Podcast 030- “Stagnant In the Wilderness” || The In-Between Series With Jess and Amanda ||

https://ariseministriescollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/030-Stagnation.mp3 Hello again, friends! Thank you for joining us for our second episode in the three part series we’re calling The In-Between. We are so happy to have you alongside us! We’re starting this next podcast with the librarian approved textbook dictionary definition of stagnation before digging into stories of waiting we hear in the Bible. We hope and pray that each one of us listening or reading learns to wait well – To not be lukewarm, but abiding and fiery hot in pursuit of the Lord. How awesome it is to be able to have deep, lasting hope from God, in whatever waiting season we are in.   Scripture References The Book of Daniel – We challenge you to read through Daniel and highlight the actions and reactions he has while waiting. Compare Daniel’s responses to your own.  “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; his also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 7:2-6 (ESV) “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20 (NIV) “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (ESV) “Because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel.” Colossians 1:4-5 (NIV)  “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:24-25 (NIV) “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV) “That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10 (NIV) “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3 (NIV) “For the law made nothing perfect, and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:19 (NIV) “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 NIV   5 “Asks” To Help You Wait Well Ask God to give you a spirit of gratitude – For Him to help you be thankful for your trials, even when you’re in the middle of them. Ask yourself what you’re learning in life right now? What is your particular trial or season of waiting teaching you?  Ask what is instead of what if? Consider making a list to keep track of all the things that are currently in front of you and the realities of your life help you thrive in the present rather than the could have beens. Ask yourself how you can renew your mind with Scripture that speaks to how God promises purpose, perspective, and promise for the pain. Ask God what it looks to like abide in hope? Search your own heart to determine you can move forward in this process. How can you bear good fruit in the abiding in Christ?   Quotes, Articles, Songs and Resources to Help We wanted to offer some resources that we have found helpful for us in times of stagnation. Here are some songs, books, and journals that we hope can be an encouragement for you. “Seasons of Waiting; Walking by Faith When Dreams are Delayed” – Book by Betsy Childs Howard “God Is Still Here” – Song by JJ Heller  “Held by Your Love” – Song by Lion & Bear The Between Places – Interactive Prayer Journal    “Even If: A Study of Habakkuk” – Bible Study by The Daily Grace Company  The Bible Project – Overview of Daniel   We look forward to having you join us again for the next podcast in our series about vision for the mission God has for us. Let’s use this time for his glory, let’s take hold of the promises he has for us as we hold onto hope. Jess and Amanda   About Our Co-Hosts Originally from the Bay Area, Jessica currently lives in Portland, Oregon. Jessica obtained her undergrad from Biola University in Psychology and her master’s in Counseling Psychology from California State East Bay, and since that time has been a recruiting coordinator with a large banking company. An extroverted introvert, Jessica has a huge heart pull towards facilitating Christ-honoring and truth-filled discussions with women of all ages in the church. It’s her deep desire to seek the welfare of the city through her hope-filled heart with the abilities and gifts God has generously given her.       Amanda works as cardiac ICU nurse and moved to Portland three years ago. She has a heart to see the great commission carried out in the city and around the world. Her heart is for encouraging the Church in the written word of God and the great joy on the other side of obedience in our walk with the Lord.      The post Podcast 030- “Stagnant In the Wilderness” || The In-Between Series With Jess and Amanda || first appeared on Arise Ministries Collective.