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Do You Understand God’s Timing?

04 Jun

TimingSometimes our timetable and God’s doesn’t agree. How does God look at time? How can we work within His system?

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
Romans 13:11

This verse literally says that we must know by seeing the present, appointed time. This assumes a couple of things. First of all, it assumes that we’re aware of the spiritual climate that’s happening around us. We see society and know what’s expected of us as believers.

It also assumes that we know what God desires to accomplish during this generation. This means that we see what’s next on His agenda as well as what it will take for His church to see it done.

There are times that God has set for certain things to take place. These are God’s appointed times.

God has a different perspective than we do. In our timing there are things we’d like to see happen. There are also things we hope for and then there are things we want right now. With God, there are simply a string of appointed times where He will accomplish what He said He will do.

It’s the same way that Jesus lived when He walked the earth.

Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.”
John 7:6

We must get His view of life. In God’s reality we are given a series of set times for a set purpose. We must learn to live and act within these seasons.

From our perspective, we want to pray and immediately see the answer. The fact is that God has appointed times, and it’s up to us to understand them. This was what He rebuked the Pharisees for.

He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”
Matthew 16:2-3

You can see the difference in weather patterns. By them, you can predict what is going to happen – fair or rainy weather. Yet the Pharisees could not see what was happening right in front of them.

The times of Christ – the Messiah – had come. Of all people, they should have seen and understood it.

Knowing the times takes discerning, especially now – during this time in history. I want to take a few posts to talk about God’s timing and what it means to us.

Questions: Have you ever had problems with God’s timing? Why?

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
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Posted by on June 4, 2014 in Prayer, Revival

 

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5 Ways to Keep Your Vision #vision

03 Mar

MountainDo you have vision – a God given goal that you desire to achieve for His glory?  If you do, then the worst thing that could happen is for you to lose sight of it.  Without a clear vision, you end up floundering around and accomplishing nothing of significance.

The Scripture gives us the tools we need to keep our vision clearly in focus.  Then as we keep our priorities in check, we will eventually arrive at our destiny in Christ.

Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.  For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.  Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
Habakkuk 2:2-3

This verse gives us five principles that will help keep our vision strong.

1. Write it down.

One of the biggest problems we face as human beings is our tendency to forget.  We hear a Word from God.  We make a commitment to walk in it.  A year later we don’t even remember it.

A spiritual journal is a great way to keep your walk with God on track.  You must record what you prayed about, what God spoke to your heart, and decisions you’ve made.  Then, take the time to review it periodically.

2. Make it plain.

Serving God doesn’t have to be complicated.  You need to see where you’re headed in clear, simple words.  Only then can you break it up into small manageable pieces.

It doesn’t matter how unreachable it seems to be right now.  I had a Pastor who would always ask us, “How do you eat an elephant?”  His answer was, “One bite at a time.”  A vision that’s written down in clear, plain terms will always be easier to achieve.

3. Run with it.

Of course, having a vision doesn’t really help if you never do anything about it.  There has to be some action taken.  Once you know where you’re headed, start moving forward.

Don’t let fear, intimidation, or a low self-image keep you from pursuing your dream.  It’s not about whether you can accomplish it or not.  It’s about what God can do through you.

4. Wait for it.

This is sometimes the hardest part.  Once you’ve done everything you know to do, it’s time to wait for the Lord to do His part.  Timing is everything.  We need to understand that there is a divine appointment with God.

He knows the times and the seasons we’re going through.  We want to blindly rush forward.  The Bible is clear that in order to obtain the prize, we must walk in patience.

5. Walk in faith.

After everything is said and done, it all comes down to faith.  Do you trust God for the outcome?  Remember that it’s not how things look on the surface that matters.  It’s what God has spoken that will ultimately prevail.

Continue to hide His Word in your heart and trust Him to bring it to completion.

These are the principles that will keep your vision clear and focused, no matter what challenges come your way.

Question: What’s the next step you’ll take to move toward your God-given assignment?

© Nick Zaccardi 2014

 
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Posted by on March 3, 2014 in Faith, Ministry

 

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