Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Week 6: A Composite of Peculiar Patience, Day 5: A Clean Slate

Today's Treasure: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:15-17

Patience with circumstances

Patience with people

No more judging

Forgiveness

Mercy

Today we start with a clean slate. We will "...let patience have her perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:4) I am starting with a clean slate; I have written several notes to those I needed to forgive and those I needed to ask forgiveness from. I have made up in my mind to not put any stumbling block or obstacle in my brother or sisters way. I don't want any to be hindered because of me (Romans 14:13)

Today's is my new day; my new journey. Week 1 to 6: Love never fails; Joy cometh; Peace rules; Patience waits. I am walking in the Fruit of the Spirit. I am allowing God to water, cultivate, and prune. I want to be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

PATIENCE

Week 6: A Composite of Peculiar Patience, Day 4: Have Mercy

Today's Treasure: "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:12-13

Forgiveness prompted by patience and a patience perfected by mercy

When we have unforgiveness in our hearts it is like carrying around a dead body; it's a weight, it keeps us from growing; it keeps us from moving forward. We must 'lay aside every weight and sin...' Unforgiveness is a weight we must lay aside. No matter what that person has done or said to you, you must forgive. How do we forgive? The only way we can truly forgive is through the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit (the fruit of the Spirit) helps us to forgive as Christ has forgiven.

God, I want a heart like yours. A heart that forgives. A heart that shows mercy. A heart that has patience. A heart that loves. A heart that seeks the will of God. God, I want a heart like yours!

I want to be merciful and I want to lead with grace and love

Ladies, we must forgive. Lay aside every weight and press!

Week 6: A Composite of Peculiar Patience, Day 3: Lest You Be Judged

Today's Treasure: "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister." Romans 14:13

Six Reasons we must not judge others
1. When we judge others, we cause God to be harder on us
2. We do many of the same things we condemn in others
3. We do not know the whole truth
4. We are mere humans
5. When we judge others, we are judging God
6. God's judgment is always righteous. Ours is tainted by the flesh

Matthew 7:1-6, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

Lord help me not to condemn others. Expose me in every area where I am judgmental.

Week 6: A Composite of Peculiar Patience, Day 2: Be Still, Be Filled

Today's Treasure: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

To be patient with circumstances is much easier than being patient with people. However, Paul emphasized how important our patience with people really is. Just has God has patience with us, we must have patience with others. It is in His patience that He does not give us what we deserve when we deserve it.

We cannot become frustrated with trying to work out patience through our own strength. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work out patience through us.

Patience - Lord work out your perfect patience in me. Help me to push past my frustrations. Help me to step back and wait on you. I am sorry for crossing the line and trying to do YOUR job. I will trust you, I will not be afraid, and will stop being frustrated.

Week 6: A Composite of Peculiar Patience, Day 1: A Divine Hope

Today's Treasure: "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36

"Patience is inspired by mercy, devoid of condemnation, and evidence of the presence and power of our Holy God." (page 114)

Two important Greek words translate into the English word patience:

hupomone - to persevere, remain under, bear up under; endurance in relation to things or circumstances

makrothumia - to be longsuffering; it is patience in respect to people (this is the one I need to cultivate)

Job possessed hupomone - he persevered through devastating life circumstances. We can endure when times are tough because we have HOPE in the promises of God. Though we cannot always feel Him, we must remember that He knows our steps and He knows where we are going.

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:2-5

We must persevere because we know the expected end.