How often do we wrestle with the word patience?
Patience is something I've been trying to grow in lately, and have been asking God to grow me in patience.
You see, I fasted praying for patience for nearly 5 years. Sounds crazy, right? Well, the truth of the matter is, I had thought if I prayed for patience - God would indeed give me that. As a result, if I had patience, then I would be sentenced to this highly undesirable "waiting period" for anything in life. So, instead I decided to just pray for "God's Will to be done" and pushed aside the idea of praying for patience.
If you think about it, what to patients do? They wait. In a waiting room. Most likely in pain. Waiting. Waiting to meet with a healer. They wait some times at ridiculous lengths of time in a room with other patients to go to another room, where they are alone and waiting. Then a nurse or doctor comes in to assess the situation, gives a diagnosis, maybe a doctor prescribes some medicine and is on their way to the next patient. Why would anyone want to be a patient?
When you examine the word, PATIENCE, in the dictionary, you will find:
1) the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like
2) an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay
3) quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence
How incredibly humbling. In my deepest moments of struggle, the one thing I needed to be praying for - patience - I was deliberately ignoring. I began to pray for patience again in the last few months, and I can without question tell you - God took the sting out of waiting, for anything. I no longer felt like a patient. In my prayer time, I stopped the waiting and met with my Healer, my God. God provided a peace, a "steady perseverance" in my life. In fact, He saturated my life with patience....like a field in drought, He rained on my fields with patience and peace. It was almost as if God cupped me into His hand at that moment and eased my heart, again growing me in His gracious love.
How many hours do you suppose the average human spends "waiting" in their life? Waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store; waiting to get on an airplane; waiting for a phone call; waiting for someone to come home; waiting for dinner to be ready; waiting on the waitress; waiting for their car to be repaired; waiting for someone to be healed or saved; waiting for their ship to come in; waiting at the stop light; waiting for 5 o'clock each workday; waiting for opportunity; waiting for a man/woman; waiting for answers; waiting for a vacation; waiting for a baby to arrive.......just a lot of waiting. We are all patients in some regard, but only we can make ourselves feel like we are waiting for anything. We can meet with our Healer at any time of any day, and ask for His patience.
The word "patience" occurs 17 times in 16 verses throughout the bible, NIV. Here are a handful that spoke to my heart:
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. - Hebrews 6:12, NIV
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. - 1 Timothy 1:16, NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, - Galatians 5:22, NIV
...being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully - Colossians 1:11, NIV
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. - Colossians 3:12, NIV
God's Word is so clear, patience - is something we should strive to exude in our daily lives. I thank God for breaking me down, down far enough to bring me to a point where I fell to my knees and began asking Him for patience again.
Do you feel like you are "waiting" on anything? You don't have to, our Healer and our Provider is there all the time for you. Only you can make you feel like you are waiting. Let go of waiting, and live to produce fruit of the spirit - patience - all day, everyday. We have this moment to serve Him, and each moment is precious. Ask the silver medalist in the 100m dash at the Olympics about the value of one second; ask the phone company about the value of one minute; ask the mother in labor about the value of one hour; ask the husband who may lose his wife about the value of one day; and the college student who is on their 5th year about the value of a year.
Our God is such a big God, and we only have to wait on Him, and NOTHING else in this world. He hears your prayers, and I encourage you to seek Him instead of waiting. You can have patience at any time, and the blessing in seeking Him is worth more than we can fathom. God never said it would be easy, but He did say it would be worth it. Patience is yours, just ask Him.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. - Matthew 7:7-8, NIV
You can do this, have patience! I'm praying for you!
<><
Kay
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Fresh Grounded Faith
Hello again!
I know its only been a few days since I started, but I want to try to keep this thing going - so you can hold me accountable to that! ;-)
Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going to the Second Baptist Church Women's Ministry - Fresh Grounded Faith conference. I know, I know.....the christian conference high may come and go, however, my take-away from the experience truly gave me a fresh view of what "the church" should look like, and even better ways to hold each other accountable as women. So, I'll let this post-conference high be a little (or a lot) contagious!
Two of the main speakers were Chonda Pierce and Jennifer Rothschild.
Chonda is an outgoing mother and wife from Tennessee, who happens to be one of the most humorous speakers I have ever heard. Truly, not only has God worked in her life in some remarkable ways - but her gift in telling the story leaves you with such laughter and comfort, truly a blessing. Jennifer is an adorable woman who became blind when she was a teenager, and has gone on to literally walk out day-to-day what it means in "walking by faith, and not by sight."
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1, NIV
What I need to explain, is that I was actually asked to be a counselor for this event. Of course, I was honored to serve our Lord in such a capacity - to counsel and/or pray with any women who walked forward once Jennifer gave the invitation. As I sat there in my seat, strategically on the end of aisle preparing to get up and stand to be available for women to come forward, I was dealing with my own emotional turmoil.
There had been some recent events which had taken place in my life (which is an entire blog entry in and of itself) that left me holding back tears as Jennifer and Chonda talked about forgiveness, being whole in Christ, having complete faith, and of course - patience. It was even more likely that *I* was the one who needed to come forward for prayer/counsel. Then something Jennifer said, hit me where it counts:
"He (God) allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves."
She gave words to a thought so many of us, men and women alike, have had when we go endure hardship that may seem unfair. It was almost as somehow I was on the show Jeaopardy, and when I heard Jennifer's answer....I thought to myself, the matching question is "WHY?" - the kind where we ask, "Why God? Why?"
Further, she went on to mention how her and a few of her own girl friends hold each other accountable to becoming more like Christ. This truly impacted me, especially as a single 20-something, accountability is such an instrumental part of not only growing, but establishing healthy boundaries in dating and allowing men to pursue you the way a Daughter of a King should be pursued. Jennifer said her and a girl friend of hers would meet for coffee and ask the following three questions to each other:
1) What do you see in my life that encourages you?
2) What do you see in my life that you would caution me about?
3) What else would you like to tell me?
Truly, when asking questions of this nature to a handful of your most intimate and closest friends - pride needs to be stripped and defensive walls need to be torn down. These are not meant to be easy questions: you are holding up a mirror to yourself, to see the bad AND the good. To open up yourself - to be truly vulnerable - and allowing God to work through others to accomplish His work, is tough. However, if its not tough - than most likely it is not growing. Its almost as though these questions, when grouped together should come with a warning label that says, "HUMILITY REQUIRED."
I plan on implementing this accountability method with about five of my closest girl friends, and we are excited about it. Not just excited about growing closer as friends, but also letting God use each other to grow us for His Kingdom. Ultimately, it is Him we want to grow closer to; it is Him we want to please; it is Him we want to become more like; it is Him we want to serve; it is - and always should be - about Him.
If God is speaking to you about the need for accountability in your life, I encourage you to find a few close Christian-rooted and Jesus-loving friends of the same gender as you - and to meet with them. Pray for each other. If you feel leading from Jennifer's method, ask God if those are the questions you should ask each other. Let God use each of you to build each other up, to spiritually lead each other to become more like Christ, and encourage each other in your walk with Him.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV
I am praying for you, you can do this!
In Christ,
Kay
I know its only been a few days since I started, but I want to try to keep this thing going - so you can hold me accountable to that! ;-)
Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going to the Second Baptist Church Women's Ministry - Fresh Grounded Faith conference. I know, I know.....the christian conference high may come and go, however, my take-away from the experience truly gave me a fresh view of what "the church" should look like, and even better ways to hold each other accountable as women. So, I'll let this post-conference high be a little (or a lot) contagious!
Two of the main speakers were Chonda Pierce and Jennifer Rothschild.
Chonda is an outgoing mother and wife from Tennessee, who happens to be one of the most humorous speakers I have ever heard. Truly, not only has God worked in her life in some remarkable ways - but her gift in telling the story leaves you with such laughter and comfort, truly a blessing. Jennifer is an adorable woman who became blind when she was a teenager, and has gone on to literally walk out day-to-day what it means in "walking by faith, and not by sight."
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1, NIV
What I need to explain, is that I was actually asked to be a counselor for this event. Of course, I was honored to serve our Lord in such a capacity - to counsel and/or pray with any women who walked forward once Jennifer gave the invitation. As I sat there in my seat, strategically on the end of aisle preparing to get up and stand to be available for women to come forward, I was dealing with my own emotional turmoil.
There had been some recent events which had taken place in my life (which is an entire blog entry in and of itself) that left me holding back tears as Jennifer and Chonda talked about forgiveness, being whole in Christ, having complete faith, and of course - patience. It was even more likely that *I* was the one who needed to come forward for prayer/counsel. Then something Jennifer said, hit me where it counts:
"He (God) allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves."
She gave words to a thought so many of us, men and women alike, have had when we go endure hardship that may seem unfair. It was almost as somehow I was on the show Jeaopardy, and when I heard Jennifer's answer....I thought to myself, the matching question is "WHY?" - the kind where we ask, "Why God? Why?"
Further, she went on to mention how her and a few of her own girl friends hold each other accountable to becoming more like Christ. This truly impacted me, especially as a single 20-something, accountability is such an instrumental part of not only growing, but establishing healthy boundaries in dating and allowing men to pursue you the way a Daughter of a King should be pursued. Jennifer said her and a girl friend of hers would meet for coffee and ask the following three questions to each other:
1) What do you see in my life that encourages you?
2) What do you see in my life that you would caution me about?
3) What else would you like to tell me?
Truly, when asking questions of this nature to a handful of your most intimate and closest friends - pride needs to be stripped and defensive walls need to be torn down. These are not meant to be easy questions: you are holding up a mirror to yourself, to see the bad AND the good. To open up yourself - to be truly vulnerable - and allowing God to work through others to accomplish His work, is tough. However, if its not tough - than most likely it is not growing. Its almost as though these questions, when grouped together should come with a warning label that says, "HUMILITY REQUIRED."
I plan on implementing this accountability method with about five of my closest girl friends, and we are excited about it. Not just excited about growing closer as friends, but also letting God use each other to grow us for His Kingdom. Ultimately, it is Him we want to grow closer to; it is Him we want to please; it is Him we want to become more like; it is Him we want to serve; it is - and always should be - about Him.
If God is speaking to you about the need for accountability in your life, I encourage you to find a few close Christian-rooted and Jesus-loving friends of the same gender as you - and to meet with them. Pray for each other. If you feel leading from Jennifer's method, ask God if those are the questions you should ask each other. Let God use each of you to build each other up, to spiritually lead each other to become more like Christ, and encourage each other in your walk with Him.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV
I am praying for you, you can do this!
In Christ,
Kay
Friday, March 13, 2009
An Intro....
So, I'm beginning this journey with this initial blog entry......however, I must confess to beginning my actual journey with the King, quite some time ago. :-)
I'm a sinner. It's true. I have repeatedly fallen short of His glory more times than I can count. Despite this obvious shortcoming, I have spent time exploring repentance and forgiveness. Forgiveness from Him - of course - but also forgiveness for myself, from Him. Often times, even though He has forgiven me, it is much more difficult to forgive myself. It hasn't been until recently that I have realized - the crucifixtion is over. He has died to cleanse me of my sins, the price has been paid in full - I'm accepting a gift I don't deserve: grace and salvation.
How sweetly broken - in the words of Jeremy Riddle - I have been, and yet He fills me up with Him...through His grace. I once heard a quote, "I am blessed in that God's grace will always exceed my ability to sin." I find this to be true, however, I'm not accepting a green pass to sin away at my selfish desire.
RC Sproul once said, "It is impossible to sin without hurting someone else," as sin - in concept - is tresspassing on the holiness of God himself. To marinate in the notion, sinning = hurting someone else, we may often hesitate in our desires to indulge. This recognized hesitancy could only be explained by what I encounter as the Holy Spirit. Sort of that "gut check" before you run a red light, tell a lie, or even that slight heat you feel when you overspend your financial means just to name a few scenarios.
Looking at the word - DESERVE - according to www.dictionary.com, to deserve means: to be worthy of, qualified for, or have a claim to reward.
My friends, though we have fallen so incredibly short of His amazing glory and do not deserve His literally amazing grace....He extends His sweet hand to help us, to love us, to protect us, to provide for us, to redeem us, and to heal us. His open arms are there to embrace us, no matter how severe the crime.....to Him, its all equal - and He is there to forgive, to give grace.
He is my Father, and I love Him deeply - for who He is, and not how He makes me feel. In my prayer, my heart seeks our Father in prayer that you may truly know Him.
Also, looking at the word - KNOW - again, according to www.dictionary.com, to know means: be acquainted with (a thing, place, person, etc.), as by sight, experience, or report.
You can know Him. Just ask Him. :-)
But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. - 1 John 2:5-6
In His Love,
Kay
I'm a sinner. It's true. I have repeatedly fallen short of His glory more times than I can count. Despite this obvious shortcoming, I have spent time exploring repentance and forgiveness. Forgiveness from Him - of course - but also forgiveness for myself, from Him. Often times, even though He has forgiven me, it is much more difficult to forgive myself. It hasn't been until recently that I have realized - the crucifixtion is over. He has died to cleanse me of my sins, the price has been paid in full - I'm accepting a gift I don't deserve: grace and salvation.
How sweetly broken - in the words of Jeremy Riddle - I have been, and yet He fills me up with Him...through His grace. I once heard a quote, "I am blessed in that God's grace will always exceed my ability to sin." I find this to be true, however, I'm not accepting a green pass to sin away at my selfish desire.
RC Sproul once said, "It is impossible to sin without hurting someone else," as sin - in concept - is tresspassing on the holiness of God himself. To marinate in the notion, sinning = hurting someone else, we may often hesitate in our desires to indulge. This recognized hesitancy could only be explained by what I encounter as the Holy Spirit. Sort of that "gut check" before you run a red light, tell a lie, or even that slight heat you feel when you overspend your financial means just to name a few scenarios.
Looking at the word - DESERVE - according to www.dictionary.com, to deserve means: to be worthy of, qualified for, or have a claim to reward.
My friends, though we have fallen so incredibly short of His amazing glory and do not deserve His literally amazing grace....He extends His sweet hand to help us, to love us, to protect us, to provide for us, to redeem us, and to heal us. His open arms are there to embrace us, no matter how severe the crime.....to Him, its all equal - and He is there to forgive, to give grace.
He is my Father, and I love Him deeply - for who He is, and not how He makes me feel. In my prayer, my heart seeks our Father in prayer that you may truly know Him.
Also, looking at the word - KNOW - again, according to www.dictionary.com, to know means: be acquainted with (a thing, place, person, etc.), as by sight, experience, or report.
You can know Him. Just ask Him. :-)
But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. - 1 John 2:5-6
In His Love,
Kay
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)