Prelude: The Scope of Patience

Greetings folks,

As another character subject, this time let's take a look at patience. Like anger and zeal which we've previously looked at, this too is a matter of the heart. Since believers are ambassadors, literally representatives of Christ, His patience level and ours should readily be in sync. Ultimately, in the end they will be, but now we all must continually examine ourselves.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself: Would you consider yourself to be a patient person? Would your friends, family members, co-workers, etc. agree with you? Most importantly, would God agree with you? How exactly do you judge patience?

Moreover, for now, consider the following thoughts and questions. We'll talk more about some of these later.

• When you demonstrate patience; you are also demonstrating faith. Usually, some level of vision is present too.
• Patience is a natural component of faith (Hebrews 11:1).
• Consider the Prodigal son's request and the timeliness of it. Anything a person receives too soon may support an inner dysfunction.
• Technological advances may have an impact on how we view time.
• Why is patience important to God?
• What does your patience reveal about you?
• When, how, and to whom did Jesus demonstrate His patience when He walked the earth? What about God in the Old Testament?
• Is demonstrating patience a choice? Can it be exhibited by everyone? Can you be patient in one instance and impatient in another?

Stay tuned...

Extend The Grace

"Freely you have received, therefore freely give."

Just a quick note on extending grace to others...

All too often, in a moment of frustration or dissatisfaction with someone (e.g. relative, co-worker, friend, etc.) we fail to extend to them the same grace that God consistently extends to us. This day, make a conscious effort to renew your mind in the spirit of grace. Let us not be too hard or critical concerning another's failure to honour a command of God or even a personal request. At that moment, let us become consciousness of God's grace in our own lives and then extend such grace to others. Writer and theologian C.S. Lewis captures our human, nonetheless adjustable condition concerning this:

"This year, or this month, or, more likely, this very day, we have failed to practice ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other people."

--The Case for Christianity
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)

A Final Note:
Since we are living in the dispensation of grace: from God toward man. It should be then reciprocated from man toward man!

DSW

A Memorable Quote - Dec 09'

Greetings everyone!

I just wanted to share this brief quote that I read during a recent study. I'm sure it will be a blessing to you as it was to me.

Lewis S. Chafer (1871-1952) - the renowned evangelist, bible teacher, and founder of the Dallas Theological Seminary (originally Evangelical Theological College) once wrote:

"When led of the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, and as prepared to be silent as to speak."

Scripture ref. Romans 8:14

Be sure to post your comments!
DSW

"Kingdom Entrance: Grace Let Us In" - Part One

GRACE — favor or kindness extended without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that person deserves. Grace is one of the key attributes of God. "The Lord God is "merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth" (Ex. 34:6). Grace is always associated with love, mercy, compassion, and patience.

"It is because of God's love that grace was (and is) extended toward us."

In the Old Testament, a supreme example of the grace of God was the redemption of the Hebrew people (Israel) from Egypt and their establishment in the Promised Land (Canaan). This did not happen because of any merit or righteousness on Israel’s part, but in spite of their unrighteousness.

(Deut. 7:7-8) - The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

(Deut. 9:5–6) - Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.

Now in the New Testament, the grace of God was fully revealed and given in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the very embodiment of God's grace (John 1:14), bringing it to mankind for salvation (Titus 2:11). By His death and resurrection, Jesus made possible the restoration of the broken relationship (sonship) between God and His offspring (mankind). This is salvation. So the only way for any person to have a 'restored relationship' with God is "through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:11). It was therefore Jesus which brought the "gospel of grace" fully into the world (John 1:17). Thank you Jesus!

"God is love, and in this dispensation He has extended His grace to all mankind in the person of Jesus Christ."

The theme of grace is especially prominent in the letters of the apostle Paul. He sets grace radically over against the law and the works of the law (Rom. 3:24, 28). Paul makes it abundantly clear that salvation is not something that can be earned; it can only be received by grace (Rom. 4:4, Eph 2:8-9).

{Reference: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary}

To be continued.....in the meantime, if you haven't already - check out the scriptures mentioned above and take a look at the story of Nicodemus in John 3:1-8.

DSW