Purpose in Waiting: And Strength Renewal Tips

By Professor Samuel C. Obi and Adora N. Obi

Purpose in Waiting was written to help people understand the purpose and reasons for waiting on the Lord, waiting processes and logistics, and how to more successfully deal with the issues associated with waiting. It is hoped that in so doing, all fellow pilgrims will be encouraged to more successfully finish this unavoidable challenge irrespective of its magnitude and dynamics. This book is not about religiosity. It is for the ordinary person who struggles to obey the Master like everyone else in a complex world with its growing challenges. The waiting game affects every person; no one, irrespective of their maturity and status, is immune from its adverse consequences. Many people have given up on waiting because of the pains and stress that accompany it. Often, some well-meaning Christians permanently damage what could have been a great breakthrough to a victorious life.

This book is broken into seven chapters. Chapter 1 explores the various logistics and myths about waiting, such as the nature of its challenges, characteristics, components, sample challenges, and why we should stay on course. Chapter 2 discusses the purpose in waiting, why we have to wait, why we lose or win, and the opportunities in the problems we face in life. Chapter 3 explores how to renew our strength with effective prayers, purpose in prayer, how we should pray, and how to utilize the renewal power of prayers.

Chapter 4 looks into how to renew our spiritual strength. Chapter 5 discusses the need to renew our career, social and physical strength. Chapter 6 recommends some important attitudes waiting Christians should have to make their lives more manageable. Chapter 7 is designed to help anyone who is not a born-again Christian on how to get started.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524639143

Professor Samuel C. Obi

Professor Samuel C. Obi is a Professor and Director of Technology at San Jose State University where he has taught since 1989. He also teaches courses in the Manufacturing Systems program in the College of Engineering. His expertise is in Manufacturing Systems, including manufacturing processes, manufacturing planning and control, quality control, product prototyping and development, green and sustainability product design, computer-integrated manufacturing, general material processing, industrial ethics, and technology and civilization. Dr. Obi has helped to found and lead many programs and organizations throughout his career. He is also an active technology transfer agent. His specific research interests are in manufacturing systems, technology transfer to developing economies, and ethics and the technologist/industry. Presently, he is the Trustee of the Rho chapter of the honorary Epsilon Pi Tau, an honorary organization for professions in technology. He also served as the Regional Director for the Honorary for many years. He has served on numerous departmental, college, and university committees as well as being an adviser to various university student clubs. He has also helped to found programs and cultural organizations geared to helping Nigerian and African immigrants adjust to life in American society. Prevailing Love, which is his 12th book, is written to enlighten and encourage its readers to endeavor to go the extra mile to increase love in their lives, families, neighborhoods, workplaces, societies, and the world in general. His other books include: Altars of Living Sacrifices; Overcoming Your Losses, Giants, and Mountains; Building Attractive Christianity; Exalting God’s Faithfulness; In Remembrance of Christ; Purpose in Waiting; God’s Kingdom First; A Table Prepared Before Me; A Handbook of Productive Industrial Ethics; Introduction to Manufacturing Systems; and Readings for Amerigerian Igbo. He has also authored many peer-reviewed and technical articles in his profession, and has presented at numerous professional conferences and events.

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© 2016 Professor Samuel C. Obi and Dr./Mrs. Adora N. Obi. All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the authors.

Published by AuthorHouse 09/21/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-3915-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-3914-3 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1

The Waiting Challenge

The Nature of Waiting Challenge

The Challenge of Long Waiting Times

Other Characteristics of Waiting

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Components of Waiting

There is an Objective or Need

There is a Roadblock or Impediment

There is a Waiting Process to Undergo

There is an Expectation

There is Hope Realized

The Need to Renew Our Strength

Chapter 2

Purpose in Waiting

Why We Have to Wait

We Wait for the Right Time or God’s Time

We Wait Because of Discipline or Correction Due to Sin

We Wait for Christian Maturity

We Wait to Glorify God

We Wait as a Result of Ignorance

We Wait As a Result of Enemy Attack

Why We Lose or Win

Opportunities in Problems

Chapter 3

Renewing Your Strength with Effective Prayers

Purpose in Prayer

Effective Prayers

Fervent Prayers

Prayers of Righteous People

How We Should Pray

Our Lord’s Prayer Example

King Hezekiah’s Prayer Example

Utilizing the Renewal Power of Prayers

Unforgiveness

Privacy of Prayers

Faith

Brokenness

Living to Please God

Constancy of Prayer

Reviewing the Four Areas of Prayer

Chapter 4

Renewing Your Spiritual Strength

Reading the Word of God

Meditating in the Word of God

Benefits of Meditation

Group Fellowship

Prayers

Sermons

Songs, Melodies, Praise and Worship

Testimonies

Prophecies, Edification and Exhortation

Holy Communion

Chapter 5

Renewing Your Career, Social and Physical Strength

Family Life

Work Life

Social Life

Physical Life

Renewing and Strengthening Your Personal and Family Life

Renewing and Strengthening Your Career (Work) Life

Preparing Yourself for Your Career’s Expansion

Renewing and Strengthening Your Social Life

Interacting with Friends and Acquaintances

Renewing and Strengthening Your Physical Life

Rest for the Body and Soul

Bodily Exercise

Eating Well

Medication

Chapter 6

Some Helpful Renewal Attitudes When Waiting

Waiting Must Have a Purpose

Waiting is Patient

Waiting Should Go with Disciplined Tongue

Waiting Should Be Righteous

Waiting Should Be Expectant

Waiting Should Be Prayerful

Waiting Should Be Prepared For

Waiters Should Be Exploratory

Be Alert and Sensitive to the Holy Spirit

Chapter 7

How to Position yourself to Benefit from Godly Waiting

You Must Be Born Again

You Must Denounce and Abandon all the Worldly Evil Things of the Past Lifestyle

You Must Be Serious with Yourself and Live a Life that Pleases God

The Process of Spiritual Growth

Be at Peace with Yourself

Search Your Life Continually for What Should Be Improved and What Should not be in It

Final Words

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

PREFACE

Purpose in Waiting was written to help people understand the purpose and reasons for waiting on the Lord, waiting processes and logistics, and how to more successfully deal with the issues associated with waiting. It is hoped that in so doing, all fellow pilgrims will be encouraged to more successfully finish this unavoidable challenge irrespective of its magnitude and dynamics.

This book is not about religiosity. It is for the ordinary person who struggles to obey the Master like everyone else in a complex world with its growing challenges. The waiting game affects every person; no one, irrespective of their maturity and status, is immune from its adverse consequences. Just about every person can attest that one of the biggest challenges facing them today is the waiting game, often a very painful period that can last for months or years while the person waits. Many people have given up on waiting because of the pains and stress that accompany it. Often, some well-meaning Christians permanently damage what could have been a great breakthrough to a victorious life.

However, the result is well worth it when properly done. It can be likened to a period of pregnancy when the expectant mother has to endure the inconveniences of carrying a baby for nine months. But after the baby is born, the mother and everyone around her are in a celebratory mode that can last for many years, because of the new baby. Waiting on the Lord according to His principles generally results in a happier, more fulfilled and victorious life. But when people, while waiting to receive from God, try to help God by engaging in doing things their way, the outcome is generally negative. While the road to receiving one’s prize can never be completely free from delays and bumps, the simple suggestions discussed in this book will help smoothen the pathway to that victorious life.

The authors have drawn from their numerous years of combined Christian experiences, a time that helped them to prove over and over that God is very faithful to His people. Most of those years were spent in the United States of America where they both had academic, socio-cultural and professional experiences involving much waiting, prayer and patience before receiving numerous blessings from the Lord.

If you do not understand what being a born-again Christian is, it is highly recommended that you first read chapter 7 of this book before continuing with the rest. Reading chapter 7 first will give you the orientation that all new members to Christianity need to have before partaking in the rest of the blessed journey.

This book is broken into seven chapters. Chapter 1 explores the various logistics and myths about waiting, such as the nature of its challenges, characteristics, components, sample challenges, and why we should stay on course. One of the main thrusts of this chapter is to help folks understand that waiting is also a part of life. The rest of the chapters are on what we should do during the waiting process, to help minimize the stress and frustrations often experienced in it. Chapter 2 discusses the purpose in waiting, why we have to wait, why we lose or win, and the opportunities in the problems we face in life. Chapter 3 explores how to renew our strength with effective prayers, purpose in prayer, how we should pray, and how to utilize the renewal power of prayers.

Chapter 4 looks into how to renew our spiritual strength. It discusses areas like reading the Word of God, meditating in the Word of God, benefits of meditation, group fellowships and their various components. Chapter 5 discusses the need to renew our career, social and physical strength. It emphasizes that for Christians to be fully functioning, we need renewal in every area of life. Four main areas for this renewal are discussed. Chapter 6 recommends some important attitudes waiting Christians should have to make their lives more manageable. These recommendations are crucial to a victorious waiting experience. Chapter 7 is designed to help anyone who is not a born-again Christian on how to get started. It explains important steps on how to join the Kingdom of God in order to participate in the many riches of His blessings, including purposeful and rewarding waiting.

It is our sincere belief that the contents of these chapters will significantly improve the life of any Christian who diligently reads and practices them as they apply to his or her situation. It is also our sincere belief that God will always honor the prayers of all His people in their various situations during their waiting times. Therefore, may the contents of this book bless every reader who diligently trusts in the Lord. May all those who hope in the LORD be ever renewed and soar on wings like eagles who will run and not grow weary, and who will walk and not faint.

Professor Samuel C. and Dr./Mrs. Adora N. Obi

Tracy, California.

November, 2016.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We give all the credit to God who inspired the topic of this book, provided us with the opportunities to live, know Him, and gain the knowledge and information to write this book. All glory and honor belong to Him for ever and ever. May His name be lifted high. To those who helped in our Christian upbringing (parents, relations, mentors, teachers, pastors, friends etc.), words can never be enough to express our gratitude for the roles you played in our lives.

Our spiritual, moral, professional, and academic teachers, mentors, supporters, and advisors deserve mention here as well. It must be noted that we might not have remained the Christians we are today without their assistance in grooming and pruning us through life. We also thank our relations, sponsors, supporters, and the cultural and religious upbringing that provided the foundational base of our beginning and sustained endurance in the spiritual pursuit that has lasted all our lives. Some have gone on now to glory, but history will not fail to remember them for the sacrificial seed they sowed in us from the time we were born.

Our late parents helped to ensure that we embraced Christianity very early in life. Our American pastors, Christian mentors and family friends also helped in no small measures to our seeing Christ in deeper ways. Some sacrificed for us in so many ways, including their friendship, financial assistance, advising, mentoring and counseling when we were in college. Space cannot permit us here to mention the names of these numerous others who touched our lives in so many ways that helped us to find a stronger anchor in Christ. The picture in the front cover was generously provided by AuthorHouse through Thinkstock.com. We are grateful to this company for furnishing this nice image upon request.

Finally, but not the least, we want to thank our children whose encouraging words and prayers helped us to keep going. This book would not have been possible without their encouragement.

Professor Samuel C. and Dr./Mrs. Adora N. Obi

Tracy, California.

November, 2016.

CHAPTER 1

The Waiting Challenge

Just about every