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 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.This one morning in the year we reserved to refresh the reader's memory upon the subject of prayer for ministers, and we do most earnestly implore every Christian household to grant the fervent request of the text first uttered by an apostle and now repeated by us. Brethren, our work is solemnly momentous, involving weal or woe to thousands; we treat with souls for God on eternal business, and our word is either a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we be found clear of the blood of all men. As officers in Christ's army, we are the especial mark of the enmity of men and devils; they watch for our halting, and labor to take us by the heels. Our sacred calling involves us in temptations from which you are exempt, above all it too often draws us away from our personal enjoyment of truth into a ministerial and official consideration of it. We meet with many knotty cases, and our wits are at a non plus; we observe very sad backslidings, and our hearts are wounded; we see millions perishing, and our spirits sink. We wish to profit you by our preaching; we desire to be blest to your children; we long to be useful both to saints and sinners; therefore, dear friends, intercede for us with our God. Miserable men are we if we miss the aid of your prayers, but happy are we if we live in your supplications. You do not look to us but to our Master for spiritual blessings, and yet how many times has He given those blessings through His ministers; ask then, again and again, that we may be the earthen vessels into which the Lord may put the treasure of the gospel. We, the whole company of missionaries, ministers, city missionaries, and students, do in the name of Jesus beseech you "Brethren, pray for us." Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.Hebrews 5:7-9 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. • Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. • And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, • being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 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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