There was once a guy who owned a small trucking firm, and was looking to employ a new driver. Three drivers sat nervously outside his office as they were called in for their interview one by one. When the first guy came out, the other two checked with him, “What did he ask you?”. The man replied, “He only asked one question. How close could I safely drive one of his trucks near the edge of a cliff.” “What did you say?” “I said I could get one of his trucks to within 3 meters of the edge, but I don’t think my answer was good enough." The second man went in, and was asked the same question. He answered “I could get one of your trucks within one meter of the edge.” But apparently that wasn’t good enough either. Finally, the last driver went in. The boss looked at him and asked the question. The man replied, “If I were driving one of your trucks, I wouldn’t go anywhere near the edge of a cliff!” He got the job.

Isn't this some of us? We, as followers of Jesus Christ, continue to “drive so close to the edge." We are so confident in our ability to stop something before it gets out of hand. We continue to put ourselves in dangerous situations knowing that the possible outcomes can affect us for years to come. 

Proverbs 6:27-28 says. Can a man scoop a flame into his lap  and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?

• “I can have one more drink. I know my limit."
• "I'm ok to drive."
• "I can be alone with my girlfriend on a couch with the lights dim and nobody’s home and not do anything." 
• "I can afford to buy all these lotto tickets because when I win….”
• "It's only 2:00AM! We can stay out longer." (after 2AM decisions are usually not good ones)

None of the above is necessarily sin. but should we putting ourselves in these scenarios that can lead to it? 

Paul says in Romans 7:21, I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

Sin has a way of sneaking up on us and controlling our thoughts. We are in a constant battle every day of our lives. Our surroundings (for the most part) will influence the easier decision. God will always influence you to make the correct decision, which is often the harder one. 

James 1:14-15  “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Sounds dangerous. It is. Ask anyone who has been in any trouble at all and where it all started. Most will tell you a story of them “dipping their toe” into something they shouldn’t have and things escalated from there. 

James 4:7 says,”So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” I know it sounds dramatic but it’s so true. RESIST-FLEE, RESIST-FLEE, RESIST-FLEE. 

How do you resist? There's help. First and foremost, go to the One who, in the end, wins. Go to God who promises to love us, to guide us and give us victory. Then surround yourself with His army, like-minded people who are pursuing Christ daily, who will protect you from bad decisions and do anything they can to help you. Where do you find these people? Well, there's a bunch of places, some unexpected. The more predictable places are at church on Sundays or at a Growth Group during the week. This is where I found my "army." Check out our variety of Growth Groups we are offering starting in October here.

Are you driving near the edge today? Are you dipping your toe where it doesn't belong? Are you all alone or do you have an army at your disposable?  

Does anyone really ever have your full attention anymore? If I'm honest, I am rarely 100% involved in anything. I'm working on it but it's not easy! Some of you reading this are actually skimming through it and I'm ok with that. I get it.

We certainly live in an ADD world. It seems like everybody’s got Attention Deficit Disorder (some diagnosed by a doctor, some not yet diagnosed, but you know who I'm talking about) Our technology has left us constantly distracted which causes so many of us to no longer pay attention to the people around them.

How many people are sitting looking at their phone and texting when you enter a restaurant, your job, or even your home? Everyone's heads are always down, engrossed in these devices. (If you are currently with your head down reading this, please, at least, finish this blog.)

Several months ago, my wife and 2 children were driving when someone out of nowhere ran their car into us on the driver's side. The person would end up taking off. We were shocked. I never even thought to look at their license plate assuming for sure, they would pull over. No, they got right on the highway. We called the police and they stated how often this happens. (get license plates next time you're hit) But that's not the part of the story I want to share. My son who was 12 at the time (has since had a birthday) was so focused on his device in the backseat (driver's side) that 5 minutes after we were hit, he asked why we stopped. That scares me. (please do not bring this up to my son as not to embarrass him, just making a point). 

We, as a family, are putting more 'guardrails' on technology. For one, when we have company, we are not engrossed in anything other than our company. I'll say this for me....when someone is looking at their phone when I'm speaking, I feel disrespected. I'm sure it's not intentional but it really is how I feel. I'm sure some of you agree. 

Philippians 2:4, Pauls say, "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Rick Warren says, "The greatest gift you can give somebody is your attention because your attention is your time.  You’re never going to get it back, and that’s why it is so precious when you give it."

Learning the lost art of paying attention is an act of love. It will transform your relationships and help you live a better and happier life.

In 30 years from now, we will all learn what restrictions we should have or should not have put on technology. 

Would you say you 'pay attention'? Are you a good listener? Has technology taken you away from others? We always love your feedback! 

Most of us have worked in environments where there are certain people who "get things done" and others who "skate by". We know who we can give work to and who to avoid giving any responsibility to. It always seems to be that the better you are at your job, the more tasks you'll be given. The opposite is true as well, if you're not getting things done correctly, they won't put it on your lap. I recently spoke to a friend of mine who told me that early on in his current job someone asked him to do something and he purposely botched it. He is no longer asked by this person to do anything. 

I try to look at work through a different lens, through that of a Christ follower, a Christian. When I went through difficult times at my previous job, I came across a verse in the Bible that changed my life. In Ephesians 6:7 Paul says, "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people." Enthusiasm?!? Not so easy when you feel as though you're working a lot harder than most of the others. It can be very frustrating walking into your job when some co-workers are on their 3rd lunch or when some, upon knowing the boss is here, start performing instead of working (you know the type). How about the one that has the watch that seems to be running 15 minutes late everyday or the one caught in traffic, everyday. WAKE UP EARLIER! We often think others are 'getting away with something'. (In the long run, they're not getting away with anything). 

I found in this time that when I worked 'with enthusiasm' and 'as though God was my boss', it all changed. I was more fulfilled. I got more done. The day went by faster. 

For Christians reading this, when you work for God with enthusiasm, it comes with great results:

• It points to Christ. People want to know why you work so hard and have such a good attitude. 
• It can change a toxic atmosphere. So many of us get up and quit these tough environments. What if God truly had you here for a reason?
• There are rewards. Sometimes they're few and far between. Sometimes they don't come fast enough. The reward of putting in an honest day really does feel great. 

The norm here in our country seems to be to complain and gripe about our jobs, to do as little as we can and get paid the most. Scripture communicates almost the opposite. We are to do our very best all the time. 

In the end, God isn't going to say, "Well planned, good and faithful servant." He won't say, "well thought, well said, or well strategized either." There is one commendation. "Well done good and faithful servant."

Are you working enthusiastically for the Lord? Or as Colossians 3:23 says, "as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people?"

Can Social Media sway your feelings about someone? Pretty most of you all answered yes.

It's natural to be more gutsy in posting something than actually saying it. I know the last election really got some people fired up. I check Social Media daily because of interest but also because of my job. I do a lot of our Social Media stuff for Fellowship Church. Like us on Facebook! Sorry...habit. 

My family and I just got back from a vacation to Washington D.C. and Virginia Beach. I posted many pics on Facebook. My wife Vicki pointed out the risk of "overexposure". She said "people are gonna get a little tired of seeing the Pancoasts." I understood that. I also have a different opinion of Social Media than most. I see more of the good than the bad. I love the fact that these memories are saved. I see the advantages:

• I get to keep up with family and friends who are no longer local. 
• I see friends of mine celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other events.
• I can, in a sensitive way, share my faith without "shoving it down someone's throat".
• I can learn from others with inspiration they share.
• I see my friends children growing up. 

I was watching last week's message from Pastor Andy regarding protecting your soul. I've learned from so many how often Facebook would start their day in a bad way. Something someone posted would irk them. As a believer (Christian) I truly believe the best way to start my day is reading God's Word. Christine Caine once said to Christians, "Get off Facebook, and put your face in the Book." The message Pastor Andy shared also dove into the fact that Facebook is, for the most part, a "highlight reel". I decided not to post pics of the one day I woke up cranky and was short with my kids, or the time my daughter Sadie did not want to walk around D.C. anymore, or the time my son Bennett left his backpack in a restaurant.....my wife really didn't have any bad moments, but when she does, I will be ready with my camera. 

I always think of what this Social Media thing can be if we all purposely and intentionally try to better others and try our best to start their day off right. (if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all). 

What can you say or share today that may just help someone change their whole day?

GUEST BLOGGER - PAUL PAPP

If we are not hungry for God, we are hungry for something else. Now I’m not talking about being hungry for pizza and wings, that’s a different kind of hungry. I am talking about what your heart desires, not your stomach. My problem was, that I was hungry for drugs and the escape from reality that they gave me.

Now I’m not sure if I was trying to fill a void, numb mental and physical pain or cover up the shame of being a perfectionist and always falling short. I don’t know maybe it was all of it. Whatever the reason was, I was hungry for drugs and the effects they had on me. Drugs and getting high consumed me, they consumed my every thought and every minute of every day.

I was deceived. Maybe not the same way that Eve was deceived in the Garden of Eden but I was deceived. My deception, was that I knew better than God. (I would not surely die.) I was MISTAKEN. I was hungry for the wrong stuff. I had set my mind on the things that would ultimately kill me both physically and spiritually.

Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t high all the time. I had moments of clarity where I would come to my senses and rise up from the gutter that I called home. I would stand and fight my way back to sanity and clear thought only to fall again and repeat the process. People (friends and family) would call me weak and say that I deserved exactly what I got. Which was more or less true.

 I lost everything, I was homeless, I was hungry and I lost all self-respect but that’s not all, I lost my family and I went to prison, I was as far away from God as I could have possibly been. But that is not where I wanted to be. Deep down inside I wanted to be strong. I would make resolutions and commitments to change my behaviors and my thoughts. I wanted to be a strong independent man. Free from the chains of deception and addiction.

But the reality of it was that I truly was weak… My mind would always wander back to the drugs and when I tried to stay away from them, I would always feel like I was missing out or depriving myself of something I needed. I was still hungry for the wrong things, my thoughts were consumed with drugs. My thoughts became actions, my actions became habits, my habits became my lifestyle and down I went!

It didn’t matter how strong I was or how independent I wanted to be and do it on my own. I COULD NOT! My thoughts were all wrong.     Jesus said in Matthew 15:19 That out of the heart proceed evil thoughts.     My heart, my thoughts and my hunger were all in the wrong place and I didn’t want to go on. My life was over in my mind. There wasn’t much to live for and I truly thought about ending my life. Something needed to change and it had to change fast.

So as I sat in the woods in a tent that I called home in late December getting ready to get high. I watched a 23 year old kid overdose on heroin and as he hit the ground and started to turn blue everyone that was there ran away. They probably ran because they were afraid and because they all had drugs in their possession. I ran too but I ran to the car to get an overdose kit that I had in the glove box. When I finally got back to the kid on the ground, he was now a frightening blue and his breathing had all but stopped. I injected him with the Narcan, it reversed the effects of the heroin and by the grace of God he slowly woke up. He asked me what happened and when I explained, he was furious, he was mad because I wrecked his high and now he had to find a way to get more dope. Can you imagine?!? I had just saved his life and all he was concerned about was getting high. He wanted the drugs more than his next breath of air.

As I look back, I believe this was a major turning point for me. I realized that I valued life more than things, more than drugs, more than pride or status, more than any of this I wanted to live. But the problem with that was how? How, when I was dying? How, when I was slowly killing myself? In that moment, that insane moment I remembered the words of John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In that moment of clarity I came to my senses and decided to return to my Father and I surrendered myself to God. I was done trying and failing on my own. I needed Him to change my thought process. On my own, I still hungered for the drugs but what He did instead was change my heart. I no longer felt like an evil villain but instead I felt like a forgiven son, His child. But there was still work to be done. I had to kill my independence, stop trying to do this by myself, admit my own incapability, give up and turn it over to the Father. I surrendered.

That my friends is the moment of my greatest victory. It allowed God to change my heart (that had to happen first). Once that happened, my thoughts, behaviors and hungers soon followed. Striving for change on my own and believing that I alone could do it was a lie that I believed for way too long. Yielding to God and trusting him for that change was the truth.

Now that I was trusting God for the recovery of my life, I needed to focus on Him first but setting my mind on God wasn’t just thinking about him. It was being preoccupied with Him. I had to intentionally and intently focus on God, I had to let my imagination and attention be totally captured by him. He is where my mind wanders to when there is nothing to distract it. I am different, I am changed, I am a new person, because of my Savior.

I truly believe there is a battle raging in this world. It’s a battle for the mind, a battle for our thoughts and ultimately a battle for the soul. What we think and what we believe matters. I was losing this battle. The only way I was able to turn it around was to surrender and trust that God would do the fighting for me. I am hungry for God and I ask the question, what are you hungry for? What does your mind wander too when there is nothing else to distract it. Is it God or is it status, flesh, lust, drugs, alcohol, pride? Are you saying look at me, look what I have accomplished on my own?

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians chapter 3 that if anyone can brag about the things he has accomplished and his status in the community, it’s him. Just listen to what he says. "I was circumcised at 8 days old, I am pure blooded Israeli, I am from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews if ever there was one. I was a Pharisee with strict obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church and as for righteousness I obeyed the law without fault. I am blameless." (WOW)

But then he goes on to say that these things that he valued so much, these things he was hungry for are worthless compared to what Christ has done. Yes everything is worthless compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus the Lord. He says that all these things, are dung, crap, garbage and that he has thrown them away so that he can gain Christ and His righteousness.

So all the things Paul was hungry for; pride, status, recognition, (look at me) are nothing compared to a life with Christ. He is right. Proverbs 16:3 says Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established. Remember thoughts become actions, actions become habits and your habits determine your lifestyle, your eternal lifestyle.

Every time I try to take control of my life and do it without God, the wheels come off and it all falls apart. Now I surrender to God and put Him in control, I trust Him for everything. I am happier than I have ever been. There is hope for the addict. There is hope for you.

 Is there something missing in your life, is there a void you are trying to fill? What are you filling it with? God created us to live in a relationship with him. Until we find that relationship there will always be something missing in our lives. We will always be hungry for something to fill the void.

Today I am drug free, I am happy and I am hungry for God. What are you hungry for?

GUEST BLOGGER: Kevin Wilhelm

It’s never too late for most things - to learn to play an instrument; to run a marathon; to heal a broken relationship. 

I have never taken lessons to play an instrument, but am certain I could perhaps play the tambourine or the triangle - with a little practice.  My interest in running a marathon is minimal so that probably won’t get on the bucket list.   But I have experienced God’s infinite grace as He has healed relationships, most notably with my twin brother. 

I had just begun reading the Bible daily late in 2011.  One day just before Christmas I was drawn to Matthew 18:35. I kept reading that verse over and over and over again.

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

I was a novice in terms of biblical knowledge so the context of the entire chapter was not yet relevant to my life.  All I knew (and God desired) was that I needed desperately to forgive my brother and to seek his forgiveness in return.  Faith actually had driven us apart in a very painful way for more than 15 years.  Faith brought us back together.  I called him on Christmas Day to forgive him and ask for his forgiveness in return.   This surprised him greatly but he was gracious and delighted. 

We didn’t even need to identify the reasons to forgive.  We both just wanted the hurt to stop.  We turned to God rather than our own understanding.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

You see my brother had turned his life over to Christ a long time ago.  I hadn’t.  Lacking understanding I interpreted his frequent overtures as judgment when really all he ever wanted was for me to experience the same peace and joy that he had come to know.   I learned after the fact how often he had prayed for me during our long separation.  My brother never lost faith that I would be saved.  He knew it was never too late.

Our lifetime is not even a blink of an eye for the Lord.  Fifteen years seemed like forever to me.  But God is patient – very, very patient.  His love (and my brother’s) was clearly worth the wait. 

Relationships are healed every minute of every hour of every day.  We have to recognize the opportunity He provides for us.  God never gives up on us.  We certainly should never give up on each other, There simply is no such thing as too late. 

Today as I walked in to church, I was feeling shattered, exhausted, defeated and ready to give up. These are all things that have taken me over in the last couple years and even more so in the last couple months. I walked in and felt that being there was futile and thought to myself "what's the point." But I continually reminded myself that those words were coming from Satan and God had a very different plan for me.

As I sat myself down in the front row like I always do, I felt myself connect with God. People were buzzing around me, but I just sat frozen- and connected. Connection is something that I have a really hard time with, but I felt it so strongly and I knew in that moment that God was holding me.

As the music began to play, I began to cry. My mind is so tired of fighting and my body aches from sadness. But as I listened to the words that were being sung, I realized that this turmoil within myself is not my battle to fight. My God is greater than my pain and greater than any thought I could ever have. As I heard the church singing the words "what a powerful name it is, nothing can stand against. What a powerful name it is, the name of Jesus," something within me let go. "Nothing can stand against." Four words that completely changed my mindset on my current situation. My depression, my anxiety, my thoughts surrounding the idea of ending my life.....all of these things are weak compared to my God and that is so darn incredible.
 

I heard God tell me, "Ashley, I've got this. Just let go." And in that moment, I knew I needed to accept where I am and let God do the rest. Yes it is easier said than done, but it is something that I need to do. Not just to draw closer to God but also to save my life. "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. It's time for me to rest and let my God do the work that He has promised He will do.

As Pastor Andy began to preach today, I knew this message would be a powerful one. As he began to say things like:

"God leverages the tough things in our lives for His glory."
"the hard things you are going through are not punishment, but rather preparation for something bigger."

"Even when our world is falling apart, God does not leave us or forsake us."

"God will turn my mess in to a powerful message."

"God is not just with me, but He is crafting something amazing within me."

My heart was open and receptive for the first time in a long time. I wasn't only hearing the words that Pastor Andy spoke, but I was absorbing them. As I slowly and gingerly walk through the toughest season in my life thus far, I was reminded today that this season will be brought together for His glory. I may not be able to see the other side of this dark hole, but I was reassured that there is in fact another side. And even though God feels so far away, He is not. I need to stop confusing silence for forgotten. This season of life is just that- a season.

I am awestruck by how big and how good my God is. The words that I heard today were truly life changing. As loneliness, despair, sadness, frustration and hopelessness seep in to every aspect of my life, I now know that I just need to hand them over to God and I need to trust the process. Nothing worth having is ever easy. I know that I will continue to struggle, as that is a part of life, but moving forward I just need to remind myself of what a beautiful, powerful and wonderful Name it is- the name of Jesus.

So next time you find yourself surrounded by darkness, please remember that you are NOT being punished but you are being prepared for something much greater than you could ever imagine. Keep on keepin on and understand that God will NEVER leave you or forsake you. How do I know? Because He has promised that to us, and the God I know stands true to His promises.

Thank You, God for loving me and allowing me to see a glimmer of hope amidst my darkness. I love You.

Guest Blogger - Ken Morrison

Three years ago I left Maryland, a place I had lived for over 50 years, to start a new life. The only thing I had in Connecticut was a new job and a hotel reservation  (a place to stay while I looked for a place to live). I only knew one person in Connecticut, and he was the person that hired me.

As I drove towards Connecticut and across the Tappan Zee Bridge, it seemed as though I was leaving my past behind me and my new life was in front of me. In some ways I felt like Abram leaving the land he lived to go to the land God showed him or Joshua crossing the Jordan river into the Promised Land. I felt God had led me to this new job and new place. I had a dream of becoming GREAT at this job and my new life would fill my heart’s desire. By trusting and following God all would be well. On my mind was the following quote.

“When you come to the edge of all the light you have, and must take a step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of two things will happen. Either there will be something solid for you to stand on - or you will be taught how to fly.” - Patrick Overton

As a follower of Christ, I took this this as Jesus would give me the solid place to stand or He would teach me to fly.

But, my new life didn’t go as planned. My job took a different direction. Promises made by my employer vanished and a life hoped for didn’t work out. I felt Connecticut had  became a metaphor for everything but my Promised Land.

Where is God when We are in the Middle of Pain and Disappointment?

Maybe your life hasn’t gone as planned either. Many of us are in THE MIDDLE, using a different word picture for ‘the middle’ than Pastor Andy. Here, THE MIDDLE is the middle of waiting for a blessing, for prayer to be answered, or a bad situation to be taken away.

• We want an opportunity in our jobs

• We want a job

• We want healing in a relationship

• We want a relationship

• We want healing from sickness

• We want to be loved

• We want a child

• We want a family

THE MIDDLE is God is telling us - not yet. The MIDDLE could be waiting for something small, but often it is waiting for something that is huge in our lives.

The MIDDLE means disappointment, hurting, pain and loss. It is often God building us up for what he has planned for us and we can only learn what we need to while we are in THE MIDDLE.

It is hard to see outside of our circumstances in THE MIDDLE when we have waited a long time for God’s blessing or suffered setback - after setback. It is easy to think God has forgotten us.

However, there is purpose in the pain as there are things you can only learn while you are in THE MIDDLE.

Sometimes God delays what we want in order to give us something better than we think we need. That is difficult to understand when we have lost that thing we wanted or we are redirected on the path we were heading.

As Pastor Andy said, “Often the situation that we want changed is what God uses to change us.  He is more interested in preparing your character than giving you what you want or making sure you are comfortable.”

We Must Exist in God's Timing

In THE MIDDLE, there are things which are available to us now and things which are not available to us now, but will be available to us later, as part of God's plan.

We are often in a hurry, but God isn't. That is why there is a delay between asking God and receiving his blessing in THE MIDDLE. Some of you may remember from Daring Faith where Pastor Rick Warren described this as ‘planting and harvesting.’ We can't expect the crop to come in the day after we plant it or our prayers answered immediately after we pray them.

What you ask for and need might fall in line with God’s teachings, but a delay is not God saying no. You and I may not be ready for His final blessing. God sees all time, is all knowing, and doesn't make a mistake. God's perfect timing is best in our lives.

What Does Scripture Say About THE MIDDLE?

We must stay connected to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit while in THE MIDDLE. When we do, He unfolds the plan for our lives, one step at a time. We must point our compass vertically to God in prayer and listen to Him through the scriptures to stay closely connected to Him during this time. This connection to God will create a more intimate relationship with Jesus and we will walk closer with Him as He works us through to our blessing.

Wait on the Lord

Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Psalm 27: 11-14

God Has a Very Good Plan for You

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Ask Him to Guide You and Fulfill Your Needs

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:12-13

Don’t Be Anxious but Pray and Be Thankful

In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:6-7

We Won't Be Disappointed By God If We Wait

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Psalm 25:1.

What Does Waiting on the Lord in THE MIDDLE Mean?

Waiting in THE MIDDLE is NOT doing nothing. It is NOT putting our lives on hold. We must CONTINUE to:

• Pray

• Serve - Volunteer

• Interact with other Christians

• Learn about God and stay in His Word

• Believe in God and His plan

We must continue to be guided by God and trust Him. Even when our future is unclear. We enter a time of ACTIVE STILLNESS. God can’t steer us in the right direction if we are sitting completely still. Some suggest keeping a journal and writing down everything you are learning during this time.

Don’t Do It on Your Own

Sometimes, when we have waited and waited with no solution, we make a decision outside of God's instruction and His guidance, and do things on our own.

I have fallen into that trap many times in my life and decided to ignore God's teachings and direction. In doing so, I disrupted God's plan for my life or missed his plan.

We make mistakes when we point our compass to someone or something other than God.

But, God is good. He will make another plan for you if you fall back into connection with Him. He will take you where you are and give you a whole new beginning.

Conclusion

Before I left Maryland I confided in a friend and told him I was thinking about turning down the job offer in Connecticut. He told me I would be turning my back on God's plan for me. Today, that is very hard for me to understand especially in the sorrow and loneliness I am in currently.

For me, THE MIDDLE is hard. I don't write these things as an expert or as someone who has mastered waiting in the MIDDLE and waiting on God. This information is important for me to learn, too.

I have prayed for and desire many things which include removal of loneliness, a purpose in this stage of my life, and some things that are voiced only between me and God.

I ask that you, who are also in THE MIDDLE, walk beside me. Some of you are friends, and others I don’t know. The only thing you may feel we have in common is that you are waiting, too.

Remember these things according to the scripture while you are in THE MIDDLE:

• God has a very good plan for you

• You must ask him to guide you and you must ask him to give you your needs

• Be thankful when you pray, not anxious, and you will be at peace with God.

• You won't be disappointed with God by waiting on Him

We show God we are honoring and glorifying His Lordship when we acknowledge His power, knowledge and timing. We are obedient when we  stay in His Word, listen to His direction for our lives, and pray for our desires and needs.

What God has planned for us may not be ours today. We don't have to fear losing. God will provide us what we need in His plan because He is a loving God. When we follow and obey Him, He keeps His promises.

Stay strong in THE MIDDLE. As Pastor Rick Warren says: In many ways, we must always walk through the wilderness to make it to the Promised Land.