God's Delays Are Not His Denials

We often think of periods of waiting as a No to a question we've asked God or to a request that we've put in to God. We equate waiting on an answer from God to waiting in line at a grocery store or waiting at the doctor's office. In these types of waiting situations, our usual response is "Geez, would they hurry it up...I've got to be somewhere!" Since we are allowed our free thoughts on a daily basis and we get away with being impatient more often than we'd like to admit, we tend to think that we can also hurry God. If it weren't true there would not be several songs about this very subject. One song in particular is called "You Can't Hurry God" and was performed by choirs and singers all over the world. Dorinda Clark-Cole said it best in her version of the song with such powerful lyrics:

You can't hurry God

You just have to wait

May not come when you want Him

But He'll be there right on time

You can depend on God to come through

You just have to wait

VERSE:

Waiting on God seems so uncomfortable

Cause you don't know how long you gotta wait

Oh, my soul doth waiteth patiently on the Lord

Oh, because I know He shall renew their strength

He may not come

When you want Him

But He'll be there Right on time

You can depend on God to come through

You just have to wait

You can't hurry God

You just have to wait

May not come when you want Him

Be there right time

You can depend on God to come through

You just have to wait

VERSE:

Waiting on God seems so uncomfortable

Cause you don't know how long you gotta wait

Oh, my soul doth waiteth patiently on the Lord

Oh, because I know He shall renew their strength

I'm here to tell you

You gotta stop complainin

And start believin

He's gonna come through

Right when you need Him

You can depend on God to come through

You just have to wait

VAMP: Wait Wait Wait On Jesus

VAMP2: Wait on Him Wait on Him Wait on Him

You got to wait on Jesus

(Source: www.christian-gospelmusiclyrics.com)

Check out the Video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQRUrNkuuOE

So remember to wait on God! Also know that waiting on God can't be compared to any other kind of waiting that you have experienced. As you are waiting, rest assured that God is working some things out on your behalf that require your patience. You can't hurry God as he meticulously creates a job, a new home, a husband, a wife, a financial breakthrough, a legal victory, an opportunity for you to have an important conversation with a family member or friend, a position for you at a prestigious college, a deliverance, the breaking of a stronghold, a good report from the doctor, and so on! God hasn't failed you yet and he won't ever fail you. The way may seem dark, the prospects may seem few, your chances may seem slim but our God is all-knowing and all-powerful. He will make a way just believe and wait!

If you are in a season of waiting in your life meditate on this scripture: "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14. Notice that "wait" appears twice in this verse...so in other words wait and wait again on God!

Everything & Everyone Has A Purpose

I accidentally turned on one of the eyes on my stove the other day while cleaning around the knobs. The eye came on so quick that I immediately felt the heat rising from it. Since I wasn't planning to use it, I was really able to appreciate how great my stove is at what it's meant to do. I realized that if I were to ever go to use the stove and the eye didn't come right on that I would immediately call a repair man. Ultimately I realized that EVERYTHING has a purpose. Surely if I expect my stove to do what it is "purposed" to do then certainly God has a purpose for His children that are far more valuable than an eye on a stove! Matthew 10:29-31 confirms our value, "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

Let us not forget that we all have a purpose on this earth. God had plans for our lives and the lives that we would touch even while our mothers carried us in their wombs. "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Life happens and sometimes we don't feel like we even have a purpose or we have a hard time figuring out our purpose. Nevertheless, "we are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose"(Romans 8:28). So we are not to give up but to continue seeking God on what he would have us to do. Just like I would call my repair man if anything in my house failed to work properly, we have a Repair Man that we can call on to fix our hearts, our minds, our spirits and much more. Have you called on the Repair Man-the Creator of the universe, the Healer, the I AM, the Everything to your Everything, your God and Savior--to help you figure out your purpose? You should, His line is never busy and He's open 24 hours a day, 365 days out of the year. Think about it and remember Everything & Everyone Has A Purpose!!!

7 Questions For...

J.J. HAIRSTON

New Album In Stores

September 1, 2009
RESTING ON HIS PROMISE

YOUTHFUL PRAISE featuring J.J. HAIRSTON

Click Music To Listen Now/Click Video For Exclusive Footage

DIVINE: (1) How have you grown since your last album?
JJ: I think I've grown spiritually, and I realize my purpose in the gospel music industry. I didn't really know what my focus or purpose was before, but I have a good handle on it now.

DIVINE: (2) How has Youthful Praise grown?
JJ: Well we've matured a lot. We're not kids anymore, and I believe we're in this for the right reason. Not for fame or anything like that, but to minister.

DIVINE: (3) What's your favorite song on this new album?
JJ: That would be "Close to You". It's a very intimate and personal worship song. I sing that song all the time. (I mean by myself).

DIVINE: (4) What can fans expect from your new album?
JJ: A lot of upbeat praise, of course intimate worship, some good old fashion church choir music, and a lot of the sound that the people who have the first YP record would recognize.

DIVINE: (5) What other projects do you have up your sleeves?
JJ: Well we're writing for a few other projects, but right now my focus is on promoting this new record.

DIVINE: (6) What was the inspiration for the song "Resting On His Promise"?
JJ: Well I wanted to encourage God's people in this crazy economic time. There are some people who may have lost jobs, or who are worried about losing a job or just worried about what their financial future is going to be. I just wanted to encourage them to rest on the promises of God.

DIVINE: (7)"Resting On His Promise" has lyrics that say, "I'm covered", why is it so important for believers to remember this and non-believers to understand this?
JJ: Well the main focus of the song is about being financially covered, but it also can be translated to being covered from anything! Sickness, financial difficulty, stress; we're covered or should I say shielded from all of it. Will we ever get sick, maybe, but our outcome is not the same as those who are non believers; their trust is man, but ours is in the Lord. It's important that non-believers see and recognize that because it may win them to Christ. We all have been failed by man, but God can not fail!

DIVINE: Thanks so much for your time and many blessings on all your future endeavors!
JJ: Thank you so much for you support!

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Back To School-Celebrating Our Teachers

This week and last week teachers all across the world prepared to go back into the classrooms for the upcoming school year. Teachers are by far some of the most important people on the planet. Teachers plant seeds in students that in life are watered and nurtured to develop our future leaders.

LET'S SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS
If you know a teacher or ever had a teacher, be sure to lift up a prayer for safety, sanity and success in the 2009-2010 school year. In addition, develop a good relationship with your child's teacher (or any relative or neighbor's teacher). Why? Teachers need an immense amount of support not just in the beginning of the year but throughout the year.

Here's a few things that you can do for a SPECIAL TEACHER:

• Pray for him/her the entire school year
• Remember birthdays, holidays, appreciation days, etc. & surprise him/her with a gift
• Purchase supplies for students in the classroom (find out what is needed)
• Buy him/her breakfast or lunch
• Give a gift certificate/gift card to a teacher supply store (supplies do run out)
• Be a classroom volunteer
• Serve as a proctor during State Testing
• Go on a field trip and help chaperone
• Speak to class about your profession, etc.
• Read a book/books to class
• Help decorate bulletin boards, organize class library, etc.
• Speak encouraging, positive words
• Celebrate their efforts and hard work

The sky is the limit to supporting our teachers. Be sure to find out exactly how you can get involved because most school system's require background checks and/or may have other visitation policies, etc. Nevertheless, find ways to let the teachers in your life know that they are Very Important People and treat them as such!

Verses & Quotes For Teachers To Meditate On:

• "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers." 1 Thess. 1:2
• "Train up a child in the way he should go." Proverbs 22:6
• "Seek the Lord and His strength, seek his face continually." 1 Chronicles 16:11
• "They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel."
  ~ Carol Buchner
• "Your role as a leader is even more important than you might imagine. You have the power to help people become winners." ~Ken Blanchard
• "It is not what is poured into a student that counts but what is planted." ~Linda Conway
  
  HAVE A GREAT YEAR TEACHERS!!!

YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!