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Is your work futile?
Jesus has some work for us to do that is not futile. His work is always good. We have a YES in him that allows us to say no to the things that can crowd the agenda some days. When we have His yes, we won’t let anything move us off of the path. This is good news for sure. This plan is far superior to the old way of doing things.
Jesus challenges us to stand firm when we know what He wants us to do. There is the temptation to give in to other priorities. Our mission to do no less than what God has called us to do. We can not waiver.
May we give ourselves fully to His plan.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Do you ever get tired of waiting on God?
Sometimes I get tired of waiting on God. I know that may sound like heresy but it is true. It’s OK though. My Father understands. He sent his Spirit to help me. He is right along side of me giving me His great energy. He is most powerful.
Sometimes I don’t know what to pray for. I don’t even know how to pray. It really doesn’t matter. Again, His Spirit does the praying for me. How cool is that? My Father knows me much better than I know myself. His Spirit keeps me right in front of God.
There are a lot of details to my life. It is no big deal for my Father. God loves me and makes sure that every detail of my life is worked into something good. No, something excellent. That’s just His way. Always in a great mood. Always giving me good news. Always giving me more than I can think of to ask Him for. After all, He is my heavenly Father.
Can I see everything in its time?
It is all good. God has His plan. He is going to do it. I need to listen, talk with Him and line up with His desires. He has made everything with nothing left out at all. Everything is beautiful. It is exquisite. It is all made from the very best.
The splendor of it all is overwhelming. Woo Hoo!!!!
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11
Passionate Patience
passionately patient. I go after the patience in new and deep ways. There aren’t enough containers to hold the patience that is mine through the HOLY Spirit.There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! Romans5:1-5
Wait for what the Father promised
Jesus told them they had to wait. He didn’t have to. He could have given them the Spirit of God right then and there. But He wanted them to wait. And so they did. And they received the Spirit of God and the power that goes with Him.
He didn’t leave them hanging though. He promised the Spirit would come soon. And He did.
We live in a world where we want everything, and I mean everything, now. We don’t like to wait. Patience is not seen as a virtue.
Here is a clue. God is in control. In His government, He isn’t in a hurry. Sometimes he wants us to wait. Our job is to obey.
As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.” Acts 1:1-5
And be thankful
What is important in being thankful? After a long list on how we ought to live, Paul adds “and be thankful”. Being thankful comes from being compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient. Being thankful comes from being clothed in love.
May I be compassionate and kind. May I love like Jesus. May I be thankful.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17 TNIV Bible
Three steps
We are always, and I mean always, in such a hurry these days. Our culture is on hyperdrive. We want it and we want it now. My dad has always said “Patience is a virture.” And it is. My dad (and my heavenly Dad) are right.
What is the promise to us. Waiting patiently for the Lord means that He is more inclined to listen to us. And, He will hear our desperate cry.
So here you go. Three simple steps. He is in a good mood.
Love puts up with anything
God is love. He is not frustrated with me. He is patient. He puts up with a lot but keeps on loving. He doesn’t give up.
Love is patient. 1 Corinthians 13
Bold confidence
Whose way do I want to follow? Mine? God’s? It is a fundamental question. It needs to be asked and it needs to be answered. It is foundational to God’s world and His government.
I need a bold confidence. I want a firm grip on it. I don’t want to turn a deaf ear. I really, really don’t. Where will that get me? Not where He wants me to go.
I want His rest. I want to reach the end point. I want to sit down and rest. I want to cease from my own “doing” and enter His “doing”.
May I keep a firm grip on His bold confidence!!
Now, if we can only keep a firm grip on this bold confidence, we’re the house! That’s why the Holy Spirit says, Today, please listen; don’t turn a deaf ear as in “the bitter uprising,” that time of wilderness testing! Even though they watched me at work for forty years, your ancestors refused to let me do it my way; over and over they tried my patience. And I was provoked, oh, so provoked! I said, “They’ll never keep their minds on God; they refuse to walk down my road.” Exasperated, I vowed, “They’ll never get where they’re going, never be able to sit down and rest.” Hebrews 3:6-11
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