The Backup Plan

A few weeks ago we talked about acting like it’s so, acting like we are already wherever it is that God wants us to be. I asked you what you would do differently if all obstacles had been removed. I asked you how your behavior would change.

The other piece of acting like it’s so is trusting that God will do what He says He will do. In order for us to act like it’s so, we have to believe that it’s so. In order for us to believe that it’s so we have to have faith in God’s ability to do what is required for whatever it is we are believing Him for. Notice our faith and belief must be in God’s ability, not in our own ability.

On our own we can do nothing, but with God all things all things are possible.

Most of us when asked if we trust God would say yes. When we truly trust God we do not have a problem acting like it’s so because we know that it is God that is making all things possible.

For example. Let’s choose a promise taken directly from God. A promise that applies to all of his children. One that we can readily read in his word.

We read in Proverbs 2:3-6 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

For those of you who say well that’s in the Old Testament, I want you to understand that the Old Testament foretells the New Testament. Turn with me to the book of James, chapter 1, verse 5. It reads If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

We’ve just read a promise directly from the word of God that applies to all of his children. God tells us if we lack wisdom, or cry after or search for knowledge and understanding He will give it to us.

Let’s simplify this even more and look at a promise that each of us as believers readily believe and have received. We are all familiar with John 3:16 for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior I’m willing to bet that you are convinced of your salvation, and rightly so. That’s exactly what God has promised us.

I believe God’s promise of everlasting, or eternal life is His greatest promise. It’s the reason He sent His son to earth. It’s the reason for our being If we can readily accept Gods promise of eternal life why is it so difficult for us, and maybe I’m just talking about myself here, but why is it so difficult for us to accept all of Gods promises? He is Almighty God. Nothing is impossible for Him. He can and will bring all of His promises to pass.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select The Backup Plan.

http://www.gretahillman.com/#!audiovideo/cd8l

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Wait On It

In this microwave society we don’t want everything now we want it yesterday. There is nothing wrong with expectancy but God tells us to be anxious for nothing but in all things through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made know unto God who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.

What does this mean? It means not to worry about anything. Pray to God about everything. Thanking Him in advance because you know that He will grant your request as long as it is according to His word. Not only will He grant your request He will bless you more than you can imagine.

There are a couple of things to remember here. Your prayer must be according to His word. For example God is a loving God and does not want us to be vindictive as we read in Romans 12:19 dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord. If your prayer is to allow you to take vengeance upon someone that you think has wronged you or caused you harm it’s not going to happen. God will repay that person for the harm they have caused. It may or may not happen at your hand but if it does it will not be because you have asked for it rather it will be because God is a just God.

The second thing to remember is when you pray according to His will the blessing He gives will be greater than you expect. When I began my job search after completing my treatment for breast cancer I received a call for a job interview. When I spoke with the recruiter I said you must have made a mistake. My experience is in banking. To my surprise she replied that is what this company is looking for.

I interviewed for the job and was hired. I would never have thought in my wildest dreams that the company that hired me would have a position than would enable me to use my extensive experience in banking. This was exceeding abundantly above all I could ask or think.

Does God always answer our prayer immediately? No, he does not. But He always answers them. He has given each of us the measure of faith as we read in Romans 12:3. He didn’t say I have given you a measure of faith He said He has given us the measure of faith. Each of us has the measure of faith that we need as individuals to believe God for everything He has said He will do for us.

If we all have the measure of faith that is required why is it that it appears our prayers are not always answered?  The answer is simple. We don’t want to wait. Some of us pray lengthy prayers while others may rattle our prayers off to God quickly but before we can say in Jesus name I pray amen we have one eye open looking to see if God has already answered our prayers. Can He move quickly? Of course He can He’s God. Does He always move quickly? No not always, oftentimes there are things God is teaching us through our waiting period. Although we may think we are ready, we may not be ready for what He is going to do in our lives. Even though we know our blessing has come from Him we may even try and take credit for what God has done knowing that He is a jealous God and that no flesh should glory in His presence or take credit for what He has done.

Wait on the Lord. Know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will do exactly what He has said that He will do. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says, thinks or does. What God has for you He is willing and able to bring to pass…just wait on it. While some may tell you that what you are awaiting is impossible. I am telling you that with God all things are possible. The only thing that is impossible with God is impossibility.