​When God makes us wait, it always seems like an eternity. No one likes to be told to wait, especially in today's fast-paced lifestyle
 
After my fiancé was killed in a car accident I was devastated. I took some time to heal; I was so angry at God, not just for the grief I was in but also because I had waiting so long to finally get married. I remember lying in bed and screaming at God saying, “I’m not waiting for three years to meet someone else again!”

God healed me quickly, and I began my waiting process. I did not take it well. Each day, with disappointment after disappointment, I became depressed and angry. I was paralysed by fear and worried that the waiting would never end. I often worried that nothing would ever be better than it was before. So many times, I came close to giving up. Just when it looked like a breakthrough was on the horizon, something always happened and discouragement set in.
 
I remember complaining about waiting on God to my family once. Their response was the same as everyone else’s “God does things in his own time.” I hated hearing people tell me that. I didn’t want to accept the fact God does things on his own time, partially because I felt that God’s time was slow and I wanted things to happen immediately. I had no patience and I was in this mindset that I was entitled to blessings because of what had happened to me.
 
Though I knew my family was right, I just didn’t want to accept it. God very much does have a set time for everything as it’s described in the book of Ecclesiastes, but I started trying to earn my blessing. “If I just pray like this, God will bless me,” or “If I just have enough faith, I will get what I want.” I did this for a long time throughout my time of waiting for my husband. I also just stopped listening to God in general and got on dating apps, trying to make things happen  faster for myself. People also gave me terrible advice, and it discouraged me even more. “Oh, God will give you someone, you may have to date a lot of men, but you’ll find the one.” My heart was crushed and I was so confused. God was telling me to wait on him, while everyone else was telling me that I needed to get out and find a man immediately.
 
“It’s just Satan,” I’d tell myself as I sat there in my tears begging God to end this misery. Finally, I realised that trying to do earn things from the Lord wasn’t working out and that I was being selfish. I wanted a husband more than I wanted God, so I surrendered. I gave up trying to do things my way, and started letting God do things His way. I was terrified at first because I like to know when and how things are happening. This time was different, I had to trust God with all of my heart. I was being tested, and from what I’ve learned, the waiting season can be a test. When we finally give up our way and start doing things God’s way, waiting becomes substantially easier.
 
When I let God do things His way, instead of me trying to do it, I felt peace. I was happy again and focused on other parts of life. We miss so much by only focusing on what we don’t have. After all, God promised me a husband. Waiting is for our own good. Yes, it’s painful, but it creates endurance and strength. If we never had to wait on a blessing, we’d never appreciate it when we received it.
 
Rest assured, that if you’re still waiting, it will pass and keep waiting with expectation. Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

-Natalie Jenkins

"And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-32)
 
Have you ever had a defining moment of faith in your relationship with Jesus? Like Peter, many of us do not realize we are caught up in a crisis of faith until the circumstances around us starts going sideways. The thing that makes circumstances so challenging is the fact that we, like Peter, are completely unprepared. Being unprepared frightens us to the core.  
 
In light of the COVID-19 epidemic, many Christians are at a walking on the water moment with Jesus. Our grocery stores are low on supplies, jobs are cutting our hours, church buildings are closed, schools are shutting down, convenient stores are not accepting our returns, everywhere we turn there is seemingly some pandemonium. Throughout all of this, it seems there is a constant wave of fear trying it’s best to crash onto our boats of faith.  

Where is Jesus in all of this chaos? He’s on the water, and that’s exactly where we are called to be. Like Peter realised, walking on water with Jesus is realised when we are willing to step outside of the boat. It is hidden deep inside the risk of faith. For Peter, there was no certainty that he wouldn’t sink. In fact, the evidence was completely stacked against him. Who would ever try to walk on water? You’d sink every time if you’d try!  

For Peter, this realisation was true, however, there was one thing that was the exception. Jesus. Jesus was walking on water. Peter, wanting to become like Jesus, decided the risk was worth the reward. If the risk meant becoming like the one who was on the water, then Peter was all up for it. Peter took a giant leap of faith with one step. For Peter, the task was simple. Follow Jesus, even if it meant walking on water.  

This passage of scripture is so encouraging to me because of the times. The COVID-19 seems as impossible to conquer as walking on water. As a father of three young boys, to think of all the things I have to do to keep my family safe seems impossible at times. When I begin to think of their safety in the midst of COVID-19 I begin to fear, and maybe that’s the point I’m missing - we are missing as Christians. By constantly focusing our minds on the coronavirus, we taking our eyes off of Jesus - who is in the midst of the storm, walking on water.  

If you think about it, when did Peter sink? It was only when he looked at the wind and allowed fear to overcome his perspective. The same is true for us today, we must do our very best to keep our eyes on Jesus despite the wind of the coronavirus. Sure, it’s scary. Walking on water, for Peter, was as well. It may be difficult, but it is not impossible. Peter walked on water, and so can we, despite what others may think. 

Jesus releases the capacity for us to have supernatural peace during life’s most difficult storms. By fixing our minds on Him through the storm, we enable our lives to access the peace of Jesus. 
 
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

-Kyle Echols

In our world today, communication commonly takes place in 15-30 second bytes like video clips.
There is a relentless crush of media; from text messages, to the internet, and its social media clamor, for our attention.

Smartphones make linking to the world too easy. It lets us talk to most anyone in the world, watch TV, movies, and sending a text, all on our luminescent handheld "gods". There is next no time for reflection, and little else has a chance to grab our attention.

 Within this daily media blitz, it is all too easy to let our spiritual man starve and wither away.

 Psalm 78 begins with these words,

“My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.” Psalm 78:1 NIV 

This verse is a clear call to put aside our busyness, to stop, listen, and take to heart the word of God. As Disciples of Christ, we are presented with a daily choice: Will we stop, be still, know He is God and hear His still, small voice speaking to our thirsty souls? Will we Allow our soul to be nourished and restored by the source of all wisdom and goodness?

All too often, we begin our days under the relentless press of life, too busy to listen to those around us. Rarely do we stop to hear God´s gentle knocking on the door of our heart, waiting to nurture and heal our lives.

In the book of Revelation´s Letter to  the church of Laodicea, we find this verse,

 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Rev. 3:20 NIV

Many think this verse is meant for the lost, but it is part of a letter written to members of the Laodicean Church, who were professing Christians. We all need to ask the question, “Am I like the Laodicean church, independent and too busy for God? Do I make time for him, does he have a place in my life?”

Even though peace and restoration await us in His Words, we are often too busy for our Creator.  But make no mistake, God will be heard. Although He may not always cause it but allow it, He can be heard in a raging firestorm, during an illness, during the loss of a job, in our home, during the actions of a rebellious child, and through a loving voice that is gently guiding, teaching, restoring, and feeding the deepest parts of our being.

How we hear God or how He gets our attention is the choice you and I are faced with daily. In any case, God will be heard. Dwell on that thought as you read a verse from Psalm 23:2-3 NIV,
 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.”

The Psalmists' words are clear. We have no choice (which is a good thing), somewhere, somehow He makes us Stop and lie down. He leads us to a quiet place to listen, He waits to renew you, his child. God will be Heard!

Unfortunately, I often only hear in crisis. These past few weeks were no exception. What did it take to make me slow down and hear? Heart trouble, as I write this, I am waiting on heart surgery, too weak to do much more than read and yes now listen! Even though the loving and gentle Father has always been waiting to guide and teach me and you!
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How about you, what does it take for God to get your attention? Incline your ear to the Lord. Be still and know that He is God and we’re not. Shhhh, quite now, He is speaking; are you listening?


-Brian Jakowski

What does it mean to be a man of God; to be a godly man?

 One aspect is to stand for truth no matter the circumstance. To be a man of God is not to be manly in the way the world tells us to be manly. The world demands consumption. The world demands exertion of power. The world demands us to put our own needs before those of others. The world compares people against each other, is constantly changing, and follows it's own desires.

In a letter from the apostle Paul to his disciple, coworker, and true son in the faith Timothy, he gives instruction of what a man of God is to do. 2 Timothy Chapter 4:1-8 says the following:

     "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

Here in this passage alone we see a number of points relating to godly men standing for the truth.
I'll break it down into three main points:

The man of God must stand for truth as defined by the One that is Truth.
The man of God must stand for truth in his word.
The man of God must stand for truth in his deeds.

1. The man of God must stand for truth as defined by the One that is Truth.
     In this passage Paul's charge begins with an exhortation of who God is and that is where our foundation of truth must come from. God and Christ Jesus: judge of the living and the dead, king over all creation, whose righteous reign is coming quickly. God is not small, He is great beyond our understanding (Job 36:26)! He is not finite, He is eternal and enthroned (Psalm 90:2)! He is ultimately the one through whom His church will be established and through whom His grace will be known (1Cor3:5-7, Eph2:4-7). It is He through whom we live and have our being (Acts17:28). Christ Himself claimed "I am the way the truth and the life" (John14:6). He is truth, He is majesty, and He is the one through whom truth was established in the earth.
     On the other hand, we have the world's shifts. If we allow our truth to be defined by society or culture, what Paul said will happen, "the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2 Tim 4:3). If we go by our own desires we will give up true teaching, we will give up truth, and we will be as one who has built their house on shifting sands (Matt7:24-27). 

     The man of God must stand for truth as defined by God Himself, Truth Himself.
In the previous chapter, Paul also exhorts Timothy to know the sacred scriptures well, the Spirit-inspired words of God. In Him we know truth.

2. The man of God must stand for truth in his word.
     The second portion of the passage focuses on a short list of commands, "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (2 Tim 4:2). This list contains a variety of actions, but each relates to speaking and teaching truth. Although some may argue, 'only some are called to be teachers. I'm not, so this list doesn't apply to me.' I would argue however that all believers are called to make disciples as God's Holy Spirit works in us (Matt 28:18-20) and that we are all called to teach those who are younger than us, men and women (Titus 2:3-4, 1 Tim2:1-2).
     Summing up the list, it says that we get preach, reprove, rebuke, exhort, and teach. Teaching really covers all the other four, so let's dive into them briefly: 

Preach (κήρυξον) - To proclaim after the manner of a herald used frequently in regard to public proclamation of the good news of the gospel. The word suggests formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed. We are to share the truth with those around us who do not yet know it.
Reprove (ἔλεγξον) - To find fault and to convict, refute, or confute and expose that fault to the one in the wrong. To correct by word (chide, admonish, reprove, to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation) by deed (to chasten, to punish). We are to correct in truth.
Rebuke (ἐπιτίμησον) - to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, censure severely; to admonish or charge sharply. express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions. We are to call out those who are in the wrong and point them back to the truth.
Exhort (παρακάλεσον) - To speak to in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction; to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort; to encourage, strengthen. We are to encourage and strengthen others in truth. 

     This is in all of these things, in every area of speech, to those struggling, to those in error, to the weak, to those who don't know the truth; the man of  God must stand for truth in his word and help others grow in that truth lest they continue in the way of the world which would stand opposed to truth.

3. The man of God must stand for truth in his deeds.
     In the last portion of this passage Paul calls Timothy to: "be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:5). Standing for truth is not merely a thing to be done theoretically, but in earnest and action as well in response to God's action on the cross. Here, Paul is calling Timothy to be self-controlled and calm in the Spirit. To patiently and with hope endure any suffering caused by doing good (1 Peter 2:20/3:14). This is to encourage to continue to take action, to go to those who don't have the truth as an evangelist, and to serve others by doing the ministry prepared for him in the church at Ephesus.
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     Those who are standing for truth must not only understand the truth and leave it. Those who are standing for truth must stand. This is echoed in Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” As well as the words in James 2:26, "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." Faith requires a response. He refers to Abraham, the father of faith, that it was credited to him as righteousness when he acted on the trust he had in God's promises and faithfulness. 

     Finally, Paul ends this section with the example of himself and how he has stood for truth since his conversion. Even now, at the end of his times, he was looking forward to the hope he had in Christ and in God's promises. Even in death he was standing for truth. "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing" (2 Timothy 4: 6-8). 

      Whatever it is that God has called us to, in all areas of life, to those works God has prepared us for (see Eph2:10), the man of God must stand for truth in his deeds.
  
Speaking directly to this call to stand for truth in a corrupt and twisted world, in the letter to the Romans, Paul wrote: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom12:1-2)

A man of God must stand for truth as defined by God allowing his mind to be renewed. A man of God must stand for truth in his word as Paul did to point the Romans to the true ways of God. A man of God must stand for truth in his deeds, presenting our whole body as a living sacrifice to a just God who is worthy of all our affection and worship.

A final note to add is that inevitably we will fall short of perfection, we will compromise, we will give in to temptation. But even then we are called to stand in the truth which says that God has made a way through the cross for forgiveness and salvation, and through reliance on His holy Spirit in us we can live lives that are glorifying to Him. May we stand for truth in His strength not ours.

D.Fa

Disclaimer: I believe this is a key component of what it means to be a man of God and although I am phrasing it in that manner it would be good here to note that the points may equally well address this aspect of being a godly woman and in no way do I mean that to be a woman of God would be the opposite.

Current Conundrum.
One day I cried out to God, “Please, Get me out of here!” Spiritually, mentally and emotionally I was spent. So many incidents had led to my current conundrum; finding out about my husband’s affairs and potential other child, lack of self-value, not enough income, uninformed decision making and unresolved emotions to name a few. Even my enthusiasm for my cleaning company I enjoyed so much in the beginning was starting to wane in my mind. I had a lifetime of working in positions but up to this point not a whole lot of satisfying works. My dilemma was buried under my titles of wife, mother of a very blended family, pastor’s wife, minister and usually whatever else I needed to be at the time. These cycles were going to cause me to crash and burn if I didn’t do something fast.
 
Let Me Off This Rollercoaster Please!
After a couple of months, I moved out of what I knew as home and into a small apartment with my kids and the work began. The immense grief of the days ahead gripped me. My family as I knew it seemed to have been ripped away and I had been abandoned, betrayed, rejected and even more ridiculed. My heart cried for change for myself and my family, but I knew the work would have to start with me. I made a decision to get spiritually and naturally in-tune to where I was as a person and where I wanted to go: I knew that there was more to my faith and my life than this! I was missing something but what was it? My dreams of becoming a life coach; traveling speaker and servant in ministry seemed as far away as the Land of Oz.

My bridge to breakthrough would come from some deep soul searching and healing. The only way off the rollercoaster of repeat was to get off and commit to doing the work. I knew about the pit and the prison, and I was ready for some palace moments in my life.
 
Time for Work
This is never easy but necessary. To say the days ahead for me were trying is a colossal understatement, some days I thought I was losing it but I had found the missing piece. It was time to unpack the pain through prayer, bible study, support meetings and some very candid conversations. Out of this intentional time of what I like to call soul-work, I re-wrote a book and a follow-up work book. This was a great turning point but I still experienced inconsistent revenue and had yet to breakthrough into fully realizing my dreams of healthy relationships, speaking, financial wellness and coaching. So, where would I go from here? How could I or anyone else breakthrough? Well, there are several ways but let’s narrow them to three steps that revolutionised my existence:
 
 
Step One-
 
Renew- renew your mind concerning your value. You are partially here not just because of what someone did to you but in some cases, what you allowed to happen over a period of time. You matter, act like it! By renewing your mind about your value and taking responsibility for where you are, you take power for your life. Be honest about where you have allowed people to de-value you and where you have devalued yourself or played small, then build yourself up and stay there. Protect your precious soul-work. The renewal stage includes getting rid of the victim mentality and taking ownership for knowing yourself, your needs and desires. You are God’s masterpiece!
 
Step Two-
 
Rededicate- Re-dedicate your efforts to dream again and take responsibility to write your life vision and make it plain so you can go with it! Do you need to go back to school? Change careers? Start a business? This is where you become intentional about what you want and how you want to feel. You can do this by creating a vision board, taking a life-skills class, most importantly get around other like-minded people on the journey to purpose. Keep toxins out!  Even when you miss your target and you sometimes will; use mistakes and problems as fuel to learn new lessons on your journey of purpose, adding to your expertise. Pastor John Ramsey says, “When things go wrong, don’t go with them.”
 
Step Three-
 
Rhythm- Once you’ve gained momentum, keep it at strong regular repeated patterns to see results. Accept your life’s new rhythm it will give voice to your purpose! Unearthing pain and unprofitable habits helps you to clearly see how massively creative you are and that you were born for good works! Your new rhythm will look a lot like new circles, new jobs, and new freedom’s new doors opening, all to make room for the gifts you’ve discovered. If you allow, this new rhythm will give voice to your pain and purpose when given the right opportunity.
 
When you need a breakthrough, a common misconception is that it is an “aha moment” and it happens overnight. Breakthrough is as much about process as it is progress. I still had my cleaning business and my first speaking engagement did not come for months but I remained faithful in my giving and new healthy habits. When I walked in the auditorium to speak on breakthrough, I was a different person. I courageously stepped up to purpose and finished the assignment and I was blessed with an honorarium of $400! I opened myself up to answer God’s call on my life and increase showed up. So when you are tempted to give in to frustration because things aren’t moving fast as you’d like, maybe step away and check your state of mind; commit to praying, reflecting, and recalibrate by remembering how far you’ve come and where you want to go from here. You are worth the effort to advance your dreams and get off the rollercoaster of repeat and on to your purpose.