Category: Patience

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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!

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Moving Forward

Yesterday afternoon I checked in with a friend to find out how their travels had been. You see, they came by yesterday morning before they left on their trip and we asked how far they had planned to go on the first day, they said “we’ll stop in Albuquerque”.

Well, they made it. She said that there destination is still 650 miles away and they would be breaking that portion into two days. Sounded like a wise decision, no point in wearing yourself out the first few days.

Move forward, step by step or mile by mile.

Why do we get discouraged, frustrated or exhausted as we make forward progress in life? Often times, we set unreasonable goals and burn out before we reach them.

Dave and I used to travel a lot. We would drive from Montana to Arizona, it was an 1100 mile trip and we’d drive it in two days. Almost 700 miles the first and a little over 400 the second. Why not? Afterall, if we didn’t push that hard we were “burning daylight”.

Now that we are older and wiser, we take our time and we arrive in a better frame of mind, having rested along the way.

“Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.

5 Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; 6 to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; 7 to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to this kindness add love. 8 If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:3-8 ERV

We have been given a spiritual road map which leads to our victory in Christ. Our first stop is where we come to understand that God has given us everything we need, great and precious gifts, for living successfully in this world.

Because these blessings put us on the right path, our next stop lands us in a place where our faith grows. As we travel a little farther, we increase in goodness and then knowledge. We now have knowledge that God has given us all we need, we stop to gain self-control and patience. We head out from patience, knowing we can trust God with our circumstances, arriving at a place of deep devotion to God.

Our devotion to the Father takes us to a place of kindness towards those around us and that kindness brings us to our destination of love.

As we move forward on the road map that God has designed for us, we will arrive successfully at our destination of being Christ-like in our words and actions.

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Stinkin’ Thinkin’

In my Bible reading yesterday morning I was reminded of a message I heard a cowboy preacher give years ago.

No More Stickin’ Thinkin’

“Look at those people! They say good is bad and bad is good. They think light is dark and dark is light. They think sour is sweet and sweet is sour. 21 They think they are so smart. They think they are very intelligent.” Isaiah 5:20-21 ERV

So many conflicts could be resolved if we took the time to consider what God considers right and wrong. His standard has never changed. All-to-often we become convinced that we are right and others are wrong putting them on the defensive and us on the attack.

It’s important to realize when we have made a mistake and apologize. First, repent to the Lord for not seeking His advice and/or not listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Then just as important it’s necessary to apologize to those around us, admitting fault and not offering excuses.

Then trust the Lord to heal and repair the situation.

I am so glad that the Lord doesn’t abandon me to my ignorance or disassociate with me because of my mistakes.

The world, our world, tries on a daily basis to skew our thoughts to a natural way of thinking. It tries to persuade us that right is wrong and wrong is right; that good is evil and evil is good. We are bombarded to “think for ourselves, don’t be brainwashed or old fashioned, the world is changing and we must be progressive”.

However, God’s word tells us that heaven and earth will pass away but God’s word will never pass away. We are told not to change God’s word and that when push comes to shove we “let God be true and every man a liar”.

Trusting God’s word is invaluable! Don’t be swayed to adopt other thinking.

“Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. 4 Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else.

5 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. ” Proverbs 3:3-7 ERV

When I think of “stinkin thinkin” I think of the thief on the cross. Three men were crucified the day Jesus was. One of them tried to cast dispersions on Jesus – “what kind of Savior are you? You can’t even save yourself”. There was a jeering in his voice; he was defensive and condemning, his thinking was all wrong.

The second thief rebuked him for his words. He pointed out that they were guilty of their crimes but Jesus was guiltless. In all humility, he recognized his sin and failings and he repented. To that man Jesus granted forgiveness and compassion. “Today you will be with me in paradise”.

Each decision we make should be guided by love. When we hear that little inner voice saying “you really shouldn’t be doing that or saying that” we need to listen. Replace stinkin thinkin with compassionate contemplation.

What decisions do you need to make today? Trust the Lord not yourself; if you’re uncertain as what to do or say, seek the answer in God’s word. It will never steer you wrong.

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Love Forgives & Forgets

Love is… patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not inappropriate or selfish. Love is hopeful, faithful. Love forgives and forgets. Love never fails!

Love is a determination of will; it isn’t a tingling feeling that just overcomes you and leaves you breathless and titillated. It is a lifestyle – one that will stand the test of time when the feelings are nowhere to be found. It is a determination that will overcome hurt and not be selfish.

That’s God’s kind of love. He doesn’t think evil of us when we fail and He doesn’t keep count of the things we’ve done wrong but He looks to see what we’re doing right and always, always thinks the best of us.

One day, I heard the Lord speak so loudly in my heart that I thought others could probably hear it. I was correcting one of the kids and in my frustration found myself bringing up a past infraction; one that they had already been disciplined for. As I did, I felt the Lord say – “I don’t bring up your past. I forget all your sins and shortcomings and I only think the best of you. Don’t bring that up again because they are my kids too.” With that I meekly answered “Yes Sir.” Then I had to apologize to my child. I went on to correct what they had done wrong without making them relive their past.

” 4 This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience—it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance. 5-6 Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails. 7-8a Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.” I Corinthians 13:4-8

Thank you Father for forgiving and forgetting and covering me with Your love!

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Home

Last night Dave and I sat outside and talked about our Arizona life. For years we used to travel to Arizona in January. Part of our trip was for business and part was for visiting family and friends.

Life in Montana was so cold in January, it felt good to soak in some Arizona sunshine. We had a longing in our hearts to return home. You see, I was born and raised in the State and Dave spent a good deal of his time growing up here too. We were seven years trying to sell our house so we could move back.

Some things require patience. When the Lord puts a dream in your heart it doesn’t always come to fruition immediately. It can take time to develop, the waiting can be hard but certainly worth it. That’s what we were talking about last night. The journey of getting from there to here.

We’re all on a journey of getting home. The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. 2 While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home.” II Corinthians 5:1-2 CEV

Paul was always looking forward to the promise God gave of life in heaven. He continued diligently in what God had called him to do – ministering to the Gentile world. He faced many hardships but never gave up his calling. As long as he was on earth he was going to be productively spreading the gospel of Christ. However, he wanted us all to keep a longing for home.

“You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. 3 You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. 4 Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 CEV

My heart and my mind need to be set on things above.

Just as my physical body and thoughts desired to be back “home” in AZ, my spirit needs to be centered on heaven where Christ is. My desire to be with Christ should, and does, outweigh all other desires. Life down here is just preparation for the trip.

The old song we used to sing said, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through”. May we live each day longing for our heavenly home while we enjoy where God has placed us on earth.

We are all on a journey towards home.

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