Pammy, our four-year-old, had volunteered to wash the dinner dishes.  She performed the task swimmingly, all right, in a sink billowing with suds.  But in the process she disproved the validity of claims made by manufacturers of a certain dish detergent.  It takes more than suds to get dishes clean!

Washing dishes in one thing, and something I don’t mind.  But re-washing is something else, and I found myself waiting for her to go off to bed before I undertook the task.  I did not want to let her know at her tender age that her “help” is not really as much as she thinks it is. (How much easier just to go ahead and do the dishes myself in the first place!)

When I was a child I remember being told that dishwater is great for healing minor cuts and scratches on the hands.  I’ve discovered since then that dish water is great for other things too.  In fact, there’s nothing like it for giving a mother time to think, to analyze situations and feelings.

It wasn’t only re-washing dishes that bothered me.  Remaking the children’s beds, re-picking up after they had put away their playthings, to re-hanging their clothes straight and evenly on the hangers.  It was all much the same and all somewhat annoying, though I realized how necessary this learning process is for young children. Perfection is a long road and takes a heap of practice and experience.

My hands still busy in the dishpan, I was asking the Lord to help me overcome this bit of annoyance, or impatience, when an enlightening but sobering thought came to mind.

Isn’t this process much like what the Lord has been doing for me ever since I first accepted Him as my Savior?

Hasn’t He umpteen times had to intervene and redo my efforts at living the Christian life according to His pattern?

I thought of a mountain of failures behind me. Every single one. He has forgiven me Every time  I have fallen…, He has lifted me up again and has whispered encouragement for another try.

Dishes done, I went to my Bible.  Verse after verse spoke of God’s patience, forgiveness, long suffering.  I found nothing to indicate that my failings ever tempt Him to give up on me and take things out of my hands so He can do them right without me!

These days re-washing dishes, or re-making beds, or whatever I find myself redoing after my children no longer serves to aggravate me.  Rather, these tasks have come to be my moments of re dedication.

For they always remind me now of what my Lord is daily doing for me in so many ways!

“You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you; hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to me cry for mercy.  In the day of all my trouble I will call to you for you will answer me” (Psalm 86:5-7 NIV).

by Muriel Hanson
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Learning To Fail and Succeed in God – by Daniel Forster

• Getting Life Back on Track by Marvin Kehler

• Lifelong Learners –  by Suzanne Benner

The post How many Re-Washes appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1

Thought

Dear friend of Jesus, have patience with those around you who are not yet what God intends for them to be — remembering that we are not yet what God intends for us to be. In the process of “bearing with” their failings, you may just find that others are more patient with your failings and more thankful for your faithfulness. Of course, the goal of our being patient isn’t to benefit ourselves. Instead, we do it to bless others, knowing that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are hanging on to their faith, hope, and love by the thinnest of threads. Let’s never let them go and never cause them to stumble!

Prayer

Tender Shepherd, give me more patience with those who are struggling and who need your strength and my encouragement. Forgive me for not noticing their struggles the way that you do. Help me show them how patient you are as you perfect them in your holiness. Thank you, O Lord, for your help in this area of my heart as I seek to be a blessing to my brothers and sisters in grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
used with permission

You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

FURTHER READING

Developing Patience

Patience Comes with Cost

Patience Toward My Enemies

The post Have Patience appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“ Hannah became pregnant and in due time bore a son and named him Samuel [heard of God], Because, she said, I have asked him of the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:20 (AMPC)  

I want to speak to those that have been following hard after God in obedience; you have been living by the Word of God, fasting, praying but there are still requests you have made to the Lord that have gone unanswered.

You have been waiting but it appears you’re waiting is in vain. You have been praying and fighting but still nothing. I come to encourage you to press on, don’t give up in well doing.  You will reap in due season.

Let’s look at the life of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter one. Hannah was the wife of   Elkanah. Out of his two wives he loved Hannah more. She found favor in his sight. It would appear that she had it altogether, but Hannah was not able to conceive children unlike Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife. And to top it off she flaunts it in Hannah’s face.

Hannah’s distress drove her to the throne of grace. Her prayers were fervent and passionate to the point that Eli, the priest, thought she was drunk. In her passionate pleas Hannah asked of the Lord to give her a child. She coupled her prayer with giving by vowing to give the child back to be raised in the temple. God answered. Samuel became a well-known Prophet in his day and age. The Bible declares that every prophecy he spoke came to pass.

There are times God will take us through seasons of denial because He needs to prepare us for what He has for us. He needs our hearts to be in line with His will not our own desires.  God desires that we partner with Him in fervent prayer to bring to pass His desires for us.  Even Jesus endured this same process in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed for His will to come in line with His Heavenly Father’s.

It was known as place of the oil press located near the Mt of Olives. This is important because the olives had to be pressed and crushed to get what was of value from it, the oil. That is what God is doing in many of our lives, even on the verge of quitting we must realize it is because of what He has placed on the inside of us that we need to keep going. People need what we have. If we quit now, someone will lose out on their breakthrough.  Our yes is the direct link to someone else’s freedom.  Press on and keep the faith, your breakthrough is on the way.

Lord, many are struggling to hold on to their faith during seasons of disappointments. I pray that You will infuse them with inner strength and power on today and allow them to see Your hand at work in their lives. Give them glimpse of hope Father. As they continue pressing, send others to help refresh them for the journey. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

RELATED READING

• Waiting on the Moth
• The Silent Waiting
• A Time of Waiting
• Waiting on God

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The post Press On appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Just wanted to take a moment to encourage your hearts today. Many of you have been praying.

Many of you have been hearing from God. Many of you have been moving actively on what God’s called you to do but you’re still not seeing anything come to pass yet.

You’re still not seeing the fruit of your labor and I want to encourage your hearts today not to give up.

Don’t faint!

Don’t quit!

Keep pushing!

Keep fighting!

Keep praying!

Keep believing because in the end He will speak. The vision is for an appointed time.

God says in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that “He makes all things beautiful and His time.” So today I want to encourage your hearts to keep pushing. Pray until something happens!

That’s right pray until something happens.  It’s almost as if you’re a woman who is in labor. Right now, the doctors are saying that the head is crowning. He can see the head coming but you can’t quit now, that baby won’t push itself out.  You have to be active in pushing that baby out. It’s even the same in our spiritual walk. It’s even the same in our natural lives, we may not see things happen immediately but we have to put some action to it. We have to also put some prayer to it.

Even as Elijah did in 1 Kings 18:41-44, you may have to pray 7 times to see the promise manifest. Again, if you are not seeing anything yet keep pushing don’t give up.

The will of God is not always automatic in our lives. We have to pray and act until we see God bring change.

You are on the verge of a breakthrough. You’re right there!
Don’t stop now. The vision is for an appointed time and it will speak.
All you have to do is hold on just a little while longer.

Father I thank you now for your people. I thank You for what you’re doing in their lives. I thank You Father God for bringing them to a place of breakthrough, to a place of freedom. I thank You for bringing them to a place of answered prayers. Thank You that they will see what you have been saying come to pass in their everyday life Lord. I give you praise for infusing them with inner strength right now God so that they may hold on even through the process. And father thank You for loving your people the way you do. Thank You for always being there; for always showing Yourself faithful on our behalf.  For You never leave us, You never forsake us. Thank You for all that You’re doing right now. In Jesus name Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

RELATED READING

• Praying For Your Children
• Praying the Scripture
• Praying for Results

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“When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:23-25

We live in a microwave world. People want instant gratification. Kids right out of college want the corner office with a view and the big paycheck. I see newbie writers convinced their work will be a bestseller… that is, until they join a critique group or submit it to an editor. Any seasoned author knows writing the first draft is only one-fifth of the work. It takes time and effort to develop it into a product ready for the market.

I think some Christians are too anxious to bear their fruit before it is ready. They don’t want to go through the hard work God has in store to prune, weed, and grow them. So they offer a pre-ripe, sour fruit to the world and then wonder why people scrunch their noses and back away.

Now, that is not to say God cannot use them. Of course He can. He uses all of us right where we are in our spiritual journey. But His timing is purposeful. If our spiritual skin has not thickened, we may get easily bruised and our fruit may be less attractive. The full sweetness may have not developed.

I know I have jumped the gun before He had fully prepared me for a mission. Perhaps you have as well. It may not take five years, but we all should wait until the time is ripe instead of rushing ahead of His schedule. That way, He will have fully prepared us to give Him glory, and the harvest of new souls won for Christ will be increased.

Father God, Creator of all. Help us to yield to Your timing before we bear fruit. Guide us by Your Spirit to maturity even though it may take longer and we may have to work harder. Keep us patient in the process and let us not become discouraged as we wait to see what wondrous things You will do through us. In Christ’s name. Amen.

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by permission

FURTHER READING

• The Measure of Maturity
• Developing Spiritual Maturity
• Maturity Hurts

The post Take Time to Ripen appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Be still and know that I am God..”   Psalm 46:10

“Sit still! Don’t wiggle!” How often have you said those words to a squirmy child? How often have you whispered those words to yourself as you mentally fidget while reading the Bible or praying? Or—more likely—when disease or disaster looms?

Experts agree that the words of Psalm 46 probably weren’t written while God’s beloved children roamed green pastures or rested beside still waters. It is more likely that they were escaping advancing hordes and enraged tyrants. Even nature seemed to conspire against them with quaking mountains and roaring waters.

After describing these horrors, the writer extols the glory and power of God and finally slips in, “Be still!”, or more literally, “Cease, relax, quit striving, chill out!” How is this possible and how do I learn to live like this as a general rule?

The Apostle Paul, writing to Christians under similar conditions, gives encouraging advice: “Rejoice! Don’t be anxious! Pray with thanksgiving about everything!” And finally this promise: “Then the peace of God which is beyond human understanding will calm your fears and give you mental quiet” (Philippians 4:4-7).

It’s this practice of joy-filled living, intentional prayer, and increased understanding of the nature of God that leads to and feeds the practice of stillness. This doesn’t happen casually or overnight. It takes a daily surrender over the irritating minutiae of life, agreement with a loving God that He has purpose and plan for each of us.

Keep practicing!

It’s hard for me to sit still, Father. If I’m not squirming with impatience, I’m running ahead of you at my own favored pace. Remind me, please, of the benefit of stillness as I sit before you daily

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Fast Of Words: A Different Kind of Fast

• How to have a “Quiet Time”

•  Salvation Explained

The post It Takes Practice appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Jairus is in a hurry. If you have children, or even if you don’t, you can probably sympathize with his plight. You see, his little daughter is dying. Or, as the Message paraphrase puts it, his “dear daughter is at death’s door.” Mark 5:23

So you can imagine why he’d be more than a little perturbed when, the Lord tarries on the way to Jairus’ house. “Who touched my clothes?” Jesus suddenly asks the crowd. The disciples, perhaps a bit anxious themselves given the gravity of the situation, reply “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask? Who touched me?'”  Then Jesus proceeds to leisurely engage the woman in conversation. It turns out that she’s suffered from a medical condition for the last twelve years.

“Twelve years?” thinks Jairus, “My daughter is dying! Surely this woman can wait a little longer!”

Then, while Jesus is still talking with the woman, messengers arrive with the most dreaded news imaginable: “Your daughter is dead.”

“Oh Lord, why couldn’t you just have hurried?” Jairus probably cried to himself. From a human perspective, all was lost. But from a heavenly perspective, “all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27) Jesus responded immediately: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36)

God’s timing is not ours: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8) But we can be confident that whenever and however God chooses to respond to us, it will be good, just, and to His glory.

If you’ve been patiently praying with seemingly no response, don’t lose heart. Jesus implores us to not be afraid and trust in Him; consider the parable of the persistent widow Jesus told in Luke 18:1-8, which Jesus told to encourage us that we “should always pray and not give up“. Be encouraged that while God’s timing is not ours, because He is always for you, not against you, and we will someday, at just the right moment, fully understand His divine timing.

Questions: What is a prayer that you have been earnestly praying for lately? Are you ready to leave it in God’s competent hands when/how/if he answers it?

By Darren Hewer
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• Right on Time
• A Season for Everything
• How to Know God Personally

The post God’s Timing is Not Ours appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This scripture reveals to us what it looks like to love God’s way. Tests are essential in life to measure one’s level of growth. Just as a student needs to write tests to measure their level of understanding; likewise, we will encounter situations or people for the purpose of measuring whether we are truly growing in the love of God.

In light of the scripture above, we should ask ourselves honestly:

Am I patient and kind to people?
Am I envious, boastful, and proud?
Do I dishonor others?
Am I self-seeking?
Am I easily angered?
Do I keep record of wrongs?
Do I rejoice with the truth or delight in evil?
Do I protect? Trust? Hope?
Persevere always?

The answers to these questions reveal where we need God’s help to grow in love.

It’s important to remember that love is a fruit of the Spirit; it’s not something we can manufacture on our own. We cannot love people God’s way in our own ability. Love grows as we yield to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. It’s His fruit, so we need Him to produce it in our lives.

Lord, help me to yield to you every day in fellowship and communion, so that the fruit of love can be evident and abound in my life. Amen.

By Folasade Oladapo
used by permission

FURTHER READING

A Song of Love –  by Andrew Murray

Love – Devotional on Love by Phil Ware

The Way of Love 1 Corinthians 13

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The post Put Your Love to the Test appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits…” (Psalm 130:5)

“The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion… Blessed are all who wait for Him!” (Isaiah 30:18)

A young boy was grocery shopping with his mother. Seeing the two checkout lines ahead, he made a quick strategic call: “Look, Mom! Those customers are moving faster. Let’s get behind them.”

Why was he in such a hurry? Was he late for a football game or television program? Was an important person waiting outside the store? I suspect that this boy had just fallen victim to the no-time-to-wait mentality so many of us adults have.

Waiting is not one of my strengths (and I’m sure I’m not alone in this sentiment; most of us really dislike waiting). I identify with Carlo Coretti, who wrote,

“This pursuit of impatience easily drifts into my spiritual life. Wait on God? Wait for God? I need an answer now! An even more dangerous thought process proclaims, ‘I need spiritual maturity now.’”

Has the pursuit of impatience drifted into your spiritual life as well? How does one gain spiritual maturity in a fast-paced world?

Action Step: This week choose the longest line up at every chance. Pray while you wait in line so you can live by the pace of the Holy Spirit.

by Marilyn Ehle
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Prayerful Waiting -by Max Lucado

Calming the Waters– by John Grant

Are You Enjoying the Goodness of the Lord?  – by Kathy Cheek

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The post Choosing the Longest Line appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. It produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, and patience! Have you asked God to give you some fruit? Well, I once did, but…  But what? Did you, [hmm…] grow impatient? He won’t grow impatient with your pleading, and you will receive patience in your praying.

And while you’re praying, ask for understanding.

“Patient people have great understanding” (Proverbs 14:29).

Could it be your impatience stems from a lack of understanding? Patience always hitches a ride with understanding.

“A man of understanding holds his tongue” (Proverbs 11:12).

Before you blow up, listen up. Before you strike out, tune in. Before anything else…love is patient!

God is being patient with you (2 Peter 3:9). And if God is being patient with you, can’t you pass on some patience to others? Of course you can! Because before love is anything else—love is patient!

Max Lucado
Used by Permission
From: A Love Worth Giving

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

• Fruit of Patience

•  Developing Patience

• The Rewards of Patience

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“Beloved child of God, listen to your Father’s heart and his ways for you in Galatians 5:22-23,25.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control… Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:16.

“I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

Be blessed to know that your Father’s patience toward you is his mercy flowing to you. He is a God of second chances, for you and others. He welcomes you back to the Father’s house after the most outrageous violations of his covenant (Luke 15:20-24&32). He remembers your frame, and he knows you are dust. Be blessed to know that you are a work in progress, and he is not finished with you yet. He doesn’t give up on you, and he intends for you to mirror the likeness of Jesus.

In the gospels we see examples of the patience of Jesus with people in every circumstance of life…
…with the woman caught in the act of adultery and with her accusers (John 8:2-11).

“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. Woman, neither do I condemn you.”

What restraint produced by patience!

…with his disciples, when they provoked him to cry out “O you of little faith!” or “Have I been so long with you and you don’t know me?”

…with his three closest companions whom he took into the garden in the hour of his greatest agony, only to find them sleeping. He gently and patiently said, “Can you not keep watch with me for one hour? The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

You come to One who was like you in every way, so that he might become your merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he understands your weaknesses. He can patiently help you (Hebrews 2:17-18). Be blessed with the unlimited patience that Jesus displayed, because he lives in you to show you his patience to you and through you. Let him work his patience in you to bring about his purposes and plans.

Be blessed with long-suffering, not just tolerance, and with grace and compassion with yourself and others. Be blessed with knowing that God is working patience in you, especially when others are trying you. Be blessed with his patient endurance and encouragement in long battles. Be blessed with a holy infusion of your Father’s patience when yours has run out. Patience is a marathon, not a sprint. Be blessed to keep the marathon of patience, even when your legs feel like lead and your lungs are screaming for relief.

Be blessed with the fruit of patience that the Holy Spirit produces in you, your grateful response to his patience (Galatians 5:22).

by Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

•  The Rewards of Patience – Charles Stanley

• Impatient Heart, Be Still – by Deborah Yemi Oladayo

• God’s Patience – by Phil Ware

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“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us:  love, joy, peace, patience . . .” Galatians 5:22

Lately, I have noticed how impatient I am.  The other day, I was driving home—it was rush hour traffic and I planned to drive the back roads so I would miss the traffic, but there were police cars blocking them, so I had to drive the Highway, knowing full well that when I got to the intersection, I would have to wait for several light changes before I could make the left turn.  One light change, two light changes then three light changes and I was feeling very inpatient.  Then the thought came to my mind,

“Does it really matter—in light of eternity?”  “Why don’t’ you pray for the people in the truck ahead of you?”

When I began to pray for the people in the truck ahead of me, the time went fast and soon I was able to make the left hand turn and was home in a few minutes.

Lord, when I think about it, I wonder why I was in such a hurry?  I don’t have kids waiting for me at home anymore.  I guess I am still habitually busy like I was when the children were still at home, when we had the farm, when our parents were sick, when we were in full time ministry, etc., etc.  But now my life has slowed down —I have more time to enjoy life —but sometimes I forget, Lord.  Slow me down Lord!  Help me be calm, relax and enjoy my day – my husband, my family, my friends, my neighbors, and the people I meet. I need the Holy Spirit to control my life and produce patience every moment of the day. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Impatient Heart, Be Still –  by Deborah Yemi Oladayo

• Very Little Things – by Bethany Hayes

• What Do You Smell Like? – by Mike Woodard

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