Patience

July 14th – Proverbs 29:1

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Proverbs 29:1

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”

We serve a God of second, third, and fourth chances. But although His patience, is immense, it’s not infinite. While God’s mercy and grace abound, there comes a point where persistent disobedience and unrepentant hearts can exhaust His patience. Eventually He’ll wash His hands and give us over to our sin. (Rom. 1:26-28) That’s why it’s so important to understand that God desires our genuine repentance, obedience, and a humble willingness to live lives according to His will. Procrastinating in our spiritual growth, ignoring His instructions, or taking His grace for granted can lead to severe consequences. A stiff-necked attitude towards God rejects the opportunity for growth and humility. It hinders our ability to learn from our mistakes, seek forgiveness, and make necessary changes in our lives. And most sad of all, unrepentant sin distances us from the One we should be closest to. The only true source of wisdom and grace, our Heavenly Father.

July 14th – Proverbs 29:1 Read More »

May 10th – Psalm 40:3

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Psalm 40:3

When we’re hurting we don’t want to wait for relief. We want God to act now! But trusting in His perfect plan for our lives means surrendering to God’s own way and own time. So if we’re in a season of waiting, it isn’t because God enjoys seeing us suffer. Instead He uses that time to deepen our faith, dependence, and trust in His unfailing love, goodness, and grace. And as we see Him at work in our lives, our relationship with the Lord deepens. We get a new understanding of who God is. And a new thankfulness for all He does. A heart transformation begins, and God puts a new song in our mouth. A song filled with a fresh way of thinking about and experiencing God’s presence in our lives. Our Father knows the wonderful things He has in store for us. And so He says, “Be patient My child. I hear your cries. Trust in Me. And I will give you a joyous new song of praise to sing!”

May 10th – Psalm 40:3 Read More »

March 28th – Song Of Solomon 7:10

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Song of Solomon 7:10

C.S. Lewis once said, “When I have learned to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.” Although not much talked about, romantic love is a blessing sent by God. The Lord wants to have a close, personal, relationship with each of us. And when we have such an intimate relationship with the Lord, we can better love others. Romantic love is a way for people to experience deep emotional and spiritual connections with one another. And romance can bring joy to people’s lives. God wants us to experience happiness and fulfillment in life, and romantic relationships can be a source of this joy. Romantic love can also lead to the creation of new life, as it is often the foundation of marriage and family. All in all, the blessing of romantic love teaches us intimacy, patience, commitment, selflessness, and respect in our relationships. It reminds us that love is not just a human experience, but also has spiritual significance and can help us grow in our relationship with God.

 

March 28th – Song Of Solomon 7:10 Read More »

March 8th – Psalm 27:14

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Psalm 27:14

We’ve all heard it said that patience is a virtue. It’s also listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 as among the fruit of the Spirit. But when it comes to times of hurting and despair, the last thing we want to do is practice patience. Instead what we want is immediate relief. That’s where faith comes in. God knows what we’re going through. And we need to trust Him enough to have patience to allow Him to work in our lives. To have faith in His perfect plan and timing. I love how John Piper says. “The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting on God is that we oppose God’s will to exalt Himself in mercy.” Waiting on the Lord is an act of faith that requires patience and trust.  And it’s one that allows us to follow God’s plan for our lives, avoid mistakes, and experience spiritual growth and renewal.

 

March 8th – Psalm 27:14 Read More »

December 15th – 2 Peter 3:9

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2 Peter 3:9

Because God takes no pleasure in the destruction of His children, He implores each of us to turn away from our wickedness; crying, “Repent and Live!” But repentance isn’t easy, and if you’re like me, it’s usually two steps forward, one step back. God knows and understands our weakness. All He cares about is that we keep trying, and trust in Him to change the wickedness of our hearts. That means not just confessing and apologizing for our transgressions, but actually turning aside from that sin. And believing that change will come through the strength of Jesus (Phil. 4:13) Unrepentant sin brings with it a host of consequences. Consequences God wants to spare His children. Which is why His own heart aches for the wicked to turn aside from the path of sin leading to death, and back to Him and everlasting life. Gods wants all His children to live eternally by His side, and to experience the perfect, love, joy, and peace that He alone can give!

December 15th – 2 Peter 3:9 Read More »

December 14th – Joshua 21:45

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Joshua 21:45

Jesus is the promised Messiah, our Savior who gave His life to redeem us from our sins. At Christmas we celebrate His glorious birth as a fulfillment of the promises of God. And as heirs through Christ’s blood, we can rightfully claim those promises. Everyday people fail us. They hurt, betray, and fail to keep their word. But not God. His promises will never fail, His Word is flawless, right, and true. I love how Dwight L. Moody said, “God never made a promise that was too good to be true.” Faith placed in God is never misplaced. For He can be fully trusted, always and forever. So no matter the situation you may be facing right this very minute, trust God. Wait patiently and obediently for Him, and God will fulfill His promises to us just as He did for the Israelites. And He will fulfill them in ways that are far greater than anything we could ever imagine!

December 14th – Joshua 21:45 Read More »

December 8th – Isaiah 28:29

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Isaiah 28:29

Theologian Albert Barnes once said, “There is nothing more foolish than an act of wickedness; there is no wisdom equal to that of obeying God.” Have you ever said to yourself, “I’m so glad I…!” or, “I wish I didn’t…!” The Bible is filled with story after story of those who made both wise and unwise decisions, and the consequences of their choices. And from them we learn when we first seek the Lord, we save ourselves from a life filled with regret. Because God’s advice is perfect and His wisdom unmatched. And by applying practical principles we can receive His wonderful counsel, and great wisdom. These include surrendering our will to His, meditating on His Word, spending time in prayer, having patience in waiting to hear from Him, and trusting completely in the answer He gives. Gods knows our story from beginning to end. And if we ask Him, will guide us perfectly through every situation!

December 8th – Isaiah 28:29 Read More »

August 31st – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

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1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Loving others isn’t an easy thing to do. Yet that’s the call God gives to us. And although no one can love unconditionally and perfectly like Jesus, we do need to show each other that same Christlike love. That means practicing patience and kindness even when we are frustrated with those around us. And finding joy instead of envy at another’s blessings. Christlike love isn’t based in arrogance or pride. It doesn’t intentionally provoke others nor keep a record of wrongs committed against us. It’s a selfless love, that is demonstrated through action. And is perfectly exampled by Jesus on the Cross. When describing love, St. Augustine said, “Love has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” Such a love is impossible in our own strength, but through God all things are possible, including loving the unlovable.

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August 10th – Galatians 5:1

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Galatians 5:1

As the perfect fulfillment of the Law, with His death the Lord freed us from living under a set of rules. Yet because we’re all in various stages of our spiritual growth, what we feel free to do or not do means different things to different people. And Paul tells we need to respect those differences with patience and kindness. Instead of saying, “I’m not giving up my rights because another Christian hurt feelings about it!”, say, “From a Christlike love, it’s better to limit my own freedom than to cause a weaker believer to stumble.” Paul knows of what he speaks. As an apostle personally chosen by Jesus, Paul was entitled to certain rights specified by God. But instead of claiming these rights, he voluntarily laid them aside for a greater reward. (1 Cor. 18-19, 23) Paul thought it a great privilege to serve the Lord. And although he never compromised his convictions, he was more than willing to put his comfort, needs, opinions, and rights behind those of others. And all to grow God’s kingdom.

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June 23rd – Lamentations 3:25

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Lamentations 3:25

Though we may not like it, waiting on God is a big part of our walk of faith. There may be many reasons why God calls us to wait.  Perhaps He’s trying to teach us patience. Maybe we need to learn to surrender completely to His will, or to trust in His perfect timing. Whatever the reason, waiting on God isn’t easy. And it also isn’t passive. We don’t sit around passing the time waiting until He acts on our behalf. Instead, while in God’s waiting room we praise and worship Him. We go about doing the tasks that He calls us to do. Our ears stay focused on listening to His still, small voice. And our hearts trust that He will do just as He has promised. All this we do in our quest to continually seek Him. Because God promises goodness for those who patiently and diligently wait for Him.

 

June 23rd – Lamentations 3:25 Read More »