7-Oct-14

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14Believing and trusting in God is being confident in His power and majesty to spread His Goodness and Love in this dark land of the living.One of the attributes of humans is the lack of patience.  No wonder that patience is a gift of the spirit.  We don’t like to wait at a stop sign, or wait for the result of a sign, or bide time until we ‘grow up’ and ‘mature’.  Instant gratification enables impatience – with a cup of instant coffee and drive-by fast food.But what is this, Be on guard?  Be on Guard against what?  What is coming against me?  Why must I be strong and courageous?  Now I am quaking in my boots.  It is one of those moments when I want to pull the covers over my head.  But wait…Stand firm in faith?  Of course!  I am to have faith in the One who created the world and set the earth in motion.  The last portion of I Corinthians 16:14, is the kicker.  Do everything in Love?  That means Love-behavior and Love-attitude even when I am tired, short-tempered and impatient?  The fruit of the spirit ends with ‘self-control’.   In the spirit, we have a jarful of self-control, but if we are impatient, we won’t be able to reach in for a cup of ‘self-control’.  Lord, fill me with your Love most of all.  From your Love comes so much fruit, I need to live in your way.  Help me to be on guard against the evil one, and be strong and courageous in your Name.  I love you, Lord.Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.                  I Corinthians 16:13-14