Archive for the ‘Patience’ Category

GOD OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Friday, November 19th, 2010

Day 256

“The God of patient endurance and of encouragement”
Romans 15:5

Paul has outlined a very important principle for us. Everything in Scripture is written for us. Scripture is relevant because it speaks to our deepest needs. It is God’s letter to us and the emphasis is on being (living) in Christ, that is, walking in His character and nature.

The Holy Spirit reveals God’s word to us. As we read Scripture, it gives us light over our nature and our ways. We will increasingly become more and more conscious of how sinful we are and how holy God is. We see our need and realize how much God’s grace and mercy has covered us and how we must set ourselves to seeking righteousness. Paul says that through patient endurance of applying the word, we have hope.

Paul closes with a prayer declaring God our Father as the Source of patient endurance and encouragement. So, as God’s word reveals more and more of our sinfulness and need, He, at the same time, is the very source of our endurance. He is our strength. We may be wounded, but He will heal. We are given hope. We are given eternal promises in Him. Glorify God today for He is our hope, encourager and Source of endurance.

“Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory”
Ephesians 1:13b-14

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HIS GREAT FORGIVENESS

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Day 159

“If we confess our sins to Him, He
is faithful to forgive us and to
cleanse us from every wrong”
1 John 1:9

People get into sin and they refuse to confess. It isn’t too long before the enemy whispers in their ear that they have gone too far. It’s implied that God won’t or care to forgive. This is a lie out of the pit of hell. Thank God that the glorious truth is we are not only a forgiven people, but that God has prepared a continuous cleansing for us.

David wrote that he was unwilling to confess sin – “When I refused to confess my sin” [Psalm 32:3]. He was in full rebellion. But he came to his senses and declared, “I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord’” [vs 5]. In fact, the scriptures write about many who have experienced this.

What is important is the truth. If you are God’s child, the sacrifice of the cross covers your past, present and future sins. God knows our infirmities. He has made provision for us. Not only does He forgive, but He cleanses us from every wrong. He is a true and faithful Father who knows His children. Don’t let the devil or anyone else rob you of knowing you can instantly go to Jesus for forgiveness of your sins. It matters not how long, how bad, how rebellious you were. You are His child, He is your Father.

Don’t keep sin in darkness – bring it to the light by confession and repentance. Call on your loving Father now and be cleansed by the blood of His Son. He’s waiting on you.

“He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases”
Psalm 103:3

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SEEING GOD

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Day 134
“Having his eyes open”
Numbers 24:4

Balaam’s career was somewhat checkered. It seems he tried to use God to his own selfish purposes, but always ended up doing what God had instructed him. Interestingly, the scriptures give accounts of others doing the same. Jonah was assigned a mission, but ran away. God dramatically delivered him right back to where he had to go and after fulfilling his mission successfully, he sat under a tree depressed and complaining.

Esther wasn’t interested in putting herself on line with the King to save her people. Elijah ran away after carrying out a major mission for God. Joshua got his men killed because he didn’t take counsel with God. Moses killed a man and later in life struck a rock in anger. Two disciples wanted to call fire down from heaven. Peter denied knowing Christ three times. The list goes on and on.

The acts of these men and women varied in depth. But everyone had their eyes opened to see their God. He didn’t strike out in anger, punish them or reject them. Instead, God met them in patience, tenderness and love. He took time to reason with them. He led them to His way.

“The Lord redeemeth the soul of His
servants; and none of them that
trust in Him shall be desolate”
Psalm 34:22

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UNLIMITED PATIENCE

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Day 15

“I was shown mercy, so that in me, the
worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might
display His unlimited patience”
1 Timothy 1:16

Paul said he was the chief of sinners and ranked himself less than the least of all God’s people. He made these statements as a Christian and used the present tense. He walked in an attitude of humility, knowing his own sinfulness.

Consider these people of God. Moses committed murder and got angry at God’s people. Jacob was a liar. David committed adultery and murder. John was self-righteous. Jonah ran from God and after finally doing what God told him to do he sulked! Gideon and Thomas doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. Martha was a worrier. Noah got drunk. Peter denied Christ and later reverted to his old ways. The list goes on and on. So you get the picture; are we any different?

All this demonstrates God’s unlimited patience towards us. He makes a public display of His grace and mercy towards us. He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. That love and patience brings change to those who love Him. This unfailing love brings and shows God’s glory.

“My tongue will sing of Your righteousness”
Psalm 51:14b

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