Saturday, August 21, 2021

Most of Us Are Still in God’s Waiting Room!

 

 

Quotation


          During my walk with Jesus, a constant feature of my life of faith, is a struggle against the forces of evil. As a Christian, I believe in the reality of spiritual warfare and the unseen realm, the unseen spiritual world.

 

Barry Denzil Haney, MD

 

Scripture

 

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. Let Israel hope in the Lord: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

 

Psalm 130:5-7

 

Reflection

            

         Lord knows how we all hate waiting lines! Society has a “me-first” attitude. While waiting, we often become irritable and angry. To make matters worse, there always seems to be someone who has outsmarted the “system” and moved to the front of the line. While waiting in a doctor’s office or surgical/procedure room, stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and fear are amplified, making the shortest of waiting times seemingly unbearable.

 

            Many of the unsaved are in an endless waiting room, waiting to find something to fill the void in their heart. Many of the professors in our universities profess openly to be an atheist or agnostic, or as Bart Ehrman describes himself, “an agnostic atheist or atheistic agnostic” Here is what he professes sarcastically in a recent blog about those who are going to face God’s wrath: “That includes your family, friends, neighbors, it includes everyone who has ever lived who has not committed to follow Jesus – that is, not merely the very large majority of the human race living now but, well, everyone for all time who did not follow ‘the lamb.’ Yikes.  How do I say this without seeming angry and vicious myself?” 

 

He goes on to say, “My view of Revelation is that its ruthless, vengeful God who destroys the majority of the human race stands in sharp contrast with the God of Jesus.” Isn’t it amazing how blind an intellectual can be? Although his words sometimes ring true as in the above quotes, he still is blinded from the truth of what he says and refuses to believe in Jesus, the only way he can escape his creator God’s wrath.

 

         All of us face seasons of waiting. Try not to be an aggressive waiter or passive waiter, instead be an active waiter. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit through prayer and study of the Word, ready to act when led by the Spirit. If you are in a season of waiting, remember God is faithful. Through prayer you will find comfort, hope and peace from the Holy Spirit. God has a plan for you. Hold on to His Word where you will discover what His will is for your life and find hope!                                                                                                                          

Illustration

 

         Some years ago, a hydroelectric dam was to be built across a valley in New England. The people in a small town in the valley were to be relocated because the town itself would be submerged when the dam was finished. During the time between the decision to build the dam and its completion, the buildings in the town, which previously were kept up nicely, fell into disrepair. Instead of being a pretty little town, it became an eyesore.

Why did this happen? The answer is simple. As one resident said, “Where there is no faith in the future, there is no work in the present.” (Green)

 

Prayer

 

Our Heavenly Father,

 

We know Satan is not confined to one place,

But instead, he and his army of demons are

everywhere. Because of this we are so afraid

of the darkness! Thank you for being the source of Light

protecting us from Satan and his army of demons!

 

Thank you for Your Son Jesus Christ, who died for

all mankind on the Cross at Calvary so we might be saved

by grace through faith! Thank you for the hope we

gain through faith in Jesus, giving us the power to

be triumphant during our chess match with Satan!

 

In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,

 

Amen!

 

 

Worship

 

God’s Waiting Room – Jackson Heights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgj7_l2Hit8

 

God Bless You,

Barry

 

Green, Michael P. 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. Print.

Really, we are all hypocrites!

 


Quotation


          Why are people discontented? Why do they have a profound sense of emptiness in their life? According to the secular worldview, this emptiness is caused by our insatiable pursuit of happiness, an attempt to fill this emptiness we feel in our heart, with things that will make us happy. This worldview would tell you the problem resides in our focus. We are focused on getting what we want in this world, forsaking the people around us who have desperate needs. 

 

Barry Denzil Haney, MD

 

Scripture

 

You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth. Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

 

Romans 2:18-24

Reflection

            

         Recent studies reveal most lifestyle activities of born-again Christians are no different than nonbelievers. Thirty percent who call themselves Christian practice their faith. We say one thing, then we do another. We have stopped practicing what we preach. We have become hypocrites! Why have we allowed ourselves to become hypocrites, allowed ourselves to be defeated by Satan? 

         

         Why do so many Christians appear to be walking around in defeat? Because God’s people are discontented. They no longer trust Him. They no longer depend upon Him. Because of the lies and deceptions they constantly hear from the secular world, they have forgotten they will fail without God. We are sinners who are unable to obey the laws given to us in the Old Testament.

 

The law was given to us to show us how sinful we are. If we try to use the law to try to get to Heaven, you are using the law for righteousness, something you cannot attain. When you are born-again, you become righteous because of Christ’s righteousness. If you interpret the law as what you need to do to make yourself acceptable to God, that is a sin. You cannot keep all the laws of the Old Testament. No man has ever kept all the law. You need to stop trusting in your own goodness. We are dead to the law because of Jesus.


         In today’s world, the height of mankind’s hypocrisy is seen with the explosion of sexual immorality, explosion of homosexuality, and the explosion of depravity. God is patient, but his patience is wearing thin. When these stages of moral depravity have been completed, the end is near. The acceptance of transgenderism by society may be the final straw that breaks the camel back. Transgenderism is the ultimate snub to God, “I am not what you made me to be!”

 

         This hypocrisy, this struggle you are having with Satan will end, your weariness will end, when you give your heart to Jesus!

                                                                                                                                                

Illustration

 

Self-righteousness is like a bottomless cup: though you pour and pour, you will never be able to fill it. Why? Because pouring yourself into yourself adds nothing to you. Nothing plus nothing always equals nothing.

 

Instead, accept God’s righteousness rather than trying to accumulate your own. You will find that the righteousness he offers is real. And that is what fills the cup of sanctification (Green)

 

Prayer

 

Our Heavenly Father,

 

Thank you for not allowing me to be tempted above

what I can handle! Thank you for providing me

a way to escape the temptation Satan throws my way!

Thank you for the full Armor of God you give me to

protect me as I navigate my rocky journey to salvation!

 

During the coming day, help me to remain focused on

Jesus! Help me become a beacon of light to the unsaved,

providing a chink in Satan’s deception, the deception preventing

the unsaved from spending an eternity with You in Heaven!

 

We ask all this in the glorious name of Jesus,

 

Amen!

 

 

Worship

 

The Struggle – Zach Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3DFQ75CpHc



 

God Bless You,

Barry

 

Green, Michael P. 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. Print.

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