Memory Verse -
But
the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There
is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23
Patience – How do you apply this Fruit
of the Spirit to your life…to the situation in which you currently find
yourself?
God is
patient.
Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and
patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his
kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4
God shows His patience and kindness even to
those with whom He is angry.
For God said to Moses, "I will show
mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose."
So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for
it. For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, "I have appointed you
for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame
throughout the earth." So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and
he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then,
you might say, "Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven't they
simply done what he makes them do?" No, don't say that. Who are you, a
mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say
to the one who created it, "Why have you made me like this?" When a
potter makes jars out of clay, doesn't he have a right to use the same lump of
clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the
same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he
is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for
destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter
on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. Romans
9:15-23
If God has such patience with us, how can
we not have patience with those around us? People—especially kids—can be so
trying! Solomon wrote about being patient. Patience is a virtue. Be patient and
have self-control. Those two qualities are interrelated. If you are patient
with others…you likely are showing self-control.
Better to be patient than powerful; better
to have self-control than to conquer a city. Proverbs 16:32
A city? How about conquering just one
person…or one situation. I learned long ago the concept of choosing your
battles carefully—but that is not always easy to apply. My tongue can often
jump into a situation before my brain engages and there I am in the midst of a
battle. Unless I yield to God…to doing things His way, it is likely that I will
not conquer that stronghold—that city or relationship under siege. No patience
there…no self-control.
Paul wrote about making allowances for
other’s faults. Recently I was upset with someone close to me…offended that I
just didn’t feel respected. Then I selfishly realized that I was the one not
showing respect. Who am I to feel that I am always the one who is right!?
Wrong. And I need to take criticism humbly—and not be so offended. Be patient
with others!
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with
each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Ephesians
4:2
 |
| Apple Blossoms Look for the harvest to come. Have patience. |
Be patience with God. He has a plan…and we
don’t know the hour or the day when Christ Jesus will return.
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you
wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the
rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest
to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord
is near. Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be
judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! For examples of patience in
suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the
name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For
instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the
Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. James
5:7-11
Be patient with yourself as you memorize this verse. Write it out, say it out loud or sing it.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23
Prayer
~ Lord, Please continue to show us patience and we long for Your
return. We understand that You aren’t really being slow about Your promise, as
some people think. No, You are being patient for our sake. You do not want
anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
2
Peter 3:9
Daily
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 17
© 2019 Text and
photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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