Impatience

I suspect that you have been impatient before. I've paced the floor waiting impatiently for someone. I've also waited impatiently in the car before. I confess, I have been impatient. The writer of the devo today did not mention this, but I think pride has a great deal to do with impatience. I think my plan, my time and my way is more important, so I pridefully insist on it being my way and when it is not, I am impatient. God will allow us to learn patience by waiting and likely He will give us enough repeat opportunities to really get it. I am trying to practice patience and use such opportunities to help me grow in Christlikeness.

How about you?

God bless you,
Pastor Joe

I need more patience!

Wow, I have to ask everyone for patience with me. I have been delinquent in my devotions and blogging. Don't give you, keep returning to your devotions.

I really like the commentary from the devo; "patience and perspective go hand in hand... this allows you to wait patiently and learn when things don't go your way". Most of my impatience comes when I am most self focused.

God help me to see your perspective and stop measuring everything against my desires but to see what you want me to see and live for you!

What makes you feel impatient? Look for God's perspective and grow!

God bless you,

PJ

Joy... again

I reflected on the issue of "where joy comes from" yesterday. However, this is so very important to capture. Our joy comes from God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 4:7 (NIV)
7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.

Psalm 19:8 (NIV)
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

I choose God, therefore, I am chosing the "joy of the Lord". I know where it comes from! I choose God in all the hardships of life and therefore, I choose joy! How about you? The longer I serve Him, the more I get to know Him and the more I trust Him... the more joy I have in my heart.

God bless you,
Pastor Joe

Joy

Today is Labor Day! Most people find joy in that thought because they don't have to go to work. However, the joy of this devo is more about a heart attitude in spite of the external conditions.

I find great joy from the Truth of knowing Jesus has forgiven me of my sins and I have the promise of heaven. It is hard to not allow the things of this world to influence our joy, but when I stay focused on the eternal values and truth, I do live in joy.

I once heard someone say that there is a difference between joy and happiness. Joy is a peace filled attitude of the heart, regardless of what happens. And, happiness is dependent upon nice things happening.

I believe JOY is a choice and I am choosing JOY!

God bless you and Happy Labor Day!
PJ

Childlikeness

This is an amazing thought. My parents never said; "act like a child!" But, Jesus we are to have faith like a child. I want to follow Christ with the kind of faith of a child. They are amazing, they simply believe, even though they don't understand everything. It seems to me like we adults think we have to understand everything before we will truly believe.

The bible, in the book of Hebrews, tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. That sounds rather childish... and I want to be like a child in the way I have faith in God and recieve the love of God.

In fact, the Bible doesn't challenge us to be intellectual critics but rather people of childlike faith.

How amazing!

I encourage you to "act like a child"!

God bless you!

PJ