Tag: patience

I want to see!!!

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

looking

 

It’s a mild winter day here today which is quite welcome after the sub-zero temperatures a few days ago, but as they say here, “If you don’t like the weather just wait, it will change in a day or two.” That ends up being quite true often, in the last 3 days there has been a close to 70 degree difference. But, I digress and now, back on topic: with the milder weather I was out on the porch looking to see if there was any wildlife in the fields: deer, turkey or most anything really. I was thinking that I would like to see some deer or turkey out there. I enjoy seeing them play in the fields.

I want to see. I want to see the weather get better; I want to see the wildlife. BUT, more than those things, I want to see the blessings He has in store for me. I want to see what it is like to be in the presence of Christ. I want to see and experience more of the fruits of the Spirit. I want to see more of the perfect love He has in store for us all. I have seen some of the blessings and what He has for me. I have felt what it is like to be in His presence but I guess I am greedy, because I want to see again.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

In order to see and experience those things, and all the other blessings Christ has in store for me I have to seek Him.

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.   Matthew 6:33

 

I need to seek God first, and, then He will show me the path for me. He will bless me as He has planned to bless me. He will show me the gifts He wishes me to have and experience all He has in store for me.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.        James 1:17

 

I will seek Him, but I need to seek God for Him and His righteousness, I need to seek His kingdom. For that, I will be rewarded with blessings I cannot fathom. He will show me all I ask and more. I just need to remember that sometimes, patience is necessary. Waiting for Him to do what He plans for me if I prove myself faithful. What an amazing God we serve.

But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].     Romans 8:25

 

 

 

My Lord, I praise You. Thank You for the blessings I have received, Thank You for the blessings to come. I pray in the name of Jesus that I learn the patience and faith to wait on You and that You continue to help me seek You and to know the heart of Christ. Help me strive to serve You first. I ask You to draw us all closer to You that we may know the blessings of Your forgiveness and mercy. I thank You for the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and for His defeat over death that made our redemption possible. I pray for those that are suffering, whether financially, physically, emotionally or in any other way and who are yearning to see the blessings You have in store for each of us.

Amen

 

I hope all have a blessed day and that you are a blessing to someone else as well.

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Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. Time will pass anyway. Earl Nightengale

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

dreambed

A few years ago (okay, more than a few) as I was talking to coworkers and friends while I was starting on college classes in order to obtain my bachelors degree and go to medical school I heard more times than I can remember, “That will take at least 8 years. Do you know how old you will be in 8 years if you go to medical school?” Well, my response was, “The same age I will be in 8 years if I don’t go to school.” There were some who were very supportive, but others that were not supportive, maybe due to concern for me or out of jealousy, that I don’t know. But, there were some who did try to discouraging me from pursuing my education.

While it is true that it would (did) take 8 years to get my bachelor’s degree and finish medical school and yes, that is a long time, it is also true that had I not done it I would have had frustration with myself when that 8 years was up if I didn’t put the effort into it. Now, 20 years after graduating medical school the time and effort was worth it.

How many times have I, or others, NOT done things because it would take too much time, it will be a week, a month, a year, several years……but then complained, at least to themselves for not doing it. There are a lot of things that take time but if one has a dream, giving up on a dream because of the effort and time required only causes frustration in the long run. And, if the dream remains, it only delays what one needs to do to achieve that goal. And, my life has shown me that the really good things do not come easily and require a lot more effort while those things that come easily, are rarely as good as the things one works harder to obtain. I know personally, I don’t appreciate what comes to me easily, but if it is something that requires effort, I value it much more.

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.   2 Samuel 24:24

Sometimes, God puts a dream or vision in our minds to do something and sometimes that thing will require a lot of dedication and hard work. Some will start down a path then give up soon after starting, not wanting to devote the time required because it will take too long. Others will start and part way through, sometimes very near the finish line, they give up not willing to put forth anymore effort. God uses goals and dreams to test our determination. Sadly, some fail the test.

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

He wants us to remain steadfast and true, as dedicated to Him as He is to us. He wants us to strive to win and once we have our sights on something He does not want us to surrender and quit and that we fight for what we believe Christ has instructed us to do.

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

God puts dreams, wishes and aspirations into our hearts and minds so that we can accomplish things for His glory. He does so to test our faith, to help us become stronger in that faith and trust in Him to see us through all He set before us. He doesn’t want us to give up on something because it isn’t easy. He wants us to learn the value of working hard, for Him, for ourselves and for others. He tries to teach us patience by making some things more difficult and making us wait. All those things help us become better Christians and better servants for Jesus. He wants us to lean on Him when things appear too difficult for us, when it appears that things are not possible due to the effort and time it will take and when we feel weak. Christ will strengthen us, all we need to do is seek Him and ask for His help.

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.   Mark 10:27

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13

Lord, I thank You for helping me stay the course to reach the goals You put in my heart in the past and for helping me see the finish line and purpose for running various races in my life. I praise You for teaching me patience and dedication. I thank You for showing me other goals to help me be a better person and better Christian and servant. I pray You use my efforts to better glorify Jesus and the sacrifice He made for my forgiveness. That You keep me strong as I follow You and help me to become worthy of all You have done for me. I pray in the name of Jesus that You help others see that regardless of the difficulty we see, all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us. That You will give us the strength and dedication to finish that which you put before us and keep us in Your arms to make all things possible. Help us all see the true plan You have for us.

Amen

 

Thank to all for your time today. I hope You have a great day and that you are able to be a blessing to someone else.

 

 

James Chapter 1

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

bible_PNG36

 

While between meetings at a hospital yesterday I walked into the chapel. Figure a quiet moment with God. Make sure to talk to Him and let him know that whatever becomes of the current circumstances, job search and all, I was putting it into His hands. I prayed a little about some of the issues (yeah, I know He was aware long before I spoke the words) as well as how much progress He has made in me, making my faith stronger, giving me better understanding, helping me grow in Christ through all the various pit falls of life.  After I was done, I saw there was a Bible on a stand and walked up to see, cause, well, it was there and maybe God was gonna have something for me on the pages to which it was opened so I checked it and found that was opened to James 1 and I read it.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:2-8

Yes, the Lord does speak to us or give us blessings through the day, if we take time to look for things. I usually just walk by the Chapels. Not that I have an aversion to them, but usually busy and don’t have time to stop, but, yesterday, time to spare so I went in. I have been dealing with some trials. I have always had trouble with being patient, always in a hurry for things and have gotten better of the years, but still I need to be better about it. I have been praying for wisdom, for more faith, to help me be stronger with my belief and that He help my unbelief. He has improved all those areas in my life and Christian walk. It is nice to have the reminders from Him that He knows where I need help and He will continue to work with me as long as I try.

Praise Him for the reminders that the faith and patience is only improved through the trials of life. That He will give us Wisdom and make us stronger in faith.

 

Lord, Praise You for Your reminders to me that You have lessons for me and use the trials of life to teach me patience and to help my faith grow. I give all things to You and pray In Jesus Name that You will have control in all ways and You will place me where You plan me to be and will use me how You have planned. I thank You for the many blessings and the opportunity to grow in Christ. Please help me learn better how to seek You and know the heart of Jesus. I ask You draw my loved ones to You and work in their lives as well.

Amen

 

Thank you all for your time. Have a blessed weekend and please seek the chance to be a blessing to someone else.

 

 

 

 

The Detour

by christsavedthissinner, posted in Uncategorized

detour

I was on a road trip, traffic started backing up, road closed so detour. Now, I prefer to just get where I am going, but seeing as I didn’t have a choice, I took it. Ended up going to a secondary highway, much more scenic than the interstate and went through a couple small towns, stopped at an old fashioned general store for a couple minutes just because, well, it was an old fashioned general store. The detour made for a nice diversion after a long drive on the interstate. Eventually, the road took us back to the interstate and I finished my trip, lost a little time, but still got there fine. Another time, the detour was terrible, road had quite a few potholes, nothing special to be seen along the route and seemed to be a much more miserable drive than the one I had planned.

Sometimes, life has detours too. Some we create when we deviate from God’s plan for us. THOSE are the bad ones. Sometimes, other circumstances result in detours for us. I think on all the times I have had a plan, not God having a plan for me, ME having one. Other times, He has a plan, I am going with it trying to follow His will, but get anxious, start trying to get to the destination sooner, rather than later. Well, those go smoothly for a while, then a detour, I get back on track after a while, then, another detour. Some of those detours are rough, others, not too bad but still detours and delays.  And it goes, until I say, OK God, YOU plan the route and destination. I give Him the map, He plans the route and destination, like I said, sometimes same destination I had believed and knew it was where He was leading me, but I forced things too quickly so He decided to slow me down so I could get to where He wants, the way He wants and when He wants.

Yeah, the whole patience thing is not too easy for me sometimes. I want something, I want it now, then take a shortcut, that ends up being quite the opposite. Sorta like the Israelites in the wilderness.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6

A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:7

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalms 37:23

Yeah, that last one is the tough part for me. But, there was no shortage of scriptures talking about HIS plan for us, and not our own. Not only the destination, but the route. I will trust on Him to guide me and quit trying to be in a hurry.

Praise the name of the Lord, Dear Jesus, I thank you for my salvation and all the blessings, You have been far better to me than I deserve. I ask that you teach me patience and to trust in God that He has a plan and will be sure to get me to where He wants me to be in this life and in service to Him. I ask you work in the hearts and minds of loved ones to show them your way for them as well, give them the patience and understanding they need to let You control their paths as well. I ask You continue to work on my understanding and to make me the servant You plan for me to become.

 

Thanks for reading along today. I hope this helps someone else too! Like I have said before, try to be a blessing to at least one other person today.