“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 ESV I’ll be honest: something was stirred up when I read the…
“Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the…
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” I Peter 5:7 Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes “careless” as being untroubled, indifferent, unconcerned, negligent, or slovenly. In most cases, we use the word careless to describe someone who makes decisions without thinking about the consequences, someone who takes unnecessary risks,…
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV) Are there certain verses in the Bible that have become your favorites? Do they hold special…
Acts 7:8 NLT “He replied, ‘The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.’ ” I struggle with having patience. I always open the microwave before it dings, I coax along the red traffic light, and I seriously hate…
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act . . . Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.” (Psalm 37:5, 7, ESV) Patience seems in short supply these days with many people. They resent waiting in line, expect service in mere seconds, and…
“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5). All of us have “triggers”—things that easily push us over the edge with our patience. It can be people cutting ahead of us in line, a difficult person, a long…
“Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great…
Patience does not come naturally to me. It is a learned behavior. One of my earliest memories as a child is my father quoting Luke 21:19, “Karen, ‘In your patience possess ye your souls.'” The Bible is clear; we must have patience to receive the promise. “For ye have need…