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Why is God Making Me Wait?

Why Does God Make You Wait?

Without a doubt, times of waiting can seem bothersome, if not downright frustrating. But God’s timing is perfect, and we need to trust in His timing. There are several blessings that can transpire when we wait. 

1. Waiting strengthens our relationship with God
2. Waiting can redirect us and provide better opportunities
3. Waiting makes room for spiritual transformation
4. Waiting ignites our faith
5. Waiting provides an opportunity for you to really look inside yourself and your motives
6. Waiting allows the space for you to be grateful for the blessings you already have
7. Waiting helps you keep focus and prepares you
8. Waiting may have to happen due to the fact that the timing isn’t right 

What You Can Do While You Wait

Here are some things you can do while you wait:

1. Pray
2. Trust in God
3. Utilize what you already have, and do what you can with it
4. Don’t give up hope

Examples of Waiting in the Bible

Joseph had to wait 13 years living as a slave and a prisoner before being released.

David waited 15 years to become king.

Sarah had to wait until she was 90 years old to have a child. 

Moses waited 40 years to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. 

Jacob waited 14 years before he could be with Rachel.

Job waited throughout all of his sufferings.

These are just some of the many examples of those who waited throughout the Bible. 

Bible Verses about Waiting

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

-Psalm 33:20

Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong! Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

-Proverbs 20:22 

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

-Psalm 27:14  

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

-Isaiah 64:4 

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.

-James 5:7 

I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.

-Isaiah 8:17

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

-Habakkuk 2:3

In Closing

The Lord follows through with His promises. If there is a delay in what you are seeking, remember He is not denying; rather, you must trust in His timing. Keep strong in your faith and hold steadfast to the knowledge that He hears you and He listens.

 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

Genesis 28:15

- Torrance Church of Christ

 

 

 

You Are What You Listen To

Building on the most recent sermon, let’s take a dive into the significance music and song play in our lives, especially our faith. 

What Does “You Are What You Listen To” Mean?

Have you ever noticed that if someone is repeatedly told they are not good at doing something, they will start to tell this to themself and eventually begin to believe it? Not only do they believe it, but they’ll also start to actually act that way.

What we listen to has an influence on our thoughts, perspectives, actions, and beliefs. This influence is affected by all things we listen to on TV, and radio, things we are told by others, movies, and songs. 

When we hear something enough, even if it is untrue, we begin to believe it, and it becomes true. We become what we are listening to, so make sure you are listening to the correct message. 

What Can Listening to Music of Worship Do For You?

There are many blessings that can be received through listening to songs and music of worship. Here is a short list of blessings that we can look forward to:

Worship music reminds us of God. By listening to worship music we are able to constantly realign our values, and keep our focus on Him. It helps renew our faith time and time again. We are more connected to God and are better able to acknowledge all that He does for us. 

Music and song allow us an opportunity to praise God for all that He continues to do for us. We are able to show our gratitude for Him. By doing so, our relationship with Him grows.

Listening to songs of worship has the ability to pick us up when we are down. It fills our souls and washes away feelings of negativity. It refreshes us, cleanses, and purifies. 

It gives us the strength to overcome trials. 

Songs and music of worship bring peace. When we listen to songs of praise, we can clear the background noise and static from our daily lives and make room for peace. 

Worship music stimulates change. There are messages in the words that encourage us to live our lives to a higher standard. The words inspire us to live a more Christlike lifestyle. 

Hope from within grows when we take the time to listen to the lyrics.

The Best Time To Listen 

The best time to listen to worship music is ANYTIME! You can listen to it while running errands, on your way to work, doing chores, while taking a bath; the possibilities are endless. 

Some Verses Mentioning Music and Song

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. -Psalm 28:7

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. -Psalm 69:30

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. -Psalm 100:2

and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. -Revelation 15:3

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. -James 5:13

speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, -Ephesians 5:19

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. -Psalm 40:3

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments. -Habakkuk 3:19

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” -Zephaniah 3:17

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. -Psalm 7:17

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise His holy name. -Psalm 30:4

You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. -Psalm 59:17

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. -Colossians 3:16

Famous Quotes About Music

“Where words fail, music speaks.” — Hans Christian Andersen

“Music is the universal language of mankind.” ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.” — Emory Austin

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” — Berthold Auerbach

“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” — Elton John

“Music is a weapon in the war against unhappiness.” — Jason Mraz

“Music is powerful. As people listen to it, they can be affected. They respond.” — Ray Charles

“Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite.” ― Thomas Carlyle

As You Can See

Music and songs of praise and worship are powerful tools that can be used to reinforce your faith, nourish your sacred relationship with the Almighty, and decrease feelings of negativity and stress. The things we hear can have an effect on our overall well-being, so we must be vigilant and make sure we are listening to music that will uplift us. Strive to live up to your highest potential by becoming the righteous person God knows you can be.

-Torrance Church of Christ

 

100 Bible Trivia Questions and Answers (Plus Printables!)

 

Bible Trivia Questions and Answers

Bible Trivia is a great tool to encourage Bible Study and knowledge. We have collected 100 trivia questions and answers you can use with a Bible Study group, a youth group, your family, or just to challenge yourself!

1. Question: How many days did God take to create the world?

Answer: 6.

2. Question: What was God’s sign to Noah that he would never destroy the earth again?

Answer: A rainbow.

3. Question: What did God use to speak to Moses in the desert?

Answer: A burning bush.

4. Question: Who was the king of Israel anointed by Samuel after Saul?

Answer: David.

5. Question: Where did God give Moses the Ten Commandments?

Answer: Mt. Sinai.

6. Question: Who was Jesus's mother?

Answer: Mary.

7. Question: Who baptized Jesus?

Answer: John the Baptist.

8. Question: Before Jesus started preaching, what was his job?

Answer: Carpenter.

9. Question: How many disciples did Jesus choose?

Answer: 12.

10. Question: What did Jesus do at the Last Supper to his disciples?

Answer: Washed their feet.

11. Question: Name the disciple who betrayed Jesus.

Answer: Judas Iscariot.

12. Question: Which disciple denied Jesus three times?

Answer: Peter.

13. Question:  How many books have the name John in them?

Answer: Four.

14. Question: What is the 4th commandment?

Answer: Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

15. Question: What is the last book in the Bible?

Answer: Revelation.

16. Question: Which book did Jesus directly write?

Answer: None.

17. Question: How many slingshot attempts did it take David to hit Goliath?

Answer: One.

18. Question: How many brothers did Joseph have?

Answer: 11.

19. Question: How many lepers did Jesus heal?

Answer: 10.

20. Question: How many books are in the Bible?

Answer: 66.

21. Question: Who were Noah’s three sons?

Answer: Shem, Ham, Japheth.

22. Question: In what city was Jesus born?

Answer: Bethlehem.

23. Question: Who was the first son Abram had?

Answer: Ishmael.

24. Question: What was the second son Abraham had?

Answer: Issac.

25. Question:  When Moses confronted the Pharaoh, what did his staff turn into when he threw it on the ground?

Answer: A snake.

26. Question: What did God send to feed the Israelites in the desert?

Answer: Quail and manna.

27. Question: Who anointed Saul as King?

Answer: Samuel.

28. Question: How many times did David spare Saul’s life?

Answer: Twice.

29. Question: What did Solomon build for the Lord?

Answer: A temple.

30. Question: How many wives did Solomon have?

Answer: 700.

31. Question: Which books of the Bible did Solomon write?

Answer: Song of Solomon and Proverbs and some Psalms.

32. Question: How many kings of Judah were there?

Answer: 20

33. Question: How many kings of Israel were there?

Answer: 19.

34. Question: Who was the last king Daniel served under in the Bible?

Answer: King Nebuchadnezzar’s.

35. Question: Who returned to Israel to build up the walls of Jerusalem?

Answer: Nehemiah.

36. Question: What was Matthew before he followed Jesus?

Answer: A tax collector.

37. Question: How many days was Lazarus dead before Jesus came to visit?

Answer: Four days.

38. Question: What garden did Jesus go to when he prayed after the Last Supper?

Answer: Garden of Gethsemane.

39. Question: What did Pilate do to “cleanse himself” of the crucifixion of Christ?

Answer: Washed his hands.

40. Question: What was the giant’s name that David killed?

Answer: Goliath.

41. Question: Who went with Paul on his early mission trips?

Answer: Barnabas.

42. Question: What type of insect did John the Baptist eat in the desert? 

Answer: Locusts.

43. Question: What was Abram’s name changed to?

Answer: Abraham.

44. Question: Paul was shipwrecked on what island? 

Answer: Malta.

45. Question: Where was Saul traveling when he encountered a great and blinding light? 

Answer: Damascus.

46. Question: What tribe is Paul from? 

Answer: Benjamin.

47. Question: What is the 1st commandment?

Answer:  You shall have no other gods before me.

48. Question: How Did Judas signal Jesus’s identity to the Romans? 

Answer: He kissed him.

49. Question: Who took Jesus’s body off the cross? 

Answer: Joseph of Arimathea.

50. Question:  What is the 8th commandment?

Answer: You shall not steal.

51. Question: On what day of Creation did God create man?

Answer: The Sixth Day.

52. Question: Who was Samuel’s mother?

Answer: Hannah.

53. Question: What does Israel mean?

Answer: Prevails with God.

54. Question: Who wrote the first five books of the Old Testament?

Answer: Moses.

55. Question: What was the first plague the Lord sent on Egypt?

Answer: The water turned into blood.

56. Question: What does “Eve” mean? 

Answer: “Mother of all living”.

57. Question: What was the first thing that God created? 

Answer: Light.

58. Question: What was the first bird that Noah let out of the ark?

Answer: A raven.

59. Question: What does the word “gospel” mean?

Answer: Good news.

60. Question: Who was the blind person Jesus healed?

Answer: Bartimaeus.

61. Question: Before becoming an apostle, Simon Peter had what profession?

Answer: He was a fisherman.

62. Question: During the Last Supper, what two things are said to have represented Jesus' flesh and blood?

Answer: Bread and wine.

63. Question: Who recognized Jesus as the Messiah when he was presented to the Temple as a baby?

Answer: Simeon.

64. Question: How many people boarded Noah’s Ark?

Answer: Eight.

65. Question: How many days and nights did Jesus fast for?

Answer: 40 days & 40 nights.

66. Question: Who wore clothing made of camel hair?

Answer: John the Baptist.

67. Question: At what river did John the Baptist do most of his baptizing?

Answer: The Jordan River.

68. Question: What is the longest chapter of the Bible?

Answer: Psalm 119.

69. Question: Who is the first murderer in the Bible?

Answer: Cain.

70. Question: What was Jesus’ crown made of?

Answer: Thorns.

71. Question: Who took Judas Iscariot’s place as an apostle?

Answer: Matthias.

72. Question: How many plagues did God send on Egypt?

Answer: 10.

73. Question: On which day did Jesus rise from the dead?

Answer: The third day.

74. Question: Who cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant?

Answer: Peter.

75. Question: At what age did Jesus start his ministry?

Answer: 30.

76. Question: How many years did Sarah live?

Answer: 127.

77. Question: What was Moses’ sister’s name?

Answer: Miriam.

78. Question: What are the four Gospels in the New Testament?

Answer: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.

79. Question: Who is the oldest man in the Bible?

Answer: Methuselah.

80. Question: How long did the Israelites wander through the wilderness?

Answer: 40 years.

81. Question: What was the name of the forbidden tree Adam and Eve ate from?

Answer: The Tree of Life.

82. Question: In the Old Testament, which prophet foretold Jesus’ birth?

Answer: Micah.

83. Question: Who was the only female judge mentioned in the Bible?

Answer: Deborah.

84. Question: Who was the first hunter mentioned in the Bible?

Answer: Nimrod.

85. Question: Which woman washed Jesus’ feet?

Answer: Mary Magdalene.

86. Question: What language is the New Testament originally written in?

Answer: Greek.

87. Question: How old was Noah when the flood began?

Answer: 600 years old.

88. Question: What is the name of the river baby Moses floated down to escape?

Answer: The Nile River.

89. Question: What were the crimes of the two men who were crucified with Jesus?

Answer: They were thieves.

90. Question: What were Lazarus’ sisters’ names?

Answer: Mary & Martha.

91. Question: What did Jesus turn into wine?

Answer: Water.

92. Question: What did Judas receive for betraying Jesus?

Answer: 30 pieces of silver.

93. Question: Who did God tell to build an ark?

Answer: Noah.

94. Question: Which New Testament book has Jesus’ sermon on the Mount?

Answer: Matthew.

95. Question: How many days was Jonah in the belly of the big fish?

Answer: Three days & three nights.

96. Question: In Luke, what did the woman use to clean Jesus’s feet?

Answer: Her tears and her hair.

97. Question: Who was Jacob’s wife?

Answer: Rachel.

98. Question: Which commandment is honor thy father and mother?

Answer: Fifth.

99. Question: Who is the man that wanted to kill baby Jesus?

Answer: King Herod.

100. Question: What does “Epistle” mean?

Answer: Letter.

Free Printables

Print these nifty and convenient cards for personal use. 

- Torrance Church of Christ