What Are You Waiting For?

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I was sitting in a hotel room praying about what I should teach the next morning during my three-hour seminar.

For me, the question isn’t so much what to teach as what not to teach.  I’ve written the equivalent of over eight hundred half-hour television shows at the unction of the Holy Spirit in the past three years.

On that particular Friday evening I was seeking the will of the Lord and what He wanted me to teach based on who was going to be in that room.

Suddenly, five thought-provoking words dropped into my spirit.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

I instantly knew that was the question God wanted me to pose to those in attendance.

Several musical artists have written and performed songs entitled “What Are You Waiting For.”  However, there is one song written by Natalie Grant that says the right things and asks the right questions.

So you wanna change the world

What are you waiting for

You say you're gonna start right now

What are you waiting for

It only takes once voice

So come on now and shout it out

Give a little more

What are you waiting for

Sometimes I feel a little helpless

Seems like I can't do a thing

But anything is possible just you wait and see

Good things happen if you just believe

The first world that you need to change. . .is yours.  What are you waiting for?

Here are seven questions to determine what you’re waiting for.

1.      Why are you here?

I’m going to make what may seem like a harsh statement but I want you to hear everything I have to say. . .before forming an opinion.

 Proverbs 8:33-34 TPT says:

“Listen to my counsel,

for my instruction will enlighten you.

You’ll be wise not to ignore it.

If you wait at wisdom’s doorway, 

longing to hear a word for every day,

joy will break forth within you as you listen for what I’ll say.”

If you don’t know why you are here. . .it’s an insult to God. . .and a lack of obedience to His instructions for your life.

When someone tells me they don’t know why they were born or what their purpose in life is. . .I immediately know they haven’t been talking to the right Person or asking the right questions.

If you don’t know your purpose. . .why you are here. . .then you’re living on borrowed time.

I realize that your assignment can be progressive . . . but scripturally. . .there’s something you should be doing through every transition.

You’re here. . .to be blessed so you can be a blessing to others. . .literally, to change the world.

The best way to change your world. . .is to change what you think.

Kings 7:3 says:

“And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?”

Matthew 20:6 says:

“And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?”

Would it surprise you to know what the scripture says about why you are here?

Ecclesiastes 3:22 in the New Living Translation says:

“So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why we are here! No one will bring us back from death to enjoy life after we die.”

I want you to get a sheet of paper or use your computer to immediately write down seven reasons why you are here. . .why you were created. . .what your mission in life is.

Don’t over think this. . .just start writing.  If you think about this question. . .you will write what you think sounds good. . .rather, write immediately what you’re thinking about the situation.

2.      What are you waiting for?

Are you waiting for a sign to appear in the heavens?

Are you waiting for an emergency announcement during your favorite television show?

“Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt t our regularly scheduled program to bring you this important announcement.  God says it’s time for you to raise off the couch and become what I created and destined you to be.  I have placed all the money you need to accomplish your mission in CDs at the Jehovah’s First Savings and Loan along with a detailed plan of what to do. . .when. . .and how.  Rise, go forth and be all you can be.”

It’s now my responsibility to be the bearer of bad and good news.

First, the bad news. . .the special announcement.  Not going to happen.

In fact, He’s not going to have it written in the sky neither is He going to have a perfect stranger knock on your door with the money and the plans.  It’s not how He flows.  That’s the bad news.

The good news. . .He’s already given you EVERYTHING you need to get started.  Plus, He is ready to do a new thing in your life. . .but are you ready to receive and act on it.

Isaiah 43:19 in the Message Bible says:

“Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.  It's bursting out! Don't you see it?  There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.”

Regardless of what you perceive to be your limitations. . .God is ready for you to experience a new beginning at this very moment.

Micah 4:7 in the New Life Version says:

“I will make a new beginning with those who cannot walk. I will make a strong nation of those who have been driven away. And the Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.”

It’s time to stop talking and start doingIt’s even time to stop praying and get moving.

Exodus 14:15 in The Living Bible says:

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Quit praying and get the people moving! Forward, march!’”

3.      When’s the best time to get started?

Today.  Right now. . .this very moment is the best time. . .the right time for you to decide enough is enough.  This is your defining moment when you will decide that you’re not going to live the way you’ve been living anymore.

In defining moments like this. . .you make a decision to change things.

You realize your financial environment will not change until you change. . .and you will not change. . .until you change the way you think.

Romans 12:2 in the New Living Translation says:

"Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."

It’s moments like this when you realize the power available to you through scriptures like Ephesians 3:20 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].”

You need to realize this is your time. . .this is your day. . .now is your time.

2 Corinthians 6:2 in the New Life Version says:

“He says, "When I showed you my favor, I heard you. On the day I saved you, I helped you." —(Isaiah 49:8) I tell you, now is the time God shows his favor. Now is the day he saves.”

Now is the time. . .don’t wait. . .don’t procrastinate. . .activate your dreams.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 in The Living Bible says:

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done.

One more thing. . .you’ve got to stop looking at the past.

If you dwell on past hurts, failures, broken relationships and financial mistakes, then you’re doomed to repeat them.

Isaiah 43:18 in the Message Bible says:

“Forget about what’s happened: don’t keep going over old history.”

Here’s a fact. . .God can’t do a new thing in your life as long as your living in the pastDon’t commiserate about what happened. . .instead plan for what’s going to happen.

Get ready.  Get set.  GO!  Right now!

4.      What do you need to ensure your success?

The first thing you need is Godly wisdom in every decision you make.

Judges 18:5 says:

“Then they said, `Ask God whether or not our journey will be successful.’”

The second thing you need is to properly manage yourself

Notice I didn’t say you should manage your time better.  Time is a constant.

There’s sixty seconds in a minute. . .sixty minutes in an hour. . .twenty-four hours in a day. . .seven days in a week. . .fifty-two weeks in a year.

Time never changes. . .but we do.  That’s why we need to manage ourselves and how we utilize the time we have.

Psalm 90:12 in the Contemporary English Version says: 

“Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.”

The third thing you should know is that you already have everything you need to be successful.       

Deuteronomy 28:8 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“The LORD your God is giving you the land, and he will make sure you are successful in everything you do. Your harvests will be so large that your storehouses will be full.”

Start moving. . .quit talking. . .start moving. . .stop making excuses. . .start moving.

If your future is in front of you. . .why are you standing still.  Start moving.

And by the way, if you’re not moving forward on the highway to success then you’re standing still. . .and watch out. . .you might to be hit by a car

But what does the Bible say about success?  In fact, the word is only found once in the King James Version of the Bible in Joshua 1:8 which says:

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Two things we should notice in this passage.

First, we’re responsible for our own prosperity and success.  The word thou and thy are mentioned six times in this verse.  In contemporary translations, the words are you and your.  Regardless of the translation, the message is the same. . .whether or not, you’re successful and prosperous is a result of the decisions you make and the actions you take.

Second, the word success is the Hebrew word sakal (H7919) and it means:

“to be prudent, to have insight, give attention to, wisely understand, act wisely and prosper.”

What are you giving attention to?  Here are seven key words you need to get ingrained inside of you.

Read Your Bible. . .Do What It Says.

5.      Who do you need on this journey?

First and foremost, you need the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14 says:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Years ago, American Express had a commercial that said: “never leave home without it.”

Truthfully, you should never leave home or anywhere without lettimg the presence of the Holy Spirit lead you.

2 Corinthians 13:14 in the Amplified Bible says:

“The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it).”

The Holy Spirit should always be your traveling companion and navigator of your journey through this life.

Second, you need to travel with people who can enlighten, encourage, exhort and edify you.

Proverbs 13:20 in The Living Bible says:

“Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”

If you’re moving on up. . .the one thing you don’t need is the company of fools.

Third, you need to leave the negative people behind.

Sometimes, the negative people you’re leaving behind are family.

1 Samuel 17:28 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“David's oldest brother Eliab heard him talking with the soldiers. Eliab was angry at him and said, "What are you doing here, anyway? Who's taking care of that little flock of sheep out in the desert? You spoiled brat! You came here just to watch the fighting, didn't you?"

Eliab was not only negative but he was nasty to David.

Consider carefully and meditate on David’s response as found in 1 Samuel 17:28 which says:

“And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”

David didn’t defend or justify himself to his brother. It obviously wasn’t the first time Eliab put him down.

David simply asked. . .is there anything you believe. . .that you’re willing to pursue against overwhelming odds.

1 Samuel 17:29 in the Message Bible clearly illustrates what our response should be to negative people.  It says:

“Ignoring his brother, he turned to someone else, asked the same question, and got the same answer as before.”

What should you do with negative people. . .ignore them. . .leave them home. . .and move on to someone else who can share your dream.

6.      Why should you never give up, give in, back down, back up, sit down, quit or walk away?

If you believe in your calling. . .if you understand your purpose. . .the only way you will ever lose is by giving up, giving in, backing down, backing up, sitting down, quitting or walking away.

Never give up.  The only way you lose is if you quit.

Luke 18:1 in the New Living Translation says:

“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”

Never give in to the desire of the flesh to take the easy way out. . .to give in to the pressure of the moment.  It is a sin to know what to do. . .and not do it.

Romans 6:12 in the New Living Translation says:

“Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.”

When the waiting ends. . .when you mentally decide to activate your desires and dreams. . .you are joined in your efforts by an amazing threesome. . .the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. . .and you will never have to back down from any challenge. . .ever again.

Ezra 10:4 in the Message Bible says:

"Now get up, Ezra. Take charge—we're behind you. Don't back down."

Have you ever made a bold statement or decision only to back up from your conviction based on the opinions of others?  If you’ve made a wrong statement or decision and are convicted by the Holy Spirit then you can apologize or back up for what you’ve said or done.

Unless I’ve being led by the spirit to do so. . .I don’t like backing up. . .in fact, if possible, I’d take reverse off my gear shift and out of my car. . .because I want to be moving forward all the time.

Jeremiah 15:6 in the Amplified Bible says:

“You have rejected and forsaken Me, says the Lord. You keep going in reverse. Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you; I am weary of relenting [concerning your punishment].

Once you begin making progress in doing what it is you’re destined to do. . .never sit down stopping your efforts. . .until the job is finished.

Luke 17:7 in the New Life Version says:

“[Jesus Teaches about Being Faithful ] “What if you owned a servant who was working in the field or taking care of sheep? Would you say to him when he came in from his work, ‘Come and sit down to eat?’”

Never quit even if you make a mistake. . .just fess up, get up and move on.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 in the Message Bible says:

“If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit!  A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.”

You never walk away from doing what is right. . .in His sight.

James 1:23-25 in the New Living Translation says:

“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.  You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

7.      What should you be doing along the way?

First, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Once again, remember the words of Romans 8:14 says:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Second, write your vision. . .and the critical path you’ll take to achieve it.

Habakkuk 2:2 says:

"And the Lord... said, Write the vision, and make it plain... that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision . . . shall speak ...it will surely come, it will not tarry."

The Contemporary English Version (CEV)  of Habakkuk 2:2 says:

Then the LORD told me:  ‘I will give you my message in the form of a vision.  Write it clearly enough to be read at a glance.’”

Third, inspect what you expect to prevent defects in your plan so it can be perfect.

Psalm 18:20 in the Message Bible says:

“God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.”

Fourth, track your progress.

Numbers 33:1-2 in the New Living Translation:

“This is the route the Israelites followed as they marched out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the Lord’s direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress. These are the stages of their march, identified by the different places where they stopped along the way.”

Fifth, seize the moment. . .seize the day. . .carpe diem.

Exodus 13:3 in the Message Bible says:


Moses said to the people, "Always remember this day. This is the day when you came out of Egypt from a house of slavery. God brought you out of here with a powerful hand. Don't eat any raised bread.”

This is the day. . .that you purpose in your heart to come out of Egypt (financial bondage and debt) and move into God’s revelatory instructions for your finances.

Sixth, give God the glory for the great things you will accomplish.

You must testify of God’s revelatory instructions and the manifestation of all the things that He has stirred in your spirit and life.

The key to you establishing your victory and protecting you against every attack of the enemy is found in Revelation 12:11:

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death”

Seventh, remember who’s in the foxhole with you when trouble comes.

Acts 5:39 says:

"But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."

I love the Amplified Bible translation of Acts 5:39 which says:

“But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop or overthrow or destroy them; you might even be found fighting against God!”

Stop waiting. . .stop procrastinating. . .it’s time to start moving.

Ezekiel 38:7 in the New Living Translation says:

“Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them.”

As you begin this journey if there is ever a time you don’t know what to do. . .follow the advice of General Joshua in Joshua 5:14 in the New Living Translation which says:

“Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”

If you ask. . .He will tell you.  What are you waiting for?

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