Think of yourself in the waiting room and what do you do with your time?
I usually get me fingers going and taking in the blue light on my social media. But what "if" us believers were more intentional on a grander scale using our whole life, metaphorically, as being in the waiting room till Jesus returns.-
so when a situation arises what do we do?
recently on Dec. 9 i got a mole checked and my Dr. was alarmed and said, "I don't like the look of that!"
She gave me a name of a dermatologist. I called from the Dr. office and the number was disconnected. I went to the nurse to inform her the Dr. she gave me was not available. I prayed what will happen now I feel she scared me and I needed to be seen quickly. She went to the Dr. and within an hour my primary Dr. said she would shave biopsy it on Jan. 11. I had to wait. I prayed God not sooner. Then within 24 hours I met others with a cancer diagnosis on their skin, they quickly reassured me God is in control and if I needed to get in soon that He would make it happen. It was not happening, so I calmed down and said what do I do in the waiting.
I did exactly what I was trained to do in 1997 when I had panic and anxiety attacks. The Lord back then had all my attention. I made a list of all that's going on. Being very honest of every thought I have had in a day. Even if I thought about a relationship, one of my prayer request from a friend. even a concern of a child. Everything! That gets every real thing down and I'm looking at it. Even my what "if's"
Like what if I don't get an answer of what this is that week? What if it grows bigger and worse?
Next I remember the very important verses that warn me about this "what if" kind of thoughts!
Stinking Thinking!
2 Cor. 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." NIV
2 COR. 10:5 "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ." THE MSG
WHAT type of thoughts
Think about what you are thinking: all thoughts captive to Christ.
Imagination, arguments of the fight and what you could and could not say (these thoughts keep wanting you to pick up the phone and keep that unproductive work going), impulsive loose thoughts (thoughts can come from nowhere and fly out of your mouth, where are they from you, evil, or God), truth, lies,
The list puts them in front of your eyes and now you go through them asking:
is this true, is it a lie, where did the thought come from (me, God, evil one), the true vs. lie test fits for all thoughts impulsive, loose, imagination. We need the hard cold facts, pray!
Distinguish, act on now, later, never.
You see I am asking for the opportunity to grow through this waiting process or trial.
Opportunity vs. depression, anxiety, worry.
What else does God have to say about these things?
Matt. 6:24 Don't worry about tomorrow.
Phil. 4:6-7 Do not be anxious for anything. Thru prayer and petition and thanksgiving (emphasis added) present your requests to God and He will guard your MIND AND HEART in Christ our Lord.
Whose in control?
Psalm 139 - God knows you so well. In the end of this psalm is an examination of your heart. Search me and know me see if there is anything in me. God reveal it.
Waiting, listening, hearing. In the story of the transfiguration my greatest take away, God says, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him."
Question:
Slow down, sit down, quiet down. Are you seeing and listening that this is best for you right now.
I memorized Psalm 139. yes! Put it on index cards and took it with me everywhere. Others I memorized all the 5 verses of assurance (find them google Navigator 5 assurance verses for memorizing. click on quizlet, a least that's at the top of my google search. Front page is flash cards with the 5), Is. 23:6 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.,
Phil. 1:6 "He who began a work in you will carry it on to completion.",
Phil. 4:8 Whatever is true, noble, right, pure lovely, admirable, trustworthy, excellent, praiseworthy think on such things.,
Galatians 5:22 fruits of the spirit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (pray for these),
Col 1:9-12 (memorized the elements from the prayer, which states if we desire God and want to glorify and please Him (that is my reason for living following His will)) we can ask for and expect, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, bearing fruit, strength, power, endurance, patience-giving joyful thanks to the Father, (get this) who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light (wow!), 2 Tim. 1:7 "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (remember it this way God gives us P.LS.) I read through the Psalms.
You are probably like: What! Huh! This is a lot, but wait let me explain. This is a more comprehensive list that I have learned over years. What's your list? Compiling a list of works in your waiting room is what is important. Your list. What is working to allow you to feel the peace and joy that Jesus wanted to leave us? A mode of hearing from God.
At the end of the waiting room and you are on the other side of a circumstance it's important to have your story ready to glorify God.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." NIV
I maybe sounding to perky here right now. Like the result of your waiting room is all good news. When my mom died I felt the weight of it all and when I got on the other side of it (timing is different for everyone) I was and still missing my mom. But I could say stories of God's guiding hand helping me get through it, seeing Him, hearing Him supporting me comforting me. Things like I can't do this. I can't see her dead or I can't get through were not able to come out of me because I prayed and I was guided to, Elaine you can do all things with me who strengthens you Phil. 4:13.,
"Blessed are those who are grieving for they will be comforted." My response, but how God, how, Help me. The pain was so great! From knowing what God says about death helped me to navigate this difficult time.
" Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 1 Thess. 4:13" We grieve differently with the hope.
Getting now finally to: This past week I concentrated on Phil. 4:8, Gal. 5:22, Col. 1:9-12, Rememorizing Ps. 139.
Also the day of my surgery which was now Feb. 1,2024. I really had waited, but I woke up that morning with this. My devotion for the exact day was;
I woke up to this glorious revelation! I'm having my procedure at 1250ish. My devo says the title "Praying for Healing". How great that this devo coincides with this procedure day and my circumstance. Coincidence? Oh no!! The reading on prayer is very insightful! What a mighty God we serve comes on my mind! I think of the children's song and quickly find it on you tube, filling my mind with this playful fun song.
Driving to the hospital that song is my only thing on my mind. A nurse walks me back to my room and I pass a big window with the sun shining through. I say what a beautiful day, what a blessing. He responds well to that so I say this brings up what I have been singing all morning and I sing the stanza, "What a might God we serve, what a mighty God we serve, angels go before Him, heaven and earth adore Him, what a mighty God we serve." He says yes. I say I try to focus on the important things looking upward, heavenly. He said, "I teach my kids that each morning to get up and do the same."
I say, "Can I ask are you a Christian?" He says, "Yes, can you tell?" I say I was wondering and guessing you would say yes, Next he says, "My wife and I love to tell her testimony. I tell it as much as I can for God." Here's the story:
His wife when she was 15 years old was working with butter all over hands in the kitchen, when a friend called her to the balcony outside to tell her something. When she went out her hands were still slippery. The friend talked a couple of balconies away and suddenly as his wife leaned forward she fell over down 3 stories. She crack her head, bled out from her nose and ear and fell into unconsciousness. They rushed her to the hospital and did a scan on her brain and found damage. The village were all praying for her. For some reason hours later they redid the scan and they miraculously saw no damage. She was completely healed. A miracle. Someone pointed out the spot where she fell is the place where they come together once a week to pray. He said from that day she would never doubt that Jesus is real.
I took a prayer request from another nurse. I just asked after she took such good care of me, "If you don't mind I would like to pray for you, what could I ask of the Lord?" She looked up surprised and was like as a matter of fact, "Yes! I am newly married and within the year we will be starting a family and buying a house and I would like it to be close to this hospital." I said "I would ask God to give her a sign and don't settle for just any house make a list." My surgeon came in and my husband I talked with her for about a 1/2 hour. She looked at my book and asked, "What are you reading." We got into a discussion and I found out she knew the Narnia books and C.S. Lewis. It was a delight because my surgery was delayed for 1/2 hour.
In Psalm 139 the Psalmist says, "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways."
He knows! He knows friend what you are going through. The bible says he knows yesterday, today and tomorrow. Friend give it to him and fix your eyes on what He gives you each day. Ask Him what do you want me to read today. I am no one special. What he did for me He will help guide you and get you through also.
Let's pray:
Lord here is my list__________(go thru it with Him). Help me. What should I read, memorize or forgive? Forgive me for the times I did not listen or see, guide me. Thank you Father the promise of knowing me and showing me. Amen.
Giving makes me feel like I'm living, says...Author Mitch Albom
If you do not know Jesus personally and want to start to learn how to just Pray, Jesus I want to know you. Amen.
you must know....with Easter as our next Holy day...Jesus died and rose from death to paid for our sin. (we all fall short of the glorious plan of God, We are all born with a condition of separation from God) God has paid for us the penalty we deserve. He did this by dying on the cross. He is risen. We know can have full access to Him through His death and resurrection. This new life is forgiveness of sin and life eternally with Christ. This new life can only be find in Jesus. Jesus rose and went to heaven seated at the right hand of the Father. He did not leave us alone. He said the Holy Spirit will be our guide.
Say to the Father you believe, thank Him for his plan and thank Him for the Holy Spirit who now resides in you. I now turn from going my way and I want to follow you from this day forward. Amen.
Find a good bible believing church and stay powered up in prayer. Jesus loves you and wants to hold your hand to guide you. Do not let the evil one take this prayer away from you and try to say, "This is false and didn't happen." Find people who will reassure you of this truth.
