Monday, February 25, 2013

Is God ALWAYS On Time?? REALLY!?

There are songs about God always being on-time and people preach and teach it from pulpits.
BUT!
 
Is he...ALWAYS...On-Time?
 
OR??
 
ISSSS HE...NEVER ON TIME?!
 
Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
  • con·sist
    to be made up or composed (usually followed by of): to be comprised or contained (usually followed by in  ).
God created everything: time, space, visible and invisible. Since he is IN time how could he be ON time or Late? When we say someone or some thing is always on time, we imply they or it COULD BE late.  This automatically places doubt in our minds.

You with me??
Who is required to be on time in any situation with God? HIM!?
Mmmmmmm, Nooooo. WE are!

God doesn't have to be on time - HE IS TIME!

Let's consider some Biblical events.
 
Gen 6:13  And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
  • The physical conditions for the flood were in place If Noah had not promptly performed all he was instructed, on time, he, his family and the animals would have died with the others.  

Jos 3:17  And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
  • The waters had already been stopped several miles up river and a dry bed was only minutes away. If the priests had not entered the waters, the people's trust in their leadership and faith in God would have been damaged. The river flow was set to restore after the Israelites crossed and if they had hesitated, they would have been shut out.  
Exo 5:1  And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
  • The physical conditions for the plagues were on schedule and Moses prompt response was vital to God's plan. God uses his creation to accomplish his will. Pharaoh was given opportunity to repent and the Israelites were being prepared for freedom, trust and obedience.
Num 14:20  And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: Num 14:21  But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.
  • Moses had anger issues but he kept appealing to God's mercy to not kill his people. Finally, they insulted God to a point that he determined to punish them by containing them in the desert for forty years and killing the current generation.
  • Some times, we cannot repent our way out of the consequences of our rebellion.
Mat 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 
  • The wealthy young man was a "moderate" religious follower but pressed Jesus for a promotion of sorts. When Jesus revealed what the young man "lacked", it revealed the true focus of his heart - his personal wealth.
Let us move on to another violation, the IF statement(s). A logical IF statement usually has two conditions - True or False. If the condition is True, do this but if the condition is False, do this.

IF
conjunction

in case that; granting or supposing that; on condition that

If is general. It may be used to indicate suppositions or hypothetical conditions (often involving doubt or uncertainty):
 
For example:
  • If God healed them/it, then...
  • If God said he would, then...
  • If God did, then...
The person speaking sounds like there is a question whether the action really happened. The audience may leave thinking, "Well IF he did, Great! BUT IF he did not...".
 
You might be wondering what difference a word makes, so try these examples:
  • Jehovah SAID...
  • Jehovah DID...
  • Jesus PROMISED...
  • Jesus WALKED/TOUCHED/DID...

Speak the differences to feel it. Speaking correctly will have Greater power and results.

NOW, personalize the statements.
  • God healed me.
  • God answered me.
  • Jesus provided...
  • My Lord told me...
Let's Review!
When God gives you directions/instructions through the Word or a Person or his Spirit, do what you are told, in the time given. You do NOT have to worry about him being on time; you DO have to be concerned with YOUR timing.
That promotion,  meeting, date, the list is endless is already prepared for you but it will fade away if you hesitate.
For example:
  • Promotion:  God can take years to prepare the position, people, location. You may have knowledge, experience, age to procure.
    • You ask, "How will I know what to acquire?".
    • Jesus said, "Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: "
He will tell you but IF you don't hear him, you are not paying attention. Children know the voice of their parents and parents tell them what to do.


As we mature, we don't have to have moment by moment updates, so Heaven may be silent for long periods. If you are married to your "soul mate", you know what your mate thinks, likes, etc. Same principle here.
 
My problem is getting into action too fast. He lets me know about a pending whatever and I get dressed, pack up and am sitting in the car ready to go. Two years later, I'm sitting in the car, wondering why we are not moving yet. Spouse says, "Let's go to the store." and you ask, "When?", get the answer and know when to head to the auto. Same with Jesus.
 
My OTHER problem is FEAR and I think (at 66yo) I may be getting this under control.
 
Connye and I are going to
  • travel throughout Europe,
  • keep our house here, USA and purchase one there for long visits,
  • purchase a class A for traveling here, USA,
  • lease or charter private plane for national and international travel (much less hassle).
Our part is to prepare ourselves, he has everything scheduled for us, as we grow into them.
 
Another fact of life is to accept what you missed and may or will never have.
  • I rejected Officer School in the Army and will never have that experience or memories.
  • Failed to pursue languages and can still learn several but may not achieve the fluency.
  • I missed my opportunity for dramatic financial increase (and all the benefits) ten years ago and that time with it's experiences is GONE.
  • Accept your losses, learn from the experiences and live your alternative reality.
Put away the "IFs and MAYBEs".
  • IF I/We did this, that, the other way, spoke to that person instead of...
  • MAYBE God wants, wanted, saved us from, kept us out of, I/We should...
  • You know what I'm talking about.
Quit "Second Guessing or Super Analyzing or Forecasting" your current circumstances or unknown future; you will only confuse and frustrate yourself and everyone around you.
 
I am done for today and READY for TOMORROW!!

PS: here are several verses to encourage your communication and reception.

Num_12:7  My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

Num_12:8  With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Jdg 13:3  And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

Joh_4:7  There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

Joh_4:9  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Act_9:8  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

Act 9:10  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

Act 9:11  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

Act 9:12  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Act 9:13  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Act 9:17  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Jas_2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Act_10:3  He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

Act_10:22  And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.