Nothing will be wasted and Nothing is in Vain

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Consider the word of the Lord to be precious. When God speaks, it is with the intention to destroy yokes not spew meaningless words into the atmosphere. Within the words of God there is power to overthrow the enemy's hold on your life. You may wonder what all this means to you. Well, I'll tell you. You have to receive that the words and power of God can be activated and effective in your life. People can pray for you until they are blue in face, but where is your faith? Do you believe that God can do what he says he is going to do even if you don't see the manifestation of a thing immediately.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5 NIV).

The first thing that you have to understand is that God is not like man that he should lie (Numbers 23:19). God is going to do what he has promised, but he is also going to produce some changes in you along the way. Even Israel had to change some things about themselves. You cannot allow the old way of thinking to get in the way of the new thing that God wants to do in your life. You have to learn how to take your hands off of the process and just move. This move requires you to trust God even when you don't understand. This move also requires you to consult God before making any decisions. What you must understand is that as you move into the land flowing with milk and honey, there are rules. You can't take the promises of God and then attempt to move on your own.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5 NIV).

In Joshua 6 God told the Israelites to march around the wall of Jericho. The marching had some instructions and all the instructions were not the same. This marching also went on for a week. There is purpose in the craziness. You may look insane to folks on your walk with the Lord, but I guarantee as you listen to the father, some things in your life will begin to break off and you will have victory in your life. Now imagine that the Israelites began to see changes and decided to not follow the Lord as they marched around the wall. They would be where God led them to, but because they subtracted God from the equation they would probably look like fools because their actions would not have any power behind it.

As a Christian there is power behind your purpose. You are not your own and you have to gain an understanding of why you do what you do. Whatever your gift is, do you do if for the glory of God or do you do it to keep up your appearance as a saved person. Learn how to be honest with self and not attempt to hide your heart from God. Do you ever try to tell God your revised version of a story instead of stating it how it really happened with your bad intentions and all included? I have and I still do sometimes. God wants us to have an honest heart before him. With that honest heart we will be able to produce a honest praise because within our honesty he is changing us for the better so that we will be able to serve him with purity.

Know that your relationship with God is precious, stop comparing your progression with everyone else. There are times and seasons for all things under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We cannot rush God and we should not desire to. This is a hard pill to swallow when you see everyone getting married, graduating from college, or doing whatever else you desire to do, but you have to know that all things are in His perfect timing.

Rejoice in all things and praise God even when it hurts. Nothing will be wasted and nothing is in vain.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

God, thank you for hearing me. Thank you for knowing me. Thank you for the fact that I am not forgotten. Nothing will be wasted in my life. My life will give you glory and I will praise you along the way. Lord help me to recall the promises that you have declared over my life and to walk in them. Lord help me to listen to your voice and cast down those thoughts that say that I am behind or forgotten. Lord I publically lift up your name and I thank you for all that you have done. You are a great God. I love you father. God, I pray that your people see you today in whatever trial that they may be facing and I pray for an increase in their faith. I pray that they know that all things are working for their good. I give you glory father, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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