HOW LONG SUFFERING IS GOD b YOU DECIDE
(Part I)
October, 2008
My Prayer For You This Month:B Father, In the Name of Jesus, I believe that as the people read this message that they will have a clear understanding of Your love for us.B May they see that Youbre not standing in heaven with Your human fly swat just waiting to swat them because of one of two mistakes.B May they see how loving and longsuffering You are in Jesus Name b Amen.
**************
MESSAGE
This month webll begin another series and this one will be on Longsuffering.B Part I will deal with bGodbs Longsuffering With Us.bB Part II will focus on bHow We Are To Be Longsuffering With Others.b
This is not a popular subject with a lot of people.B But perhaps when you see how longsuffering God is with us, my prayer is that it will soften our hearts towards those we interact with.
Longsuffering is one of the fruit of the Spirit listed in the Bible over in Galatians 5:22-23 and it reads, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (no charge can be brought against you when you do these things) AMP.
Someone once said that Longsuffering is love on trial. B B Think about that statement.B Have you ever seen a trial where people are fighting?B All kinds of dirty laundry is aired.B But in the end, when Longsuffering is on trial, it doesnbt matter how much dirt is exposed, God says webre to love.
Abram was chosen by God to be a Father of many nations.B One of the very first things God told him not to do, he did.B In Genesis 12:1 God told him to get out of his country and leave his relatives b what did Abram do?B In Genesis 12:4, he took his nephew with him.B In Genesis 12:11-16 B he liedB to PharaohB and said that Sarai was his sister and not his wife.B He even accepted gifts for the lie.B Once Pharaoh found out the truth, God got Abram out of that mess without his wife being touched by another man and he was allowed to keep the stuff!!
In Genesis 16:2 He took his wifebs advice to sleep with herB handmaid.B God didnbt tell him to do that!!B Well, it was intense in the tents after that.B B But webre not through yet.B Check this out b years later, he told the same lie to Abimelech that he earlier told to Pharaoh and guess what, he got more stuff (see Genesis 20).B Itbs not like he didnbt have time to grow in character?B But through it all, God didnbt find someone else.B He stuck by his man.B
Letbs fast forward over to Genesis 21: 8-11, Sarah had her baby and later saw Ishmael laughing at her baby, she got mad and in todaybs language told Abraham b They got to go!b B She put the child and its mother out!B The Bible says Abraham was very grievous, but guess what b he still put the child and its momma out!B
I donbt know about you, but I would have chosen someone else in Genesis 12:1 when I told them to leave your relatives and Abram took his nephew Lot!B That would have been enough for me!
I donbt have time to go into it, but Sari his wife was bad too.B She laughed at God, made stupid mistakes.B She was in agreement with the lies, but here is where we will end this week.B Go to Hebrews 11 and webll read verses 8-11 which says. . ..
8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Not one mention of disobedience.B No mention of the lies.B No mention of when he slept with the handmaid.B No, God saw them in a different light.B See, your relationship with God is for the long haul.B He wonbt throw you away no matter what.B B God is Looooooooooooooooooong suffering!B
So hold your head up!B Stop feeling sorry for yourself and accept Godbs love.B He is not your problem, Hebs your answer.B Tune in next week when you will have an opportunity to be like your Heavenly Father!
SO HOW LONGSUFFERING ARE YOU?
(Part II)
November, 2008
My Prayer For You This Month: Father, I pray as people read this message they will become more loving, patient and kind with those they come in contact with. As they believe You to change situations in their lives, I agree with them in pray for patience to stand. May the longsuffering you extended to Abraham and Sarah be an example on how we are to treat others and how we are to wait on You for direction and change in our lives, in Jesus Name – Amen.
* * * *
MESSAGE
If you have not read October’s message, please stop right now and read it. It will help you as we focus on this month. As we can see from last month, God is very longsuffering and its not just with those He loves.
How about you? Are you quick to judge? Do you patiently allow those around you to grow? Do you pray for people when they make mistakes? And can you patiently wait for God to change others. If you can say, “Oh I want so badly to be able to do that!” I then say to you, good. Let me give you the key -- you can only patiently wait for change as you fellowship with God. The Holy Spirit is your Helper and as you call on Him and ask for His help, then and only then will you be able to have this fruit manifested in your life.
A person who is longsuffering is not quick to retaliate or promptly punish someone who has insulted, offended, or harmed them. The opposite of anger, it is intimately associated with mercy. Longsuffering is an attribute of God and thus a fruit of His Holy Spirit.
Now as you patiently wait for that person or circumstance to change, I’m going to give you a little cheat sheet to help you know how you’re doing. This cheat sheet is in the form of questions. The questions you must continue to ask yourself is this. How are you waiting? Has the WAIT become a WEIGHT? The word says in Hebrews 12:1. . . ”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,. . .”
So, are you still fretting about that situation? If so, your WAIT has become a WEIGHT. Are you reminding God everyday that things have not changed – the person is still acting the same? If you’re doing this your WAIT has become a WEIGHT. Have you decided to take matters into your own hand because God is too slow? Your WAIT has become a WEIGHT.
Hebrews 12:1 commands you to lay the weight aside. Put it down! God does not need help and He does not want you walking around with your shoulders hung low and your head bowed. Every time you think about that thing you should be cheerful. You should be raising your hands to God thanking Him for moving on your behalf. God is never late. I’ll say that again -- God is never late! He is always on time. So what if the house got sold. There are plenty of homes for sale and the home God has for you will be there. The person you thought was yours got married. If they married someone else then they weren’t yours. If the deal can’t wait until you pray about it – let someone else have it. Trust me, another one will be along shortly, the one God has for you.
Philippians 4:6 says. . .”Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.” (Contemporary Version)
The Message translation puts it this way. . .”Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Someone wrote a song that said “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” Take the composers advice.
As I close, November 27th is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. So before I leave you this month, please take time BEFORE Thanksgiving to give thanks to God for all He’s done. Things may not be as you want them, but they could be worse. Focus your attention on everything that’s good in your life. Begin to thank God for the car you have – some people are on the bus. If you’re on the bus, thank God because some people can’t walk. If you can’t walk, thank God you can see the trees and you have a support system in place.
All of us can complain, but instead of complaining, promise yourself that you’ll be thankful. Not just in November, but purpose to live a life of thanks. And when Thanksgiving Day does come, whether you have a bologna sandwich or a turkey feast, eat it with joy and give praises to God.
Remember, help is not on the way – if you know Jesus, help is already here! See you in December.
My Prayer for You This Month: Father in Jesus€™ Name, You gave to us the perfect gift –the gift of Your Son Jesus. May we imitate you this holiday season and give someone our gift of love. May our attention be focused on helping others and not on ourselves in, Jesus Name – Amen.
MESSAGE
Do you know that Jesus is really the reason for the season? He is. He gave His life for us so that we could walk in victory, experience eternal life, and live a victorious life while on earth. Oft times during the holiday we focus on the baby Jesus. While that’s good, how about focusing on the Man our Savior. The One who intercedes on our behalf to our Heavenly Father.
For many, the times we live in are difficult. People are struggling in their family and friend relationships. Others struggle financially and emotionally. However, the best way to pull yourself up is not by focusing on your problems, but try focusing on someone else and how you can bless them. Give the gift of love and you don’t have to wait until December 25th you can begin giving that gift as soon as you read this message.
No financial obligation is required for what I’m asking you to do. It will cost you something. It may cost your pride, your time. You may have to pray, but what I’m asking, you can do if you make up your mind to do it.
I Corinthians 13: 13And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love. (Amp)
Give the greatest gift – love on someone else. So when you think about Christmas this year. Think about this. . .
C Commit
H Hug
R Refuse
I I
S Smile
T Time
M Make
A Adjust
S Speak
Commit to love -- period. Give someone a hug, perhaps an aunt, your grandmother or neighbor whose all alone. Refuse to get angry this month. Think the best. Deny â€I†think about someone else other than me, I and myself. Determine to smile – it can go a long way. Take time to listen to someone and encourage them. Make time to visit your mom, dad or siblings. Adjust your attitude, it doesn’t matter if the other person seems unappreciative – you just be nice. Speak blessings over others. Tell them they will be victorious. Encourage them that better days are ahead. Invite them to go to church.
Yes, what I’m asking you to give this month is not your usual gift – but you may be surprised at the outcome. It just might be the best Christmas present yet!!
