I’M WAITING. YOU’RE WAITING. Just what are we waiting for? And HOW are we waiting? On my way home from my morning shift at work, I heard a song that really ministered to me. As I listened, human as I am, I first thought of how it applied to me and my present life situations. Then I began to see so many of you pass in front of my face. I could feel compassion pouring out of my heart for you and what you’ve been facing these past days or even weeks. I saw one family laying your mom to rest … I saw another family standing vigil at your dad’s bedside in hospice until God sent His angels to carry him Home … I saw many of you dealing with ongoing health situations, some of you just having had surgery – another still facing surgery for cancer … I saw a few of you teens whose lives have been threatened … I saw a few of you holding job interviews for needed provision … I saw a parent and child struggling in your relationship … I saw a young woman trying to start afresh in this world … I saw a couple anxiously awaiting reunion after the completion of a God-centered rehabilitation program … I saw a woman longing for God’s powerful touch in your son’s life … I saw a marriage relationship needing to be revived and renewed … I saw a young man serving your country overseas and missing those three little children of yours … and the line of needy people stretches on and on – including my husband and me! We are a needy people, aren’t we? That’s because we are oh, so human … and we so need our God! But, while we are needing Him – while we are needing for something to take place, for something to change … what do we do? We wait. But do we miss out on our present life in the midst of the waiting? And again, just HOW do we wait for the answers, the solutions, and the miracles? Would God be proud of how we live our lives in the “waiting room”? Or would He just shake His head and be reminded of what a lot of work He has yet to do in us? Don’t worry – I’m preaching to myself as well as to anyone else that needs to hear this. All of our sons reminded us in our chats this past week – with different words and in different ways, that when we are looking towards a goal still yet in the future … we need to enjoy the here and now. What great advice! And while our passion for life and people brings us much joy, it’s so easy for all of that to get swallowed up in the craziness of hectic schedules. It’s so easy to let our minds just zoom through the present and into the future we are planning for. And God says, “Live THIS moment. Now. When tomorrow comes, and next week, and next year, then you live in that moment then. Don’t miss out on today thinking about tomorrow. Take Me into each of your moments, for I will be there … in that one present moment. Then, we will move on together to the next moment, and we will be there together. That will be time enough then to concern yourself with that moment.” Oh, of course, we need to plan and dream for the future, but we dare not miss out on the living of today. What a waste of God’s gift to us that would be: time! Once we live one moment, it never returns to be lived again. We just get new ones – one at a time! Now … to the song I heard! The title of the song is “While I Wait” and it is sung by John Waller. What a powerful, beautiful song. I just closed my eyes, sat still, and listened, soaking it in – note by note and lyric by lyric. The basic message of the song is that we are telling God that we are waiting on Him – and just how we are going to wait. Here’s a few of the words: “I’m waiting, I’m waiting on You, Lord. And I am hopeful, I’m waiting on You, Lord, though it’s painful, but patiently I will wait. And I will move ahead bold and confident, taking every step in obedience. While I’m waiting, I will serve You. While I’m waiting, I will worship. While I’m waiting, I will not faint. I’ll be running the race even while I wait. I’m waiting on You, Lord, and I am peaceful. I’m waiting on You, Lord, though it’s not easy, no, but faithfully I will wait. And I will serve You while I’m waiting. I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord.” What a word from God! There’s our answer, and every part of it is scriptural! When we’re in pain and our body is breaking down … we’ll serve Him and worship and not faint, and we’ll be running the race! When we’re struggling in relationships … we’ll serve Him and worship and not faint, and we’ll be running the race! When we’re fearful or confused or hurting or lacking in any way … we’ll serve Him and worship and not faint, and we’ll be running the race! Yes, we’ll be hopeful and peaceful … we’ll be moving ahead, bold and confident! Why? Because when we serve and worship our Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of all the turmoil … we’ll be doing what pleases Him most. And bottom line, that’s what glorifies Him and makes Him smile upon us in the “waiting room” of life! So, I am going to serve and worship Him and run the race while I wait. How about you?
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- GOD’S FAITHFULNESS RINGS TRUE in our midst each Sunday as we gather to worship and honor our Lord! What a great time we have in His presence as we open our ears and hearts to the message each week as Pastor Doug preaches so powerfully, and as we fellowship with each other sharing encouragement!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Nancy who worshipped with us a few weeks ago; we loved meeting you and learning about your family! May God bless you with His loving care – and we hope that you will be able to join us again soon!
- LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES are sent to our grand-daughter, Whitney, who is 20 years old on September 17th! We celebrate you and pray for you and wish you an over-the-top blessed year! We love you so very much! Special birthday wishes also go out to Kristen on the 21st, and to James and Sharon on the 22nd! May your lives be enriched, we pray!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE - Pastor Doug will begin a new series of messages to share with the church family, titled: “Looking at Signs of the End Times”. We live in turbulent, yet exciting days … you won’t want to miss seeing how our daily events around the world align with the prophetic scriptures in God’s Word! Invite several friends to come along with you!
- NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE - “Looking at Signs of the End Times” – part 2, with Pastor Doug sharing scripture after scripture! This is your opportunity to brush up on your knowledge of prophecy, and actually, we are seeing much of it happen right in front of our eyes! Continue to reach out and invite family and friends!
- FOLLOWING WORSHIP … our church family will be celebrating autumn and our children with PIZZA & PUMPKIN PATCH & HAYRIDES! There is a sign-up sheet to help us plan for our lunch right after church and our drive just south of town to Oak View Nursery for tons of fun! See the sheet for all the information!
- IN THE WORKS: RE: FUEL YOUTH will be joining Matthias for an awesome PAINT BALL EVENT soon!
- SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND: WORSHIP & PRAISE / World Day of Communion with freshly squeezed grape juice and unleavened bread … and part 3 of our prophetic series of messages on the end times!
- FOLLOWING WORSHIP – we will be meeting about the building rent proposal for our church, and financial statements will be available pertaining to the cost of renting, as well as our present church giving. Be in PRAYER!
- WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE is coming soon: October 21-22 … and we want FIFTY women going with us to this incredible event that stirs the heart and blesses the socks off of us!!! Tickets are $89 … will YOU go with us?!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- AREN’T YOU GLAD that God never runs out of answers or solutions or miracles? And He still has more for those we are praying for this week: Eva, Marty & Kelly & family, Mike & Mary Jo & family, Jimmy, Johnny & Cherry, Judy, Elsie, Wayne, Ron, Larry & Gloria, Josh & Sarah & family, Justin, our church family, & unspoken requests!!!
- REMEMBER . . . “But those who WAIT FOR THE LORD (who expect, look for, and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power …” Isaiah 40:31a (Amplified Bible) May we be “those”!
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
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