Romans 4~

Romans 4:
17-18We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!"
19-25Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.

There are a few families right now in my life who are really hurting and really struggling. I am praying hard for them and I do hope they feel those prayers. Today they find themselves hurting in such a way they are feeling there is no hope. Everything is lost. If you don't know Jesus - than you are on your own to battle these situations and circumstances. But if you do know Jesus than you do have HOPE! When you say "I can't" - God says "you can". When you say - "I don't see a way" - God says "to trust Him and He will provide a way". All of us wait for things in our lives. We wait for this and we wait for that - its when we become impatient with waiting - its when we force things to happen - that is when mistakes take place and God's will is replaced by our own. How we wait on things has so much to say about how things in our lives turn out. If you have Faith in Jesus - wait on His timing for your answers and your solutions. Many times we pray and pray for something to get better - for answered prayers for someone who is sick, who passed away and the feelings of loneliness, despair, a job offer, a promotion, financial situations - many times we give up right before God does what He says He would do. Miracles happen but they are in His timing, not ours! Many times God is preparing you for this miracle. Maybe there are things He wants to show you in life while you are in this pit - focusing you on the good things in your life. The health of your family - being thankful for your marriage and for your friends - thankful for the ability to press through hard times and to minister to those around you, and leading your families.
Friends we have to move past this hopelessness and move to a place where we expect God to do big things. He has our backs, He will deliver what we desire but only in His time. Move from faith and trust in God to expecting in God - make arrangements and plans for when you do move past this obstacle in your life. Start moving towards - "when" and not "if".
If we are having friends over for dinner - we don't start cooking when they get there. We prepare - early in the day we hit the store to get food or some tasty wine (I don't like wine!)- we clean the house and get some flowers for the table - we prepare well in advance for what will take place.
Expect God to move you through this and start making preparations now. Hopeless people have no hope - nothing will ever get any better- the situations will never change - the relationships that are broken will never get any better. Expect God to mend all that - to move you past where you are today.
Make preparations for that victory - a new level of understanding - a deeper faith and courage to trust the Lord.
It is written to "Walk by Faith and not by sight". If we can see things then we don't need faith. Faith will guide you to the next place...... the place where you are wanting to be today. So close your eyes and ask the Lord to move your heart and give you understanding, to provide for you and your family, to heal the sick person in your life or your financial situation- Whatever it may be...and then start making plans for when this time will come.
Gods planning..... Gods timing. What is He trying to teach you today? What are you missing and more importantly - What are you thankful for today?
Read the passage above again. Abraham - trusting not on his own understanding but made plans because God had the better plans for his life.

I am praying for those who are hurting today - who have lost hope and who need encouragement in the things they are struggling with. God loves you and is with you always.
Dare to trust God and in His promises.
Randy~