4 Things Waiting Can Look Like?

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I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  Psalm 40:1 NIV


Who likes to wait on anything?  Waiting can be difficult.  

Let's look at the definition of wait! 

wait

VERB

1. 
   

   stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens: 

   synonyms: hold on · hold back · bide one's time · hang fire · mark time · stand by · sit tight · hold one's horses · await · anticipate · look forward · long · pine · yearn · expect · be ready

   
   

   • 
     

     (wait foron) 
     stay where one is or delay action until (someone) arrives or is ready: 
     
     
   • remain in readiness for some purpose: 
     synonyms: stay (put) · remain · rest · stop · halt · pause · linger · loiter · dally · stick around · hang out · hang around · kill time · 
   • be left until a later time before being dealt with: 
     synonyms: be postponed · be delayed · be put off · be deferred · be put on the back burner · be put on ice

     
     

If you're like me - certain words jumped out - DELAY! STOP! KILL TIME!  Those all seem to make it seem negative.  

What about looking at the words - REMAIN IN READINESS, REST, PAUSE!  I like those as they bring about a positive feeling.    

As most of you know the house we rent sold on 7/29 - unexpectedly and without advance notice.  Well if you count 2 days notice, then we got notice.  Patiently for the past 2.5 weeks, but who's counting, we've been waiting on the new owner/landlord to connect and discuss us continuing to rent here.  

Wednesday, he did reach out.  He sent a lease for us to review and sign, but there were quite a few concerns with it.  We sent it back with the items we wanted to have changed and then began the wait again.

For whatever reason, we were stressed out over it.  Me more than Ken.  The enemy came in like a flood with every possible negative scenario.  I prayed and asked God to please settle this lease issue.  I asked Him to give us favor and that all the items would be addressed to our satisfaction.  And the next morning a new lease came over and each and every item was corrected to our liking!  Praise God!! He heard my cry and He answered.  Though it was less than 15 hours in waiting for this resolve, it was a very long 15 hours.  I didn't sleep a wink.   

P.S.  So Wednesday night our new landlord came over to have us sign the month-to-month lease.  We had a great visit, shared our vision and he was excited for us.  He even told us that God told him to take good care of us!   How's that for God's favor!  Very exciting!!

Have you ever had a situation like that?  That all you could do was think, what if??

Ken and I have been believing and waiting on God for a very long time to step into the destiny He has for us.  We have been seeing some definite signs and progress on many levels but yet the reality of it has not come to pass.  The only hinderance is finances!  God keeps promising us and reassuring us that He will make it happen.  We have had confirmation after confirmation.  

Here's a few things I've learned and what waiting can look like?  

1. Waiting can make you look foolish!  Maybe we are! John Wimber quotes "I'm a fool for Christ, whose fool are you?"   We'd rather continue to pursue what God is showing us and believe than stay stagnant and status quo in our walk.  We are here to please God and faith pleases Him!  Mark 9:23, if you can said Jesus, everything is possible for one who believes. As the definition above says - we are to remain in a state of READINESS!! 

2. Waiting can give you the REST you need just as the definition above implied!  Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles' they will run and not grow weary, they will and not be faint.  I want to soar!  I want to run and not get weary!  As much as I hate to admit it, this long season of waiting on God has been good for my physical health and my soul. My adrenals need rest to heal.  If I was busy busy day in and day out, I would never get well.  It has allowed me to hit the PAUSE button of life and grow more in the things of God.  It has enabled me to spend quality and quantity of time with the Lord!    

3. Waiting can leave you isolated. Some people's faith doesn't allow them to understand you and your dreams so they avoid you.  And that can hurt.  Romans 12:3b each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  We don't expect you to completely understand our walk, it's not your walk, it's our walk!  (Heck, we don't always understand - but we do the best we can walking out what we feel the Lord is showing us.)  However, God also is so good to bring new people or some old friends alongside you - who will help you get to the next step.  Thankful for that.  

4.  Waiting can bring great rewards!  It builds character, faith, deeper trust in the Lord and His favor. Who doesn't need improved character and a deeper richer faith?  Look at all the people God used in the Bible.  They waited a lot longer than we have been waiting.  I hope we don't have to wait as long as they did....but if we do, then we know God has a reason for it.  

This devotional seems to hit the mark quite often this year, so I wanted to share it with you.  


Streams in the Desert Devotional August 15, 2017 

L.B.E. Cowman

In waiting, I waited, for the Lord Psalms 40:1-6

Waiting is much more difficult than walking. Waiting requires patience, and patience is a rare virtue. It is fine to know that God builds hedges around His people--when the hedge is looked at from the viewpoint of protection. But when the hedge is kept around one until it grows so high that he cannot see over the top, and wonders whether he is ever to get out of the little sphere of influence and service in which he is pent up, it is hard for him sometimes to understand why he may not have a larger environment--hard for him to "brighten the corner" where he is. But God has a purpose in all HIS holdups. "The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord," reads Psalm 37:23.

On the margin of his Bible at this verse George Mueller had a notation, "And the stops also." It is a sad mistake for men to break through God's hedges. It is a vital principle of guidance for a Christian never to move out of the place in which he is sure God has placed him, until the Pillar of Cloud moves.
--Sunday School Times

When we learn to wait for our Lord's lead in everything, we shall know the strength that finds its climax in an even, steady walk. Many of us are lacking in the strength we so covet. But God gives full power for every task He appoints. Waiting, holding oneself true to His lead--this is the secret of strength. And anything that falls out of the line of obedience is a waste of time and strength. Watch for His leading.
--S. D. Gordon

Must life be a failure for one compelled to stand still in enforced inaction and see the great throbbing tides of life go by? No; victory is then to be gotten by standing still, by quiet waiting. It is a thousand times harder to do this than it was in the active days to rush on in the columns of stirring life. It requires a grander heroism to stand and wait and not lose heart and not lose hope, to submit to the will of God, to give up work and honors to others, to be quiet, confident and rejoicing, while the happy, busy multitude go on and away.

It is the grandest life "having done all, to stand."
--J. R. Miller

Praise/Prayer Requests
-We were so blessed this week by several people.  A total stranger got my name from a local friend and brought me 4 boxes of fresh tomatoes (and a couple green peppers).  Another friend brought us a bag of apples just picked off the tree.  Another brought us 10 dozen farm eggs - that's probably over 100 dozen free eggs this year.  We of course, enjoyed some ourselves, but also have shared with many here who have need.  Had another friend from KC bless us with a visit and generosity.  Another friend gave me a beautiful stock pot - thought I could put to good use as we are using our hospitality gift often.  And another sent me a bottle of Mexican Vanilla recently.  And even another purchased an online course for Ken & I to grow deeper in hearing God!   God is so good and faithful to meet our needs & wants!  

-Ken is still getting some additional painting work - about 20-25 hours a week plus his part time job at Dollar General.  We hope this continues - but please pray for his endurance as he is working 6 days a week - and often works back to back both jobs - making for long days. 

-I am still struggling with sleep, had a big adrenal crash this past week. With Ken's extra hours, it's meaning more household work for me.  I can do it, but then I pay in pain and fatigue. Exciting news -  I had 2 friends out of the blue message me and say they felt God spoke to them and told them my healing was coming very very soon!  I believe it!  God has been speaking to me that my healing is coming synonymous with our shift into destiny.  I hope so and I hope soon!!!!! 

-Canyon is definitely showing signs of the end and I am struggling more than ever.  I'm asking God for peace and perfect timing to put him down.  It's probably already that time, but I just don't have the peace yet.  Please pray that God will take him peacefully and with no trauma to him or us.  

-Ministry - Wow!  Definite God signs and specific answers to prayers continue to make us think it's soon..... it's like a wave of excitement, then a lull, then a wave of excitement....etc  Please continue to stand with us for the perfect timing and God's amazing provision to come forth! 

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Thank YOU so much for your ongoing support, love and care for us and our ministry.  We are honored to be able to pray for those who reach out to us.  Please let me know if you have any prayer needs.  

If you have been blessed by this ministry or feel led to support what God is doing through us - financially, below are a few options.  Your generosity and your prayer support is greatly appreciated and needed as we continue to walk in faith and God's calling. 

Megablessings  - 

Ken & Michele Cole

http://www.wantinsight.com

michele@wantinsight.com, ken@wantinsight.com

Tax deductible & non tax deductible donations can be made: 

1.  Checks made payable to Sonlit Fields, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744 or if you prefer anonymous giving - you can give through our Donor Fund 

2.  Non tax deductible donations can be made directly to us by:  THIS IS THE FASTEST WAY TO GET MONEY TO US FOR DAILY USE. 

 Paypal - www.paypal.com  (michele@wantinsight.com) 

3. Donor Fund - Contact National Christian Foundation - Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight Fund -   Tax deductible 

    7171 W. 95th Street, Suite 501

Overland Park, KS 66212

    Phone: 913.310.0279

    Fax: 913.227.0254     www.nationalchristian.com 

Vision

God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.  

The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted).  We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord. 

We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.  

The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers.  We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church. 

In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.  

Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world.   To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas.  Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!!  We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.  

Who can you impact and influence! And update on Peru!

This weekend, the small group we attend were discussing who we could serve on a regular basis. We all had great ideas - work in a soup kitchen, befriend different people at a nursing home, pray for and rake leaves/shovel driveways for folks who can't do it themselves and so on. What we see is that there are so many needs out there and we could never meet them all. There is need in every community, every city, every state, country, world, etc! As individuals or as a group of believers, where do you begin? How do you make the decision on who to serve? I look to John 5:30 which says I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge and My judgement is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. In Proverbs it says to seek the Lord and He will show you what path to take. We must sit quiet and ask the Lord to show us who and where to serve. We need to be doing what we see the Father doing. When He is at the center of it, more lives are impacted and influenced for the Kingdom of God.

Ken and I often sit down and ask the Lord if there is someone who has a need - whether it be financial, healing or otherwise. We ask the Lord who He wants to bless, where to go and what specifically we are to do when we get there. Often times He will send us to a hospital room to pray for someone. We have seen salvations, physical, emotional and/or spiritual healing.

Some of you may have heard this story but it's one I love to share because God is so good and so loving! I remember one time, the Lord gave us details to visit room 417, bed 1, Olathe Medical Center. We heard broken heart. On the way to the hospital we heard John 17:21 which at the end of the verse it says, they will know I sent you. John being the 4th gospel, 17th chapter to coincide with the room number we were going to. We entered the room and approached the lady in bed 1. We asked her if we could pray for her and she said yes but told us she had a contagious disease and we need to put the gloves on for protection. When we walked up to her bedside, we asked her if she believed in Jesus and she said yes and that she had accepted Him as her Lord and Savior 20 years ago. We began to pray. The Lord had me hold her hand while we were praying. She was taken back that I would want to hold her hand. As I prayed, the Holy Spirit gave me the words to pray. I said God, there is something specific she is asking You for and I ask that You would honor her hearts desire. She began to cry. After we finished praying, she said to us "I know the Lord sent you to me, because just five minutes before you walked in, I was praying and asking the Lord to either heal me or take me home to heaven. You see I'm lonely and I have a broken heart and in walked my brother and sister in Christ to pray for me. She went on to say that she had been in and out of the hospital for the past year with this disease and she didn't have many visitors due to the contagious part of it. A few days later I found out, she was released from the hospital and was completely healed! Praise God!!

I believe the Lord wants to use us ALL to reach others. There are so many people out there who need a touch from God whether they know the Lord or not!! The only way He can reach them all is if we are willing to seek His will, His direction and then be obedient and step in faith to do what He calls us to do! This is how we can make an impact in the world, one life at a time. The definition of impact means intentional collision. These are my favorite words...impact and intentional. Do you want to make an impact? If so, you must choose to be intentional in what you do each day.

This morning in my quiet time, I was reading in the book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 8. Several verses jumped out at me that relate to our discussion yesterday and what I just mentioned above.

Verse 3-5 - For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord begging us with much urging favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.

When people give themselves to the Lord, when they spend time His Word and time just listening and seeking His Kingdom, His will is revealed to us. He will show us who He wants to touch. He will show us who has need. He will show us what cause to support.

Verse 10-15 - I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable, according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality at this present time, your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack. Amen!

Ken and I have been living these verses lately. Over the last 8 or 9 years, the Lord has been teaching us the principle of giving. For a long while we had what we would say the resources to give. We had an abundant supply. We gave cheerfully. We gave according to what we had and our ability. Our abundance was a supply for others.

We have also learned the spiritual law of sowing and reaping and now we definitely are seeing that as you give, it will be given back to you (Luke 6:38). Our supply has dwindled down. We are in a season of receiving. I have to say honestly it's not quite as fun as giving. It's humbling. It's hard. It's hard because we have to totally trust God for our needs to be met. That's not always easy when we have been used to having "abundant supply". But God is faithful and He has been showing us that for a while. Each day, we give Him thanks and praise for what He has supplied, for the blessings He does give us. He surrounds us with people who encourage us. What a gift friends are from God!

Our readiness and desire to give is even greater now, though we would call our resources in "lack". How cool is that! As God lays people on our hearts - we step out in faith to give, to support or to encourage.

So today, I encourage you to seek the Lord. Ask Him what His will is for you today! What would He have you do today to bless someone in need. It may not be financial. It may be someone you work with, neighbor, friend, family or even a total stranger! Faith is action! And if you're willing, email us and let us know what God did through you today or this week! We'd love to hear your stories!

UPDATE ON PERU!

First - THANK YOU to those of you who have been so kind in donating to us. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! We are still about $3500 short with only 25 days to go (plane tickets to purchase). And THANK YOU for those who have offered to keep us covered in prayer between now and the end of our trip. That is probably the most important part for us! My health has been slowly improving. I am still getting over a bad chest cold but the worst is behind me. My doctors are seeing results on the adrenal fatigue and other issues, as they have been changing out medicines and supplements. Praise God for wisdom for the doctors!! Please continue to pray for complete physical healing!!

I got a call from a friend who gave me some tips on how to shop for airline tickets - and was able to find some flights that will be more affordable. Another great idea is frequent flier miles. What would work most affordably is if someone had 40,000 or 80,000 Continental or United miles they would use to help book our flights. I've checked into transferring miles to our account (as someone has offered) but the cost to do so, would be a lot! Thank you Lord for friends with experience and great ideas!

Ken and I have been spending some time in prayer about Peru and the people we will meet there. He has been good in showing us some locations and clues (as we would call them) on who to pray for! Whoohoo!! We can't wait to get there!!!

Bless you again!
Ken & Michele Cole
michele@wantinsight.com
https://wantinsight.blogspot.com

This is how you can give if the Lord so leads you:

Tax deductible donations can be made by visiting:
1. https://www.hhmin.org/make_donation_projects.php, select Ministry Projects, then use drop down box Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight?
2. Or you can donate through my medical account, select Medical Projects, then Michele Cole.

3. Non tax deductible donations can be made directly to us by:

4. Paypal - account is michele@wantinsight.com

5. Send check to our home. Please contact us for the address.
Any donations made through Helping Hands will be anonymous. If you want us to know that you supported us through them, please let us know personally. Thank YOU

Thank YOU so much for your kind comments and offers to pray