Bible League: Living His Word Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.— Psalm 27:14 NLT In a fast-paced world where we want things instantly, patience is a virtue that can be hard to practice. However, the Bible teaches us the importance of developing patience in our lives. Patience is not just sitting idly; it is a spiritual discipline that shapes our character and strengthens our faith. It takes effort and intentionality to practice patience. As we explore the Scriptures, we discover valuable wisdom and encouragement to trust in God's perfect timing and plan for our lives. Patience&mdashwaiting on God&mdashalways results in the best outcome. 1. Patience during challenges in life: The Apostle James reminds us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4, NIV). When faced with challenges, we are called to exhibit patience, knowing that God uses these trials to refine and strengthen our faith. As we persevere through the challenges that God has allowed in our lives, our character is molded to become more Christlike. The key is to look to Christ amid your challenge and wait patiently on Him. Remember, Peter walked on water for as long as his gaze was fixed on Jesus. He began to drown when his gaze shifted to the wind and the waves. 2. Patience in God's promises: Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people who had to wait patiently for God's promises to come true. Abraham had to wait years for his promised son, Isaac. Joseph endured slavery and imprisonment before becoming a ruler in Egypt. David waited for years after being anointed by the prophet Samuel before he became king. In these stories, we witness God's faithfulness in His perfect timing. Waiting is not in vain; it allows us to grow in faith and trust in God's faithfulness. 3. Patience in relationships: Patience plays a vital role in our interactions with others. The Apostle Paul encourages us to be humble, gentle, patient, and loving when dealing with others (Ephesians 4:2). In our relationships, we are called to exhibit patience, understanding that people are imperfect, just as we are. Patience helps us extend grace and forgiveness, leading to reconciliation and unity. When we exhibit patience toward others, we position ourselves to receive grace and forgiveness for our imperfections too. 4. Patience in prayer: Prayer is not only about presenting our requests to God but also about aligning our hearts with His will. We are encouraged to "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12, NIV). When our prayers seem unanswered, we must persist in faith, trusting that God hears and answers according to His perfect wisdom and timing. Patience in prayer deepens our dependence on God and strengthens our relationship with Him. 5. Patience and the fruits of the Spirit: In Galatians 5:22-23, we find a list of the fruits of the Spirit, one of which is patience. The Holy Spirit works within us, producing patience as evidence of our transformed lives. As we yield to the Spirit's guidance, we demonstrate patience in our words, actions, and attitudes, reflecting Christ's character to those around us. Patience may not come naturally to us, but it is a virtue worth pursuing. Through patience, we learn to surrender our desires and expectations to God, embracing His perfect timing. Patience shapes our character, strengthens our faith, and fosters healthy relationships with those around us. Let us remember the encouragement in Hebrews 6:12 to imitate those who, through faith and patience, inherit what God has promised. As we cultivate patience in our lives, we align ourselves with God's purposes and open ourselves to His abundant blessings. By Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJob 35, 36, 37 Job 35 -- Many Cry in Affliction, But Are Not Heard for Lack of Faith NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Job 36 -- Elihu Shows How Job's Sins Hinder God's Blessings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Job 37 -- Elihu Says God is to be Feared Because of His Great Works NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 14 Acts 14 -- Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and Syrian Antioch NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion 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.Insight Jesus reminds us that our speech and actions reveal the true underlying beliefs, attitudes, and motivations. The good impressions we try to make cannot last if our hearts are deceptive. Challenge What is in your heart will come out in your speech and behavior. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Ezekiel 16:6 When I passed by thee, I said unto thee, Live.Saved one, consider gratefully this mandate of mercy. Note that this fiat of God is majestic. In our text, we perceive a sinner with nothing in him but sin, expecting nothing but wrath; but the eternal Lord passes by in his glory; he looks, he pauses, and he pronounces the solitary but royal word, "Live." There speaks a God. Who but he could venture thus to deal with life and dispense it with a single syllable? Again, this fiat is manifold. When he saith "Live," it includes many things. Here is judicial life. The sinner is ready to be condemned, but the mighty One saith, "Live," and he rises pardoned and absolved. It is spiritual life. We knew not Jesus--our eyes could not see Christ, our ears could not hear his voice--Jehovah said "Live," and we were quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. Moreover, it includes glory-life, which is the perfection of spiritual life. "I said unto thee, Live:" and that word rolls on through all the years of time till death comes, and in the midst of the shadows of death, the Lord's voice is still heard, "Live!" In the morning of the resurrection it is that self-same voice which is echoed by the arch-angel, "Live," and as holy spirits rise to heaven to be blest forever in the glory of their God, it is in the power of this same word, "Live." Note again, that it is an irresistible mandate. Saul of Tarsus is on the road to Damascus to arrest the saints of the living God. A voice is heard from heaven and a light is seen above the brightness of the sun, and Saul is crying out, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" This mandate is a mandate of free grace. When sinners are saved, it is only and solely because God will do it to magnify his free, unpurchased, unsought grace. Christians, see your position, debtors to grace; show your gratitude by earnest, Christlike lives, and as God has bidden you live, see to it that you live in earnest. Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."Hebrews 9:13,14 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, • how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. John 10:15,18 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. • "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father." Leviticus 17:11 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.' Hebrews 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Romans 5:8,9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. • Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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