Suffering and Patience

Do you like to suffer? My guess is not. Do you like to have to wait patiently? Probably not that either. What is it about suffering that turns us away from it? Why are we so impatient? Is it simply our nature? Or have we morphed into it? Is it something our culture has taught us?

I suspect people of every age have had an aversion to suffering. Enduring pain is not something anyone seeks out. However, we can endure it when we know there is a purpose in it. Military training often includes some form or another of suffering. Yet, there is reason for it.

Patience, on the other hand, is a virtue we could all use in our lives. Though I’m sure there were impatient people in previous centuries, I suspect their impatience was not quite to the extreme we see in our world today. They didn’t have the machines nor Google or Amazon. They had to wait for many of life’s necessities.

James tells his audience to look at the prophets as an example of suffering and patience. The prophets were often suffering from persecution, often from the kings they were prophesying to and against. Their message from God was not popular. They were also very patient. They knew the visions God gave them were not for them but the future. They knew they would not see them fulfilled but continued to believe God would fulfill them anyway.

We may not be required to suffer in the same way the prophets did, but we may suffer from persecution in that our friends may abandon us because we speak out for God. We need to be patient. Though we may say that God works in his time, we often don’t want to wait for him. Yet, when we wait patiently for God to act, we are rewarded handsomely. We discover God had something so much better in mind than we could imagine.

I pray we all are willing to suffer for the good news of Jesus. I pray we follow the example of the prophets. I pray each one of us learn to be patient, waiting for God to work in our lives. Be willing to suffer for Jesus. Be like the prophets of old. Patiently wait for God.

James 5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Give God the Credit

Do you like people who brag about themselves? Is it bragging if what they are stating is true? Is it their attitude when they talk about themselves that makes it bragging? Have you heard Jesus state what He was doing? Do you considered Him to be bragging?

Most of us do not like to listen to a braggart. Someone boasting about their great accomplishments typically doesn’t turn us on. However, we like to hear stories from those who have gong places we haven’t gone and done things we haven’t done. The difference between a story and bragging is delivery.

When John the Baptist sends a couple of his disciples to go ask Jesus if He is the One they were waiting for, Jesus doesn’t give a simple yes or no answer. Instead, Jesus lists the things He was doing. Not only that He tells John’s disciples to report what they had seen and heard He had done. Without context, we might think Jesus was bragging. But Jesus was stating what He had done to demonstrate He was fulfilling prophecy that John would know pointed to the Messiah.

Much like Jesus was stating fact, and likely doing so humbly rather than arrogantly, we can tell people what we have done. Jesus is our example for how to live our lives. Therefore, we can follow Him in this example. Being humble does not mean we must be a doormat. It does mean that when we speak of our accomplishments, we give credit to God for his blessings. We attribute all we have accomplished to God. For we can do nothing without him.

I pray we all follow Jesus’s example. I pray we know it is only by God’s blessing that we can accomplish anything. I pray each one of us give God the credit when we speak of accomplishments. Follow Jesus’s example. Recognize God’s blessings. Give God the credit.

Matthew 11:4-5 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.”

Prepare for Doubt

Do you have doubts? Have you thought you knew something to be true but later wonder if it is? Has something happened that caused you to question yourself or someone else you believed in? Are you doubting today? Have you become skeptical? Are you asking questions?

Doubt can creep in on even the staunchest of people. We can believe something for our entire lives and suddenly wonder if we were being fooled into a false belief. We can be shaken by an unexpected event. It can throw our world into a topsy turvy mess of emotions causing us to doubt.

Doubt, skepticism, and worry come to us all. It came to John the Baptist. He proclaimed that Jesus was the One, meaning the Messiah. He proclaimed that Jesus would become greater than him because Jesus was before him and was coming after him. He pointed to the same message John the Apostle points out in the first chapter of his gospel, stating Jesus was there at the beginning of creation.

Why did John the Baptist begin to doubt? He was thrown in prison by Herod Antipas out of fear that John’s disciples would cause an uprising among the Jews. While in prison, John sent a couple of his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the One. It is likely things were not working out as John thought they would. Maybe he was hoping Jesus would rescue him from prison. We don’t know. However, we know John had a bit of doubt creep in, even though he had proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah.

What are we to do when doubt creeps in? We turn back to Scripture. We read and reread the gospels. We recapture and reaffirm what we know about Jesus. We read His promises again and again. We remember that God has fulfilled his promises in the past and trust he will do so in the future. We turn our doubt into trust.

I pray we all prepare ourselves for doubt to creep in. I pray we continue to read Scripture, especially the gospels. I pray each one of trust in God’s promises, removing our doubts about Jesus. Prepare for doubt. Read Scripture. Trust God’s promises. Remove your doubt.

Matthew 11:2-3 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”

Seek Help from God

Are you satisfied with your current situation? Are you disgruntled about something in your life? Are you seeking to improve yourself and your circumstances? How are you going about improvement? Are you trying to do it all yourself? If not, who are you turning to for help?

I suspect all of us could state there is something in our lives we would like to improve. Some of those things may be minor while some of them could be major. Significant change is challenging and can be extremely difficult. We may need to seek help from someone else.

The Psalmist tells us that we will be happy if we seek our help from God. Does that mean the change will happen immediately? Almost certainly not. However, if we are seeking God’s help to change us, change our circumstances, and we are willing to follow his guidance, we will certainly change and our circumstances will change. Not only that, but our attitude toward ourselves and our circumstances will improve.

The Psalmist continues to give reasons for why we can trust God. He made heaven and earth. He made the sea and everything in it. He is faithful, no matter what we do or what happens in this world. He is just and judges righteously for the oppressed. He feeds the hungry, both physically hungry and spiritually hungry. God made everything and provides all that we need.

Therefore, looking to God for our help is our best option. We are likely to fall short if we rely solely on ourselves. Yet, when we rely on God, we can trust that he will provide. God never leaves us alone nor does he stop loving us. His will for us is to live a life that is pleasing to him. One way we can do that is to rely on him for everything. When we do, we will also follow his guidance for our lives.

I pray we all know that we can trust God. I pray we seek God’s help to change ourselves and our circumstances. I pray each one of us will rely on God to provide and follow his guidance. You can trust God. Seek God’s help. Allow God to change you. Rely on God to provide. Follow God’s guidance.

Psalm 146:5-7

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, 

whose hope is in the Lord their God, 

who made heaven and earth, 

the sea, and all that is in them;

who keeps faith forever; 

who executes justice for the oppressed; 

who gives food to the hungry.

Goal for Eternity

What do you seek the most? What is the top priority for you? Is it a nice, new home? Is it a top-level job? Is it a lifelong partner? Is it children or grandchildren? What are you doing to pursue your desire? What are you doing now to prepare for your ultimate achievement?

I hear many people wishing for a new home, a promotion in their job, finding a partner for life, and being a respected member of society. Unfortunately, I often see the same people doing nothing to pursue them. Achieving those things requires years of work.

What kind of work is required? More than just planning, though planning, even if rudimentary, is important. It requires us to recognize the next step and take it. To be successful in achieving our goals, we must keep them in mind each day. We must do today what will help us progress toward our goal and forgo those things that detract from it. It may require making hard choices. Some of those choices may mean detaching ourselves from friends, or even family. For instance, I had to leave a large portion of my family behind to retire from the Marine Corps.

But what do we hope for at the end of our lives? The prophet Isaiah tells us that we can spend eternity with joy and gladness. How? We must commit our lives to the Lord. In the same way we must make choices to pursue earthly goals, we must do the same for our eternal goal. Each day we can choose to live by the world’s standard or by Jesus’s standard. We can choose to speak and behave as the world does, or we can speak and behave as Jesus did.

We hear people speaking of the promises of God. We hear of golden streets, crystal palaces, continual joy, no more sadness, and a perfect world. All those promises are true. Yet, God has expectations for us. We may think they are restrictive, but they are no more restrictive than a parent with a child or a manager with an employee. There are steps we can take to be more like Jesus and be confident in our eternal home.

I pray we all desire to spend eternity with God. I pray we choose to commit our lives to the Lord. I pray each one of us will take steps to meet God’s expectations and follow the example of Jesus. Desire eternity with God. Commit yourself to the Lord. Seek to meet God’s expectations. Follow Jesus’ example.

Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return 

and come to Zion with singing; 

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; 

they shall obtain joy and gladness, 

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

All Will Be Perfect

If you had the power to do one thing for the world, what would it be? Would you feed the hungry? Would you give homes to the homeless? Would you heal everyone with cancer? Would you cause all wars to end? What if all of those and more could be done at once?

Though none of us have the power to do the things mentioned above, we often wish we did. We especially wish for that power when a loved one has cancer or is struggling financially or gone off to serve in the military. We wish we could eliminate whatever it is that is worrying us.

For those of us who believe in Jesus, we know it will all happen. We know that when Jesus returns, all will be well. We have evidence of Jesus performing those miracles when He walked this earth before. He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah by giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, the ability to speak to the dumb, and the ability to walk to the lame.

Jesus promised there will be no tears in His kingdom, all would be made whole, everyone would have plenty to eat, everyone would have a place to sleep, and we all will sing the praises of God. We have heard of the streets of gold, the river of water of life, and the tree of life with different fruits for every month. Isaiah’s prophecy gives us a glimpse into what it will be like when Jesus returns.

I pray we all know things will be perfect when Jesus returns. I pray we know that everyone will be healed. I pray each one of us looks forward to an eternity spent with God in his kingdom. Jesus will return. All will be made perfect. Everyone will be well. Look forward to eternity with God.

Isaiah 35:5-6a

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, 

and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; 

then the lame shall leap like a deer, 

and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

Trust in Baptism

Do you remember your baptism? Have you been baptized more than once? Have you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit? Have you felt a strange warming in your heart? Have you been baptized by fire? Do you want to be baptized by fire?

Baptism can be a tricky subject among Christians. Some believe in infant baptism and others don’t. Some believe the only valid baptism is full immersion, while others believe sprinkling or pouring is just as acceptable. Some believe a person should only be baptized once, while others believe being baptized multiple times is fine.

No matter where we fall in these beliefs, it is more important to believe God’s grace covers our failures. I honestly doubt any one of us is 100% correct. Some of us may be correct in some things while others are correct in others. It is unfortunate that we too often adhere to manmade rules rather than following the example of Scripture.

John the Baptist speaks of the baptism he is performing versus the baptism coming through Christ. Christ’s baptism would not only come through the Holy Spirit but fire as well. Now, let’s not think it is literal fire, though the apostles certainly experienced it on Pentecost. Our baptism by fire comes typically through trials.

Our trials reveal and confirm our belief and trust, or faith, in Jesus Christ. It is often through trials that our faith is increased. We experience God at work in our lives. It is by going through the fire of trials that we gain a better picture of God working in the world.

I pray we all hold onto our faith during times of trial. I pray we trust in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I pray each one of us knows that baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is a gift from God. Hold onto your faith. Trust the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a gift from God.

Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

The Kingdom is Near

How do you approach each day? Does your daily life include remembering that God’s kingdom is near? Do you spend a moment each morning thinking about God’s kingdom and how much he loves you? How much would your life change if you were to do that each morning?

I venture to say that many of us do not start our day by thinking God’s kingdom is near. Instead, we look for our first cup of coffee and begin thinking about what is on our agenda for the day. We are focused on the busyness of life rather than on God’s kingdom.

We often forget in our busyness that God is there with us. We forget that his kingdom is here now. Sure, we know that full consummation of God’s kingdom will come at some point in the future. After all, that is one of our focuses or reminders during the season of Advent. If we are focusing properly on Advent, we focus on being in the already but not yet. We remember that Jesus instituted God’s plan for his kingdom but know that it isn’t fully realized yet.

During this Advent season we point toward the celebration of Jesus’s birth. Yet, we also recognize we are waiting for His return. Again, the already but not yet. John the Baptist tells the crowd listening to him, and us, that God’s kingdom is near. It here among us. John was referring to the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, was physically in their midst. He was just starting His earthly ministry. We are reminded that Jesus stated He would never leave us.

Therefore, during this Advent season, let’s all remember that God’s kingdom is here. We are living in it, even if it has not come to its final conclusion. Remember that God is with us, he is in control, Jesus will return (physically), and we are not left alone. The more we remember these truths, the better our lives will be.

I pray we all wait with anticipation for Jesus’s return. I pray we remember that God’s kingdom is near. I pray each one of us starts our day thinking about God’s kingdom and Jesus being with us. Anticipate Jesus’s return. God’s kingdom is near. Start your day with God. Know that Jesus is always with you.

Matthew 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

God of Hope

What or who fills you with joy? Do you equate happiness with joy? What or who fills you with peace? Do you think of peace as merely the lack of violence or argument? What or who fills you with hope? Do you equate hope to wishing? How you considered all of these can be guaranteed?

Too many people equate joy to happiness. If they are not happy, they have no joy. Many also think of peace as a lack of violence or argument. They do not believe peace can be found in the midst of war. Many view hope as wishing. When they hope, it is merely wishful thinking.

If we fall into the false beliefs mentioned above, we need to do more reading and studying of our Bibles. The Apostle Paul blesses the church in Rome with his stated in today’s passage. God is a God of hope. That is not wishful thinking. Rather it is a trust in his promises. It is confidence in him doing what he says he will do. Obviously, God is confident that he will fulfill his promises.

Paul asks that God fill the church with joy. This is not mere happiness but an inner joy in the workings, blessings, and plan of God. He asks that God fill them with peace. This is not just the absence of violence, but an inner peace based on our trust that God is in control, regardless of the circumstances. Paul goes on to say that the joy and peace given to us by God will lead us to have the same hope that God has because it comes from the Holy Spirit.

So, when things appear to be hopeless, turn to the God of hope. When happiness is absent, remember your blessings from God, which will bring you joy. When filled with anxiety, worry, fear, and discord, remember that God is in control and receive his peace that goes beyond understanding. Most of all, remember you are not alone. God has promised to always be with us.

I pray we all remember God’s blessings and receive joy. I pray we trust in God’s promises and receive peace. I pray each one of us knows that God is a God of hope and accept his hope in our lives. Receive joy from God. Accept peace from God. Have hope that comes from the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Share Hope

Do you have hope? Where does your hope come from? Is it based on your own ability to accomplish what you set out to do? Is your hope put into your spouse, parents, or friends? Do you have high hopes for your children? Have you considered Scripture can build your hope?

Hope is an important concept, feeling, and characteristic we all need. Without hope, we become depressed and can feel like there is no reason to continue living. Hope is one of the driving forces for us to achieve our goals. It lifts our spirits and gives us energy.

There a many people looking for hope in our world today. They may be experiencing a setback in their life. They may have lived in poverty for their entire life. Or they may be fed up with the hatred, arguing, finger-pointing, and disfunction in our society. Regardless of their reason, they continue to seek something they can hope in, something that convinces them things will get better.

If we are looking for hope, the Apostle Paul tells where to find it. He says that God’s Word was written to provide us with instruction and encouragement to give us hope. Do you see Scripture as a place to find hope? Too often, God’s Word is used to “put the fear of God” in people. Fear, as in being in awe of God, is certainly good for us. Yet, Scripture is not meant to cause us to run scared. It is meant to show us the promises of God and help us put our trust in them. We see God fulfilling his promises in Scripture, which encourages to trust and hope in his promises that are yet to be fulfilled.

Those of us who read and study our Bible’s should receive encouragement from them. As we build our trust, faith, and hope, we are prepared to share our hope with others. We have the ability to tell them why we have hope and they can have the same hope. We can lead them to Jesus, changing their lives forever.

I pray we all read and study God’s Word. I pray we are encouraged by what we read in Scripture. I pray each one of us shares the hope we have and lead others to the same hope in Jesus. Study God’s Word. Be encouraged by Scripture. Share you hope. Lead others to Jesus.

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.