James 1:2-4
King James Version (KJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Patience's Perfect Work
The 'P' word. Patience. Deep breath...let it out slowly. Ok, let's go.
Patience is one of those things that we all want the benefit of, but none of us want to have to give it. As hard as it is to be patient, it's harder still to learn it. Patience is like working out...you only get better at it by doing it.
And like working out, doing it is always to our benefit.
The Word tells us that when patience has her perfect work, that we become perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:4).
It's powerful to consider, especially since it's so simple. If we know what we're looking for is coming, we don't worry about it. We are at rest. Doesn't change the immediate, but it does change our outlook. And we wait, patiently.
Those of us who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and died for our sins didn't have to wait for Him to come on the scene. Salvation has been available to us since the day we were old enough to understand the words of the song 'Yes, Jesus Loves Me'. But, just as He was promised in the days of Adam and Eve, and of Abraham and of Isaiah, we have a promise that He will return.
Mathew 24
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Those promises are as true for us as the promises before. We know that these things are true and sure. So, we who have accepted Christ can be confident not only in this promise, but in every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God.
So, yes, in patience, we are perfect. If the Word of God is true, and it is, and God is faithful to His promises, and He is, then in following after His will, we lack nothing.
No weapon formed against us will prosper.
He will never leave us or forsake us.
He is with us always, even to the ends of the earth.
Our God supply all our need, according to His riches in glory.
According to our faith, be it unto us.
By His stripes, we were healed.
All promises. All true. And if you cannot lose, there is no need to worry about the battle raging. After all, He promised that the battle wasn't ours, but the His.
Loved ones, I know times get rough. Seems like trouble comes in seasons and some seasons may feel like they last for years, but you have a promise. You have a personal promise from God Himself that is particular to your life, just as I have one particular to mine. The words themselves may be the same, but the promise is specifically and personally crafted to you. To me. And it's true.
So, be patient. Wait on the Lord. He WILL do what He said. He WILL NOT let you fall or be consumed by what's around you. There is a work for you to do, for me to do, that is a specific, particular assignment. We are responsible for being available and obedient. He is responsible for it being fruitful. But we have to be, as my son's school's motto says, on time and on task.
When the walls start to crumble, and you feel like the water is rising, God might just be opening up a cage you didn't realize you were in. Regardless, He is able to keep you now and forever.
Just be patient.
Matthew 28:18-20
King James Version (KJV)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Peace.
Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.
Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.
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