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.

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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.