Waiting on the Lord...

http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2010/04/27/tuesdays-unwrapped-6/
I'm linking to Chatting at the Sky Tuesdays unwrapped


I am gaining a new understanding of waiting on the Lord. As I was reading in Isaiah last night I was reminded of this verse...

For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him Isaiah 64:4

I received such a gift as I meditated on these words. God WORKS for those who wait on him. I have learned before that God is always at work. He is always aligning things around the unseen so that he can lay out the path for us to walk upon. At just the right time he shows us the next step. If we are listening and watching for the Lord to act, we are always walking along the path that he has directed us toward. He asks us to walk along, trusting that he has the next thing already in place, but that next thing might take awhile to bring to pass. The fact of the matter is, do we believe that God is always at work? I believe that he is. But the rest of the scripture is what impressed me the most in my meditation... "for those of us who WAIT for Him."

How do we "wait" for the Lord?

I wait by learning more about Him. I wait by praying for others. I wait by loving others more. I wait by being still and KNOWING that he is God. I wait as I tell others about what I'm waiting on. I wait by sharing my belief that God is always at work. As I wait, I am doing... Waiting is not passive... It is actively demonstrating my faith in the Holy God working on my behalf...

I was sharing this with Keelea yesterday and she got frustrated about the house and didn't want to even talk about the showings. She said the whole thing just aggravated her. This was an opportunity to share with her how my faith was being developed as I waited. Waiting for God builds character traits in us that only faith in the Holy Spirit can do... Patience... Long-suffering... Peace... Goodness... The fruit of the spirit is developed as we Wait...

If we were given everything that we wanted without having to wait for it, how would that grow our faith? That would make our faith useless and then we would think that it all depended on us. That we could bring to pass everthing we wanted. That's not faith... That's ego... That's not scriptural, it's self-empowerment. It's not believing in the One who orchestrates our life, it's just living by our own standards... Things do just happen and life does just exist... but without faith in the ONE TRUE GOD that works for those who WAIT for HIM, our life wouldn't have the same substance. It wouldn't be as astonishing for those that don't believe. There wouldn't be any meaning to life as we know it. It would just exist.... What's the meaning in that?

Our meaning and purpose in life is to lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as the One TRUE savior. As the one TRUE source of life...

That's why we're here... To proclaim the goodness of God. That's what I get to do as I wait. I get to praise God for his goodness and mercy and love.

He's also been showing me about grace... That's for another post.

Go WAIT for God today and bring praise to him through your waiting...
Love
Lea Anne

Life passing by... one day at a time...

I've been thinking... or rather not thinking... I've let the whole day go by without much thought as to taking action... Taking responsibility for my tomorrow... I've just let the day pass by...

I don't like when I do that.

Life has a way of just happening without conscious thought. We don't have to even think about it and it just ticks along... second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour until you realize a whole day has been lost. That's how my today went.

I don't like when I do that.

Maybe we need a day to goof off... to not think... to not act... to just "be"...

I'm trying to grasp the meaning of why it matters so much.

What's one day to not be intentional about?

Every second counts. I get that. Every decision starts with intentional effort to change your current situation. Every day is an opportunity to do it better than the day before. To be intentional takes motivation and inspiration. It takes action.

I just have to forgive my wastefulness of today and decide to do it better tomorrow...

Only tomorrow is not guaranteed... we only have today...

I want to make the most of it...

Reflection is a good thing... It keeps us honest... It keeps us open to change... It helps us be better... Take stock of your life and decide what it is you need to do to grow...

I took a day off from life, but life keeps on ticking... I have to get back in there and remember my mission... Be intentional...

Lea Anne

Standing against the Wiles of the devil...

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:10-11


What is wile(s)

1. a trick, artifice, or stratagem meant to fool, trap, or entice; device.
2. wiles, artful or beguiling behavior.
3. deceitful cunning; trickery.

He gets us EVERY TIME.... When will we learn that it is just the wiles of the devil playing us. He lies to us, wants to trap us, discourage us and snare us. He will do anything he can do with cunning satanic variety to weaken us and destroy us. He goes to work daily to produce discouragement, confusion, indifference and imbalance. He is our chief enemy, but deals in wiles and stratagems.

It always happens in relationships. That's where he gets us. Even when we have great marriages, or great friendships, or a great workplace environment... He always tries to get in there and mess with our emotions.

I fell victim to this attempt on Tuesday and it only took me a day to recognize that it was the "wiles of the devil". I refused to stay in offense. I refused to stay upset or defeated. I just overwhelmed the devils attempt to get me to stay mad or angry because I wanted peace and reconciliation more than I wanted to be right or indignant. Does that make sense. I wanted peace and I knew this wasn't about us.

For Ephesians goes on to say in verse 12: Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world's darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.

So you know what I did... I prayed for humility and put on the armor of God. Then I went and talked it out and got over it. Score 1 for Lea Anne; zero for the devil... this week!!

Here's the secret weapon!! Ephesians 13-19
That is why you need to put on God's full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. Accept God's salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God's people.

We get to choose whether or not we will live in victory or defeat... Every day we get to choose. It doesn't matter what we did yesterday. Choose today to live in victory and stand up against the Wiles of the devil...

Standing strong.
Lea Anne

The Excitment of a "First"

This morning when I awoke, my first thought was about how anticipated this day has been for many people. For almost 2 weeks, our state mainly, but the whole nation has been waiting for the big playoff between the New Orleans Saints and that other team... Who is it again? Oh yeah, the Colt's. I've seen more Black and Gold for sale around town this past week than I've ever seen before. I have firmly resisted buying a "Saints" shirt but that's not to say that I won't buy one after they win today... just saying is all... Okay, back to the thought...

The Superbowl is probably the only game in a year that I actually watch and I always enjoy the event, but this year it's a little different. This year is a "FIRST" for me. This year is the "FIRST" time that the New Orleans Saints has made it to the Superbowl.

What is it about "FIRSTS" that are so appealing? Just think about how many "firsts" have already been experienced in your life...

First day of school..

First boyfriend/girlfriend...

First kiss...

First job...

First paycheck...

First car...

First house....

First child...

First fight in a relationship...

First love...


So then I thought, is it the actual EVENT that is so exciting? Or is it WAITING for the event that is so exciting?

Why is a first "thing" so anticipated?

Is it because we SEE others have it and we want it for ourselves?

Is it because we have HEARD about it from others and we can't wait until it's "our turn?"

What is it about "firsts" that make us almost crazy for the experience of it?

1 Cor 2:9 says 'No Eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him'. This verse was quoted from scipture in Isaiah 64:4 that ends it by saying "A God like you who works for those that WAIT for him!"

Who "WAITS" on HIM...

I think it's the WAITING that is more exciting than the actual EVENT. The WAITING is the fun part... Once the event happens, it will just be the "Next" time for that thing... not as much fun as the waiting on the first time... and sometimes the thing you waited for may not be what you expected. Some "THINGS" have a way of disappointing us that way.

So...What are you waiting for? I hope you are waiting on the Lord. I pray that you are seeking HIM before you act... Remember, once you take action on that "First" thing, whatever it is, it might not be as exciting as the waiting was. Don't place your hope and faith on the EVENT...

When we place our hope in the Lord and wait on Him, on His timing, on His guidance, on His go-ahead, we won't be able to imagine the goodness He has prepared for us.

Have fantastic, fun-filled, expectation fulfilled day today.
Lea Anne

Neglected...

I feel as if I've neglected this blog page for the new Facebook craze and I'm sure there are a lot of you that might read this that don't have facebook, so I'll try to do better.

I wanted to share just a brief note on feeling neglected. I have recently heard that one of my couple friends of almost 20 years, has just seperated. It was a shock. It got me thinking that I don't want to take my marriage for granted and I've actually been meditating on this matter for the last few weeks.

It started when I watch "Nights of Rodanthe" It was a romantic, tragic love story but the intimacy between Diane Lane and Richard Gere was something that I wanted in my own marriage. I realized that I had the ability to have that same kind of intimacy with my own husband and I decided to implement a few of the moves that I saw them perform... Needless to say it had the desired results I was looking for. And this opens up the opportunity to write about how we neglect the things in our lives that we want the most. Intimacy, desire, seduction, affection, you name it, I'm sure all of us have felt it. I just want to say... You can HAVE it. All these things... You may have to initiate it, but you can be the leading lady in your own life, in your own marriage, in your own dreams... You don't have to watch from a distance. You don't have to imagine what it would feel like. You have permission to explore your sexual side of your marriage. Tell your husband what you want or what you like. Don't be shy.

I hope you aren't neglecting your husband. I hope you are meeting his needs. If you do, you'll be amazed at how intuitive to your needs he'll be. I can bet you that he will respond if you start a little romancing in the bedroom. You don't have to wait on him, you take the lead.

I don't know why I felt the need to write this, other than it's been on my heart for a few weeks now. I want you to have a fulfilling life. A fulfilling marriage. A fulfilling sex-life. It's amazing how good marriage can be when that part is in place. I hope this hasn't embarrassed anyone, because I just wanted to share my own experience with you.

Have a Happy night!
Lea Anne

Be well Balanced

Be well balanced...for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring... seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 1 Peter 5:8

I just attended the funeral of a 21 year old and I have to say that I didn't know him at all, but I know his mother and my heart goes out to her. I am amazed at how so loved a person can be that at his death, hundreds of friends come out to pay respect to him, yet in life, he struggled with feeling inadequate or unloved. Again, I don't know the exact things he struggled with as I didn't know him personally, but it left me with the need to reflect on how we can feel one way about ourselves, yet in actuality, the opposite is true. Satan is a liar and speaks words of defeat into our minds and sometimes people believe him.

Satan cannot devour just anybody he pleases. He has to find someone who gives him an opening to do so. One of the ways we give him an opening to destroy us is through imbalance in our lives. How can you bring balance to your life?

First ask yourself a few questions?

What is the most important thing to you?

If you don't know what that is, then chances are, you are swayed too easily and are off balanced a lot... What are the signs of being off-balanced? Are you stressed out, overcommitted, burned out, bummed out, or worn out from too many commitments? Do you murmur and complain when ask to do something that YOU agreed to do? Are you just flat out frustrated?

I think a lot of people are in bondage to imbalanced lives. So what do you do?

Stop... Everything for a while....write out what's important to you... Then put in perspective the things you have committed to and the things you need to do and prioritize your mind.

After talking to a friend about this very subject a couple of weeks ago I did that very thing and I was amazed at how easy it was to come up with the most important things in my life. I challenge you to do the same.

Don't let the enemy steal another second of the abundant life that we can have in Christ Jesus on the planet earth. We don't have to wait until we get to heaven to have happiness, peace and balance... We can have it now.

We can stand strong against the enemy and we can overcome those feelings of inadequacy and defeat... With balance...

Stop standing on the sidelines, when you can sit in the center of the Will of God.

I just recently read a blog that spoke volumes in just a few words. You can click here http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2009/11/04/to-enter-in/ if you'd like to read it too.

I'd like to expound on her point about insisting that sitting on the sidelines is "Okay" for her when really it's not. She would like to be in the center of all the activity but makes herself feel content to stay back.

Are you content to just sit on the sidelines? Do you wish you had the courage to jump in the middle of things and be a participant instead of just a spectator?

All it takes is a little effort on your part to try. Just take the leap. See if the rewards of that leap are so much better than the "what-if's" that so many people choose to live with everyday.

What is your "What-if" today?

Maybe it's "What-if" I quit this job and opened myself up to a new way of life? (I personally LOVE my job so this isn't my "What-if"...

Maybe it's "What-if" I took a chance on love and asked someone out? You ask them out, don't wait on them to ask you out...

Maybe it's "What-if" I said what I really thought instead of going along with the crowd?

What is your "What-if"?

I'd like to know what some of you are thinking and what some of the real or imagined fears that you live with are. If you feel like sharing, please do. I'd love to hear from you.

I'm waiting on the "next thing" God has for us... but in the meantime, I'm learning and trusting more with the here and now...

Hope you take the leap today!
Love you,
Lea Anne