God is so great to meet us in His Word. Wow! I want to share something I realized this morning with you. As I went to the nursing home yesterday to visit a girl I have befriended who has had a stroke I listened to a preacher on 97.1 FM. I thought of two preacher friends. I called both but only one answered his phone. This young preacher (on radio)said the higher the calling the harder the trials but the closer the walk. There will be mountain top experiences and there will be valleys. God is God in the sunshine and in the darkest night. He is God of the mountain and He is God of the valley. I believe there is a song that goes something like that.
James 1:2-3 says ‘My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
I thought Patience, huh? But this morning as I was studying my Bible study, the reading the Word was the parable of seeds in Luke. As I finished reading the parable the last verse hit me hard! Luke 8 vs 15 says of the true believer: ‘But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the Word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. There was that word again. Patience. What can I understand from James and Jesus’ words?
I believe patience is many things such as perseverance in the long suffering of trials. Trying to keep the faith in the midst of turmoil. Waiting on God’s timing to understand His Will for our lives. Trusting God as we wait on answers for tomorrow.
I believe bearing fruit with patience means waiting on God for He is the only one who draws men to Himself through His Son. We can’t run ahead and pass up what it means to have patience. We have to live and breath through many trials to produce the understanding of patience. Waiting for God’s greatness. Watching for God’s greatness and joining Him even when it means the world will hate us. After all, the world hated our Lord, Jesus Christ.
When everyone around you hates you or when all fall down, will you stand for Christ?
He suffered for us so we might count it pure joy to know His suffering.
Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble but take heart for I have overcome the world.”
Keep the Faith. Stay on the path and don’t let anyone push you off!
Your friend in Christ,
Opal
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1 comment:
I love that you put your words from yesterday into writing!!Steven and I really enjoyed it!! It was so great for you to bring up that winter charge... I had forgotten about that! Thanks for recalling a great memory... and a great challenge!
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