Fight!

Fight!

By David Wheeler

Introduction

This is a call to the intercessors! Fight! Fight! Fight! Since Mother’s Day I have been screaming the word “Fight!” This word has been screaming in my spirit and I have been able to share with several this word to encourage them. When I speak of fight, I am not talking in the natural sense of the word. Lord knows we have too much of that. I am addressing what I am sensing in the Spirit.

What are we fighting for?

Nehemiah 4:14

14I looked [them over] and rose up and said to the nobles and officials and the other people, Do not be afraid of the enemy; [earnestly] remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.

We have something worth fighting for!

Fight for your brethren! We must fight for those who are around us, those who are given to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and those who are not. Fight for our society and for righteousness to prevail. Our fight is for the very soul of our nation. We must love our neighbor and pray for them as well. Fight for those who we come in contact with on a daily basis and those who are beside us on our drive to work. We must look at every opportunity to pray and fight for those who are near. The Christian way of life is worth fighting for until all of our brethren come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ or Jesus Christ returns. I agree that many Christians have lost touch with the Christian way of life. We must return to love, joy, peace, courtesy, kindness. This love you neighbor thing was not a suggestion but a commandment.

Fight for your sons and your daughters! The information overload that our children are experiencing is desensitizing them to all that is evil and wrong. They are drawn and enticed by injustice, lewdness, and unrighteousness. We must fight for their minds! We must help them find the helmet of salvation and train them to be brave! Train them to be willing to stand against evil when witnessed or perpetrated. Fight for them to live and walk in uncompromising righteousness! The next generation is facing real battles of faith. Turn off the inputs and turn on the right inputs. Be sure you are having time at the table sharing meals. Listen to their day and help them digest by correcting and bringing to balance all that they have experienced that day. Worship with your children in your home!

Fight for your wives! The sanctity of marriage is under such an attack. For over 70 years we have watched the degradation of this institution and framework of society! Fight. Fight for your wives! Fight for your husbands! Don’t fight with one another! Marriage is the principle human relationship in which God uses to express His relationship with mankind. The attack on marriage is a spiritual attack on God’s expression of the type of relationship He desires with mankind! If the institution of marriage crumbles then how will mankind understand the kind of relationship God desires to have with us! Fight! Fight! Fight! Stem the tide of divorce. Our relationship with God is not a perverted, unnatural, non-producing relationship. Our relationship with God should exemplify all that is good, natural, and procreative! So should human marriage be – good, natural, and procreative. In addition, our marriages should be formed with a basis of love born out of commitment, not formed by a love born out of performance. Regardless of our performance God loves us! He is committed to us! Aren’t you glad!

Fight for your homes! Intercede for jobs, the economy and the place of refuge we call home! Pray that your income will increase and that you will continue to walk in the blessings of God! Pray for our safety as a nation and pray that all will know that this is one nation STILL under God! Be proud to be a Christian. Proclaim it to your neighbors! Your proclamation will be liberating to those around you who in turn will begin to proclaim their belief in God. This is not a season to be silent but a season to begin to sound the battle cry! When the battle is won liberty flows to all who are held captive. From your homes begin to fight! Fight! Fight! Our homes are the barracks from which the soldier is prepared!

Our Preparation!

In I Samuel 17, we observe the story of David and Goliath. David being a young lad not yet serving in the army, comes to deliver food to his brothers. While there David hears Goliath’s God defying bellows from the valley. Righteous indignation rises within David and out of the courage he has in his God, David expresses his displeasure in what he heard. His older brother is upset with what David has said, because he knew that this would be reported to King Saul. Upon hearing of David’s remarks, King Saul summons the young lad to the king’s quarters. While there David is clothed with the king’s armor. Only to discover that it is far too heavy for David to be affective in battle. With this David strips himself of the king’s armor and goes into battle wearing only the garments that were natural to him, the presence of God. Preparation for this battle is not those things that are manmade. Preparation for this battle is being clothed in the presence of God! David could not wear those things that were unnatural to him, but he understood that the presence of God was all that was required.

Dress yourself with the presence of God. Find that intimate place of worship where he clothes you and dresses you. Preparation in Him is all that is required. Draw away to that secret place. Prepare yourself as an Indian would prior to battle. Put on the war paint. Sharpen your sword. Bury the battle plan, the Word of God, in your mind. Shine your shield. Brighten your helmet and fasten it securely on your head. Tighten the belt around your loins. Tie your boot straps tight. Be sure your breastplate is cosseted!

I love the way Ephesians 4 reads in the Amplified version.

Ephesians 6:10-20

10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

11Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(B)

16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.

18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

19And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),

20For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.

Let me just highlight a few points here from this Scripture. Verse 10 – Be strong in the Lord – He empowers us. He is the source of all things good. Realize that you are not just fighting in your own strength, but that His strength is the constitution of your strength. Life is a struggle, but the warfare we are entering into goes beyond our personal lives. This is a corporate battle that the church is facing, not just personal day to day battles. Satan’s desire is to keep us individually focused and not corporately empowered. We have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for and a banner to fight under. In addition there are rules that govern this war. We are Christian soldiers called to stand our post and ready our position. The enemy has launched his schemes, but now is the time for Christians to be strong hearted and well armed! The battle is before us and we will win!

Courage is a must! Be strong! Strong for giving of yourselves to every need, ready to kneel and pray, excited to be captured in His presence, prepared to unsheathe your sword and fight, conversive with expressions of truth and justice! Willing and Able to give your all and place your earthly position below a heavenly calling. This is a season for strength in your spiritual walk and to take courage for they are necessary in this spiritual battle. We will not survive in our own strength! We cannot depend on man’s ways, but must tune into the provision of His strength. Our natural courage is spinelessness and our natural strength is weakness, but when we are consumed by His strength we are strong and able to defeat the oppression of the enemy. Our sufficiency is Christ! We are sufficient in Him. We are sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. In Him we live, move and have our being! Press in! Press into the things of God! Lean on and trust in Him! The oppression is strong, but He, God within us, is stronger than all the oppressor can propose.

It is by Faith in God that we will be able to find His grace to help us in every battle we may face and in this current battle. We are not able within ourselves to defeat this enemy. Stir yourselves up to reach beyond all that is before us. It is time to “man-up” and stand your ground in your own spiritual walk! Stand up against those things that so easily cause us to stumble! This is the time to set aside casual worship and press into the Holy Place! There is no more room for lukewarmness, but only room for strength. The battle will be bloody. There will be wounded soldiers along the way. There needs to be a group of followers of Jesus Christ who can not only live fully embracing all that God has given us, but in addition they must be able to care for the wounded and lead them to safety! Prepare to fight! Prepare to fight with one hand while the other is busy about caring for those around us! Fight! Fight! Fight! Rely on God’s all-sufficiency and the omnipotence of His might.

Verse 11 encourages us to put on the whole armor of God! Notice that it is not man-made armor. It is armor that God supplies and found only in His presence. How can a soldier be supplied if he never goes to the supply depot? When was the last time you went into your prayer closet to be suited with the armor God supplies! Soldiers will die without proper armor! Human strategies and weapons will not defeat this enemy! It will take the supernatural impartation from a living God! Supernatural armor! God’s armor is complete we are covered from head to toe! God prepares it and gives it to us! This is not a call to just try on the helmet and see if it is enough. Those who do not pursue all that God has for us will be left vulnerable or exposed for the attack of the enemy! Our safety is in the full armor of God – truth, integrity, moral rectitude, right standing with God, preparation, Gospel of peace, saving faith, salvation, the Spirit of God and the Word of God. We are commanded to put it on! Christians! Put your armor on and Fight! Your ability to stand is dependent upon the armor in which you are wearing!

The Gathering!

At various points over the past two years during times of Praise and Worship, I have literally heard the drum beat of heaven. It was a call for us to gather together and prepare. This call was an assembling of the troops and preparation for battle. Now, the enemy has begun his onslaught and heaven has called us to Fight! To the intercessors! Again, I call you to your post.

2 Chronicles 7

14If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

I have also been reminded of “D” Day during World War II. If you are a student of history you know the significance of this battle. This battle was the turning point in the larger war. There were many plans that went into the success of that day even though there was significant loss of life. Long before the gathering of the troops a false plan was attached to a dead soldier and the body was set adrift so that it would find its way into the enemy’s camp. This false plan was received by the enemy and they began to plan their defense. Little did they know that it was a false plan. Meanwhile the allied forces were gathering and planning the offensive, training and accumulating all they needed to succeed. While they were doing this they further convinced the enemy of the false plan by seeming to gather with fake planes, equipment and limited personnel near the location of the false battle. The enemy had no clue.

We know the results of “D” Day. It was a bloody battle, but it changed the course of the war. From that point forward the allied forces were able to advance until ultimately the war in Europe was over.

Habakkuk 2:2-3

2And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by.

3For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.

From this scripture we learn that there are appointed times. We know from other scriptures that there are seasons. Part of the success of “D” day was timing. Had they invaded too early the troops and equipment might not have been enough. If they had waited one more day the probability of the enemy discovering the real plan was more likely. Exact timing is crucial. I believe that the next 5 months will be significant in the spiritual war. This is a time to fight! The time for sitting idolly by is over. Christian must hit their knees and begin to pray. In addition, they MUST speak up and not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Miss California has taken a stand and this should encourage all of us to begin to speak out. This is not a time for the church to be silent. It is a time to advance the Kingdom of God.

The Call to Take Up Arms!

Begin the battle cry! All armies are divided into hierchical authority structures. So too is the Lords army. We are scattered and gathered into different groupings. When the command is given by the General, this command is then shared with those next in rank with him the Brigadier, then the Colonel, Lt. Colonel, etc. until the command is heard by all those waiting and expecting a command. Each time the command is shared the influence and power of that command grows. Like a wave this command builds until all have heard and respond appropriately. The command to fight has been given. As we add our voices of proclamation of all that is righteous and good others will hear and respond. Like a wave of influence this call to fight will gather strength! As we proclaim in our homes and to our neighbors the goodness of God other voices will be emboldened and join with our voice. Sound the alarm and proclaim the goodness of God and liberty will be given to all who are captive. We must proclaim Christian values and live Christian truths!

Now! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Nehemiah 4

1BUT WHEN Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and in a great rage, and he ridiculed the Jews.

2And he said before his brethren and the army of Samaria, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things [at will and by themselves]? Will they [try to bribe their God] with sacrifices? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burned?

3Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him, and he said, What they build--if a fox climbs upon it, he will break down their stone wall.

4[And Nehemiah prayed] Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their taunts upon their own heads, and give them for a prey in a land of their captivity.

5Cover not their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have vexed [with alarm] the builders and provoked You.

6So we built the wall, and all [of it] was joined together to half its height, for the people had a heart and mind to work.

7But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were going up and that the breaches were being closed, they were very angry.

8And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem, to injure and cause confusion and failure in it.

9But because of them we made our prayer to our God and set a watch against them day and night.

10And [the leaders of] Judah said, The strength of the burden bearers is weakening, and there is much rubbish; we are not able to work on the wall.

11And our enemies said, They will not know or see till we come into their midst and kill them and stop the work.

12And when the Jews who lived near them came, they said to us ten times, You must return [to guard our little villages]; from all places where they dwell they will be upon us.

13So I set [armed men] behind the wall in places where it was least protected; I even thus used the people as families with their swords, spears, and bows.

14I looked [them over] and rose up and said to the nobles and officials and the other people, Do not be afraid of the enemy; [earnestly] remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.

15And when our enemies heard that their plot was known to us and that God had frustrated their purpose, we all returned to the wall, everyone to his work.

In Nehemiah 4, we see a sceanerio similar to that of “D” day except the opposite is happening. The enemy wished to destroy Nehemiah and the Jews as they began to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In this chapter we see that the enemy’s secret plan is overheard and the enemy’s attack was defeated before it ever started.

The earthly atmosphere is very similar today to the time reflected here. Samballat and Tobiah were mocking the Jews and the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. They were angry and had great indignation toward the Jews. They were troubled that someone would dare trust and believe in the living God. As long as Jerusalem had no walls their advasaries could rule and reign over it. They despised it and made it the subject of their ridicule. They mocked it until it was too late to do anything about the wall being built. I believe similarly that Christians are being mocked. Political and social leaders believe that we as Christians are just waisting our time. They see our worship as fruitless efforts. They build and trust in the seen, but have no knowledge of the unseen. They too will be surprised as we begin to fight. They will be surprised at how quickly and formatable the rebuilding of the walls of Christianity will prove to be. Scoffers build one another up. They are focused on their statements and scoffers love to gather with other scoffers. It may seem that all we hear are those who would rather ridicule Christianity. That is the pervaisive voice in our media. Coexist! Pastor Zink recently shared a poinient thought regarding the United States of America. In essesence they say Christianity is limiting and intolerant but it is only the liberty of a Christian Nation that allows these religions to coexist! They want us to believe that Christianity is wrong and that there is nothing right in it. Go to a Muslim nation and open a Christian Church. You will be beheaded in most. Many good works have been looked upon with contempt by proud and haughty scorners. Remember, when the voice of justice, righteousness and truth begin to be pronounced, it will be like a building wave as others begin to feel the liberty to rise and join their voice.

Nehemiah’s response to these scorners is notable. He did not become discouraged or lose courage. He did not answer these fools. He looked up to God by prayer. Nehemiah asked God to take notice of all the wrongs and injustices done to them. In one translation Nehemiah’s prayer is recorded, “Hear, O our God! for we are despised.” Nehemiah continues by asking God to avenge them and turn the reproach upon the enemies themselves. These were more prophetic utterances more than just prayer. In this time of intercession we must pray prophetic prayers! Nehemiah continues by praying and we see that the reproach is not against us but against God. Do not take offense at the scoffers. Realize that God will avenge for Himself. Their justice is coming! Our job is to pray, walk in obedience and Fight!

In Nehemiah 4:14 we see that Nehemiah begins to remind the people of the characteristics of the God they serve! ALL were called to the battle. This battle cry is for ALL believers to begin to stand and pray! Not just silent prayers. Pray over your meals, pray over your family in the mornings. Pray! Boldness conquers fear! Allow God’s boldness to be upon you! Nehemiah says, “Remember the Lord, who is great and terrible.” Many of us have placed our enemy as greater than our God. There is no one greater than the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! He is God and there is no other. We must remember the greatness of the one in whose army we are enlisted. Many of us have in the forefront of our minds the terrible things that will happen to us if we improperly represent the King in whose kingdom we belong. They say we are terrible because we are “forcing” our religion on others. They say we should be more considerate and more tolerant. Do they know how terrible it will be for them if they do not come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Do they know just how terrible hell is and that the only way to avoid it is to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? It will be terrible for them if we do not show them the way. Our course should also remind us that it will be terrible for us if we cannot hear the words, “well done my good and faithful servant.” A healthy fear of God is the best perscription for curing the captivating fear of men. When the enemy found that their plans were discovered they knew the surprise was lost and that they would not be able to defeat Israel. When our enemy hears the battle cry of Christians, it will too late for them to defeat the Kingdom of God.

Conclusion

Fight! Fight! Fight! On your knees and with your voice!

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Waiting on God

Waiting on God

By David A. Wheeler

Introduction

Yesterday during the service, the theme of Waiting on God seemed to run through several parts of the service. During worship, we sang a new song with this theme. During the ministry of the Word our guest speaker, Craig Keuhn said, “There are many who do not understand waiting on God.” I felt impressed to write a few thoughts regarding this issue and pull from some past studies.

The most notable Scripture regarding this issue is Isaiah 40:31:

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

 The Purpose in Waiting

Man has accomplished many things to overcome waiting:

• Drive-through for food, prescriptions, even viewings of loved ones gone before

• Microwaves to cook our food quicker than the fire.

• Cell phones so that we can instantly call someone or someone can call us.

• Email/ Instant Messaging - we can immediately send a message without paper, envelope and stamp

• Self serve check-out, gas

• Instant credit / credit cards - need we say more?

What are you waiting on God for? New job, Home, Spouse, Car, Computer, Ministry Opportunity - Something else? Waiting on God is difficult. Waiting in our fast paced society can be frustrating. Waiting challenges our inabilities. In an independent society, we are called to be dependent on God and this just goes against the grain of our earthly experience. While we are waiting, we can feel trapped and without provision. Emotionally we can feel desperate, distressed, weak, oppressed, constrained, helpless, needy and powerless.

As we examine the Scriptures, we can find the purposes of waiting. In Isaiah 40:31 “waiting” is linked with “strength.” In the New International Reader’s Version Isaiah 40:31 says we “will gain new strength”. It is not just the renewing of a worn out soldier that occurs, but the gaining of new strength as well. I have three different examples of waiting in this context of gaining strength:

The first is like a dam. Water accumulates, the pressure on that dam builds and eventually it will break if there is no way to release that harnessed power. In addition, building a dam allows for the characteristics of the river and riverbed to be changed and the harnessed power released in a controlled manner or in an uncontrolled manner like a flood. God’s desire for our life is for us to wait for Him so that we can build strength. There may be a need for us to wait until we are broken in order for His will to be accomplished. In this case, the force of the water will be so significant that it causes us to overcome the evil that is before us. In other cases, He may choose to release the harnessed power within us as it is needed to accomplish His will. Another scenario would be that the dam would not break and there is not a controlled release. In this scenario eventually there would be overflow or blessings. The river is the river of God flowing in our lives. The riverbed is a reflection of the changes God has made in our life. They are deep and sometimes hidden from view. The process of waiting in this example allows the flow of God to happen in our lives while we are being changed. Notice that it is a process of learning how to allow God to change us and flow through us. In this process, you will remain stationary or where you are at and God will flow through you.

The second example that came to mind to describe waiting is that of a locomotive, an old steam engine from the Wild West. A steam engine would continue to build steam while the fire is being stoked. Or as the fire goes out, the lack of heat would cause the dispensation of the steam. This process of waiting on God and the building of strength would be for movement. In the process as the steam builds and there is a controlled release, the energy produced will move not only those things that are ahead of the locomotive, but also the source of and the processing center of that energy or strength. In addition, the strength that is gained here is not just to propel the locomotive, but will also enable it to transfer a large load from one place to another. While the dam is stationary, the locomotive is an example of gaining of strength for movement.

Other Byproducts of Waiting

I remember growing up and there were times when my mother would cook something good using a pressure cooker. This is the third example. Again, it is dependent on the heat being applied and the seal being tight so that leakage did not occur. I can hear the tick of the pot as the steam would build and the release of the pressure would occur in the controlled top. You not only were able to hear that something was cooking, but there was a residue in the air of something good. As the time would go by, our taste buds would begin to be awakened and those that gathered expectancy and anticipation would rise of the meal to come. Sometimes we are that pressure cooker and there is something good happening on the inside of us. We want to share it with all those around. They sense that something is happening on the inside, but the timing of the full release is not just right. God has not completed the work yet. The fragrance of our prayers for release pierce the air encouraging others that something good is coming. This same fragrance should encourage others to get in their own pressure cooker to allow God to change them. God’s work in us should encourage those around us to conform to the image of Christ. I’m sure this is the kind of waiting and anticipation that our Lord Jesus Christ experienced prior to the disciples knowing that He was raised from the dead. Another example would be the disciples’ anticipation and expectancy of the promise of the Comforter at the Day of Pentecost. And, this should be our anticipation and expectancy of Rapture of the church. It may be Friday, but Sunday’s on its way!

Waiting upon God protects us, deepens our trust in Him, forces us to seek His ways and brings Him the most glory. Waiting upon God is exercising confidence in God’s timing and help during difficult times. It allows us to build confidence in God, not in our own resources. Times of waiting are times the Lord is testing whether we are really seeking Him and His ways. Waiting prepares us to recognize and embrace future fulfillments of His promises. When we have learned to recognize His timing, we will be able to discern more clearly what is worldly and what is God. Each fulfillment of a waited promise prepares us for His ultimate return and keeps us open to Him without delay and able to enjoy His presence. Each fulfillment is similar to the joy of resurrection.

There is also Growth or Change as we wait. Waiting on God is a crucial step in which our dependence upon God grows. When we receive blessings without being humble, it brings increased susceptibility to temptation. Humility keeps us from pride. Pride will cause us to pursue things with selfish ambition, where we would otherwise forget the Lord. We also grow by learning to wait on the Lord for needed supply.

Who's Waiting?

I can’t discuss the issue of waiting without asking this question, “Are you waiting on God or is He waiting on you?” You should be waiting on God and He is often waiting on you! God has given us a number of promises in His word that we are encouraged to wait on Him for their fulfillment. Hebrews 10:23:

So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.

In addition to the promises in His Word, we should wait upon the Lord for the things He has spoken in our hearts. Habakkuk 2:2-3:

2 And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behind on its appointed day. [Heb. 10:37, 38]

God is waiting on us. God’s will is not a difficult subject. His desires are plainly stated within the scriptures. We often get so distracted on what we are waiting upon God for that we forget to wait (i.e. serve) on God. He is waiting - for us to live a separated, holy life, for us to trust Him completely, for us to “go and make disciples”, for us to love the unlovely, reach the unreachable, change the unchangeable through Him! We are His feet, His hands, His eyes, and His heart!

Maturity and Trust in God

In Galatians 5:22-23, we have a description of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law {that can bring a charge].

The Fruit of the Spirit is singular. You cannot possess one part of the Fruit of the Spirit and not possess the other. If you have the Fruit of the Spirit active in your life you should manifest all aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit indicates maturity. The Gifts of the Spirit indicate calling. One aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit is patience. The Greek word, “makrothumia”, translated “patience” there are two root meanings that are translated “long” and “anger”. Patience then is literally translated “take a long time to get angry”. In waiting on God, we must be patient.

Patience is forbearance, self-control, moderation, restraint, tolerance, leniency, and mercy. Patience is NOT just a feeling, an instantaneous supernatural power, just external behavior, passive or indifferent. Patience is a Christian virtue because it is intimately tied to our faith, and faith is required as we wait on God.

Waiting on God means that you trust God. Author of Just Me & the Kids, Barbara Schiller, in an article in Christian Parenting Today Magazine (Nov/Dec 1998, Vol. 11, No. 2, Page 72) said, “He [God] alone can grant perfect timing to the events of our lives.” In the same article she stated, “Waiting on God is intricately linked with trusting that He alone knows what is best for us.” Waiting on God, then, is the adjustment of our lives to the truth concerning Him, which we know God is the one unchanging fact from everlasting to everlasting. Waiting on God means putting this life, which has so many uncertainties, into right relationship with Him of whom we can be absolutely and everlastingly certain. Waiting on God means that you adjust your life to Him rather than to circumstance, and that you set your hope on Him rather than on the wittiness and cleverness of men. Waiting on God means that definite personal activity is busily occupied in adjusting the whole fact and circumstances of life to the unchangeable and unalterable fact of God.

Entrenched

The Hebrew word translated “waiting” …has affinity with a word that means “to entrench.” God works for him that entrenches himself in Him. The idea of waiting for God here is that of digging ourselves into God. So waiting on God means learning more about Him and His ways, digging into His word and His heart. Waiting on God means readiness for any command; that state of perpetual suspense which listens for the word in order that it may be immediately obeyed. Waiting on God means power to do nothing except under His command and power to do anything under His command. Waiting on God needs strength rather than weakness. It is strength that holds strength in check – remember the dam –its strength to hold the water has to be greater than the strength of the water.

Validate and Justify! 

Validate what you are waiting on God for. There are several ways in which you substantiate or validate your waiting. Confide in other spiritual leaders in whom you trust. Ask them to pray and seek wisdom on your behalf as to the validity of what you are waiting for. Seek scriptural references that literally confirm the promise. Be “pregnant” with the vision, anticipating its fulfillment. Sometimes the challenges you face for the fulfillment of what you are waiting for is a sign that it is not from God. Pray and allow God to lead you.

Justify the waiting. Waiting should never prevent you from fulfilling God’s will in the “Now!” There are many things you can do that are God’s will that you have already been given the ability to accomplish. Feeding the poor, loving someone in trouble or visiting someone in the hospital can be performed today!

Planning While you Wait!

Waiting is a struggle. Part of the timing issues is knowing when to wait and when to take action or knowing when to take control and letting God take care of things. Planning is not wrong, but there are right and wrong ways of making plans. Life without God is secularism. Stress and our response is a good indicator of our dependence on God. Chapters 29-32 of Isaiah give several instructions on developing plans.

There are several examples of planning in the wrong way. The first is that we cannot believe that we can hide our plans from God. Isaiah 29:15

15Woe to those who [seek to] hide deep from the Lord their counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, Who sees us? Who knows us?

God does see all that we do. Even the plans we have hidden in our hearts.

Secondly, we must be careful not to reject God’s plans for our lives. Isaiah 30:1-12

1WOE TO the rebellious children, says the Lord, who take counsel and carry out a plan, but not Mine, and who make a league and pour out a drink offering, but not of My Spirit, thus adding sin to sin;

2Who set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked Me--to flee to the stronghold of Pharaoh and to strengthen themselves in his strength and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

3Therefore shall the strength and protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt be to your humiliation and confusion.

4For though [Pharaoh's] officials are at Zoan and his ambassadors arrive at Hanes [in Egypt],

5Yet will all be ashamed because of a people [the Egyptians] who cannot profit them, who are not a help or benefit, but a shame and disgrace.

6A mournful, inspired prediction (a burden to be lifted up) concerning the beasts of the South (the Negeb): Oh, the heavy burden, the load of treasures going to Egypt! Through a land of trouble and anguish, in which are lioness and lion, viper and fiery flying serpent, they carry their riches upon the shoulders of young donkeys, and their treasures upon the humps of camels, to a people that will not and cannot profit them.

7For Egypt's help is worthless and toward no purpose. Therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.

8Now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be as a witness for the time to come forevermore.

9For this is a rebellious people, faithless and lying sons, children who will not hear the law and instruction of the Lord;

10Who [virtually] say to the seers [by their conduct], See not! and to the prophets, Prophesy not to us what is right! Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceitful illusions.

11Get out of the true way, turn aside out of the path, cease holding up before us the Holy One of Israel.

12Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: Because you despise and spurn this [My] word and trust in cunning and oppression, in crookedness and perverseness, and rely on them,

We must be careful to know the plans of God and not reject those plans. Rejecting those plans and not waiting for Him is rejecting God!

Thirdly, Godly counsel is a must in the planning process. Not only in laying out those plans, but also in the implementation of those plans we must seek the counsel of the Lord. Isaiah 31:1-3

1WOE TO those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they look not to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek and consult the Lord!

2And yet He is wise and brings calamity and does not retract His words; He will arise against the house (the whole race) of evildoers and against the helpers of those who work iniquity.

3Now the Egyptians are men and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit; and when the Lord stretches out His hand, both [Egypt] who helps will stumble, and [Judah] who is helped will fall, and they will all perish and be consumed together.

I am again reminded of the Scripture found in Psalms 20:7 which encourages us to trust in God.

7Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God.

Waiting is all about learning to trust God and His plans, His timing!

The last example that I would like to present in regarding waiting on God and the wrong way to plan is that we cannot give ourselves to foolish planning. Isaiah 32:5-7

5The fool (the unbeliever and the ungodly) will no more be called noble, nor the crafty and greedy [for gain] said to be bountiful and princely.

6For the fool speaks folly and his mind plans iniquity: practicing profane ungodliness and speaking error concerning the Lord, leaving the craving of the hungry unsatisfied and causing the drink of the thirsty to fail.

7The instruments and methods of the fraudulent and greedy [for gain] are evil; he devises wicked devices to ruin the poor and the lowly with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is just and right.

Foolish planning is a result of our own greed and desires, not God’s. It is in essence the opposite of what God desires in us.

Making plans the wrong way leads us to destruction. We focus on what we might do. God’s plans are usually larger than we believe is possible. We do not think we can carry out God’s design. We lower our standards. We adopt lesser goals. We accomplish them. We are proud of our accomplishments. We encourage others to do the same.

In addition to seeing the wrong ways of planning there are right ways to plan. The first is to look and identify what it is that God is planning. Isaiah 29:16

16[Oh, your perversity!] You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be considered of no more account than the clay? Shall the thing that is made say of its maker, He did not make me; or the thing that is formed say of him who formed it, He has no understanding?

 Embrace Your Destiny

We were made for a purpose. This Scripture is key to our understanding that we submit to what God has made us for. Waiting is sometime necessary to discover our purpose in life and to discover and fully embrace what God desires to do through us in the earth. Our planning must include discovering God’s desires for our lives.

Secondly, we must learn to accept God’s plans for our lives. Sometimes waiting helps us work through our earthly desires and emotional challenges to accept what God has planned for us. We all want to hear God say “Well done my good and faithful servant…” Being a servant is not natural in our society and in the post “Adam and Eve” world. Isaiah 30:18-22

18And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!(A)

19O people who dwell in Zion at Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.

20And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more, but your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher.

21And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.

22Then you will defile your carved images overlaid with silver and your molten images plated with gold; you will cast them away as a filthy bloodstained cloth, and you will say to them, Be gone!

Accepting God’s plans brings freedom!

Thirdly, waiting on God and planning the right way requires that we see God’s plans. Isaiah 31:4-9

4For the Lord has said to me, As the lion or the young lion growls over his prey--and though a large band of shepherds is called out against him, he will not be terrified at their voice or daunted at their noise--so the Lord of hosts will come down to fight upon Mount Zion and upon its hills.

5Like birds hovering, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; He will protect and deliver it, He will pass over and spare and preserve it.

6Return, O children of Israel, to Him against Whom you have so deeply plunged into revolt.

7For in that day every man of you will cast away [in contempt and disgust] his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your own hands have sinfully made for you.

8Then the Assyrian shall fall by a sword not of man; and a sword, not of men [but of God], shall devour him. And he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be subjected to forced labor.

9[In his flight] he shall pass beyond his rock [refuge and stronghold] because of terror; even his officers shall desert the standard in fear and panic, says the Lord, Whose fire is in Zion and Whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

We must see that only God’s plans will survive and lead to our deliverance. All of our attempts and man made plans will fail. All of our worship of things we have made with our hands will fade away. Only God and His plans will last. We must not see our own makings, but the makings of God and God alone. For planning to succeed we must embrace and see God’s plans.

Lastly, is found in Isaiah 32:8

8But the noble, openhearted, and liberal man devises noble things; and he stands for what is noble, openhearted, and generous.

We must openly support those plans that are from God. In this verse you could replace the word “Nobel” with “Godly”. Our open support is necessary to further the Gospel. God’s plans require us to be the instruments of its fulfillment. We must openly support the things of God. Waiting does not mean we are silent, but there must be a clarion call.

Making plans the right way leads us to everlasting life. We focus on what we and God can do. We have faith and believe we can carry out God’s design. We raise our standards. We adopt larger goals. God accomplishes His plans through us. God receives all the glory of our accomplishments. We inspire others to trust God.

Conclusion 

Remember Three Aspects of Waiting on God

There are three important aspects to waiting upon God:

1. Trust – Trusting is a product of waiting on God. We must ultimately learn to trust God and His timing. Waiting challenges us to dig deep into what God has for us. It deepens our relationship with God and other servants of Christ. Can we wait patiently, will we get ahead of God? Will we miss the timing of God and be behind Him instead of right in step with Him. This is our test. Without God we will fail as we turn to our own resources.

2. Reject – We must consistently turn away from all that is not God. Man made idols will lead to our destruction. We must reject all that is not His plan for our lives and turn our lives completely to His care. We cannot trust man-made resources and supply, only those things that are divinely inspired by Him.

3. Pray – Prayer in the season of waiting is a must. Don’t pray for your specific use in the plans of God, instead pray for the fulfillment of God’s plans whether you are what He chooses to use or not! Ultimately, we are not what matter, it is the plans of God and their fulfillment that matter.

Waiting on God can be difficult and at times painful, but a necessary part of our relationship with Him! Our relationship with God is strengthened as we learn to trust and rely on God and His timing. With our microwave mentality, it is easy to expect the things of God instantaneously. Like a child eagerly awaits his birthday to receive gifts and have a party, we are more tuned into how we can receive verses than how we can give. When our focus is distracted on receiving, we often miss the opportunities to wait on God in our service to Him and others and give. As you wait on God, you will gain strength, learn to trust Him and fulfill His will by serving others.

Psalm 25:3-5.

3 Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.

4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.

5 Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

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Restoration

Restoration

By David Wheeler

Introduction

Zechariah 10:1 Ask rain from the LORD in the season of the spring rain, from the LORD who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.

Over the past three to four weeks I have sensed that we were in a season of restoration. God is all about restoring those good things that have been lost in our lives. Restoration is the returning of things once possessed. God’s activity in the earth today should encourage us that He is God! And God is still active and knows the outcome. Restoration is manifesting itself in several different ways.

Restoring of Relationships 

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

One manifestation is the restoring of relationships. Some of these relationships are long lost friendships. Some are broken or strained family relationships. In either case, God wants to restore and bring to wholeness these relationships in our lives. Many of these relationships are being restored not because there was a problem, but you have simply lost touch with one another. I encourage you to reach out to those where relationships have been strained or lost and allow God’s restoring work to happen. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you recall relationships that have simply faded and believe for opportunities of restoration. Have you been “holding” on for a prodigal to come home? Well, this is the season of Restoration!

 Restoring Prosperity

Zechariah 9:12 says

"Return to the stronghold (of security and prosperity), you prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will restore double your former prosperity to you."

Another manifestation is the restoring of prosperity. Prosperity is more than finances. Prosperity is health, happiness, and peace in our lives. Many have slipped into worry and doubt about God and His ability to keep us and provide health, happiness and peace. His hand is not too short. He is still in the miracle working business. Don’t lean to your own understanding, but find yourself in His understanding. Prosperity is also about finances. I believe that God will begin to show Himself in our lives in this area if we dare to trust Him. Be ready to sell or rent property. Be ready to receive pay raises or even get a new job. Focus every loss on what God can restore. Our faith in Him cannot waver, but must remain steadfast. Trust Him completely.

Isaiah 49

1Listen to me) O coastlands,

and give attention, you peoples) from afar.

The LORD called me from the womb,

from the body of my mother he named my name.

2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword;

in the shadow of his hand he hid me;

he made me a polished arrow;

in his quiver he hid me away.

3And he said to me, "You are my servant,

Israel, in whom I will be glorified."

4 But I said, "I have labored in vain;

I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;

yet surely my right is with the LORD,

and my recompense with my God."

5 And now the LORD says,

he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,

to bring Jacob back to him;

and that Israel might be gathered to him—

for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD,

and my God has become my strength—

6he says:"It is too light a thing that you should be my servant

to raise up the tribes of Jacob

and to bring back the preserved of Israel;

I will make you as a light for the nations,

that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

7Thus says the LORD,

the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,

to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation,

the servant of rulers:

"Kings shall see and arise;

princes, and they shall prostrate themselves;

because of the LORD, who is faithful,

the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."

8Thus says the LORD: "In a time of favor I have answered you;

in a day of salvation I have helped you;

I will keep you and give you

as a covenant to the people,

to establish the land,

to apportion the desolate heritages,

9 saying to the prisoners, 'Come out,'

to those who are in darkness, 'Appear.'

They shall feed along the ways;

on all bare heights shall be their pasture;

10 they shall not hunger or thirst,

neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them,

for he who has pity on them will lead them,

and by springs of water will guide them.

11 And I will make all my mountains a road,

and my highways shall be raised up.

12 Behold, these shall come from afar,

and behold, these from the north and from the west,

and these from the land of Syene."

13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;

break forth, O mountains, into singing!

For the LORD has comforted his people

and will have compassion on his afflicted.

14But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me;

my Lord has forgotten me."

15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child,

that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?

Even these may forget,

yet I will not forget you.

16Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

your walls are continually before me.

17Your builders make haste;

your destroyers and those who laid you waste go out from you.

18 Lift up your eyes around and see;

they all gather, they come to you.

As I live, declares the LORD,

you shall put them all on as an ornament;

you shall bind them on as a bride does.

19"Surely your waste and your desolate places

and your devastated land—

surely now you will be too narrow for your inhabitants,

and those who swallowed you up will be far away.

20 The children of your bereavement

will yet say in your ears:

'The place is too narrow for me;

make room for me to dwell in.'

21Then you will say in your heart:

'Who has borne me these?

I was bereaved and barren,

exiled and put away,

but who has brought up these?

Behold, I was left alone;

from where have these come?'"

22Thus says the Lord GOD:"Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations,

and raise my signal to the peoples;

and they shall bring your sons in their bosom,

and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.

23 Kings shall be your foster fathers,

and their queens your nursing mothers.

With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you,

and lick the dust of your feet.

Then you will know that I am the LORD;

those who wait for me shall not be put to shame."

24Can the prey be taken from the mighty,

or the captives of a tyrant be rescued?

25For thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken,

and the prey of the tyrant be rescued,

for I will contend with those who contend with you,

and I will save your children.

26 I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh,

and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine.

Then all flesh shall know

that I am the LORD your Savior,

and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

 The Hope of Restoration

I believe that during this season of restoration we will begin to see the Church thrive. God is gathering the sheep. Congregations will begin to grow. There will be some shifting of sheep among the individual churches. Where members have drifted away in the past, they will return. God is wooing those sheep that have drifted away from their primary pasture of service. He is wooing them to return to the shepherd they have been called to serve and follow. Those Christians who have lost their way in their journey with God will sense the need to return as well. Be ready to welcome them all. Allow God’s restorative power through love and acceptance to bring the church to wholeness.

2 Corinthians 5: 16-21 16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Lastly, I believe we will begin to see the real work of restoration begin to be poured out in winning the lost. Some have prayed for years or even given up on the lost. This is a season of restoration. God is all about restoring relationship with those who have not trusted Him in the past. Reach out of your places of comfort and welcome those who are searching! Welcome them in your home, your lunch times, and your schedules. Make room for the lost. Make room for them to find hope and healing! God’s restorative work is being released in the earth. This can be the greatest season of restoration if we will be diligent about serving, loving and caring for people. It is not about growing a church, but it is all about leading people to be a part of the Kingdom of God! Be watchful of those around you and be ready to respond to their needs.

Isaiah 54

1SING, O barren one, you who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who did not travail with child! For the [spiritual] children of the desolate one will be more than the children of the married wife, says the Lord.

2Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes,

3For you will spread abroad to the right hand and to the left; and your offspring will possess the nations and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

4Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame. For you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not [seriously] remember the reproach of your widowhood any more.

5For your Maker is your Husband--the Lord of hosts is His name--and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth He is called.

6For the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken, grieved in spirit, and heartsore--even a wife [wooed and won] in youth, when she is [later] refused and scorned, says your God.

7For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion and mercy I will gather you [to Me] again.

8In a little burst of wrath I hid My face from you for a moment, but with age-enduring love and kindness I will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.

9For this is like the days of Noah to Me; as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you.

10For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you.

11O you afflicted [city], storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in fair colors [in antimony to enhance their brilliance] and lay your foundations with sapphires.

12And I will make your windows and pinnacles of [sparkling] agates or rubies, and your gates of [shining] carbuncles, and all your walls [of your enclosures] of precious stones.

13And all your [spiritual] children shall be disciples [taught by the Lord and obedient to His will], and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children.

14You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness, in conformity with God's will and order): you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

15Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you.

16Behold, I have created the smith who blows on the fire of coals and who produces a weapon for its purpose; and I have created the devastator to destroy.

17But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.

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