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Finding God in the world that never stops: Ep 3 Stop Rushing What God is Growing · HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN®

• 0:00
  Welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin. This is Ariel Santana.
• 0:04
  Can you believe I'm seven years old already? I'm old enough now to introduce my dad.
• 0:10
  Ladies and gentlemen, your host, my dad, Angel Santana.
• 0:48
  Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Have Faith, Let It Begin.
• 0:50
  My name is Angel Santana. I'm so grateful that you've joined me today.
• 0:54
  Welcome back to Slow Down, Finding God in a World That Never Stops, Episode 3.
• 1:01
  Today is called Stop Rushing What God is Growing. Yeah, let me try that again.
• 1:07
  I think I rushed. Stop Rushing What God is Growing, Episode 3.
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  That's the way I wanted to say it.
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  Hey, it works, right? I'm going too fast. This is a 10-part devotional journey,
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  and it's designed to help us discover God's presence in the middle of our busy
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  lives. So let's continue.
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  Have you ever prayed for patience and then became frustrated because God didn't
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  answer your prayer immediately?
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  Or maybe you've prayed for healing, a new job, a restored relationship,
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  direction, and wondered why God seems to be taking so long.
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  Today's episode is for everyone who...
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  How do I word this? For everyone who's tired of waiting.
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  Because sometimes we rush the very things God is carefully growing.
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  So let's slow down and open God's word together.
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  Here's a biblical perspective. Our
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  primary scripture will come today from Ezekiel. I can never say it right.
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  Three verse one. There's a time for everything.
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  And a season for every activity under the heavens.
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  King Solomon reminds us that life unfolds in seasons.
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  There is seasons for planting and seasons for harvesting. The two are never the same.
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  So this morning, our supporting scripture is based out of James 5, verses 7-8.
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  Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord is coming.
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  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop,
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  patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains?
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  You too be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
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  That's powerful. James uses the image of a farmer because every farmer understands a simple truth.
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  You cannot rush growth. Planting today doesn't mean harvesting tomorrow.
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  Even Jesus lived within God's timing.
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  Before the beginning, his public ministry, Jesus spent years growing in wisdom
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  and preparing for what the Father had called him to do.
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  Luke 2, verse 52. His ministry unfolded according to God's perfect timing,
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  not the world's expectation.
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  God is never late. He's always on time. I love that. God is never late. He's always on time.
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  We live in an instant world, instant coffee, instant messages,
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  next day delivery, streaming movies in seconds.
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  We've become so accustomed to getting what we want immediately that waiting feels like a failure.
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  But God's kingdom doesn't prepare or doesn't operate. Let me rephrase that.
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  God's kingdom doesn't operate on our timetable. Think about a seed. Let's go that route.
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  If you dig it up every day to see if it's growing, you'll destroy what God is trying to develop.
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  Sometimes we do the same thing with our faith. We pray, then we worry.
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  We trust, then we take control back.
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  We ask God to work, but we don't give him the time to work.
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  Maybe today, you're in that moment where nothing seems to be happening.
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  Don't mistake silence for inactivity.
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  Roots grow before fruit appears. God often does his deepest work where no one else can see it.
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  Perhaps he's growing your character before your calling, your faith before your
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  blessing, your patience before your breakthrough.
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  If that's where you are today, don't give up. Stay faithful. Keep praying.
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  Keep trusting, because what God is growing is worth waiting for.
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  So here's your heart check. Let's pause together.
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  Have you been trying to force something that God is asking you to trust Him with?
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  Are you becoming discouraged because His answer hasn't come as quickly as you hoped?
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  Can you honestly say you're trusting God's timing, or only your own?
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  Invite God into your waiting today. Here's your faith challenge.
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  Think of one prayer you've been waiting for God to answer.
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  Instead of asking Him, when, ask Him, Lord, what are you teaching me while I wait?
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  Then spend 10 quiet minutes with Him, reading scripture or praying without asking God for anything.
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  Simply sit in His presence.
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  Trust what He's working.
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  Trust that He is working, even when you can't yet see anything.
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  What's today's takeaway? God grows his greatest blessings in seasons of faith and waiting.
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  We could even say God grows his greatest blessings in seasons of faithful waiting.
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  Anyway, you want to slice. Here's my closing thought. Waiting isn't punishment.
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  Waiting is often preparation.
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  The God who created seasons knows exactly when it's time for something to bloom.
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  So don't rush ahead of him. Walk with him.
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  Trust Him. And remember, the best fruit is worth waiting for.
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  Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that your timing is always perfect.
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  Forgive us for the moments when we've allowed impatience to replace trust.
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  Help us remain faithful during hard times of waiting, knowing that you are always
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  at work, even when we cannot see it.
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  Teach us to trust your plans more than our own schedules.
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  And grow our faith, strengthen our hearts and help us wait with hope and confidence in your promises.
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  We ask this of you in Jesus' name we pray, amen.
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  Before we close, I'd like to remind you again to personally invite you to join
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  me this Sunday, August 9th at First Reformed Church where I'll be sharing a
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  message, finding peace in the world that never stops.
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  Sound familiar? We'll continue discovering how slowly something comes down and,
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  allows us to experience God's peace, purpose, and presence in our everyday life.
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  If you're in the area, we'll welcome you.
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  Thank you for listening to Have Faith, Let It Begin. We are a federally,
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  I can never say it right, a federally registered trademark, and we do with real
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  people, real stories, and real faith.
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  Until next time, keep the faith, slow your pace, and let God lead the way.
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  God bless, and never forget, have faith, let it begin. Take care.