It may sound strange, but some people actually get excited about certain times of frustration. They feel restlessness followed by dissatisfaction. They can't identify the cause. Then they know the Lord wants their attention. Once they make the move He desires, frustration will end. They're in sync with His plan for their life.

Frustration is usually considered a negative feeling. But, when God irritates us, His purpose is always good. He sometimes uses spiritual and physical barriers to guide us toward new insights. Pray about these feelings and ask the Lord to reveal His will.

In a culture of busyness, we can easily and foolishly overlook or ignore restlessness. But divinely sent frustration is meant to get our attention. God wants us to ask questions like "What are You saying?" or "Do You want me to be doing or thinking something different?"

As soon as we're willing to deal with whatever the Lord brings to mind, things will change. He reveals what we need to change to receive His insight.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 1:34 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Franklin Graham speaks about God’s permanent standards:

God’s standard is the same yesterday. It’s the same today. And it’s going to be the same standard a million years from now. And the Bible says that breaking God’s laws are a sin. You say, "What do you mean by that?" Well, murder is a sin. You say, "well, Franklin, we agree with you." Well, you know what? There are probably people in this audience today who are guilty of murder. And it’s a sin against God, but I’m here to tell you that God will forgive you. If you’re guilty God will forgive you, and he’ll cleanse you if you’re willing to come to him tonight in faith and receive his Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart, into your life. You see, God loves you.

You will be forgiven, and made new, when you come to Jesus Christ by faith. If you'd like to know more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, toll free, at 866-JESUS-CARES. Or click billygraham.org.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 2:07 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 14 June 2008 2:09 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Many people have seasons of frustration in life. Some feel hindered from achieving goals. The natural reaction is to blame circumstances or individuals instead of ourselves. External forces may trigger unhappiness. Sometimes we make changes to avoid irritation like quitting a job, ending friendships, or moving away. But we can't find genuine peace that way.

When we feel frustrated, we need to investigate the cause. Discontent has three internal roots. One is not being able to accept ourselves as we were created. Our talents, personality, and physical attributes may not be what we desire. But, they're exactly what we need to follow God's will for our life. Dwelling on what we lack or what we would change distracts us from service.

A second internal root for frustration is an unwillingness to deal with our past. We may have painful memories or recall mistakes that brought heartache. We need to admit their impact. Then we can confront any resulting emotional or psychological issues to move on in peace.

The final source of frustration is a refusal to deal with behaviors or attitudes that are outside the Lord's will. Holding on to an ungodly action often makes us try to justify ourselves to our Father and others.

The human solution for frustration by changing external situations will fail every time. The only way to end frustration is by relying on God for the strength to cope with its source.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:18 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Jonah was swallowed by a big fish, while trying to run from God. In the creature's belly, he decided to follow the Lord's will. When Jonah was called a second time to preach remorse (repentance) in Nineveh, he obeyed.

The often-overlooked part of this story is what happened after Jonah obeyed. Jonah warned the people across the city of divine wrath. They responded by turning away from wickedness.

The Ninevites' response should have made Jonah happy. But, Jonah grieved over their sorrow. Jonah was upset about God's mercy on them. Nineveh and Israel were longtime enemies. Jonah angrily told the Lord he had fled to Tarshish to avoid this time of forgiveness.

Jonah was displeased because his heart was hard. It was just as hard as when he ran to Tarshish. Trapped inside the fish, Jonah changed his mind about following the Lord's command. He expressed willingness to do whatever God wanted him to do. But, Jonah's heart still desired the Ninevites' destruction. Jonah's bitterness and reluctance showed through in spite of his righteous actions.

God is not fooled by good behavior from a hard heart. Obeying Him with an unwilling spirit may achieve His purpose, but we lose the joy of our reward. Perhaps the Lord has called you to serve Him in a way that is personally challenging. As you commit to following His will, pray also for a soft heart. You will find peace and blessing in doing the work, if you follow Him without hesitation.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:04 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

The Lord's commands are clear. He tells believers when to act. He tells believers where to go.  The Lord tells believers what to do.  He also provides the means for following His directions.

The prophet Jonah was told to go immediately to a certain city.  Jonah was to cry out this warning: "Yet forty days and Ninevah will be overthrown".  Instead, Jonah did something foolish. He ran.  Jonah was a prophet.  So, we can assume Jonah had studied the Scriptures and knew God intimately.  Still, dislike about his "assignment" clouded his judgment.  Jonah became convinced he could flee the Lord's presence.

Jonah was wrong.  God sent a great storm.  God isolated Jonah for three days inside a smelly fish.  The Lord didn't end this experience until the prophet agreed to comply.  Jonah learned that running away from the Lord doesn't release us from His commands.

Whether we outwardly or quietly pursue our own agenda, we simply can't silence His call.  Our Father will neither forget nor change His mind about a command.  The Holy Spirit continues prompting us until we do as instructed.  Wise believers obey God promptly rather than waste time and talent by running.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:22 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

If we responded simply out of our natural impulses, we would probably be nice when people were kind. At other times, though, we would likely be vengeful, angry, or hurtful.

Jesus clearly teaches us to love even when those around us seem unlovable. And He lived out what He taught. Christ loved us enough to die for us while we were still sinners. Surely, out of gratitude for what He did and with His strength, we, as His followers, can love others.

While it's hard to respond to unkindness with love, such godly behavior can lead to great blessing.

First, the Father is pleased. This realization should bring His children joy, peace, and a sense of accomplishment. Next, believers ought to feel excitement and anticipation to watch how God will move in the relationship. Finally, there will be an awareness the Holy Spirit is working from within, enabling divine love to flow through yielded human lives.

John 13:35 tells of an important benefit. Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Since unconditional godly love is uncommon in our world, people will notice.

Treating others as we want to be treated is what builds the deep, satisfying connections that all people desire. Without significant relationships, life lacks meaning...regardless of how many possessions or acquaintances we have. So think about the people you come in contact with throughout the week. Are you treating them the way that Jesus modeled?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:38 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Not only is anxiety an uncomfortable feeling, it also leads to negative consequences. Reasoning becomes cloudy when overwhelmed with worry. So an anxious person will have trouble making wise decisions. Fear of failure may also lead to procrastination or a lack of productivity. Apprehensions can devastate personal and spiritual growth, relationships, and work. So conquering fear is important. Four steps can help.

First, you need to identify the fear. Ask yourself about the circumstances surrounding your feelings and what triggered them. What message are you telling yourself?

Then turn to the Lord. Remember, God loves you and desires an intimate relationship with you. He's in sovereign control of your situation, so bring your fear to Him.

You should rebuke the fear before God. You have the authority and power in Jesus' name to reject what isn't from Him. Meditate on passages such as Matthew 10:31 and Proverbs 1:33. Let God's truth replace any wrong thinking.

Finally, cling to your heavenly Father. Take your focus off your circumstances, and look to the One who promises His help. Scripture from Isaiah 41:10 gives this assurance: "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand".

Circumstances are external and often beyond your control. But your response originates within. It's amazing how fears diminish in the Father's presence.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 5:21 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Throughout Scripture, the Lord gives us evidence that many people deal with anxiety, even those considered pillars of faith. For example, we can deduce from Acts 18:9 that the apostle Paul must have felt fear, since God instructed Him not to be afraid "any longer".

The fact that fear is common, however, does not mean it's from God.

Of course, certain situations... like hearing a loud noise when we're alone... will trigger a frightened response. But the Lord doesn't want us to live with ongoing anxiety.

Common worries include the fear of death, poverty, illness, old age, criticism, and the loss of a loved one or something cherished. Why do we find it so hard to let go of our concerns, even when the Lord clearly states in Luke 12, "Do not fear . . ."?

Worry can be deeply ingrained in the way we think. Sometimes we have unhealthy thought patterns that stem from feelings of inadequacy, a sense of guilt, or a mistaken view of God. It's not uncommon for insecurity in childhood to develop into a lack of confidence later on.

Life experiences can be another factor. A person who's lost a parent suddenly in a car accident is likely to struggle with worry.

Regardless of the cause, anxiety will take our eyes off our loving heavenly Father and focus our attention on our circumstances. No wonder God repeatedly reminds us not to fear. He wants His children to feel secure in His capability and trustworthiness.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 3:26 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Abraham didn't wait for the Lord to provide him a son. He took matters into his own hands. His decision not to wait for God's time and method revealed several things about him.

First, he was impatient. Second, he doubted. Though he believed God would give him a son, as time passed, he sensed he was losing the opportunity. Third, he was prideful. Abraham wanted it done by his own schedule and assumed his way should be good enough. Finally, he was selfish. By acting without the Lord's leading, Abraham showed he expected God's will to revolve around him. In reality, he was stepping out of the Father's plan.

When we choose to manipulate circumstances or timing, these same things are revealed about us. Instead, we should wait for God's plan and path, both of which flow from His love and wisdom. He is certain of what's best for us. Our role is to seek His guidance and depend on Him.

Sometimes we know what God is going to do but are unclear when He'll act. Other times, we're unsure of the outcome. Regardless, we can be confident that God loves us and He's all-powerful. If we truly understand who He is, we'll be able to trust Him. And when we're trusting Him, we'll be able to wait for His perfect timing.

God makes a promise. Faith believes it. Hope anticipates it. And patience waits quietly for it. Do you trust the Lord enough to be patient for His way and His time?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:34 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Our culture is an "instant" society. Because of inventions like the computer and the microwave, we're used to quick results. A fast pace isn't necessarily bad, but we should guard against becoming so set on immediate fulfillment that we can't wait for God's timing.

This problem existed long before the computer age. In Genesis 15:4-5, God revealed to Abraham that though he and his wife Sarah were too old to have children, a great nation would come from him. Abraham believed God but soon decided to handle matters himself. He took Sarah's servant Hagar as his wife so she could bear the promised son.

Abraham probably rationalized his decision, figuring the Lord wanted him to have a son. Since it seemed impossible any other way, surely this must be what God wanted him to do! But it wasn't. Abraham had to deal with the consequences of his actions, including jealousy and resentment between Sarah and Hagar. These problems in turn created further difficulties, both in the short term and throughout history.

The Lord was faithful, though. 14 years later, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. But, the consequences of Abraham's decision to step out of God's plan are still with us. The two boys grew to become the fathers of nations which are in conflict to this very day.

Like Abraham, we might believe God's promises but prefer immediate results. Or we may just want things done our way. Instead, ask the Lord to lead you. Then wait for Him. His way may not be what you think you want, but it is always best.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 5:04 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Spreading rumors about other people exposes little about their true nature but reveals a lot about the speaker's own character. Such behavior shows a willingness to sin against the Lord by causing harm to someone else. Until a gossiping believer confronts his sin, he can't progress toward becoming the person God wants him to be.

Confession is the first step in dealing with sinful speech. This should be followed by repentance by pledging to turn away from opportunities to talk about others. A useful scripture to pray daily is Psalm 141:3: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips."

Second, be on guard against temptation. Believers have a responsibility to set themselves apart from gossip in order to keep thoughts and words pleasing to God. Being in the presence of one who spreads stories can tempt even a believer to participate. In a situation where rumors are being shared, the best course of action is to speak out against the practice and then leave.

Finally, instead of talking about someone, it's wise to pray for that person. Getting into this habit will help train the mind to replace sinful patterns with God-pleasing ways. The Bible teaches us to encourage and comfort each other, and prayer is a good way to obey that instruction.

A gossiping Christian dishonors God's name and his own. Instead of using words that disparage and injure, choose to speak well of everyone. In so doing, you'll bring glory to the Lord.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:45 AM CDT

Updated: Sunday, 1 June 2008 1:54 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

God hates gossip. He wants our speech to be pleasing to Him. He certainly doesn't consider idle talk or mean-spirited words pleasant as stated in Colossians 3:8.

Sadly, gossip is practiced so freely that even some believers participate and try to justify their chatter. But hearsay has no place in a Christian's life. Romans 1 contains one of the Bible's longest lists of sins. The book's author, the apostle Paul, is reminding believers that God has revealed Himself to all mankind. Those who reject Him and chase after idols are turned over to their evil worship and the immoral practices that go with serving self.

Gossip appears in the middle of the list. God despises it because malicious talk destroys lives whether the stories are true or false. The person who is targeted by the rumor often loses the respect of those who listen to it. Hurt feelings may not be the only negative effect. A job or relationship could be lost as well.

Those spreading tales also face destructive consequences. People who refuse to control the tongue reveal evil motives or, at the very least, lack of discipline. As a result, believers and unbelievers will often avoid such untrustworthy individuals. For a Christian who spreads rumors, there's potential for even worse damage, in that such actions can harm fellowship with the Lord. Animosity toward another person and intimacy with God can't coexist in the same heart.

Gossip achieves no good in anyone's life, which is why the Lord warns against it. Instead, our words should build up, comfort, and encourage others.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:38 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Loneliness can be a lifelong challenge or a short-term event. The length of the experience is often determined by how we deal with it. Turning to the Lord can help us find our way through the fog of isolation.

You can admit to lonely feelings. Being a Christian doesn't disqualify us from sometimes having a sense of seclusion. Many of David's Psalms speak of his longing for companionship. When we express our feelings to the Father and cry out for His touch, He will answer. I often tell God that I need Him to wrap His arms around me. His response is just as real as if a human being walked in and hugged me.

You should develop godly relationships. We should pray for friends who'll point us toward the Lord whether we're in good times or bad. These are the loved ones who see our faults and like us anyway.

And, be anchored in Scripture. When we cling to the Word during a lonely time, we'll end up with a richer understanding of the Lord. Occasionally we all will walk through the fog of loneliness. But God is the Light guiding us out again. If you're struggling with feelings of isolation, cry out to Him for help.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:28 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink