Trusting God in the Meantime: A Journey of Faith

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the importance of trusting God during the "meantime"—those periods between receiving a promise from God and seeing its fulfillment. We began by acknowledging the power of worship and the sense of community it fosters among believers. Worship allows us to lay down our burdens and focus on God's glory, even when life is challenging.

We delved into the story of Joseph from Genesis 39, who received a promise from God but had to endure many trials before seeing it come to fruition. Joseph's journey teaches us the value of patience and faithfulness during the waiting period. Despite being sold into slavery and facing numerous hardships, Joseph remained steadfast, trusting that God was with him and would fulfill His promises.

We also discussed the importance of being patient and faithful in our own "meantime." Just as bread requires a process of mixing, kneading, and baking, our spiritual growth and the fulfillment of God's promises often require a process that involves waiting and refinement. This process can be painful and challenging, but it is necessary for us to be prepared for the blessings God has in store.

Moreover, we emphasized the need to praise God even before our prayers are answered. Praising God in the meantime is an act of faith that acknowledges His sovereignty and goodness, regardless of our current circumstances. We must also be cautious about who we share our promises with, as not everyone will understand or support what God has spoken to us.

Finally, we were reminded that our testimonies, even those that are still in progress, can provide hope and encouragement to others. Sharing our struggles and how we are trusting God in the meantime can inspire others to hold on to their faith and trust in God's timing.

### Key Takeaways

1. **Worship as a Refuge**: Worship provides a sanctuary where we can lay down our burdens and focus on God's glory. It doesn't remove our problems but gives us the strength to face them. Worship is a choice to honor God despite our circumstances, acknowledging that He is always worthy of praise. [40:14]

2. **Patience in the Process**: Just as bread requires time to rise and bake, our spiritual growth and the fulfillment of God's promises often involve a process of waiting and refinement. This process can be painful, but it prepares us for the blessings God has in store. Trusting God during this time is crucial. [50:19]

3. **Praising in the Meantime**: Praising God before our prayers are answered is an act of faith. It shows that we trust in His timing and His plan for our lives. This kind of praise is powerful and can shift our focus from our problems to God's promises. [52:56]

4. **Guarding God's Promises**: Not everyone will understand or support the promises God has given us. It's important to be discerning about who we share our dreams and promises with, seeking encouragement from those who will uplift us and remind us of God's faithfulness. [54:22]

5. **Sharing Our Testimonies**: Our testimonies, even those that are still in progress, can provide hope and encouragement to others. Sharing our struggles and how we are trusting God in the meantime can inspire others to hold on to their faith and trust in God's timing. [01:01:51]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[39:45] - Introduction and Personal Reflections
[40:14] - The Power of Worship
[40:54] - Choosing to Worship Despite Challenges
[42:40] - Encouragement to Family and Friends
[44:18] - Trusting God's Promises
[45:54] - What to Do in the Meantime
[47:26] - The Story of Joseph
[48:58] - The Process of Patience
[50:19] - The Bread Analogy
[51:29] - The Hard Process
[52:56] - Praising Through the Process
[54:22] - Guarding God's Promises
[55:43] - Trusting in God's Timing
[57:03] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[58:53] - Staying Faithful in the Meantime
[01:01:51] - Sharing Our Testimonies
[01:06:06] - Personal Loss and Heaven
[01:10:51] - Prayer and Conclusion

### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 39:1-6 (ESV)
> "Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate."

2. Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
> "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

3. Hebrews 6:10-12 (ESV)
> "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

### Observation Questions
1. What were the circumstances that led Joseph to be in Potiphar's house in Egypt? (Genesis 39:1-6)
2. According to Philippians 1:6, what is promised to believers about the work God has started in them?
3. How did Joseph's faithfulness and God's presence impact Potiphar's household? (Genesis 39:1-6)
4. What does Hebrews 6:10-12 say about God's recognition of our work and love shown in His name?

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Joseph's story illustrate the importance of trusting God during difficult times? (Genesis 39:1-6, [47:26])
2. What does it mean to be patient and faithful in the "meantime" as described in the sermon? ([45:54])
3. How can praising God before our prayers are answered demonstrate our faith in His timing and plan? ([52:56])
4. Why is it important to be discerning about who we share our God-given promises with? ([54:22])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for a promise or answer from God. How did you handle the "meantime"? What could you have done differently? ([45:54])
2. How can you incorporate more worship into your daily life to help you focus on God's glory rather than your problems? ([40:14])
3. Think of a current situation where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you practice patience and faithfulness during this period? ([50:19])
4. Identify one person in your life who might not understand or support your God-given dreams. How can you seek encouragement from others who will uplift you instead? ([54:22])
5. Share a personal testimony of a struggle you are currently facing or have faced. How can your story provide hope and encouragement to others in your small group? ([01:01:51])
6. What specific steps can you take to praise God even before seeing the fulfillment of your prayers? ([52:56])
7. How can you remind yourself of God's promises and faithfulness when you feel discouraged or impatient? ([55:43])

Day 1: Worship as a Sanctuary
Worship provides a sanctuary where we can lay down our burdens and focus on God's glory. It doesn't remove our problems but gives us the strength to face them. Worship is a choice to honor God despite our circumstances, acknowledging that He is always worthy of praise. When we gather in worship, we create a sense of community and shared faith that can uplift and encourage us, even in the most challenging times. Worship is not just about singing songs; it's about a heart posture that recognizes God's sovereignty and goodness.

In the story of Joseph, despite his many trials, he remained faithful and continued to honor God. This faithfulness in worship, even when circumstances were dire, is a powerful example for us. Worshiping God in the meantime, before our prayers are answered, is an act of faith that acknowledges His control over our lives. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's promises and helps us to trust in His timing and plan. [40:14]

Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine to help shift your focus from the problem to God's glory?


Day 2: Trusting the Process
Just as bread requires time to rise and bake, our spiritual growth and the fulfillment of God's promises often involve a process of waiting and refinement. This process can be painful, but it prepares us for the blessings God has in store. Trusting God during this time is crucial. The story of Joseph from Genesis 39 illustrates this beautifully. Despite being sold into slavery and facing numerous hardships, Joseph remained steadfast, trusting that God was with him and would fulfill His promises.

In our own lives, we must recognize that the "meantime" is a period of growth and preparation. It is during these times that our faith is tested and strengthened. We may not understand why we have to wait or endure certain trials, but we can trust that God is working behind the scenes, preparing us for what is to come. This period of waiting is not wasted; it is a crucial part of our spiritual journey. [50:19]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you had to wait for something important. How did that waiting period prepare you for the eventual outcome? How can you apply that lesson to your current situation?


Day 3: Praising in the Meantime
Praising God before our prayers are answered is an act of faith. It shows that we trust in His timing and His plan for our lives. This kind of praise is powerful and can shift our focus from our problems to God's promises. When we praise God in the meantime, we are declaring our trust in His sovereignty and goodness, regardless of our current circumstances. This act of faith can bring peace and hope, even in the midst of uncertainty.

Joseph's story is a testament to the power of praising God in the meantime. Despite his many trials, he continued to honor God and trust in His promises. This unwavering faith and praise, even in difficult times, is a powerful example for us. By praising God before our prayers are answered, we are acknowledging that He is in control and that His plans for us are good. [52:56]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: Think of a prayer that has not yet been answered. How can you praise God for His faithfulness and goodness in the meantime, even before you see the answer?


Day 4: Guarding God's Promises
Not everyone will understand or support the promises God has given us. It's important to be discerning about who we share our dreams and promises with, seeking encouragement from those who will uplift us and remind us of God's faithfulness. Joseph's story teaches us the importance of being cautious about who we share our God-given dreams with. His brothers' jealousy led to his being sold into slavery, but God used even that for good.

In our own lives, we must be wise about who we confide in. Not everyone will understand or support the vision God has given us. It's important to surround ourselves with people who will encourage us and remind us of God's faithfulness. By guarding God's promises and being discerning about who we share them with, we can protect ourselves from unnecessary discouragement and stay focused on God's plan for our lives. [54:22]

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Reflection: Think about a promise or dream God has given you. Who are the people in your life that you can trust to encourage and support you in this journey? How can you be more discerning about who you share your dreams with?


Day 5: Sharing Our Testimonies
Our testimonies, even those that are still in progress, can provide hope and encouragement to others. Sharing our struggles and how we are trusting God in the meantime can inspire others to hold on to their faith and trust in God's timing. Joseph's story is a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness, even in the midst of trials. By sharing our own stories, we can encourage others and remind them that God is always at work, even when we can't see it.

In our own lives, we may be hesitant to share our testimonies, especially if they are still in progress. However, our stories of faith and trust in God can be a powerful source of encouragement for others. By being open and honest about our struggles and how we are trusting God in the meantime, we can inspire others to hold on to their faith and trust in God's timing. Our testimonies can be a beacon of hope for those who are going through similar trials. [01:01:51]

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Reflection: Think about a recent struggle or challenge you have faced. How can sharing your story of trusting God in the meantime provide hope and encouragement to someone else? Who can you share your testimony with this week?

You're ridiculous not to run out. I let my son play on it, and he didn't. Stole all the juice. So we're going to see. Welcome! It is good to be here this morning. Before we get started, I just want to say it is an honor to be here, to go to this church. I am a member. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Leron Gordon. I've been here since the beginning. I'm also a board member here at this church, and I love being a part of this church. I love the people. I love the ministry. I love the pastor and his wife. I love how we get to serve together. I love how we get to worship together.

You know, it's something when you can come and worship with other saints that are going through something too. Yeah, and you're able to come and be together and release those burdens and those challenges. It doesn't mean that they're not going to be waiting for you when you're out there, but while I'm in here, I'm going to choose to worship. I'm going to choose to give God glory. Just because you're going through something doesn't mean that he's not worthy of all the praise and honor. And I'm going to choose. I'm going to resolve, regardless of what is going on.

May God, you, it is the same. Well, I love every... I don't kindness, but the same. It body and soul. It savers all my parties going to... Every week and the team and all the volunteers. There is something about worship that enters us into the presence of the Holy Spirit. I want to just give a shout out to Adriana. So much work and time and preparation she pours into what you see here today. I've been to a thousand churches, and you can tell the culture and the climate of that church by the worship that happens.

I've been to churches where there's people that have been talented, and they can sing, and they can play, but they're up here putting on a show, and they're entertaining. But when you have someone who is a worshiper, and it doesn't matter if no one else is here, Adriana gets up here, and she is worshiping, and she leads us into worship. Not only is she talented, but she has the anointing on top of the talent. So thank you for answering that call and saying yes to lead us into worship week in and week out.

To my wife, I love you. Thank you for the encouragement and love and support that you constantly... I have four, three boys, and there's four of us in the house. And my house would be a mess if it wasn't for her, and we'd be eating top ramen every day if it wasn't for her. So thank you. To my son, I started praying for you when I was in high school. The Lord put it on my heart that I was going to have a son, and I was going to name him Samuel, which means "asked of God." And I asked God specifically for you, and you are more than anything that I could have hoped for. I am proud of you. I am praying for you. You encourage me by how you worship, and you're so unashamed of the gospel and who Christ is in your life, and I pray that you never, ever lose that.

I am confident more than ever that Jesus is coming back soon. It doesn't take much to see the world that we are living in is crumbling all around us. What I see is a world that is crumbling all around us. A lack of hope. A lack of hope for the future. A lack of hope in Jesus. I hate political season. I've never seen and heard so much fighting among church folks than I do during this season. It doesn't matter what side you're on. My God is still on the throne. And to me, that is all that matters.

We get in these arguments. I'd hope you're not on social media. If you see it, you cannot scroll through anything about this side said this, this side said that. And unfortunately, on my feed are my Christian friends that are arguing. It's my Christian friends who are supposed to be the light and the hope, and sometimes I have to keep myself guarded from that because the Lord has put something in my heart regardless that he is still king, and I trust in him.

If you have your Bibles, you can open up to Philippians 1 and 6, and it says, "I am sure of this, that he that began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ." Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for those who are here. Thank you for those who are watching. God, I pray that your word would go forth, that lives would be changed and touched. We need you more than ever before. We need your touch. We need your presence. We need your healing. More than anything, we need your son. God, we love you, and we praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.

I've been thinking a lot about heaven. I've been dreaming about heaven and what it's going to be like, those streets of gold, those angels singing, and I'm going to be a part of that, but I'm not there yet. But in the meantime, what are we going to do in the meantime? I know that we serve a God who starts the work, and we serve a God who completes the work, but he's still the God of the in-between time while we're waiting on those promises to come true. He's still the God of the meantime.

What am I going to do in the meantime? I'm going to be a part of that. I'm going to be a part of that. What am I going to choose to do in the meantime when I've been promised that promotion and people keep passing me over and over and over who are less qualified than me? What am I going to do in the meantime when I've been praying for that spouse or that child that's far away from Christ and it seems like they're getting further and further away? What am I going to do in the meantime when I'm praying for that healing in my body, healing in my mind, and I'm still sick, and I'm still hurting, and I've been praying for a long time?

God, I'm choosing in the meantime to trust you. I'm choosing in the meantime to still give you all the praise and honor and glory because you are worthy of that. In the meantime, I'm going to choose. What will you choose in the meantime? Genesis 39, 1 through 6. Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who brought him down. And the Lord was with Joseph. Say that with me. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his master.

And his master saw that the Lord was with him. And so the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him. And Potiphar made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he had made him overseer in his house and all the land, the Lord blessed his house for Joseph's sake. The blessing of the Lord was in all that he had in the house and in the field. So he had left Potiphar all that he had in Joseph's charge. And because of him, he had no concern other than the food he ate. And the Lord was with Joseph.

How did Joseph make it through the meantime? Joseph was a young man when God gave him a promise. God gave him a promise that the stars and the moon were going to bow down to him, which was representative of his brothers. And he probably thought it was going to happen immediately, but it didn't. Sometimes we've been praying for so long, and we feel like the meantime is so far away that we give up on those promises. But I'm here to tell you, if God promises something to you, he has to come through on it. You have to be able to stand on the word of God that if it says it, it is going to happen.

But what do we do in the meantime? I promise you that your prayers have not been forgotten. The Lord is with you. God hears them all. Every tear that you cry, he sees them. He says, "I'm going to wipe every tear from your eye" if we would just trust him in the meantime. I believe the first thing we need to do is to be patient in the meantime. We need to be patient. Sometimes that patient means that we have to go through a painful process. Sometimes it's challenging. I have this pain in my back I've been dealing with for most of my life, and I've been praying and believing, and it hasn't happened yet.

What do we do in the meantime? I'm going to continue to pray. I'm going to thank him before the miracle happens. So when I'm able to walk in it, it's already there. I'm acting like I've received my blessing already, and I'm walking in it. What do we do in the meantime? We don't like to wait. I love bread. I love me some bread. I love eating bread. When I was a kid, my mom used to make us, we couldn't afford cinnamon rolls, so we had bread. She'd put some butter, some cinnamon, and put it in the oven. That was our Cinnabons. I love bread. My wife makes bread. If you've ever had any bread from her, I'm telling you, it is amazing.

I remember one day I said, "Man, I'm hungry. I want some bread." I said, "Baby, will you make me some bread?" She said, "Sure, I'll make you some." I went upstairs, started watching TV about lunchtime. I'm like, "I'm getting hungry. I want a ham sandwich." And I went downstairs, and I noticed I didn't smell anything. I'm like, "I know she heard me." See, my father taught me, don't jump to assumptions if you want to keep your wife happy. So I come downstairs. I'm like, "Let me try this." I'm like, "I'm going to check the oven to make sure." Because I know she heard me, and I said, "Where the bread at?" She said, "It's a process. You're not going to have it today, but I promise you, when it comes to completion, it'll be everything that you want."

See, we don't want to go through the process. And I'm asking her, and I'm watching her. So what happens is, when you're making this bread, you have to put just a couple ingredients together. That's the starter. I didn't know anything about that. Then you have to put it in the refrigerator. Then it has to wait. And then after a while, you take it out, and you add a couple more ingredients. Then you got to put it back in, and it has to wait some more. Then finally, when it's fermented, you have this dough. And I'm watching her. I'm like, "Okay, it's ready to put in the oven." She goes, "No, it's still a process that it must go through. It has to be folded, and it has to be kneaded, and it has to be stretched, and it has to be put back together and stretched again."

And then when you mold it and you make it, you have to cut away the pieces that are not supposed to be there. Then the last step is, you have to put it under some heat. It has to go in the oven and be able to cook, and then it is ready. See, we don't want to go through the process to receive God's blessings. We want it right now. God is saying, if you just wait and be patient, the hard part is he has to carve away things that are not supposed to be there. Because when that promotion comes, there are things in your life you can't bring with you. He's saying, "I need you to go through this process now, so when the victory comes, you're ready and able to walk through those doors of victory."

We have to be patient in that process. The process is hard. The process is hard, and we want it to be easy, but it doesn't work that way. God said, "If I gave you everything when you wanted it, how you wanted it, it would ruin you." So he doesn't give it to us when we want it, and we get frustrated with it. I love blessing my boys. During sports season, I want them to have the best cleats and gloves and Nikes and Jordans and all of that stuff. But when I give them too much, I notice a change in their spirit and in their attitude. Sometimes they're so grateful for the things, and they're so grateful, "Thank you so much," and they play with it. Other times they got an attitude like, "Where's my stuff at? I told you I needed that toy. How come I haven't got it yet?" I'm like, "Oh no, that's not it."

God is saying, "If I gave you everything, it's going to ruin you." So when the time comes and the blessing comes, you don't know how to handle it, and you abuse it. God is saying, "Just trust me through this process." We need to learn to be able to praise through the process. When we have the opportunity to come to church or when you're at home, we're able to lift our hands and say, "God, I know it's not here yet, but I trust you. I'm not going to wait till the battle is over. I'm going to shout now." Don't wait. Sometimes we say, "God, when you bless me, then I'll praise your name. And when you bless me, then I'll say thank you." God says, "I'm worthy of all the praise now while you're waiting in the meantime."

Joseph had a dream when he was a young man. God promised him that his brothers were going to bow down to him. He had a promise of a palace, that he was going to be in charge of all of these things. The thing about Joseph, he was an immature Christian like a lot of us. God gave him a promise, and what did he do? He went and told everybody about the promise, and he expected them to celebrate him. Let me tell you something. When the Lord gives you something, not everybody's going to be happy about what the Lord told you. They're not going to be happy about what the Lord told you. They're not going to be happy about what the Lord told you. They're not going to be happy that the Lord has promised you breakthrough. They're not going to be happy that the Lord has promised you reconciliation in your marriage.

Sometimes we got to keep that secret and hide it in our hearts because everybody needs the ones that are closest to us that doubt God's promises for your life. Did he really tell you that? You're not qualified for that. Are you sure? And then we start to question. I have to be careful who I share my promises with. I need those who are going to be pouring into those promises. When they see me down and say, "You got to hold on to that promise that the Lord told you." I don't need people questioning God's promises. When God promised you something, it doesn't mean that he promised them something. He promised it to me, and I have to hold on to that.

The Lord promised Joseph something, but what happened? His brothers ended up selling him into slavery. God didn't show him that part. God didn't show him that part. Sometimes I wonder, how was he able to maintain his testimony during that time? He was faithful, and he was patient. Why? Because he didn't know the challenges were coming. God didn't show him the pit. He was going to be in jail. So when Joseph was going through those things, he resolved in his spirit that this is not the end. This is not what God has promised me.

When you have challenges and affliction in your mind, in your body, you need to resolve, this is not where God has placed me. I'm just passing through. I'm just passing through. You have to know where your destination is. God has promised all of us who have committed our lives to God, and we have to know where we are. We have to know where we are. We have to know our lives to him, heaven. He has promised us heaven, and I am just passing through with all of these aches and pains and heartbreak that I'm going through. I know that this world is not my destination. I'm dreaming about heaven, and the Lord was with Joseph.

When you have the Lord on your side, everybody is not going to agree. I wonder how people felt when Potiphar said, "Second in charge is going to be the slave." They probably looked at him as he's unqualified. He is the lowest of the low. But it doesn't matter because when God has promised you something, it doesn't matter what you think you are qualified for. God is saying, "I am with you. Who can be against you?" We need to trust in those promises. It is not always what it looks like. You can't see that I have an army of angels standing behind me, ready on guard. So when the devil tries to attack, they are standing guard ready. You have to know who is with you. It's not always what it looks like.

I look at Aunt Ruby. If you know her, she is not a big woman at all. To me, she's small, but she's a heavyweight in the faith. I hear it when she prays. I hear it and I see it when she worships. I don't know what's going on in her life because every day she's like, "The Lord is good." It doesn't matter what is going on. I know that the Lord is my shepherd. Every single step, even if it's in the valley, he's going to lead me through. That's the attitude that we need to take. Now, it doesn't mean that it's not hard. Sometimes I'm crying, and I have to praise through my cries. Sometimes I have tears and I have doubts, choosing in the midst of those doubts to trust anyway.

It doesn't mean that I have my moments when I'm on my knees and I don't even know what to pray. And all I can say is Jesus. God is saying that's enough. We underestimate the power of that name because there's healing in that name. There's restoration in that name that all I have to do is call out the name of Jesus, and he's coming. He's already there waiting. But in the meantime, I'm going to worship. Joseph never saw the change.

The next point is dreams take time. They don't happen overnight. When he gives a promise or a vision, we can trust that it is going to happen. Hebrews 6, 10 through 12. "For God is not unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown in his name in serving the saints and still do. And we desire each one to show the same earnestness and have full assurance of hope. So you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Stay faithful in the meantime. Sometimes we say God is taking too long. I've been praying for my child for 20 years, and they still won't come to church. I've been praying for my spouse. We've been married for 40 years, and they still won't come to church. I've been praying for reconciliation in my home. God is saying, just stay patient.

We don't know what's going on in the church. It's supernatural and what God is working out and working through in order for us to be at that place to receive those promises. God is saying, just trust me in the meantime. Continue to praise in the meantime. I am struggling sometimes in the meantime. I want my blessings now. When I pray for it, I'm like, "God, okay, go on ahead and send it." And I have a hard time. Sometimes I get frustrated. I got people all around me getting blessed. It seems like they pray, and it comes right away. They're praying for a house, and they got a big old house in old Woodland somewhere. I'm like, "Lord is saying, just trust me for what I've given you already."

Sometimes we look so far in the future, we forgot what we have. It may not be what you want, but it's better than what you would have without him. I have to remind myself the Lord has done so much. If he never does another thing for me, he's already done more than enough. But I still have promises in my heart that he's given me, and I'm waiting on them. But in the meantime, I'm going to trust him.

This world needs hope. I went to Walmart, the one in town. And if you've ever been to the Walmart in town, I remember when I first moved to Woodland, I went to Walmart. It was like zombies walking around Walmart. And I'm like, "Lord, show me something." He goes, "I want you just to sense the atmosphere and look at the people walking around." And I remember that night I walked in there, and I've never felt such a feeling of hopelessness. We're hopeless. And I know some of us have been in that place, and you know what it's like when it's so dark, you can't see any light. There's no hope. And I'm telling you, the church needs to be that hope.

People need to hear your testimony. Sometimes we want to wait until the breakthrough happens, but God is saying, "I need you to tell them about the process that you're going through when you're being stretched and refined and it's hard." People need to hear about that. I think that's sometimes why we struggle because we just see the end result. But we don't know how we got there. God is saying, "I need you to show them the steps of how you got there. So when they are frustrated, they're able to say, 'If so-and-so can do it, I know I can. If he's the God of the meantime for them, I know he's the God in the meantime during my time while I'm waiting.'"

We need to share all of the testimony. When we were praying for breakthrough financially and your bills are not being paid, people need to hear that story too. When it's hard to tithe and you come in here and you choose to give God what is his anyway, people need to hear, knowing that you may not have enough food at home to feed your children. God is saying, "Tell that testimony how you've been faithful through it all, even when it's been hard." Until your victory comes to pass, your promise is going to be tested. It has to be tested. If it's not tested, I have a hard time trusting it because I know it's been refined. I know it's been stretched. So when it comes together and I'm able to walk through it, I'm able to appreciate it because of all I went through in order to get there. It is going to come to pass.

Sometimes it's going to take a long time. When Joseph got the dream until he was in Egypt was 12 years. That's a long time to be waiting. When God promised Abraham this descendant, he was 75. It didn't come true until he was almost 100. Some of us have been praying for such a long time, and it seems like we haven't gotten further to the goal, but I promise you, if the Lord said it, you can count on it. The Bible says his word never returns void. He must see it to completion if he starts a work. Trust that it's going to be completed, but he's going to be there in the meantime. The Lord's not going to just give you something and leave you and then come back at the end to pick it up. He's there step by step by step.

It doesn't matter what you think you're qualified for. The Lord will set you up in positions that you are not qualified for. And people will ask, "How did you get here?" It's because I'm covered in the blood. And every single step I take, I know he's taking one with me. In the meantime, and the Lord was with Joseph. Pastor Keenan asked me to preach, it's almost like a couple weeks ahead of time. I feel like this stirring in my spirit, and I don't want to do it. And so I like avoid all calls and texts, messages, because when the Lord has given you something, the devil is going to attack it. And I feel so unqualified. I'm not a theologian. I don't know all the scriptures. God is saying, "I have called the unqualified." So when you're stepping up there, you have nothing to do but give God the glory.

It's not because of my schooling. It's not because of my education. It's not because of what I think I know. It's only because God ordained it. And it's our job just to be obedient. What are you doing with the talents and gifts that God has given you in the meantime? Are you going to still use them? And I read the story, Joseph is still interpreting. God gave him the gift of interpreting dreams, and he's using it. Sometimes we like, "They don't see my talents, and they don't see my gifts." And so we don't work with excellence.

I believe the reason Joseph was promoted even when he was a slave is because he did everything with excellence. I may not have the job that I want, but I'm going to dress every single day like it. I may not be in the position that I want to be in, but tomorrow I'm going to wake up, and I'm going to see myself in that position. My breakthrough hasn't come through yet, but I'm going to praise him like it's come through already. How are you going to act in the meantime while you're waiting on your victory? I choose to be patient, and I choose to be faithful. If we can be faithful where we are now, sometimes we want to wait to praise him. And so, no, I'm going to praise him now. I'm going to be faithful now. I'm not going to wait until the breakthrough comes. What are you going to do in the meantime?

As soon as Pastor Keenan asked me to preach, the Lord put this message in my heart, and it was tested immediately. Less than 24 hours after that, my mom called me, and I could hear it in her voice. And she told me that one of my favorite cousins had a heart attack and asleep. And she woke up in heaven, 43 years old, leaving two children who need her. And in that moment, I'm like, "God, why? She's serving you. She's been through so much and recommitted her life. She's telling other people about you. And now she's gone, leaving this void."

What are you going to do in the meantime? I've been thinking a lot about heaven. I've been dreaming about heaven. I can't wait to get there. So many family and friends. And I have a son who is there who's waiting on me. But I'm not there yet. And what am I going to do in the meantime? I know the world needs to hear our testimony. I'm going to resolve to tell everyone I can about the love of Christ. I'm going to share the gospel as often as I can. Because since we are still here, we have an assignment in the meantime. The world needs hope. They need us. They need us.

Some of you say it's hard to be patient. I'm so brokenhearted. I've been praying for such a long time, and I don't see any light. God is saying, "I see him. And I'm there with you." You ever been praying for so long, it seems like them prayers are so old? They seem so far away that that promise is never going to happen. I'm here to encourage you because I've seen it. I've walked through it. God's promises have to come true. God is not a liar. And if he said it, you can count on it. It's what I'm going to choose in the meantime that's important as I'm going through it. And I choose to bless his name.

Other people will notice. I'm looking at Potiphar. They don't even recognize God. But the Bible says Potiphar said, "The Lord was with Joseph." How do people see that? Even I'm not in the position that I'm supposed to be in, I'm going to praise him anyway. I'm going to be faithful anyway. I'm going to go to that job with excellence anyway. I'm not going to complain tomorrow morning when I have to get up and go to work. We complain about a job that we asked God for. And we got to complain, and we got to go to work. I'm going to choose to have a better attitude.

It doesn't mean that I'm not hurting. It doesn't mean that I'm not in pain. It doesn't mean that I'm not heartbroken. It doesn't mean that I'm not questioning. In the midst of those storms, I'm going to lift my hands and say, "Thank you, Father. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your love. Thank you for forgiveness. And thank you for the cross." Will you resolve? Will you resolve with me? That when the prayers seem unanswered, that God is still there. But in the meantime, I'm going to trust him. There's hope in the meantime. Psalm 34 says, "The Lord is near the brokenhearted."

Sometimes when you're brokenhearted, you feel so alone that there's no one else going through what I'm going through. God is saying, "I'm there. I am there." Will you trust him today? Will you trust him? Hold on to those promises. Hold on to those dreams that you have. Hold on to those goals, things that you've written out. It may have been 20 years. God is saying, "I'm still working things that you can't see yet. Those doors of opportunity have not closed. Keep praying for your children." I am a product of a praying family. I know my grandmother hit her knees every day praying for me. My parents. I'm a grown man, and I know my mom called and said, "I'm praying for you." People are praying for you. You may not know it. They may not tell you, but I promise you, if you are here in this place, someone prayed you here. Trust it.

That God is working things out. But what are we going to do in the meantime? Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you, and we praise you. We worship you. It doesn't matter what it looks like. You are a God who is still God, regardless of my circumstances. And today, I'm going to say, I praise you. And I trust you, even when it's hard. God, I pray for those here today who are struggling. They need a touch from you. That you would guide them and protect them and let them know that you are still here with them every single step of the way. Give them courage to praise you in the meantime. Give them courage to tell their testimony in the meantime. Because you are working all things out for the good. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Number one, it provides for God's house. There are things that we can't see that need fixing and developing, and our tithes help that. It tells God that I am trusting him to fill the margins in my life. God can do more with the 90% than you can with 100 by yourself. And I am trusting him. It reminds me that I am not my own source and not to depend on myself. It connects my finances to kingdom purpose. It gives my job eternal significance. And me, more importantly, it tells everything in my life that God is first.

Now, this is for my limitless family, for those who call this church home. Tithing is not generosity. Tithing is an act of obedience. You are not doing anything special. God is saying, if you call this place home, I am commanding you to tithe. I am choosing to be obedient. There's three ways that we can give. You can tithe. You can text the word "give" to the number, online giving to limitlesswoodland.com, or you can use the QR code.

As the ushers go and the buckets pass, we're going to enter into another song of worship. I ask that you would stand after you pass the bucket. Thank you. If you can, you reach out your hands to this bucket. God, thank you for the ability to be able to give, and those who don't have the ability, God, we are trusting that as a part of their testimony, God. I pray that you would take this and plant it so it would grow to impact the city and the people in it. God, change is coming. Revival is coming. And we trust you. We trust you. We hold on to those promises, especially when it comes to our finances, God. God, when it's more month than it is money, we trust you. We trust you. When those bills come, we trust you to make a way when there is no way. And we give your name all the glory. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.

I'm going to ask our prayer team to come up as we conclude our service. I do not want to miss an opportunity for those who say today is the day that I'm going to accept Jesus as my personal savior. Our prayer team wants to pray. They want to pray with you. They want to encourage you. They want to pass up this opportunity. There may be some of you who said, "I haven't been to church in a long time." You were almost ashamed to come here today. God is saying, "Don't worry about that. You're here."

If you're saying, "I want to make a new commitment to my faith," get some prayer. There may be some of you who say, "Tomorrow's Monday, and I need prayer." Come get some prayer. Some of you are saying, "My heart is so broken. I need prayer. I don't even know what to say. It's been so long, and it's been so hard." The Lord is saying, "Come get some prayer." If there's been loss, there's been no hope. God is saying, "Come get some prayer." If you're at a point in your life and you're like, "I'm so old, I don't know what I'm supposed to do." The fact that you are here, God is saying, "I'm not done with you yet."

Maybe you're in a new season, and you're like, "Things are going good, but I want to know what I'm supposed to do next." God is saying, "Come get some prayer, and I'll reveal it. I'll reveal it to you." There's knowledge to be gained from our senior saints. There's experience. You still have so much to give. I need to hear from you. I need to hear about your experiences in your life. I don't want you to pass up this opportunity. I just feel in my spirit, someone is hurting. God is saying, "Just trust me." Right now you feel like all hope is lost. Then there's nothing else. God is saying, "I'm still God of the meantime."

God wants to renew those promises in your spirit. And we trust that when he says, "I'm going to start it," he will complete it. If you feel that tugging on your heart, I pray that you would not hesitate. Come get your breakthrough. Come get prayer in the meantime. The Bible says when two or three are gathered together, there I am in the midst. I'm going to pray, and we'll conclude. God, we love you today. If you're able, lift your hands. God, we trust you today. I pray that as we leave this place, but not from your presence, that you would go with us, continue to guide us in every single step of the way. While in the meantime, I'm going to trust you. In the meantime, I'm going to praise you. In the meantime, I'm going to get back in the word. God, we trust you in the meantime.

I thank you for all those who are here and watching online that you would trust. God, be there for us. Protect us. We trust you, and we love you. In Jesus' name, we pray. And all God's people said, "Amen, amen." Have a blessed week.

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I am confident more than ever that Jesus is coming back soon. It doesn't take much to see the world that we are living in is crumbling all around us. What I see is a world that is crumbling all around us. A lack of hope. A lack of hope for the future. A lack of hope in Jesus. I hate political season. I've never seen and heard so much fighting among church folks than I do during this season. It doesn't matter what side you're on. My God is still on the throne. And to me, that is all that matters." [43:00] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




2. "What am I going to do in the meantime when I've been promised that promotion and people keep passing me over and over and over who are less qualified than me? What am I going to do in the meantime when I've been praying for that spouse or that child that's far away from Christ and it seems like they're getting further and further away? What am I going to do in the meantime when I'm praying for that healing in my body, healing in my mind, and I'm still sick, and I'm still hurting, and I've been praying for a long time? God, I'm choosing in the meantime to trust you." [45:54] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




3. "We need to learn to be able to praise through the process. When we have opportunity to come to church or when you're at home, we're able to lift our hands and say, God, I know it's not here yet, but I trust you. I'm not going to wait till the battle is over. I'm going to shout now. Don't wait. Sometimes we say, God, when you bless me, then I'll praise your name. And when you bless me, then I'll say thank you. God says, I'm worthy of all the praise now while you're waiting in the meantime." [52:56] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




4. "This world needs hope. I went to Walmart, the one in town. And if you've ever been to the Walmart in town, I remember when I first moved to Woodland, I went to Walmart. It was like zombies walking around Walmart. And I'm like, Lord, show me something. He goes, I want you just to sense the atmosphere and look at the people walking around. And I remember that night I walked in there and I've never felt such a feeling of hopelessness. We're hopeless. And I know some of us have been in that place and you know what it's like when you, it's so dark, you can't see any light. There's no hope. And I'm telling you, the church needs to be that hope." [01:00:28] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




5. "It doesn't mean that I'm not hurting. It doesn't mean that I'm not in pain. It doesn't mean that I'm not heartbroken. It doesn't mean that I'm not questioning. In the midst of those storms, I'm going to lift my hands and say, thank you, Father. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your love. Thank you for forgiveness. And thank you for the cross. Will you resolve? Will you resolve with me? That when the prayers seem unanswered, that God is still there. But in the meantime, I'm going to trust him. There's hope in the meantime." [01:08:31] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




### Quotes for Members

1. "Sometimes we've been praying for so long, and we feel like the meantime is so far away that we give up on those promises. But I'm here to tell you, if God promises something to you, he has to come through on it. You have to be able to stand on the word of God that if it says it, it is going to happen. But what do we do in the meantime? I promise you that your prayers have not been forgotten. The Lord is with you. God hears them all. Every tear that you cry, he sees them. He says, I'm going to wipe every tear from your eye if we would just trust him in the meantime." [47:26] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




2. "We need to learn to be able to praise through the process. When we have opportunity to come to church or when you're at home, we're able to lift our hands and say, God, I know it's not here yet, but I trust you. I'm not going to wait till the battle is over. I'm going to shout now. Don't wait. Sometimes we say, God, when you bless me, then I'll praise your name. And when you bless me, then I'll say thank you. God says, I'm worthy of all the praise now while you're waiting in the meantime." [52:56] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




3. "When you have challenges and affliction in your mind, in your body, you need to resolve, this is not where God has placed me. I'm just passing through. I'm just passing through. You have to know where your destination is. God has promised all of us who have committed our lives to him, heaven. He has promised us heaven, and I am just passing through with all of these aches and pains and heartbreak that I'm going through. I know that this world is not my destination. I'm dreaming about heaven, and the Lord was with Joseph." [55:43] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




4. "Sometimes we look so far in the future, we forgot what we have. It may not be what you want, but it's better than what you would have without him. I have to remind myself the Lord has done so much. If he never does another thing for me, he's already done more than enough. But I still have promises in my heart that he's given me and I'm waiting on them. But in the meantime, I'm going to trust him." [59:28] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




5. "It doesn't matter what you think you're qualified for. The Lord will set you up in positions that you are not qualified for. And people will ask, how did you get here? It's because I'm covered in the blood. And every single step I take, I know he's taking one with me. In the meantime, and the Lord was with Joseph." [01:03:27] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)