Greetings from True Hope!
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Greetings!
Just a few more days until we know if we have a new President of the U.S. or if we will continue under the same regime!
I hope that you all vote, not only for the national offices but for the local offices and issues that are on your states' ballots!
You know, some people have the attitude that since God will install the government officials and the leaders of our land, it really makes no difference how or even if we vote - - but it does! Here is why - -
Whether or not the candidates that we believe to be the right person gets elected, or even if the candidate who is truly a righteous person in Christ Jesus does not get elected, by voting we are taking a spiritual stand for righteousness!
While the nation, state or community may be under the judgment of God for the sinfulness of our land, God DOES respond favorably to those in a sinful land who stand for and make their voices heard for righteousness!
Case in point - LOT and his family!
Case in point - RAHAB and her family!
Case in point - NOAH and his family!
In each case, these made their voices heard, took their stand for righteousness and when God's judgment came upon the people, these were spared and/or delivered because of their faithfulness!
So, even if it does not look like your candidates have a chance of winning, if they are the candidates who will turn our land back to God's righteousness or who are themselves righteous, then vote for them and be in good standing with God!
MANY BLESSINGS!
Dr. Timothy
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From Dr. Timothy D.TH
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Part 2
Steps of Grace Growth
GRACE IS SUCH A MAGNIFICENT WORD, FROM SUCH A MAGNIFICENT GOD, WHO DOES SUCH A MAGNIFICENT WORK THROUGH SUCH A MAGNIFICENT MEANS TO CHANGE OUR LIVES IN SUCH MAGNIFICENT WAYS!
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
In the last issue we established that while Grace IS something that God gives to us - - GRACE IS NOT UNMERITED FAVOR!
Again, think about this, IF Grace is unmerited - - then God telling us to grow in Grace is either an impossible command OR we must then continue in sin that grace may abound!
Well, the second option - continuing in sin that grace may abound has already been answered in the same breath it was stated . . .
GOD FORBID!
So then, IF continuing in sin is forbidden and since in the New Testament God never commands us to take an action that is impossible for us to do - - and if Grace is in fact unmerited then it would be impossible for us to grow in Grace! Therefore, as we saw last week in the Greek definition of "charis" (grace) that it is God's divine influence upon our hearts and the reflection of that in our lives - - we not only can but we are commanded to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!
So then - - HOW? How do we grow?
Well, to begin with, we must determine or discover the level and components of grace that currently exist in us.
Paul the Apostle in Romans 12 gave a description of the different aspects of Grace that we all have or are available for us to have. In other circles, these are called other names such as "motivational gifts", for instance and that is an accurate but incomplete way of looking at the matter which we will address shortly.
Also, to understand about growing in grace we need to understand two things:
- God's intention is that born again people are to be conformed into the image of Christ
- Grace is comprised of several aspects or facets - - or components all of which combined equals God's grace!
Therefore, when we look at Romans 12 we cannot make the mistake that is so common throughout the church community which is to settle on one or two components of Grace which are the strongest in us and then declare that this is what we are to focus on, refine and rehearse it until we become fully mature in that/those one or two areas of Grace!
ACTUALLY - - If you find that you are strong in the teaching aspect of grace and that is what you then focus on until that is what objectifies your life in Christ, then you have missed the plan!
Why do I say this? Because IF we are to be conformed into the image of Christ, then we need to understand what that means in every area of life and ministry and that certainly includes grace since grace is the determining factor in just about all that we do!
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John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
So then, IF human Jesus was FULL OF GRACE (as well as truth) ... and IF we are to be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus ... THEN we must also become FULL OF GRACE!
And GRACE IS MUCH MORE THAN THE ONE OR TWO COMPONENTS THAT ARE PREVALENT IN YOU TODAY!
Think of it this way for a moment: While the elephant's trunk is certainly elephant, the trunk alone is not the entire elephant! For you to encounter the elephant you must see the whole - - all of the elephant's components!
And WE cannot even begin to claim that we are being conformed to the image of Christ Jesus if we just find and focus on one aspect or component of His Grace in our lives!
First, what are the components or aspects of Grace that are given in Romans 12?
- Prophecy
- Serving
- Teaching
- Exhorting (Some call this Evangelism)
- Giving
- Leading (Some call this Administration or Organizing)
- Mercy
Another mistake that we must avoid that is made by many others is this: Being strong in any area of grace DOES NOT MAKE THIS YOUR MINISTRY! I have known Pastors (ministry) who have strong grace aspects of Prophecy! I have known Pastors whose predominant grace aspect is Exhorter. I have known Christian Counselors whose prevalent grace factor is Serving.
This closing illustration will show what must be established in our thinking if we are to be successful in our "Grace Growth"
MORE NEXT TIME!
Many blessings!
Dr. Timothy
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"Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death." Mark 13:12
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US Churches Turn On Israel
http://www.jpost.com
Fifteen leaders of US churches and other faith-based organizations have asked Congress to reevaluate US military aid to Israel.
The religious leaders sent a letter to Congress members on Monday, calling for an investigation into possible violations by Israel of the US Foreign Assistance Act and the US Arms Export Control Act, which would make Israel ineligible for US military aid.
"As Christian leaders in the United States, it is our moral responsibility to question the continuation of unconditional US financial assistance to the government of Israel.
Realizing a just and lasting peace will require this accountability, as continued US military assistance to Israel -- offered without conditions or accountability -- will only serve to sustain the status quo and Israel’s military occupation of the Palestinian territories," the letter, signed by leaders of the Lutheran, Methodist, UCC churches, and the National Council of Churches, said.
"We request, therefore, that Congress hold Israel accountable to these standards by making the disbursement of US military assistance to Israel contingent on the Israeli government’s compliance with applicable US laws and policies."
"We write to you as Christian leaders representing US churches and religious organizations committed to seeking a just peace for Israelis and Palestinians," the letter said, adding that the organizations have "worked alongside our Palestinian Christian sisters and brothers to help build a peaceful and resilient Palestinian civil society."
The signatories said they were writing to Congress "to express our grave concern about the deteriorating conditions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories."
"Unfortunately, unconditional US military assistance to Israel has contributed to this deterioration, sustaining the conflict and undermining the long-term security interests of both Israelis and Palestinians," the letter said, citing the 2011 State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices covering Israel and the Occupied Territories.
The letter called on Congress to hold hearings "to examine Israel’s compliance, and we request regular reporting on compliance and the withholding of military aid for non-compliance."
The letter also decried what it called "a troubling and consistent pattern of disregard by the government of Israel for US policies that support a just and lasting peace," citing Israel's failure to halt settlement activity despite repeated US government requests.
The letter was criticized by Jewish groups.
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs rejected the call to reevaluate foreign aid to Israel. “US aid to Israel is not ‘unconditional,’ as the letter claims.
It reflects the shared values of America and Israel and furthers our shared goals for peace and security and is vital to advance the security of both peoples,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow.
The Rabbinical Assembly, the international umbrella organization of Conservative rabbis, called for a reevaluation of the interfaith partnerships between the assembly and the denominations represented in the letter.
"The letter calling for hearings and reassessment was issued without outreach to longtime partners in public advocacy within the Jewish community.
It was released on the eve of Shabbat, just before a long weekend of Jewish and American holidays. And it was distributed at a time when Congress is out of session, in the midst of the general election campaign," the Rabbinical Assembly said in a statement.
"We find these tactics to be disrespectful of channels of communication that have been constructed over decades, and an essential declaration of separation from the endeavor of interfaith consultation on matters of deep concern to the Jewish community.
Indeed, we find this breach of trust to be so egregious that we wonder if it may not warrant an examination on the part of the Jewish community at large of these partnerships and relationships that we understood ourselves to be working diligently to preserve and protect."
The American Jewish Committee said it was outraged by the Christian leaders' call. “When the world currently is focused on the Iranian nuclear threat to the entire Middle East and the world, Christian leaders have chosen to mount another political attack on Israel,” said Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations.
“When religious liberty and safety of Christians across the Middle East are threatened by the repercussions of the Arab Spring, these Christian leaders have chosen to initiate a polemic against Israel, a country that protects religious freedom and expression for Christians, Muslims and others.”
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News Headlines Backing Up Millennia-Old Prophecies
http://www.lifenews.com
The author of several dozen books, Mark Hitchcock, says today’s news reports indicate a new alliance is developing of nations that haven’t regularly gotten along with each other in the last, oh, few thousand years.
And their common foe would be Israel, said Mark Hitchcock.
He was addressing a packed house at the weekend’s “Understanding the Times” conference in Eden Prairie, Minn., a Minneapolis suburb, hosted by Olive Tree Ministries.
Attendees traveled from as far away as India and Jerusalem for the 15th annual conference at a large church auditorium.
“It’s as if today’s headlines were written 2,600 years ago,” Hitchcock said.
He pointed to one prophecy he feels is nearing fulfillment. Known by those watching prophecy as the Gog-Magog war, the text of the prophecy can be found in Ezekiel 38. It describes an alliance of nations that go to war with Israel.
What makes this century different than any other, said Hitchcock, is that Israel has once again been reconstituted, as described in Ezekiel 37 in the prophecy of the “Dry Bones.”
He says that nations from Russia to Iran, Libya and Turkey have never been allies throughout history, and yet, here in modern times, each of those countries is not only prominent in the headlines, they seem to be forming alliances, none too friendly with Israel.
“All of the Ezekiel 38 nations are identifiable today and are forging alliances with each other,” said Hitchcock.
He also points out that the prophecy indicates that the warring nations attack Israel with “spoil” on their minds and that until just two years ago, Israel didn’t have much value to offer.
“As of 2010, it was discovered that Israel sits on natural gas and oil fields that suddenly makes their land very appealing,” said Hitchcock.
While a prophecy manifesting itself before the world may be unsettling to some, Hitchcock was sure to provide comfort as well.
“God is in control,” he said. “This is His story.”
A series of world-renowned speakers on biblical eschatology, or study of the end times, gathered for the meetings.
While people are longing for answers to a myriad of questions regarding what the future holds, Hitchcock told the crowd, “The Bible is the only place we can go to that tells us the future.”
And he said Christians should be “living their lives with urgency.”
“There are two great magnitudes in life that we should all live in full awareness of: the littleness of time and the greatness of eternity,” he said.
Hitchcock also spoke about America’s role in Bible prophecy and said that although some try to twist possible hints in the Bible about America, there are far too many problems with those views. Instead, he says, America doesn’t seem to be part of an end-times scenario.
He admitted that any conjecture on why America may not be involved in the end times would only be a guess, but he offered a few plausible scenarios.
“We could see a nuclear 9/11, or a financial apocalypse or even an oil crisis,” he said.
Regardless of the reason, Hitchcock reminded people, “Part of God’s judgment is the wrath of abandonment.”
He also provided four keys that America needs to follow to receive God’s blessing.
Bill Koenig, well-known author and journalist and member of the White House Press Corps, concurred.
“These are not normal times,” he said. “We’ve crossed the tipping point. All major areas of prophecy are in play.”
Koenig wrote a book that researched and documented disasters that corresponded with efforts to pressure Israel into dividing its land. He told the crowd that he has gotten the book, “Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel,” into the hands of many prominent national leaders, yet actions against Israel seem to persist.
While he sees costly disasters tied to key dates involving Israel, he also pointed to other issues that may also cost America.
He refers to July 19-22, 2011, as, “Four days of presidential decisions America may never recover from.”
Those are the days that Barack Obama went through the process of repealing the longstanding military policy of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”
“In those days America, and Washington, D.C., saw 322 heat records tied or broken,” he said. “The heat index reached 129 degrees in Washington, D.C.”
Koenig also warned about the impact of radical Islam and said while Obama certainly has defended Islam, Christians should ask, “What is Obama doing about the persecution and death of Christians?”
Another prominent speaker at the event was the senior pastor at Moody Bible Church in Chicago, Erwin Lutzer.
Lutzer started his talk by mentioning his forthcoming book, “The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent: An Informed Response to Islam’s War on Christianity,” which will be available in January.
Lutzer spoke about the similarities between Nazi Germany and America today. He reminded listeners, “When God is separated from government, judgment follows.”
He then talked about the economy, indoctrination and propaganda, with a reminder that in Nazi Germany, and somewhat easily recognizable today, “Facts become irrelevant.”
“Language and euphemisms are created, and there is a tendency to demonize any opposition, or to call an opposing view hate speech,” he said.
Lutzer did not place much hope in the upcoming election.
“Things are so bad – we cannot change them by simply changing the administration,” he said.
He told the crowd the real issue facing America is what god will be worshiped.
He told about an offer many years ago by leaders in Rome to allow Christians to place a statue of Jesus in the Pantheon, which is where all the symbols of the ancient Roman gods are housed. The offer was refused, because: “Jesus cannot simply be placed in the Pantheon. Jesus is above all gods. He’s the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
Lutzer worries that Americans simply want to do the same thing as Rome. Minimize Jesus, while elevating other gods to worship.
The final speaker at the conference, which saw around 6,000 attendees, was The author of “The Harbinger” book, and the inspiration behind “The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment,” the bestselling Christian book of 2012 and the bestselling faith movie of the year, Jonathan Cahn.
As WND reported, Cahn had the crowd standing when he said America needs to repent or face God’s judgment.
“The answer for America doesn’t lie in an election,” he told the crowd. “The answer for America is God, Yeshua, Jesus.”
The crowd thundered when he urged them to “get real” for God.
When Cahn reminded believers that the world conditions wouldn’t “be as dark if we shined a little brighter,” and that if believers truly lived like “salt,” he said, “the world wouldn’t be as decayed as it is,” the applause grew even louder.
He also urged Christians to find strength and to fear nothing.
“It’s time to be bold,” he said. “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world,” he quoted from Scripture.
Jan Markell, the founder of Olive Tree Ministries, told WND that she was very pleased with how the conference turned out.
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TIME WITH TRUE HOPE TEACHERS . . .
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James Kelm is the Senior Ministry Leader of
True Hope Church of Duluth Minnesota
LEGALISM -vs- OBEDIENCE
CONCLUSION
By Pastor James Kelm
I have discussed the term and concept of legalism, and I would now like to more thoroughly examine the term and concept of obedience.
As we are sanctified through obedience by the prompting of the Holy Spirit who is within us, this transformation is to take a specific image. If we are saved, one of the primary jobs of the Holy Spirit is to transform us into the image of Christ. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29
In other words, as we grow in the Lord, we are to strive through the Holy Spirit's guidance, working toward the objective of us becoming more like our ultimate example, that example being Jesus Christ! This is clearly taught throughout the Holy Scriptures. If we are to reflect the image and character of Christ, then it is necessary for us to examine exactly what that would "look like".
One of the attributes that is recognized throughout Christianity, is that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Holy Law of God. In other words, Jesus, while carrying out His ministry on earth, perfectly and without flaw obeyed all aspects of the law.
So, if we are to grow in our being a reflection of the image of Christ, is it then not correct to presume that we are to do this through our own attempts to fully obey the commands of God? Of course we cannot do this perfectly as Christ did, which is why we are so blessed to have the wonderful and undeserved blessing of God's grace! But this grace provides us with salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ because we ultimately fail, but I would argue that God's saving grace was not intended as justification for us to dismiss our obedience completely.
God knows that if we try to fulfill His law perfectly, we will fail. Out of His endless love for us, He has given us justification through His son Jesus Christ, so that even when we inevitably do fail, we can be saved from our deserved penalty of eternal condemnation.
But again, because we inevitably will fail, I would argue that this does not mean that we are not to try our best to demonstrate our love for God by following His rules. In fact I would argue that unless we do our very best in diligently obeying our Lord, we would be demonstrating nothing less than our disrespect for the grace that we have been given!
Imagine two brothers who enter into the covenant of marriage with their respective brides. Since both couples are faithful Christians, each of them recognizes that divorce is simply not an option as an outcome for their marriage. So one of the brothers concludes that even though he will not face the threat of divorce, out of love and respect for his wife, he will never the less pledge to do his best to be the best husband that he can possibly learn to be.
The other brother however, recognizing that he also will not face a future divorce, determines to cheat on his wife, party with his friends, gamble the household income, and then physically abuse his wife if she offers any objection. Which of these two brothers will have demonstrated the most respect for the covenant of marriage, and the most love and respect for his wife? The answer is obvious.
As Christians, we all too often more resemble the abusive brother though, with respects to the respect and love that we demonstrate toward God. We conclude that because we have God's grace and His ultimate forgiveness, we are no longer responsible for exhibiting our obedience to His word. We often go even farther, and proclaim that those who are attempting to express their love and respect for our savior through their obedience to His word, is actually doing little more than adhering to the bondage of legalism! We submit to the requirements of the flesh, and reject the obligations of our faith.
As I stated at the beginning of this paper, one can hardly spend time within a Christian assembly without hearing the theological terms "legalism" and "Christian obedience".
All too often however, these two terms are used incorrectly. If one is attempting to urn their salvation, either in part or in total, through the keeping of the Holy Law… They are committing an act of legalism, since no one can acquire their personal salvation other than through the blood of Jesus Christ! On the other hand if one is attempting to express their love for Christ by maintaining diligent obedience to the law, they are exhibiting a behavior that is strongly encouraged by Scripture.
So the difference between legalism and obedience is largely a matter of the heart, and not as much a matter of a particular behavior in and of itself. So therefore, each of us must sincerely examine our own personal motivations for doing, or not doing a particular scriptural mandated behavior. We must ask ourselves, "am I doing this in the attempt to urn my way to heaven, and in doing so am I reducing the completed work of Jesus Christ". Or "have I dismissed a direct command found within the Holy Scriptures, even though by doing so I am actually ignoring something that I have been commanded to do by God". As we closely and carefully examine our own behavior as a Christian, we must not be so quick to judge the conservative approach to Christianity, which we witness in others.
Rather than acting in a manor that is legalistic, upon further examination of their heart, we may just learn that they are exhibiting nothing less than appropriate Christian obedience! Until we understand the heart of another, or for that matter before we closely examine our own heart, we cannot necessarily accurately judge whether a particular act is legalistic or simply a case of God loving obedience!
"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:20
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Called to be an apostle...called to be saints
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(1 Corinthians 1:1-2)
CONTINUED
Paul was made an apostle by the direct call of God. "No man taketh this honour unto himself" (Hebrews 5:4). Among men we see that noted artists sometimes appear before royalty and their appearance is called a "command performance."
However gifted they may be and however famous, they dare not intrude into the king's presence except by royal call, a call that amounts to an order. That call leaves no place for refusal except at the risk of affront to majesty. And with Paul it was not otherwise. God's call was also his command.
Had Paul been running for political office the voters would have determined the outcome. Had he been trying for a place in the literary world his own abilities would have decided that place for him. Had he been competing in the prize ring his own strength and skill would have won or lost for him. But his apostleship was not so determined.
How delightful are God's ways and the goings forth of His will! Not by might nor by power, neither by native ability nor by training are men made apostles, but by God's effectual calling. So it is with every office within the Church.
Men are permitted to recognize the call and make public acknowledgment before the congregation, but never are they permitted themselves to make the choice.
But where divine ways and the ways of men mix and mingle there is confusion and failure continually. Good men who are yet not called of God may, and often do, take upon them the sacred work of the ministry. Worse still is it when men who belong yet to the old world and have not been renewed by the miracle of regeneration try to carry on God's holy work. How sad is the sight and how tragic the consequences, for the ways of man and the ways of God are forever contrary one to the other.
Is this one of the reasons behind our present state of spiritual weakness? How can the flesh serve the Spirit? How can men from another tribe than Levi's minister before the altar? How vain to try to serve the new after the ways of the old.
From this stems the rank growth of evil methods which characterizes the churches of our day. The bold and self-assertive push forward and the weak ones follow without asking for a proof of their right to lead. The divine call is ignored, and sterility and confusion result.
It is time for us to seek again the leadership of the Holy Ghost. Man's lordship has cost us too much. Man's intrusive will has introduced such a multiplicity of unscriptural ways and unscriptural activities as positively to threaten the life of the Church. These divert annually millions of dollars from the true work of God and waste Christian man-hours in such vast numbers as to be heartbreaking.
There is another and worse evil which springs from this basic failure to grasp the radical difference between the natures of two worlds.
It is the habit of languidly "accepting" salvation as if it were a small matter and one wholly in our hands. Men are exhorted to think things over and "decide" for Christ, and in some places one day each year is set aside as "Decision Day," at which time people are expected to condescend to grant Christ the right to save them, a right which they have obviously refused Him up to that time.
Christ is thus made to stand again before men's judgment seat; He is made to wait upon the pleasure of the individual, and after long and humble waiting is either turned away or patronizingly admitted. By a complete misunderstanding of the noble and true doctrine of the freedom of the human will, salvation is made to depend perilously upon the will of man instead of upon the will of God.
CONCLUSION NEXT ISSUE
God's Pursuit of Man. A.W. Tozer
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"The Lord upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
The eyes of all wait upon Thee;
And Thou givest them their meat in due season." Psalm 145:14-15
Psalm 104 is a Psalm of Creation, and the words, "
These all wait upon Thee," were used with reference to the animal creation. Here we have a Psalm of the Kingdom, and "
The eyes of all wait upon Thee" appears specially to point to the needs of God's saints, of all that fall and them that be bowed down. What the universe and the animal creation do unconsciously, God's people are to do intelligently and voluntarily. Man is to be the interpreter of Nature. He is to prove that there is nothing more noble or more blessed in the exercise of our free will than to use it in waiting upon God.
If an army has been sent out to march into an enemy's country, and tidings are received that it is not advancing, the question is at once asked, what may be the cause of delay. The answer will very often be: "Waiting for supplies." All the stores of provisions or clothing or ammunition have not arrived; without these it dare not proceed. It is no otherwise in the Christian life: day by day, at every step, we need our supplies from above. And there is nothing so needful as to cultivate that spirit of dependence on God and of confidence in Him, which refuses to go on without the needed supply of grace and strength.
If the question be asked, whether this be anything different from what we do when we pray, the answer is, that there may be much praying with but very little Waiting on God. In praying we are often occupied with ourselves, with our own needs, and our own efforts in the presentation of them. In waiting upon God, the first thought is of
the God upon whom we wait. We enter His presence, and feel we need just to be quiet, so that He, as God, can overshadow us with Himself. God longs to reveal Himself, to fill us with Himself. Waiting on God gives Him time in His own way and divine power to come to us.
It is specially at the time of prayer that we ought to set ourselves to cultivate this spirit.
Before you pray, bow quietly before God, just t remember and realize who He is, how near He is, how certainly He can and will help. Just be still before Him, and allow His Holy Spirit to waken and stir up in your soul the child-like disposition of absolute dependence and confident expectation. Wait upon God as a Living Being, as the Living God, who notices you, and is just longing to fill you with His salvation. Wait on God till you know you have met Him; prayer will then be come so different.
And when you are praying, let there be intervals of silence, reverent stillness of soul, in which you yield yourself to God, in case He may have aught He wishes to teach you or to work in you. Waiting on Him will become the most blessed part of prayer, and the blessing thus obtained will be doubly precious as the fruit or such fellowship with the Holy One, God has so ordained it, in harmony with His holy nature, and with ours, that waiting on Him should be the honor we give Him. Let us bring Him the service gladly and truthfully; He will reward it abundantly.
"The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due season." Dear soul, God provides in Nature for the creatures He has made: how much more will He provide in Grace for those He has redeemed. Learn to say of every want, and every failure, and every lack of needful grace: I have waited too little upon God, or He would have given me in due season all I needed. And say then too,
"My soul, wait thou only upon God!"
Waiting on God.
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