" Delayed But Not Denied "

By Minister Tony Parker

We will always have seasons of struggles and testing. Regardless of our prayers and consecration, adversity will come. The Lord has a purpose in not allowing us to be fruitful all the time. When God sends the chilly winds of winter to blow on our circumstances, we must still trust in Him.

The apostle Paul calls such times "...Light affliction, which is but for a moment..." (2 Cor. 4:1 7). I say, "This too shall pass!" Temporary setbacks create opportunities for fresh commitment and renewal.

Someone once said, "Patience is a tree whose root is bitter, but its fruit is sweet." You will find that prayer brings us into patience. Patience results from trust. We cannot trust a God we don't talk with.

Every situation shouldn't get an immediate reaction. Prayer is simply the seasoning of good judgment Without it, our decisions will not be palatable. Meaning acceptable to the mind (agreeable).

"For the vision is yet for an appointment time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry—wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." (Habakkuk 2:3)

Know that our struggle is in waiting for the appointment we have with destiny. God is a God of order; He does everything by appointment. He has set a predetermined appointment to bring to pass His promise in our lives. An appointment is a meeting already set up. Our comfort is in knowing that we have an appointment with destiny.

It is the inner awareness that makes us realize that in spite of temporary circumstances, God has a present time of deliverance. We are employed in peace when we know that nothing the enemy does can abort the plan of God for our lives.

Greater still is the peace that comes from knowing we cannot rush God's timing. When the Lord speaks a word into our lives, it is like a seed. It takes time for a seed to sprout. God knows when we have reached the time of germination (to begin to grow). Our confidence is in God's seed.

When the promise has grown it-- fertile ground of a faith-filled heart and reached the time to maturation, it will come to pass. Know that it will be a direct result of the presence of God. It will not be by human might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (see Zech. 46).

The psalmist David said, "My times are in Thy hand" (Psalm 31 :15a). There is a sense of tranquility that comes from resting in the Lord. There is peace that comes from knowing God has included us in His plan—even the details.

That doesn't stop the evil one from trying to delay the fulfillment of what God has said and he can't stop it from happening. Your blessing may not come in the way you thought it would. It may not come through the person you thought it would. But if God said it, then rest assured-it may be delayed, but it cannot be denied.

Life will always present broken places, places of struggle and conflict. If you have a divine purpose and life has put you on hold, hang on! Stay on the line until life gets back to you. If you believe as I do, then it's worth the wait to receive your answer from the Lord.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay-and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth-even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-3)

The real test of faith is in facing the silence of being on hold-Patience gets a workout when God's answer is no answer. In other Words, God's answer is not always yes or no.

Sometimes He says, "Not Now!" It is God's timing that we must learn. He synchronizes His answers to accomplish His purpose. Whenever the breath of the almighty breathes a fresh anointing on you, it is a divine indication of a supernatural deliverance.

Regardless of the obstacle in your life, there is a wind from God that can bring you out. Let the wind of the Lord blow down every spirit of fear and heaviness that would cause you to give up on what God has promised you. The description of the Holy Spirit says He is as "a rushing mighty wind" (Acts 2:2).

For every mighty problem in your life, there is a mighty rushing wind! A normal wind can be blocked out. If you close the door and lock the windows, the wind just passes over without changing the building. But if the wind is a mighty rushing wind, it will blow down the door and break in the windows.

There is a gusty wind from the Lord that is too strong to be controlled. It will blew back the Red Sea-it rolled back the Jordan River It blew dry the wet, marshy, flooded lands as in the days of, Noah. God's wind is still ultra-effective against every current event in your life.

May God Bless You

A Reminder of the Past

"0 Give Thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His Mercy endureth forever. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He have Redeemed from the hand of the enemy" (Psalm 107:1, - 2). As the year ends, I remind you to give thanks unto the living God.

In spite of the high cost of gasoline, the deadly hurricanes (Katrina/Wilma), you still have much to thank God for. We often focus on what we want rather than what we need. Be grateful and do not take God's MERCY for granted. The Lord promises to meet our NEED according to His riches and mercy in Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Philippians 4:19).

God has done so much for us and we have so much for which to thank Him (see Psalm 103). He wants us to proclaim to everyone all that He has done. Instead, we tend to focus on what we do not have. Instead of being grateful, we take for granted what we have and ask for more. More usually is never enough! As the holiday seasons begin, I remind you to give thanks unto the Living God. Offer God thanksgiving and pay your vows unto the Most High.

Without allowing a complaining spirit to enter your heart, make good use of what you have. I concur, you may not have what you desire or what your think you deserve, but give thanks unto the Lord Jesus Christ anyway. Look around you and count the number of folks that are less fortunate. The greatest gifts you can give are the gifts of love and forgiveness. Jesus Christ, our Lord, He loves those that hate Him and He forgave those that ridiculed Him openly. Love those that have wronged you and forgive them. Don't carry this baggage into a new year. Let It Go!
As believers, we must learn how to imitate Christ year round and not just during the holiday celebrations. For many, this could be the last opportunity to show a family member or friend the love and forgiveness that God has shown you all last year. Therefore, I encourage you to savor every moment you spend with relatives and friends.

Being the good steward that you are, please be faithful with the funds God have entrusted with you. Don't permit the business world to entice you into spending more than you have. Give your love and support to the needy this year, spend less on the greedy.

Acknowledge HIM

Proverbs 3:5,6

What the Book of Psalms is to devotional life, the Book of Proverbs is to everyday life. Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living. This book is not just a collection of sayings by wise old men; instead this book contains deep spiritual insights drawn from the Word of God and life experiences; There are no greater lessons learned in life than those taught by life experiences.

It’s one thing to share your experiences with others, but it’s something totally different to experience it for yourself. There are other notable events that we can learn from others’ experiences and not have to personally experience it. For instance NBA Basketball Player, Kobe Bryant’s sexual allegation, Martha Stewart’s insider trading allegation, Michael Jackson’s child molestation allegation, whether guilty or not, we can learn from their experiences. But less we Acknowledge God in all our ways, we are certain to experience the failures of life.

No matter what you experience in life, learn to trust in the Lord. We have no problem trusting our education to land us worthy jobs. We trust our vehicles to carry us to our destination, but when it comes to truly trusting God, we waiver doubt. To trust is to put your confidence in some thing or some person or being. Ultimately placing your hope and security in the same. So many times, we make decisions in our life based solely on what we think is best for us. The Bible says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end therefore are the ways of death, (Proverbs. 14:12).” You can’t see what God see and you don’t know what God knows.

Thus sayeth the Lord God, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways; saith the Lord of Host, (Isaiah 55:8).” Before you make the very next decision in your life, take a few minutes to seek God’s counsel. ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, recognize Him, inquire of Him and His will. Our lives are in such condition good or bad because we either ACKNOWLEDGE HIM or not. In your ways, ACKNOWLEDGE HIM.

You and I cannot go wrong if we ACKNOWLEDGE HIM and ultimately permit Him to direct our paths. The Prophet Jeremiah said, “0 Lord our wickedness, we acknowledge, (Jeremiah 14:20). Have you acknowledged your shortcomings today before the Lord. In a different case, Moses ACKNOWLEDGED GOD as he sought directions from God to lead the people into the Promised Land (Exodus 33).

If you are planning to enter the Promised Land spiritually, you better seek the Lord while He may be found. ACKNOWLEDGE GOD for He is the Great El- Shaddai, The God Almighty of Blessings, He is all bountiful. He is all sufficient, for He is God all by Himself.

You can not experience the true love of God, until you learn to ACKNOWLEDGE HIM. Stop doing it on your own and start seeking His counsel and direction. Trust God enough to ask what He thinks. You can be rest assured, He will direct your path if you ask Him. He wants to help you. He wants to be your God in all you do and experience. You must trust Him today in your marriage, family issues and faith. He shall direct your paths, if you ACKNOWLEDGE HIM.