Tag Archive | patience

Patience Grasshopper

Mar11

Have you ever found yourself wanting something to happen right now, but it seems to take longer than expected?

Well, I sure have. We live in a world of instant gratification. Just take a quick look around and you’ll see fast food restaurants, drive-thru pharmacies, quick remedies for weight loss and the “quick draw McGraw” of news…the internet. Isn’t it amazing how addicted we are to instant things? It really becomes prevalent when you have to wait in a checkout line at the grocery store and you realize just how impatient you are to get out of there; even if you don’t have anywhere else to go.

When time is of the essence and you have absolutely no understanding of what is happening; the most important thing you can do is have PATIENCE! It is certainly one of the hardest lessons to learn. Yet, it is one of the most crucial in your daily walk with God.

Here’s why…In James 1:2-4, God is very specific why we must learn patience.

“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.  But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfectly and fully developed, lacking in nothing.”

In other words, God is telling us that we should rejoice in difficult situations, knowing that God tests our faith to bring out patience. During trials, all kinds of junk are brought to the surface. Things like anger, rebellion, self-pity, complaining and pride. It is so important to deal with this stuff so that God can take us to the next level.

So, let’s put it in a step-by-step process:

  1. Trials come and we face all the “icky” stuff
  2. This in turns helps us develop Patience
  3. Patience helps us develop Endurance
  4. Endurance creates a mature character
  5. A mature character brings us to absolutely nothing lacking within our lives.

Let’s face it…most of us have absolutely no clue what God is up to when He calls us. But one thing for certain is that He knows the end from the beginning. Ecclesiastes 7:8 reminds us, “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patience in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” And Galatians 6:9 tells us, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

So, I don’t know about you but the ending sure sounds better than the beginning. It doesn’t matter how long we have to wait, it is far more rewarding to wait on the Lord’s timing because His timing is perfect and the outcome will exceed all of our expectations.

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Good Deeds or Distractions?

Mar8

pie-in-the-skyThere’s so much to be said about “destiny”. So many people think it’s “pie in the sky” or just “hopeful thinking”. But in truth…it’s so much more.

God doesn’t call everyone to be a preacher or have a huge congregation. No, God calls some to be a plumber, an electrician, a writer, a singer, a songwriter, a classroom teacher, an accountant, a construction worker and on, and on, and on.

When you truly know what God calls you to do, you quickly realize that even if it’s a small part in the big scheme of things, it brings you so much joy that it’s undeniable that you are where you are meant to be. Now at the time, you might not realize how many people you have impacted by your daily work. However, your love, smiles and joy could be the very thing that impacted them the most. You might not have ever spoken a single “Biblical” word but your impact was far greater than if you did.

I see so many Christians these days running every which direction, being so stressed out, thinking that they are doing good by participating in everything. But in all reality, they are missing their true calling. Now don’t get me wrong, we are all supposed to be loving, helpful and making a difference. But if you have over committed in too many places or in too many activities than your joy will be diminished and not as effective.

What’s worse is seeing Christians compare themselves to others. I’ve seen pastors wonder what in the world is wrong with them when their congregation only has 100 people while someone else has 5,000 each Sunday. First and foremost, never compare. God works in all of us differently and it doesn’t matter if you have one person or 10,000…it’s God who makes the difference and you might have impacted that one person far greater than the other pastor did with the 10,000.

See, when you become stressed because you’re doing “good deeds” every night of the week, how can you possibly be taking time for a deep-committed relationship with Jesus? The answer is…you can’t. You’ll be too busy thinking about all the things that need to be done in order to be here or there. You’ll be wondering how in the world you’ll get it all accomplished. You’ll wonder how you’re going to get your own laundry done or go to the grocery store. At this point, these are no longer “good deeds” but have become “distractions”.

Being overly committed is not God’s design. He wants us living balanced lives, not chaotic ones. When you are so committed to all the external works, you will not have time to work on your own “true destiny”. Your true destiny comes in many forms as outlined before. God may ask you to help out in a specific church function or become a choir singer or participate in a charity event. And that’s okay. If God leads you to participate then by all means, walk out in faith and follow God’s guidance. However, the sole purpose of this writing is to say…walk in your destiny not in “good deeds”. There is a huge difference.

If you are overly committed, the real question is why? Are you truly walking out your calling or are you trying to fill a void that only God can fill?

Christian illustrations for the whole family“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever”

(Isaiah 32:17)

Your destiny has a real sense of purpose. It’s not just to be busy or being a good person or doing good things. Start questioning the true motives of all your “good deeds”. Take a real hard look at why you are filling your day with so many activities. Begin to listen to your still small voice and then make your decisions. As you start listening to the deep peace within, you’ll begin to declutter your life and things will become more balanced.

God wants you to be successful and walking into your destiny. Let God guide you every step of the way. Learn to say “No” to the distractions and say “YES” to God! For when you do, you will know you’re on His right path and you’ll accomplish much more than you ever dreamed possible.

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Jolt Yourself

Mar3

big-teeth-smiley-emoticonWhen things aren’t going your way, then kindly (and gently) slap yourself to wake up and get your attitude back. Say what?!?!?!?!?

Well, I bet I got your attention didn’t I. LOL

Okay, Okay…all kidding aside. What I really mean is sometimes we just need to WAKE UP and JOLT OURSELVES out of the day to day slumber, the stagnation, the chaos and really start prophesying to our lives.

It’s time for new beginnings. You’ve gone through enough and the past is just that…the past! It’s time to get up, brush off and take back what’s been stolen! How do you do that, you might be asking? Great question!

wakeup3_speak-life

Place yourself in front of a mirror and declare God’s word over your life. Say or yell (if you feel the need)…

  • I’m Going To Live and Not Die.
  • I’m going to share the good works of the Lord.
  • Today I choose Life and Life more abundantly.
  • It’s He who lives in me, is greater than he who is in this world.
  • I will have peace that surpasses all understanding.
  • I have more than enough to spare and share.
  • Today is my day for my turnaround.
  • Today is my day for complete restoration and healing.
  • Today I give my illnesses and addictions an eviction notice as they are trespassing on God’s territory.
  • Today, God is healing my broken heart and replacing sadness with unspeakable joy.
  • God is the Author and Finisher in my life. Whatever He started, He will accomplish through me.
  • I’m more than a conqueror.
  • For me and my house will serve the Lord. All of those lost shall come back to Him.
  • I’m blessed in the city and blessed in the field. God’s favor is exploding in my life.

wake-up2_time-for-action-combinado

It’s too easy to get placated in our lives and just continue going with the flow; becoming stagnant along the way. It’s time to jolt ourselves out of the “norm”. You are created for so much more! You are to be the light of the world! And the more you speak to your circumstances with God’s word, the more you’ll find situations turning around in your favor.

The question is…what do you want your year to look like? Do you want to keep going around the same mulberry bush and keep getting the same results…OR…would you rather let God be God and shower you with His amazing grace? Ask yourself…if not today, when? If not you, who? If God is going to bless someone, why not let it be you?

Why don’t you start each day doing things GOD’S WAY and let this year be the greatest year you’ve ever experienced. Talk yourself silly with God’s word. One small touch from God is all it takes! Will you dare to believe that Today is the beginning of your miraculous turnaround?

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Feelin’ Squeezed

Feb28

Sour Lemon FaceIs life throwing you lots of lemons right now? Does it feel like the weight of the world is upon your shoulders? Do you feel squeezed from every direction?

Job, David, Apostle Paul…they all went through a lot of squeezing in life. Between losing everything they owned, losing family, friends turning their backs on them and being put in jail. It didn’t look like there was any way out of the mess. They couldn’t break the chains of bondage. They didn’t deserve what happened. They had no clue they would have to go through so much pain and sorrow. The only thing they could do was stand on their faith, believing God had a plan that they couldn’t see.

BUT THEN…God moved in their lives, restoring what was lost, giving them health and the strength to go on. God has a way when you don’t see one. Stand up and dig in church! You might be squeezed from every angle of life. You might be crushed and heartbroken. But our heavenly father collects all those tears. He will help you every step of the way even when you feel all alone and no movement of God.

  • Psalm 30:2 “O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.”
  • Psalm 34:2 “I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart.”
  • Psalm 34:4 “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
  • Psalm 107:4-6 “They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; They did not find a way to an inhabited city. They were hungry and thirsty; Their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.”
  • Psalm 118:5 “Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.”

Dig your heels in and keep standing in faith. Your God is bigger, stronger, lovelier, and is unlimited in ways we simply don’t understand. Today I ask you all, let God help you turn those sour lemons into your very own sweet-tasting lemonade. He won’t let you down nor will He forget your struggles while standing in faith. One small faith a size of a mustard seed is all it takes.Tasty Lemonade

He promises to take all your hurt, pain, sickness, disease, poverty, failed opportunities and relationships AND TURN THEM AROUND into your favor! Get ready to have an amazing testimony for when He squeezes so tight and everything falls apart, you can bet that He has something so amazing in store for you!

So today, let that squeeze come upon you. Rejoice in the midst of your pain and sorrow. For God is up to something in your life and your best days are just ahead! Stand firm and know that God can make the most heavenly lemonade there is! Dig in church! Dig in for that sweet taste of victory that’s coming your way today!

 

 

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