Category: Patience

Posted on

A Life Transformation

As I was reading in Colossians this morning, I immediately thought of a series of stories I read to our younger grandchildren. Two of them are old enough to read the stories for themselves but I think they really enjoy the time of us sitting together, cuddling, and I’m glad they still like to hear the sound of my voice.

Max Lucado, the Christian author, not only writes books for adults but he has a whole children’s book line as well. One of these characters is a caterpillar named Hermie. Hermie has all sorts of adventures, each one teaching him about God’s love and character.

So, I want you to think about Hermie, his transformation, and your life and your transformation as directed by God’s word.

“ When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” II Corinthians 5:17 ERV

Let’s read:

“ Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful.

16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:10-18 ERV

Wow! That’s enough good solid teaching to live on for the next month or so. Daily application of God’s word brings transformation. Our spirit is created new the minute we receive Christ as our Savior, but our emotions and our will need to be transformed on a daily basis.

“ Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” Romans 12:2 ERV

Don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged by the process. “Let God change you inside with a new way of thinking”. The transformation takes place daily – God is working in us and through us, giving us a new way of thinking, completing the transformation.

“I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again.” Philippians 1:6 ERV

Posted on

Love the Race

This has been a wonderful week with our daughter and son-in-love in Daytona Beach. We came as a 50th birthday celebration for our oldest daughter and we had a great time.

The main event of the trip culminated yesterday with the 67th running of the Daytona 500, a race we have watched for years on television, dreamed of someday attending and now it was here!

The biggest joy was we got to experience it together! Wonderful family memories we will share for the rest of our days.

I’ve been sitting here for the better part of an hour reliving some of yesterday’s events. We arrived at the track at 8:30 a.m. Found our seats, which we absolutely amazing – we could see the whole 2+ miles of the track. Then for the pre-race activities, just us and 100,000+ of our closest unknown friends. So many people, all here to cheer on 41 drivers, hoping their favorite would win. Even between the 4 of us, we all had different favorites but there was no contention in that.

A concert, a university band, exhibits and displays. Food – lots of food. Race swag to buy and excitement filled the air. The sun was warm and it seemed to be a perfect race day. The race started without a hitch, until lap 9, when it started to rain and the track had to be cleared. We stood/sat for the next 3 1/2 hours – people mingling, eating, laughing – conversations as to how long this delay might take but no one was going home. We were there to see the race.

There was a prize on the line, a goal to reach!

Now, don’t worry I’m not going to give you a play by play – just a comparison.

We were the crowd, but we were also the competitors. We loved watching every car but we were also competing against the elements. Would we become discouraged, would we give up before the ended, would we quit?

“Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. 2  We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne!” Hebrews 12:1-2 CEV

In our walk with Christ, our spiritual race, we are surrounded by a crowd of witnesses, those who have already completed the race. They cheer for us to keep going, don’t stop, don’t give up. There are also those who hope we fail. Don’t listen to them.

We make the pit stops and get the repairs and tune-ups needed to improve our endurance. When crashes come, we regroup and follow our lead pace car (Jesus). We might brush the wall or hit someone else’s bumper but we maintain control and we finish the race.

There will be rain delays, flat tires, adjustments and even crashes but this is a true saying, we win!

” Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever.” I Corinthians 9:25 CEV

“ I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

You’re in a race today – enjoy it! Spread the news of the One who makes you a winner!

Posted on

Making Good Ground

I frequently refer to the parable that Jesus told about a farmer who went out to sow seed. Jesus, himself, said that if we don’t understand this parable we won’t be able to really understand any of the parables.

The sower sowed the seed on all kinds of ground. He didn’t just see the good soil and sow there but instead seed went on the hard ground, the rocky soil, the soil with weeds and thorns and also the good soil. Every kind of ground had the opportunity to be planted.

“A farmer went out to sow seed. 4 While he was scattering the seed, some of it fell by the road. The birds came and ate all that seed. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where there was not enough dirt. It grew very fast there, because the soil was not deep. 6 But when the sun rose, it burned the plants. The plants died because they did not have deep roots. 7 Some other seed fell among thorny weeds. The weeds grew and stopped the good plants from growing. 8 But some of the seed fell on good ground. There it grew and made grain. Some plants made 100 times more grain, some 60 times more, and some 30 times more. 9 You people who hear me, listen!” Matthew 13:3-8 ERV

The same is true for us – the seed is the Word of God as Jesus said and the Word is available to all. We are the soil and it’s our responsibility to determine what kind of soil we will be. Frankly, I still have some thorns and weeds in my soil but am working daily to see that they are removed so the seed can grow and bring in a healthy harvest.

In the Old Testament we are given this admonition. “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12

It’s our job to break up the hard ground in our lives – we’re to pitch out the rocks and pull up the weeds so the seed has healthy soil to grow in.

Let God’s love soften the hard spots. Make good ground and watch the seed of God’s word produce a bountiful harvest.

Posted on

Impatiens or Impatience

Before Dave and I were married he took me to meet his grandparents. They both had such green thumbs. His grandmother knew the name of nearly every plant in the desert. His grandfather had beautiful ferns that I was envious of. And then there were the impatiens – everywhere and in all colors.

This morning while I was searching for an image to use for this blog on impatience, I came across many pictures of impatiens. I like impatiens more than impatience.

Impatience is destroyer and impatiens are a beautiful reminder of God’s provision.

I’m sharing a writing I did years ago; it seems so appropriate for today.

Impatience is a destroyer of faith. When we become impatient, we begin to try to work things out on our own – we wonder if God is ever going to come through – what’s taking sooooooooooo long? Those kinds of thoughts come from doubt and bring fear – fear that it is never going to work out right. Doubt and fear will choke out the promises of God’s word – they can outweigh faith, if we let them. We must stand with confidence in God’s word if we expect to see God’s promises fulfilled.

“Dear friends, don’t forget that for the Lord one day is the same as 1,000 years, and 1,000 years is the same as one day. 9 The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:8-10 CEV

Let’s follow Abram’s example. He followed God from his home out to the middle of nowhere because God made him a promise. A promise that he would possess great land and be the father of many nations. But Abraham never really took possession of the land he had been promised – he lived the life of a nomad – moving from place to place, all the time holding fast to God’s promise.

“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him…By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise…11 By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful. 12 Therefore from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore.” Hebrews 11:6, 8-12 CSB

What is it that God has promised you? What have you left to follow God? No looking back – keep your eyes on the prize of the high calling of God. Don’t give up – don’t fall back. Move forward – continue to follow in obedience what God has put in your heart.

Don’t let impatience get the upper hand. Stop and enjoy the beauty of the impatiens as you wait on the Lord.

Posted on

Wait – What For?

Sometimes I get up and know immediately what I’m supposed to share. Sometimes it comes while I’m sipping my coffee and just enjoying the quiet time the Lord and I share together. Then there are times like this morning when I wait.

I’m not good at waiting. I often get impatient in long lines, on hold, in crowds and I have a real problem with those pedestrian crossing lights. That was the example the Lord reminded me of this morning.

I’ve been known to push that button on the light pole several times just to make sure the timer was activated and knew I was waiting. I’ve also been known to cross the street while the little figure in red was still illuminated. Those lights were installed for my safety, to protect me from oncoming traffic.

So, this morning when I heard the Lord say wait, I should have realized that He was asking me to trust Him and waiting was for my benefit.

“ Lift up your eyes and see. Who has made these stars? It is the One Who leads them out by number. He calls them all by name. Because of the greatness of His strength, and because He is strong in power, not one of them is missing.

27 O Jacob and Israel, why do you say, “My way is hidden from the Lord. My God does not think about my cause”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know. 29 He gives strength to the weak. And He gives power to him who has little strength. 30 Even very young men get tired and become weak and strong young men trip and fall. 31 But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak. ” Isaiah 40:26-31 NLV

Why do I think that I need to rush ahead? Why do I feel the need to hurry? Why do I think I can accomplish anything in my own strength and power? Even those much younger than me get tired.

If I wait for the Lord, He will give me the strength I need. Waiting for Him and His timing keeps me safe.

“I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer. You listened 2 and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm, 3 and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.” Psalm 40:1-3 CEV

Is the Lord telling you to wait? Then I encourage you to wait patiently; He will renew your strength and put you safely on a firm foundation.

Posted on

Cracked or Shattered

For the last few days, the Lord has been reminding me of how He sees sin. (Please don’t quit reading, I think this will be a real encouragement to you.)

You see we often have a tendency to categorize sin. Big sins, little sins. God doesn’t do that. In fact, the first sin in the Garden of Eden wouldn’t rank very high on some people’s scale because it was only pride and something as insignificant as disobedience. Definitely not one of the big sins.

However, God’s perspective is sin is sin. The Apostle James puts it this way:

“One law rules over all other laws. This royal law is found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ If you obey this law, you are doing right. 9 But if you are treating one person as more important than another, you are sinning. You are guilty of breaking God’s law.

10 You might follow all of God’s law. But if you fail to obey only one command, you are guilty of breaking all the commands in that law.” James 2:8-10 ERV

And Paul, the apostle, tells us that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the mark of God’s standard.

“All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. 24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:23-24 ERV

Whatever our sin is, it has separated us from God. However, God provides us with the way of salvation, and He gives it to us as a free gift.

“One man sinned, and so death ruled all people because of that one man. But now some people accept God’s full grace and his great gift of being made right. Surely they will have true life and rule through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 So that one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people. But in the same way, Christ did something so good that it makes all people right with God. And that brings them true life. 19 One man disobeyed God and many became sinners. But in the same way, one man obeyed God and many will be made right.” Romans 5:17-19 ERV

Jesus gave us strict warning about judging others.

“Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy. 37 ‘Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. Don’t condemn others, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.'” Luke 6:36-38 ERV

A few years back we had a window in our house that had been broken when the weed eater threw up a rock. It was only a small round hole but nonetheless the window was broken. It was just as broken as if it had been shattered.

We need to realize that it isn’t our place to judge, that’s God’s job. Ours is to give others the same love and mercy the Father has given us. We are all guilty of breaking the window of God’s standard. However, we are all invited to receive His free gift of restoration.

Let’s pray for one another from a heart of love and let God fix what is broken.

Posted on

Building A House

Counting the Cost of building a house is something all of us should consider. Not just a physical house of wood, brick and mortar but the house we call life.

“If it is not the Lord who builds a house, the builders are wasting their time. If it is not the Lord who watches over the city, the guards are wasting their time.” Psalm 127:1 ERV

The last few days Dave and I have been busier than usual. On Friday, Kim & Austin came out to help us build furniture, put things up, paint and move boxes in. Saturday, Kaci & Stephen came and there were still boxes to move in and unpacked. Much to be shuttled from the RV to the new place. It was busy; we were tired and sore but very grateful to have had this time with them.

Memories were recounted, tears were shed, and laughter seasoned the hard work.

“Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord. 4 Having a lot of children to take care of you in your old age is like a warrior with a lot of arrows.” Psalm 127:3-4 CEV

Just like building a home, building a life is hard work and we need people to help us along the way. It all starts with a good foundation.

“If you wanted to build a building, you would first sit down and decide how much it would cost. You must see if you have enough money to finish the job. 29 If you don’t do that, you might begin the work, but you would not be able to finish. And if you could not finish it, everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘This man began to build, but he was not able to finish.’…

33 “It is the same for each of you. You must leave everything you have to follow me. If not, you cannot be my follower.” Luke 14:28-30, 33 ERV

Jesus was talking to men who had physically left all to follow Him. We are called to follow Christ with our whole hearts. Making a commitment to Him, being obedient to His word and giving up our desires to take on His.

“The people who come to me, who listen to my teachings and obey them—I will show you what they are like: 48 They are like a man building a house. He digs deep and builds his house on rock. The floods come, and the water crashes against the house. But the flood cannot move the house, because it was built well.

49 “But the people who hear my words and do not obey are like a man who builds a house without preparing a foundation. When the floods come, the house falls down easily and is completely destroyed.” Luke 6:47-49 ERV

Building a house, whether physical or spiritual, is not without its rewards. One for this life and the other for life everlasting.

Yesterday it was just Dave and I. Still much to do – boxes to unpack, things to move in – we are building a home, creating memories and making a place where friends, family, and acquaintances can come to rest.

“We must not get tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up.” Galatians 6:9 ERV

Let me encourage you. Don’t get weary, don’t give up, don’t quit! Building a house is worth the effort.

Posted on

Shine Like the Son

The last few days have been those sunny Spring days we wish for. Only last week, we would have the heater on the first thing in the morning to take the chill out of the air but not today. It’s a comfortable start to the day at 56*.

When the weather warms more people are out and about. Smiles are bigger. There’s more activity. Sunshine just seems to make everyone happier.

This made me think about an old song, “Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sunshine in”. It was written by Stuart Hamblin in 1957.

“So let the sun shine in
face it with a grin.
Smilers never lose
and frowners never win.
So let the sun shine in
face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.”

Do I make people smile or improve their lives?

” Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 CEV

I remember one time in particular that I was standing in a long, slow-moving line. People all around me were annoyed. It seemed that each person in front of me encountered some sort of difficulty at checkout and this only further added to the wait and irritated those who were waiting. When it was finally my turn, I too encountered a problem. I could see that the salesclerk was trying to please everyone and that she was certainly feeling the mounting pressure.

As she finished, I took her hand and thanked her for all she was doing to help ALL of us. And then I had to stand back and wait for my item to arrive at the counter. After that I had the pleasure to hear several other customers thank her for trying so hard. It lightened her pressure and put people in a more caring mood as they waited.

I had to thank Jesus for letting me “shine” on her. It was a situation like this that reminds me I need to be a light – I don’t always react that way but I’m getting better at it. Thank you, Lord!

“I asked the Lord for help, and he saved me from all my fears. 5 Keep your eyes on the Lord!
You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. 6 I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the Lord saved me from all my troubles.” Psalm 34:4-6 CEV

Today people need to see our light – wherever we go today let’s take the “Sonshine” with us.

“The lifestyle of good people is like sunlight at dawn that keeps getting brighter until broad daylight.” Proverbs 4:18 CEV

Posted on

Instant Growth

Boy, is that an oxymoron! Growth is never instant and that’s exactly why it’s called growth.

“ God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

Patience, Longsuffering, Endurance, not words we like to live.

“My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV

Patience isn’t just the ability to wait; it’s waiting with character. It’s waiting with love, joy and peace. Impatient people wait – they just don’t do it well. When the Holy Spirit is working in our lives, while patience is growing, we will have daily opportunities to endure or to suffer long.

That slow cashier at the grocery store, the long line of traffic, the person trying to decide which orange juice to buy, getting through the admission process at the doctor’s office, standing in line at the post office, waiting on hold (I fail often with this one) are all opportunities – opportunities to endure.

While we’re waiting it’s a good time to plant more seed.

“Love is patient and kind,” I Corinthians 13:4 CEV

These fruit of the Spirit we are planting are the fruit or character of God. We are called to imitate Him as little children imitate their parents.

“Then he passed in front of Moses and called out, ‘I am the Lord God. I am merciful and very patient with my people. I show great love, and I can be trusted. ‘” Exodus 34:6

God, the Father, has been tremendously patient with us! The old English word for patient is long-suffering. Yes, He has suffered through our willfulness, our selfishness, our rebellion and disobedience. And in spite of all that He shows us great love and is completely trustworthy.

“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13  Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.” Colossians 3:12-13 CEV

Put up with each other – that’s a big calling! Patience is love in action. The Apostle Paul says it was God’s patience that brought him to salvation.

“Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them. 16 But I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. Christ showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners. He wanted me to be an example for those who would believe in him and have eternal life.” I Timothy 1:15-16 ERV

“God has been kind to you. He has been very patient, waiting for you to change. But you think nothing of his kindness. Maybe you don’t understand that God is kind to you so that you will decide to change your lives.” Romans 2:4 ERV

So, as we plant seeds of patience let’s look at the end result. As we grow, we will become mature, and we will be able to bring others to Christ by showing them the same patience He has shown us.

Posted on

Not Like the Other

Do you remember the little song from Sesame Street, One of These Things is Not Like the Other? Well, this basket of fruit has one thing, unlike the others.

Not all fruit is the same.

Paul writes to us in Galatians about the fruit of the Spirit.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

These are all good fruit. In fact, Paul says there has never been a law written against any of these characteristics. Who’s going to condemn us if we have loving, joyful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. These are good things, but…not all fruit is good like this.

“ A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:43-45 NLT

Patience is a good fruit. Impatience isn’t.

Think about that. I heard Joyce Meyers say this years ago.

It’s true – “I” don’t have time to wait; “I” could do it better; “I” deserve to be treated better than this; “I” told you to do it “my” way. And it goes on and on. Most of our objections around things that make us impatient start with I.

How contrary that is to God’s character! He waited for just the right time to send Jesus. Jesus walked this earth teaching the same thing over and over, the love of God and restoration to Him, and still people didn’t get it. And now God is waiting again, He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” II Peter 3:9 NLT

Those of us who know a little something about “end-time” prophecy are watching the events unfolding in our world today with great interest. As far as we can tell, events are lining up according to Scripture for the Lord’s return.

But let’s not get impatient!

We need to continue to be the examples of God’s love and forgiveness that He has placed us in the world to be. We need to be producers of good fruit. We need to be like Jesus.

He knew time was short; soon He would be crucified but instead of lamenting His fate, He continued to serve with an unselfish love.

“It was almost time for the Jewish Passover festival. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. Jesus had always loved the people in the world who were his. Now was the time he showed them his love the most.

2 Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot to hand Jesus over to his enemies. (Judas was the son of Simon.) 3 The Father had given Jesus power over everything. Jesus knew this. He also knew that he had come from God. And he knew that he was going back to God. 4 So while they were eating, Jesus stood up and took off his robe. He got a towel and wrapped it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers’ feet. He dried their feet with the towel that was wrapped around his waist.” John 13:1-5 ERV

How many times has the Lord been patient with our failings, our shortcomings, our wanderings. He has been there to pick us up, welcome us home and encourage us to “go our way and sin no more”.

And now He is asking us to become patient with ourselves and with others. To show them the same love and compassion He has shown to us. When we are patient, we are Christ-like and our lives will reflect His love.

“My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. 3 You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. 4 If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.” James 1:2-4 ERV

Let’s remove the character trait that is not like the others, impatience, and patiently love those around you today!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress