For the Long-Term
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
- Psalm 51:10
If you're married, then you remember when you first met your wife or husband-to-be, and how you probably had the feeling of butterflies in your stomach and even a loss of appetite. You felt nervous when he or she was around. You wanted to make the best impression.
I hope you understand that those emotions aren't going to last throughout your entire marriage. I'm not saying that you won't have a deep, passionate love that will grow. But I am saying that I hope you're not expecting to always have the butterflies you once did.
It is kind of like driving a car. There is the love that brings you together, like an explosion that starts the engine. Next comes the actual driving of the car, which means that now you need to understand what real love is.
The problem is that some people don't understand that. They think that when that emotional excitement is not there on a daily basis, they have fallen out of love and it is not working out.
"I suppose we have irreconcilable differences," they say, "so let's just dissolve it." Then they move on to another relationship because they don't have a clue as to what real love is.
The idea is that first there is an excitement and passion that brings you together. Then you deepen and grow in what real love is.
In the same way, we need to mature in our relationship with God. It is more than a journey of feeling. It is also a journey of faith. So we must deepen in our love for God, because we are in it for the long-term. And we want to finish this race well.
[ Pastor Greg Laurie ]
God's Perfect Timing
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
- James 1:4
"Due season" is God's season, not ours. We are in a hurry; God isn't. He takes time to do things right-He lays a solid foundation before He attempts to build a building. We are God's building under construction. He is the Master Builder, and He knows what He is doing. We may not know what He is doing, but He does, and that will have to be good enough. We may not always know, but we can be satisfied to know the One Who knows. God's timing seems to be His own little secret. The Bible promises us that He will never be late, but I have also discovered that He is usually not early. It seems that He takes every available opportunity to develop the fruit of patience in us.
Vine's dictionary of Greek words begins the definition of
patience (In James 1:3), as "Patience, which grows only in trial." Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that grows under trial. My own particular natural temperament is filled with impatience. I have become much more patient over the years, but all the waiting required to teach me patience was hard on me. I wanted everything now!
Patience is vital to the development of our full potential. Actually, our potential is only developed as our patience is developed. It is God's way-there is no other, so why not settle down and enjoy the journey?
[ Joyce Meyer Ministries ]
Random Acts of Kindness
Today's Scripture
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12)
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
A reporter was interviewing people whose homes had been destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. An interesting theme emerged. Each person said that although they didn't know their neighbors before the storm hit, they had since become friends. This all took place as they helped each other out whenever they could. They gave each other water, helped clear debris, and watched each other's children. One woman who never even took the time to cook her own meals before the storm now prepared dinner for 25 neighbors in her RV because she was the only one who had a working stove.
Sometimes tragedy brings out the best in us. We can be very generous when the need is desperate and obvious. But we need to remember that there are people all around us who are facing the desperate storms of life and their needs may not be so obvious. We may have to look a little bit harder to see how they are hurting and determine how we can help.
We encourage you to keep your eyes and your heart open to those you meet each day. Begin to focus on how you can be a blessing to others. Maybe it is something as simple as speaking a kind word or taking someone groceries. Look for opportunities to do random acts of kindness; these are expressions of God's love to the world. One thing for certain, as we meet the needs of others God will meet all of your needs in ways you never imagined.
A Prayer for Today
God, open my eyes to the suffering that is all around me. I am Your ambassador and there is much work to be done! In times of tragedy and times of peace, put before me the people who need to experience Your love so that I might be a blessing in their lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.
[ Joel Osteen Ministries ]
