The Power of Patience..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Power of Patience

Dr. Charles Stanley

Hebrews 6:9-15

Picture yourself waiting in a checkout line that hasn’t moved for ten minutes. Many of us would feel frustrated. We live in a generation that expects instant results.

Everyone struggles with some degree of impatience. We’re born with this trait—think about a three-month-old who wants milk in the middle of the night. The inborn reaction is to fuss at the first hint of discomfort and to keep at it until the need is met. Patterns from our old “flesh” nature make this a continual battle for most people, but one that is very worthwhile to fight.

Let’s consider the biblical definition of patience. It can mean both longsuffering and perseverance, or not giving up and yielding under pressure. In either case, it reveals itself when we are willing to wait without frustration while suffering or experiencing some strong desire. In other words, we accept difficult situations without giving God deadlines. What’s more, patience means accepting what the Lord gives, on His timetable—or what He chooses not to give. This quality results in inner peace and lack of stress. Meanwhile, we should pray, obey, and persist as we seek God’s direction.

The danger of impatience is that we might miss the Lord’s perfect plan and His blessing. Only when we trust our Father’s will and timing can we rest peacefully.

What causes you stress? Carefully examine whether you are taking matters into your own hands or releasing the circumstance to almighty God. Listen to Psalm 37:7, which says, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Seek His way and His timing. Anything else can be destructive.

Loving Family..... Craig Denison

 Loving Family

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Loving others is one of the most important and difficult commands Jesus gave us. We are a messy, broken, needy, and sinful people. We constantly deal with our own wounds and those of others. Because there is no perfect person, the foundation for loving others must be based outside of the merit or worth of others. The foundation for love must come from the God who is love. As believers we must be constantly tapped into the love and grace of our heavenly Father so that we can love others selflessly and powerfully. May you receive the love of your Father and be empowered to love others this week as we look to grow in our obedience of Jesus’ command to love people.

Scripture:“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” >Exodus 20:12

Devotional: 

One of the most direct examples of the kingdom of God on the earth is the family unit. God longs to use the love between family members to tell the world of his love as the Creator and Father of all. As believers, we must choose to continually love, forgive, help, and pursue strong relationships with those God has given us as our family.

You are not a member of your family by mistake. Psalm 139:13 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” God formed you perfectly for your family. He had plans for you and your family before the formation of the heavens and the earth. And he has placed your family on the earth intentionally and purposefully. He has incredible plans for a family that will pursue love for each other and walk in his eternal purposes.

Your heavenly Father knows the follies of your family. He knows their weaknesses, trials, and temptations. But he also longs to empower you with grace to love them. He longs to use you to restore your family to him so that you might experience the wonders of God-filled family relationships.

Scripture is filled with commandments about the family unit. Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” >Ephesians 5:22 says, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” And later in Ephesians 5:25 it says, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” >Proverbs 17:6 says, “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.” 1 Timothy 5:8 says,“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” And Leviticus 25:35 says, “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.” God clearly values the family unit.

The commands of Scripture are not suggestions based on how your family has treated you in the past. They are loving commands from your Lord who has the absolute best plan in store for you behind every word. God knows that there are wounds from your family. He knows that loving them can be difficult, especially when your love isn’t reciprocated. But he is calling you to a lifestyle of grace-filled love for those he has specifically given to you. He will provide for you all the courage, strength, power, and grace you need. He longs to help you love your family into restoration. Have patience with them. Pray constantly for them. And love them as your Lord Jesus has loved you: passionately, faithfully, and gracefully.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s command to love your family. Allow Scripture to influence the way you view the importance of loving your family.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” >Exodus 20:12

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.” >Ephesians 5:22-29

“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.” >Leviticus 25:35-38

2. Pray for your family. Pray for each family member specifically, and ask God to meet and bless them. As you pray for them, allow the Lord to fill you with grace and love. Allow God to fill you with the knowledge of how he feels about them.

“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints . . . .” >Ephesians 6:18

3. Ask God to empower you to love your family well today. Ask him to give you a creative way to love them. Pursue forgiveness in your own heart as well as with your family. God will help you do what you have felt is impossible. He will fill you with the strength to love your family well.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” >Philippians 4:13

As you grow in your pursuit of loving your family well, look to Jesus as your model. He loved all those around him perfectly. Sometimes he would speak the truth in love. Other times he would rest with those who simply needed to be around him. Other times he would provide for their physical needs. The Holy Spirit will give you wisdom into exactly how to love your family if you will open your heart and ask him for it. May your family be blessed by the love of God working through you today.

Extended Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

The Trouble With Touting Our “Truths”..... AMY CARROLL

 The Trouble With Touting Our “Truths”

AMY CARROLL

“So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her.” 2 Kings 22:14 (ESV)

When I was a younger woman, I knew where I could always go for wisdom. I planted myself on the tapestried bench in front of Mona’s desk. There I found both answers and affirmation.

Mona was our church’s receptionist and resident godly woman. In response to any dilemma I had, she’d open her Bible. There she pointed me to the solution for every problem. Although she could have filled our time with her opinions or her own version of the truth, she never did. She directed me to God for His Truth instead. Mona was a woman who proclaimed the authority that Scripture holds, an authority unmatched by our own advice.

I wasn’t the only one who turned to Mona for wisdom. Some days I’d make a beeline for her bench only to find it occupied by one of my pastors. They, too, sought out guidance from Mona. Regardless of age or gender, humble hearts knew that she would lead them to the truths in God’s Word. Mona mirrors Huldah, a Jewish woman who lived long ago.

Huldah’s short but powerful story makes it clear that she, too, was known for affirming humble hearts that sought the authority of God’s Word. When faced with the dilemma of the nation’s sin, King Josiah’s advisors sought Huldah.

The Book of the Law, which was written on a scroll, had been neglected and then lost for decades within the walls of the temple, despite the instructions given generations before by Moses. He directed leaders to read the Book of the Law every seven years to the community so that they would fear the Lord and follow His commands. (Deuteronomy 31:10-13) Instead, it was lost, and God’s people turned to sin and idolatry.

When the scroll was found, King Josiah had it read to him, and he felt such grief that he tore his robes. The words in the Book of the Law revealed the nation’s violation of God’s ways. Then King Josiah said to the High Priest and other advisors, “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found” (2 Kings 22:13a, ESV).

Under the Old Testament covenant, a mediator, like a prophet or prophetess, was required to seek the Lord. King Josiah’s advisors headed straight to a source they trusted: Huldah. “So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her.” (2 Kings 22:14) In the remainder of the account, Huldah the prophetess faithfully shared the message that God gave her. She told them that the promised judgements in the Book of the Law would come to pass, affirming the book’s authority. (2 Kings 22:16) And she revealed that godly King Josiah would be protected, affirming a humble heart.

This story fascinates me. It’s extraordinary on so many levels, but there’s one truth that I have held tighter than any other.

I want to be known as a woman who’s faithful to the authority of God’s Word and the humble hearts who seek Him.

When we only give our own opinions rather than point to the wisdom of Scripture, we let down those who are seeking advice. Let’s replace our own wobbly viewpoints and weak solutions with the reliability of God’s Word. Let’s lead humble hearts to Him instead of tethering them to us. Like Huldah and Mona, let’s be women known for touting God’s truths instead of our own.

Lord, when others seek me for wisdom, remind me to lead them straight to Your Truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Who Among Us Is Crying Out for Help? ..... By: Cara Meredith

 Who Among Us Is Crying Out for Help? (2 Samuel 23:15)

By: Cara Meredith

Today’s Bible Verse: And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” - 2 Samuel 23:15

My children are not afraid to ask for what they need at any given moment. Water! Scrambled eggs! Lotion! A snack! While many of their requests revolve around food (and usually involve a “please” and “thank you,” if we’re lucky), sometimes I have to chuckle: Why can’t I be more like them and ask for what I need too?

Too often, we adults forgot to ask for what we need – not from our spouses and our partners, not from our friends and our roommates, not from our co-workers and our neighbors.

Prayer, of course, can be a different story: some of us remember to petition our wants and needs before God when something feels particularly pressing, or when the pastor on the front of the stage (or over the screen on Zoom), reminds us to be sure to present our requests to God. Some of us, on the other hand, can’t not square up with the Lord of Hosts on a regular basis: we skin our knees with the stuff of prayer. We make real the words, “I’ll pray for you.”

I always wish I could be found in the latter camp, but alas, I find myself going back to the children among us, to the little ones who aren’t afraid to make known their requests. Perhaps it would do all of us (myself most of all) a bit of good to tune our ears to their example as well.

Recently, I saw this while reading through an obscure Old Testament passage – if you haven’t already, go read 2 Samuel 23:13-17b. Had David recently been in the company of small children, I wondered, when he shouted, “O that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” (v. 15). Although the scene was set in battle (and not in a palace, among throngs of servants), David wasn’t afraid to ask the men around him for a cup of water. He had no problem broadcasting his needs to the humans within his reach.

I can’t help but wonder if it’s any different for us, not in our own houses, our neighborhoods, our places of work and our churches. Who among us is crying out for help, already making clear their needs? Who among us isn’t crying out, but clearly needs someone to notice that they’re hurting, to simply ask, “How can I help?” Sometimes it’s not even a matter of asking, but it’s a matter of noticing and simply doing: we drop off a meal. We mail a postcard. We pick up the phone and dial their number, just because.

Perhaps the invitation for all of us is to start to listen, not only for the needs of those who are right there in the trenches with us but also to ourselves.

Because when we listen, we start to notice, just a little more. And when we notice, well, that’s when the doing – of extra batches of enchiladas, as well as skinned knees in prayer – actually starts to happen and maybe, even, make a difference.

That Boy Dating Your Daughter Is More Than a Nuisance..... by Shawn McEvoy

That Boy Dating Your Daughter Is More Than a Nuisance
by Shawn McEvoy

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… - Psalms 95:7-8

My little girl will turn eight in a week, and believe it or not… I'm looking forward to the day she starts bringing boys home.

Oh, believe me, there's no rush. I'm happy to remain Numero Uno in little Lauren's eyes as long as possible. All I'm really saying here is that I believe in her, in how she's being raised, in how she's taking after her mother. Whoever she brings home - I'm confident saying - is not going to be a person without redeeming qualities.

So what has me so primed for this experience that I don't sound like the typical dad at the door with a sneer and a shotgun? What else? The experience of having been valued and trusted myself.

Twenty-three years ago I didn't know it, but I became part of a family. The McGriffs were a very unique family. When I met their eldest daughter, Dick and Susan had just remarried each other after having divorced each other. I never knew all the details, only that this was their first example to me of it never being too late, of recognizing wrongs and repenting.

They took to me right away, but don't get the impression that they didn't lay down the law or have rules. It was the way they imposed them - agreeably, fairly, seriously - that made so much of a difference. It's not even that they didn't try to "change" me - to be perfectly honest they did try: suggesting Christian alternatives to my secular music, suggesting viewed-at-their-home Cary Grant movies to the ones I would have preferred taking their daughter to the theater to see, giving us five minutes after a date to say goodnight before the front lights would be flicked on and off signaling that, okay, that's enough now.

I dated Malia for four-and-a-half years, off and on. During that time I built memories, house-sat for their family, came to cherish younger sisters Michelle and Amy like they were my own. Oh, like most young couples our relationship wasn't perfect; we would fight and make things more difficult than they had to be, just as I continue to do. But from her folks there was always instruction, encouragement, solidity. Laughs and firm handshakes. Always trust regardless.

Thanks to Facebook, I've regained contact with these three sisters, observed how their family has grown, and chuckled at the way they continue to interact despite living all over the country (Malia in particular had the most amazing talent for taking tense situations and making them laughable, one I'm told she still has, one that is a story for another time). I sent them the following email:

Just wanna say… You three are still some of my favorite people I've ever met, especially for a trio of sisters. I love how life has worked out for all of you, and how large that family has grown, and how involved your folks are in visiting. You have fantastic men who seem to get you and treat you well.

You're all three beautiful examples of Christian motherhood and of being distinctly individual yet connected. It was transformative to grow up as a semi-adopted part of your clan, and it's a blessing to see your joy - and how you've dealt with the pains - today.

You gals rock!

And from each I received back a distinctive, meaningful, heartfelt response. And I traced it all to the commitments, re-commitments, and never-give-up attitudes their parents made so obvious without being annoying. And shoot, even if they were ever annoying, I love them the more for it now.

There are opportunities everywhere. And yes, there are dangers. And times are different, and believe me - I know guys and what is on their minds. But I was politely welcomed and discipled as more than the sum of my convertible sportscar + raging hormones, and in so many ways, that made as much difference as several lessons my own parents modeled for me.

Thanks again, McGriff family.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Are you nervous about your daughter starting to date? Why or why not? Have you taken an active role in helping her decide in advance what choices are better than others? Will you be able to understand or tolerate failings? Are you able to be firm while smiling and maintaining a sense of humor or gentility? Willing to be labeled as old-fashioned but resolute in knowing your ways are good ways? You never know who or what that boy is going to become, but you have a chance to help ensure it's something good.

Further Reading

Proverbs 22:6
1 Corinthians 2:5

A Prayer for Taking the Next Step..... By: Alisha Headley

 A Prayer for Taking the Next Step

By: Alisha Headley

“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed.” - Deuteronomy 31:8

Sometimes we allow fear from stopping us from taking the next step. Maybe you feel God calling you to step into a new career, into ministry, a new relationship, new church, new city, or a new group of friends. Maybe you feel so strongly that God has spoken to you, but the fear of the unfamiliar seems to far outweigh the action of taking the next step. You believe God is trustworthy, yet you’re content with where you’re at, so you sit back and stay where you are rather than take a bold next step.

Do you know every hero we read about in the Bible did not know what was on the other side of that next step as well?

We know the ending to their stories, but at the time, they did not.

In today’s Scripture, Joshua’s life helps us understand that he was given assurance before He led God’s children to their promised land. Before he took the next step, God told him:

“I will go before you…

I will be with you…

I will not leave you nor forsake you…

do not fear or be dismayed”

Joshua did what he knew he could not do. Like us, he was told in advance he’d be able. Joshua never faced anything so frightful or potentially disparaging that God didn’t see him through it.

Isn’t it encouraging to know that whatever that next step you feel the Lord calling you to, He has already gone before you and is faithful to not leave you?

He will be with us throughout the entire journey, one step in front of the next. God is faithful when we walk by faith with Him, just as Joshua did along with many other heroes in Scripture.

We are appointed, equipped, and empowered. We don’t have to take the next step alone. Rest in the assurance of His faithfulness. Through Christ, we can absolutely, unequivocally do anything God places in front of us. Grab onto the hem of His garment and find the faith to go where He leads.

Dear Lord,

We thank you that no journey ahead of us is too far out for you. That you know the plan, and every step in between. Father, thank you that we have nothing to fear with you leading the way. We thank you for promising us that you go before us giving us assurance before we take the next step. You are aware that we needed this confidence and assurance to rest in before we embarked on the unfamiliar. Thank you, Lord, that you have given us examples of men and women in the Bible like Joshua that have already paved the way proving their inadequacy yet your mighty power. We ask you Lord for boldness and faith to take the next step you have called us to take. Help us to trust you more, help us in our unbelief. We choose to believe you are able when we are not. We choose faith over fear as fear is not from you. We thank you in advance for your provision and for your care as we boldly take next steps. Thank you for your love of every detail of our lives down to every step we take. We love you Lord, and we trust you who has already gone before us.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.