Trusting God's Timing
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
My times are in your hands…
Psalm 31:15, NIV.
TODAY’S WORD
In life, oftentimes we are waiting for
something; waiting for a dream to come to pass, waiting to meet the right
person, waiting for a problem to turn around. When things aren’t happening as
fast as we would like, it’s easy to get frustrated. But you have to realize
that the moment you prayed, God established a set time to bring the promise to
pass.
God has a set time for your
opportunity. There is a set time for that problem to turn around, a set time
for your healing, your promotion, your breakthrough. It may be tomorrow, or
next week, or five years from now. But when you understand the time has already
been set, it takes all the pressure off. You won’t live worried, wondering when
this is ever going to happen. You’ll relax and enjoy your life knowing that the
promise has already been scheduled and your answer is on the way!
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I choose to trust in Your
timing. I trust that You have my best in mind. I believe that You are working
behind the scenes on my behalf. Thank You for ordering my steps and leading me
in the life of blessing You have in store for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
***
4 hours ago
“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.” (Ephesians 4:23 CEV)
Throughout the Bible we see an important truth illustrated over and over: The Holy Spirit releases his power the moment you take a step of faith.
When Joshua was faced with an impassible barrier, the floodwaters of the Jordan River receded only after the leaders stepped into the rushing current in obedience and faith. Obedience unlocks God’s power.
God waits for you to act first. Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings. This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and it is also how your character develops.
The Bible compares spiritual growth to a seed, a building, and a child growing up. Each metaphor requires active participation: Seeds must be planted and cultivated, buildings must be built — they don’t just appear — and children must eat and exercise to grow.
While effort has nothing to do with your salvation, it has much to do with your spiritual growth. You don’t just sit around and wait for it to happen. At least eight times in the New Testament we are told to "make every effort” in our growth toward becoming like Jesus (Luke 13:24 NIV; Romans 14:19 NIV; Ephesians 4:3 NIV; 2 Timothy 2:15 NCV; Hebrews 4:11 NIV; Hebrews 12:14 NIV; 2 Peter 3:14 NIV).
Paul explains in Ephesians 4:22-24 our three responsibilities in becoming like Christ.
First, we must choose to let go of old ways of acting. “Everything connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it!” (Ephesians 4:22 MSG)
Second, we must change the way we think. “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking” (Ephesians 4:23 CEV). The Bible says we are “transformed” by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).
The Greek word for transformed, “metamorphosis” (used in Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18), is used today to describe the amazing change a caterpillar goes through in becoming a butterfly. It is a beautiful picture of what happens to us spiritually when we allow God to direct our thoughts: We are changed from the inside out, we become more beautiful, and we are set free to soar to new heights.
Third, we must put on the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits. Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act. The Bible says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV).
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