7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Questions for Reflection:
How does nature help disciple you, specifically in our modern word, in patience?
How is patience in the face of suffering an excellent Christian witness?
What do you find most difficult about being patient with God?
Prayer of the Week:
Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in my relationship with You today. Thank You Jesus for reconciling me to my Father in heaven who loves me very much. Thank You Spirit for filling me afresh with the very presence of Jesus. I receive You now and consecrate myself to You and Your purposes for me this day. I am Yours and You are mine.
Jesus, today I praise You for Your amazing grace towards me – Your unmerited favor that You continue to show me day in and day out. Your grace blows me away. Thank you! I specifically praise You for patience with me. You patiently love me when I act unlovable, You wait for me when I stray to other gods, You pursue me when I stand You up repeatedly, You keep calling me when I ignore You, choosing other interests over shared moments with You. I am so sorry and yet so thankful for Your patience with me. I now receive Your deep, personal and patient love for me. I love you Jesus ... thank You!
In this moment I rest in You and intentionally allow Your patient love to touch my soul, heal my heart, extinguish my rebellion, soften pride’s hardness, soak my lifelessness into living. Thank You for being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness and for maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. (Exodus 34).
Jesus, I am the daily recipient of the blessings of Your Open Hearted love. I join You in the mission of revealing Your Open Heart to the world. I join You as Your missionary in my little part of the world making a “salt and light” difference in the lives of the people around me.
Jesus with an open heart towards others I ask You to live through me;
- so that I see people , really see them with grace filled eyes,
- so that I am present, fully present with people ushering in a sense of Your presence with them,
- so that I show compassion in real and tangible ways,
- so that I give away patience today generously and abundantly.
I expectantly pray for You to do this in me and through me today!
Amen
