorns…

Again and again they struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him…

Paid homage to Him…mocked Him…led Him out to crucify Him…”

• Mark 15:24- “And they crucified Him.”

• Mark 15:29, 32- “Those who passed by hurled insults at Him.”

• Mark 15:31- “…the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked Him…”

Observation #2:

They wanted Jesus…they just wanted Him “OUT”...and BADLY! They “plotted”…they “planned”…they “crucified Him”.

Question #2:

Do you and I want Jesus "IN" our lives as BAD as they wanted Jesus "OUT" of their lives?

I wonder sometimes…

Who’s more PASSIONATE…the “OUT” folks or the “IN” folks?

How bad do you WANT JESUS? How INTENTIONAL is your relationship with Him?

“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked them,” Who is it you want?” (John 18:4) (NIV)

Contenment and Aspirations

"Glorifying God means that we praise Him with a full heart, absolute contentment, knowing that our lot is God’s plan for us now.”
~John MacArthur~

Had a great email from Gates the other day that made extra neurons fire in my cerebral cortex! The topic is on Contentment and Aspirations. Read below an edited version of Gates' email. Soak in these great thoughts to understand where you are in life and how God is "pruning" your branches in order to develop amazing fruit!

We all need a proper perspective on things in the midst of our desires to make a mark and have a bigger impact in the world around us. We all get caught up in our routines sometimes that it’s like watching Bill Murray in Groundhog Day where it feels like you are re-living the same day over and over. But, I have found some good perspective this week in John MacArthur’s “The Keys to Spiritual Discipline.” He hit on some key points this week…Trust God, Give Praise to God, Endure Suffering, Be Content, Pray According to God’s Will, and more. Being Content probably spoke louder than most to me right now in the midst of some feelings of wanting to do more with my life.

Here is an excerpt from MacArthur's book...

“Discontent characterizes the age in which we live. We may be discontent about ourselves and our circumstances. But who made us? God. And He promises to supply all our needs. When we are content, we acknowledge God’s sovereignty in our lives, and that gives Him glory. If we are discontent, it’s the same as questioning God’s wisdom….Paul testified ‘I’ve learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am…I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.’ (Philippians 4:11-12)…..Paul understood God’s working in his life, and he was confident that God would use all things – poverty as well as abundance, comfort as well as pain – for Paul’s good and God’s glory. He didn’t say, I will give God glory in spite of my pain, he said I will give God glory because of it. Discontent is a sin because it robs God of glory….Glorifying God means that we praise Him with a full heart, absolute contentment, knowing that our lot is God’s plan for us now.” (Emphasis added)

Good stuff from MacArthur! While we are made to aspire to do more for the Creator, we should not be moping around saying, "woe is me." We can be anxious to do more but respect where God has put us for now. I am learning to be more content in this period of waiting. My passion and energy comes by leading people; Leading them to the point where I can have a significant impact on the lives of others...we are all in specific places presently for a specific reason and we must accept that there is something more going on in preparation, so for now, you and I will, as did Paul, learn to be content in whatever circumstances we are in. (Emphasis added)

Relationships:Chapter 2

Welcome to Chapter 2 on applying the '3-2-1'(3 Principles, 2 Insights, 1 Question) Framework to what I learn from "How To Win Friends And Influence People" written by Dale Carnegie and see how these pearls of wisdom apply to The Teachings of Christ from over 2000 Years ago:

3 Principles
A. The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
B. One of the best talents you can utilize is arousing enthusiasm of those around you.
C. It's about sincere appreciation, not flattery. Flattery is selfish and insincere.

Thoughts on appreciation and flattery: Appreciation is from the heart, flattery is from the teeth. Appreciation is about having sparks of gratitude. People love appreciation but can see the mischief through flattery.

Quote on flattery: "Flattery is telling the other person precisely what he thinks about himself."

2 Insights
A. Appreciation and Encouragement increase enthusiasm.
B. Praise others publicly as well as privately.

1. Question
How can I figure out the other person's good points and then supply honest and sincere appreciation.

Teachings Of Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:10-12 (New International Version)

10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

Relationships:Chapter 1

A common denominator we all have in life is that we are surrounded by people. So I am taking it upon myself on increasing my skills on understanding human nature. I am going to apply a '3-2-1'(3 Principles, 2 Insights, 1 Question) Framework to what I learn from "How To Win Friends And Influence People" written by Dale Carnegie and see how these pearls of wisdom apply to The Teachings of Christ from over 2000 Years ago:

3 Principles
A. Instead of condemning people, try to understand them
B. Condemning people always causes them to defend themselves, so nothing is ever resolved
C. Human nature shows us that people in the wrong will blame everybody but themselves

2 Insights
A. Try and figure out why it is people do what they do
B. Apply the 3 C's and be Cool, Calm, and Collected in handling people

1. Question
What is the best way for me to put myself in "other people's shoes" in order to know why they act or do what they do, and how can I create change without pulling out their "defense" mechanism?

Teachings Of Jesus
Romans 2.1-2 (The Message) - God Is Kind, but Not Soft

Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you've done (Emphasis Added).

Whatever It Takes, Part VII: Jesus

Jesus is a Master of Reversal. He tells us to save our life is to lose our life for His sake (MATTHEW 16:25-26). He tells us that to die is gain (Philippians 1:21-23). He tells us that in order for us to lead, we must be willing to serve (Deut 15.12-18).

Jesus linked leadership with servanthood (Matthew 20.25-28) and Jesus did "Whatever It Took" to be a leader that served. We see a major example of this when Jesus washed His Disciples Feet (John 13).

The Hebrew word, 'Sharath' defines servant as, "someone who will perform menial tasks to accomplish an overall goal (Exodus 28.35-43). Leaders must do "Whatever It Takes" to serve the mission.

We must do "Whatever It Takes" in our relationship with Christ, which will then pour over in our relationship with the people we are around. So practice Jesus' examples of 'Reversals,' and lead by serving!