Harmonious Relationships

Today, the news is filled with stories about people being assaulted or killed because of dysfunction in a personal life or with couples and families. What causes people to have disharmony that would lead someone to hurt or kill a loved one? There are probably many contributing factors; but I would like to provide one answer for your consideration and that is: a lack of love and not knowing Love. In case you didn't know, love is really a Person. Hold on and let me explain with a passage from my guide for life: the Holy Bible [all Scriptures passages have been taken from the New Living Translation-NLT]:

"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." ~ 1John 4:7-8_NLT

Over 2,000 years ago, God showed His great love for mankind (the world) and gave His only begotten Son Jesus, who loved His Father so much that He was willing to make that supreme sacrifice. He left His home in glory (heaven) to come to earth for three (3) years to fulfill His Father's plan of redemption. After an act of high treason and betrayal by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, man was found doomed forever; but God had a plan to save mankind, so we would be redeemed from our sin debt and reconciled back to Him.  

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him (Jesus)." ~ John 3:16-17_NLT

When love is absent, it is replaced by a counterfeit of love, anger, hatred, fear and other unhealthy emotions that cause dysfunction in any relationship. Relationships are important and contribute to family life. A healthy family begins with a healthy relationship and marriage between a man and a woman.
 
I have a loved one, who was in a dysfunctional relationship that eventually fell apart. Unfortunately, it wasn't a friendly breakup, but thank God there was no loss of life. During that relationship my best recourse was prayer [God was the only, Who would listen]. After the breakup, I thought about what had transpired in that dysfunctional, co-dependent relationship and how things should or could have been. As a result of that reflection, I wrote the following poem.  

RELATIONSHIPS come and relationships go; and where they go: only loves knows. Sometimes, it is weak love or a counterfeit; maybe an abuse of love-with someone getting hit.

LOVE doesn’t misbehave; but sometimes it’s mishandled by those, not trained. Handle love with care: not carelessly- or it won’t bring you joy- only misery.  

O, my friend, LOVE doesn’t live to hurt; nor does it throw someone down in the dirt. It forgives and doesn’t keep any score. Every failure must be thrown out the door. Love knows how to be right and admits, when it’s wrong. When you build it on good things—your love will be strong!

You can’t build love on selfishness; that just won’t endure. Love that lasts is giving and has a heart that’s pure.

No secret motives to manipulate; but honesty that chooses to communicate. Love doesn’t yell and is all ears. Love’s not insecure and has no fears.

Perfect love casts out all fear; if you work at love- it will bless you for years.

When it comes to relationships: if you seek God's wisdom or the counsel of a wise friend, you won't have to get clarity about an unsuitable mate and situation from hindsight. Always be mindful of the following Don'ts: 

• Don't rush into any relationship, because love is patient and will wait if it's meant to be.
• Don't be pressured. If you're not sure about entering into a relationship: BE STILL and pray for evidence to justify your reservation.

"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It is not irritable, and keeps no record of being wronged...Three things will last forever--faith, hope and LOVE-- and the greatest of these is LOVE." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1,4-5,13 {I recommend reading the entire chapter.}  

It is my prayer that you will choose to walk in love and be prayerful about all your relationships. Let God guide you, because He knows what you can't see. Sometimes, we choose to learn the hard way; when prevention is better than cure. Remember: everything that looks good is not good for you! If you're a wise person, choose to walk with those, who are wise-- lest you become a fool.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6_NLT  

May God grant you healthy emotions that contribute to healthy relationships as you walk in Him (love). Selah [Pause and calmly think on that]!

#Shalom to you; and thank you for taking time to read this post! (*,*) 

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs Make One Wise

PROVERBS: a collection of moral sayings and counsels forming a book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture.

Solomon, the son of David, King of Israel, wrote the Proverbs so that people would know skillful and godly wisdom and instruction, discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight, receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice and integrity [Proverbs 1:2-3_Amp]. 

The Book of Proverbs contains 31 chapters, so you can read one every day [and read the last two on the 30th day of any calendar month (e.g. September)]. We will always need wisdom for our lives; but seeking the wrong kind of advice will bring the wrong results. The best place to look for wisdom is in God's Word, which is the Holy Bible. God is omniscient and therefore the best source of wisdom in heaven and on this earth. He longs for us to seek Him and His holy counsel; but sadly many reject it. Scripture encourages us to go to God if (and when) we need wisdom.

"If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind...[James 1:5-6_Amp]."

Scripture says we must go to God in faith and without doubting, when we seek wisdom; and I will explain the reason. If you went to a friend you considered a sage; you would expect to receive the right advice that would help you in making an immediate decision or give you insight for a future plan. You wouldn't go with a negative or pessimistic attitude; but you would have a sense of expectancy and believe the advice offered would be the best for you. This is how you should go to God: expecting by faith to receive His best counsel for your life.

There's great benefit in seeking out and heeding the Proverbs. A wise person will seek to gain more wisdom; but the foolish despise skillful and godly wisdom [Proverbs 1:7b_KJV]. Having a reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Because I revere and worship the Lord, I am always ready to receive His wisdom for my day to day life. It becomes the norm for me to seek Him at all times and under various situations. I have free access to His wisdom 24/7 and so can you.

Parents, who trust God have access to His wisdom, which they should teach their children. Wise children will never shame their parents; and as they mature; they will learn the benefits of heeding godly counsel or the detriment of rejecting it and following foolish friends. Sometimes, friends can entice others to do things that are not moral and/or will cause a loss to their victims.

"My son, if sinners (those not following and obeying God) entice you, do not consent. If they say, 'Come with us; let us lie in wait [to shed] blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause [and show that his piety is in vain] (Proverbs 1:11_Amp)..."

Wisdom instructs us to associate with wise people; because we become like the company we keep. "He who walks [as a companion] with wise men is wise, but he who associates with [self-confident] fools is [a fool himself and] shall smart [suffer] for it (Proverbs 13:20_Amp)."  Foolishness will always be at your heels and enticing you to yield to its ways; but wisdom cries out for us to heed her call and disregard the invitation of foolishness.

"WISDOM cries aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the markets; She cries at the head of the noisy intersections [in the chief gathering places]; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: 'How long, O simple ones [open to evil], will you love being simple? And the scoffers delight in scoffing and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge? If you will turn [repent] and give heed to my reproof, behold I [Wisdom} will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you [Proverbs 1:22-23_Amp].'"

TUNE your ear to Wisdom; and you will be able to heed her call; and will be made wise. If you ignore wisdom, go your own way--only to fail and come back crying and calling; she will not answer you. 

"Because I have called and you have refused [to answer], have stretched out my hand and no man heeded it, And you treated as nothing all my counsel and would accept none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when the thing comes that shall cause you terror and panic--- When panic comes as a storm and desolation and your calamity comes on as whirl wind, when distress and anguish come upon you, Then will they call upon me [Wisdom] but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently but they will not find me [Proverbs 1:24-28_Amp]..."

Wisdom is time-sensitive, which means we must be ready to hear and heed it [her] quickly. Keep your ears open for godly counsel and you will avoid disaster. Reading the Proverbs will increase your understanding about yourself and others. The wisdom of the Proverbs will help you to stay in a safe place and away the wrong people, who prey on others as sport. We also learn by wisdom that, although we think and make our plans, a wise answer [about the plan] will always come from the Lord. Wisdom knows that it is better to commit personal works unto the Lord and rest in His peace about things [Proverbs 16:1,3_KJV].   

Wisdom is discreet and knows how to behave in sensitive situations with volatile people. A wise person knows how to treat others regardless of their status and will never mock the poor or be glad at other's calamity; therefore he will avoid punishment [Proverbs 17:5_KJV]. "Discretion shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you [Proverbs 2:11_Amp]." Through wisdom, your life can be prolonged. "For by me [Wisdom from God] your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased (Proverbs 9:11_Amp)."

Wisdom benefits us in every area of our lives to include family. It will enable a
woman to build her house and not tear it down. "EVERY WISE woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands [Proverbs 14:1_Amp]."

There is so much you can learn from the Proverbs; so I invite you to read one each day to gain wisdom and/or increase your understanding of what you have already learned. Your life won't be free of problems; but it will full of godly counsel that will instruct you through the rough places in your life. 

"WISDOM is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding [Proverbs. 4:7_KJV]." 

Communion...

COMMUNION: 1. an act or instance of sharing; 2. a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are consumed as memorials of Christ's death or symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant or as the body and blood of Christ.

All the gospels but John give an account of Jesus and the Passover meal he had with His disciples in anticipation of His time to depart this world unto the Father. Only the gospel of John gives an account of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples [John 13:4-10]. All the gospels give an account of Jesus dipping in the same dish with the disciple, who would betray Him.

 At that same meal, Jesus instituted the Communion table, which is an emblem of His sacrifice for mankind. "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread and praising God, gave thanks and asked Him to bless it to their use, and when He had broken it, He gave it to His disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body. And He took a  cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you; For this is My blood of the new covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." -

Those who believe in Jesus and partake of what is called the 'Lord's Supper,' should have full understanding before taking it. Communion has become only a religious observance to many people; but it has a much deeper meaning [Kenneth Copeland: How to Receive Communion]

 That deeper meaning of Communion is found in Jesus' sacrifice on Calvary. It is at Calvary that Jesus became the supreme sacrifice for the sins and curses of mankind [Isaiah 53; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24]. He took our transgressions and iniquities upon Himself after enduring 39 stripes at the hands of  Roman soldiers and having to carry His own cross to the top of Mount Calvary. He was mocked, spit on, crowned with thorns, beaten to a bloody pulp, nailed to a cross and had His side pierced with a sword.  "Crucifixion was one of the most disgraceful forms of death; and one of the most painful and dreaded forms of execution." Jesus took our shame and literally became a curse for us.

Primarily, the Church has centered  its attention on the wine as an emblem of Jesus' blood that was shed for sin. We take the emblem of blood and say, 'Thank God, we are delivered from sin,' and that is true!...But the blood is only half of Communion. The bread is an emblem of Jesus' body that was broken for us. The emblem for His body is just as important as the emblem for His blood [Kenneth Copeland: How to Receive Communion]

 When we receive Communion today, we are receiving the body and the blood of Jesus. We must be sure not to eat "the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy [of Him] (1 Corinthians 11;27_Amp)." We must not be guilty of His body and blood and should take them in reverence and with thanksgiving.

"Let a man [thoroughly] examine himself, and [only when he has done] so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eat and drinks without discriminating and recognizing with due appreciation that [it is Christ's] body eats, and drinks a sentence (a verdict of judgment) upon himself." - 1 Corinthians 11:28-29_Amp

 To receive Communion means receiving everything Jesus' sacrifice provided for us:

• Salvation
• Peace of mind
• Healing
• Total prosperity

In the past, we have missed the full meaning of Communion by not completely judging ourselves when we partake of it. We have been ready to receive His blood and quick to judge ourselves where sin is concerned. We judge ourselves of sin and repent of it. But what about His body? It was broken for us. It was bruised for us. The stripes laid on Jesus' back were for our healing. At Communion, we should judge ourselves where sickness is concerned as well. Jesus purchased our healing at Calvary just as He purchased our salvation. [Kenneth Copeland: How to Receive Communion]

Because of all that Jesus purchased for us; we should always be ready to receive what He provided, when partaking of Communion. Just as we received salvation by faith; we must [be ready to] to receive the peace, healing and total prosperity. Total prosperity includes complete wholeness [spiritual, physical, emotional, and material]; because 'the body and blood of Jesus covered every area of our existence.'

The thing I appreciate about Communion is that, when you truly understand the meaning of it; you can no longer look at it as just a religious observance that is reserved only for the first Sunday of the month [at church]. As believers in Christ, we have the liberty to take Communion as often as we choose; but when we do so, we are to remember Jesus.

"For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord's death until he comes [again]." - 1 Corinthians 11:26_Amp

Communion can be taken at home alone and included in one's daily devotional time or in the evening. It can also be taken with a small group at a home Bible study. Once you have partaken of the body and blood of Jesus say this confession [which is written in first person]:

"Father, I give You thanks for all You have provided for me in Christ Jesus. I confess this day, I am the blessed of the Lord. This covenant I entered into at the new birth is a covenant filled with Your exceeding great and precious promises; and I am a partaker of those promises now! I am healed. I am redeemed. I am delivered from the authority of darkness. I am translated into the kingdom of Your dear Son. I am the head and not the tail. I am above and not beneath. I come behind in no good thing. All that I set my hands to prospers, and I praise You Father, for the newness of life I now enjoy. In Jesus' Name, Amen." [Kenneth Copeland: How to Receive Communion]

A WAY OUT

It had been a busy year, and although school had closed for the summer, there would be no fun in the sun for Nancy, because she needed a summer job. Next year she would be a high school senior. Being a senior meant many activities, and activities required MONEY!

Nancy was 17 years old and lived in a quiet neighborhood located in Rancho Cucamonga with her mother, Chloe, and two brothers, Sidney and Marcus, who were ages 15 and 13 respectively. They were “almost” a middle-class family, except her mother had to work two jobs just to make ends meet.  Nancy often dreamed of a better life for herself and her family, but it seemed like things would never get any better.

After seeing a job announcement advertising summer positions for teens 15-18 years of age, Nancy finalized an existing resume she wanted have for an interview the next day at the Alta Loma Sheraton.  A company outside of Cucamonga was seeking youth to work as tour guides for special summer events and all hires were also to attend training in Alta Loma. This training requirement could possibly lessen the chance of her mother giving Nancy permission. If her mother said “yes,” she would need to arrive to the hotel early as only the first 50 teens would be granted an interview.

When Chloe came home from work, Nancy did not waste any time in telling her mother about her resume, the summer job interview and the required training in Alta Loma. Her mother didn't really want to say “yes,” but knew she needed Nancy’s help with earning extra funds for next year’s senior high school activities.  After remembering that her cousin, who lived in Alta Loma could check on Nancy while she was in the city, Chloe finally approved and shifted her attention to fixing dinner.

Nancy’s excitement caused her to sleep light that night.  She arose early the next morning before the alarm clock buzzed.  After a quick shower, she fixed a cute hairdo, and found an appropriate outfit all before 7:00 a.m.  Since she was early, Chloe had time to drop Nancy off at the Sheraton on her way to her workplace in the surrounding area.

Once at the interview site, Nancy greeted a few classmates who had already arrived. The first 50 applicants were taken by elevator to an underground interview room.  She made sure her cell phone was in her purse so she could call her mother after the interview. Once in the interview room, which was furnished with tables and chairs, the applicants were told to find a seat. With eagerness, one of the teen boys blurted out, “When are you going to start the interviews?” A dark burly man with a strange accent stepped forward and told the teen to shut up, and without notice he felt the man’s back hand across his face—causing his lower lip to bleed. It quickly became evident that things were not going as anticipated. Here were 50 helpless teens trapped underground with no way out and their fate in the hands of total strangers. Each was subjected to a body frisk, which resulted in all identification cards, check cards, money, jewelry and cell phones being confiscated. Afterwards, Nancy and the other girls were led by a female, who looked American, to a different room while the teen boys remained in the interview room with the dark burly man. Suddenly, they heard a loud voice over the intercom say the following, “We would like to acknowledge the new employees added to our company today. Welcome aboard.  You are now our property!” 

For some unknown reason, Nancy was separated from the other girls, blindfolded, drugged and transported to a location outside of the state. When the drugs wore off, she was told she was in New York City and introduced to a woman who gave her a bag of skimpy outfits for her first job that night. She had been sold to a well-known slave lord in NYC, and one of “his girls,” Kat [a nickname for Kathryn], was to show her the ropes and tell her what she had to do each night to make money. They were unthinkable things and a virgin’s worst nightmare. Night after night, Nancy’s thoughts about home, her mother and brothers grew stronger and she wondered what they must be thinking. She had just vanished from the interview in Alta Loma and had no way to contact her family or friends. 

One fateful night, unbeknownst to Nancy, the silent prayers she had been offering in her heart since her kidnapping were going to be answered.  Her client, dressed in extraordinary attire, was unlike the other men, who considered her a sex toy. It turned out that this man actually wanted to help free her from her slavery and get her home safely. He introduced himself as Mr. Barnaba. After giving her his business card along with some important instructions, he told her he would meet with her again after arrangements for her departure were finalized.  Now full of hope, Nancy couldn’t wait to see Mr. Barnaba a second time because she would soon be free again and home with her family.

THIS IS ONLY A SHORT STORY, but there are many men, women and children, who are not as fortunate as Nancy to be freed from this Modern-day Slavery. Unfortunately, the stories of most present-day victims have a different and not so happy ending.  

Trafficking in Persons Report 2013

Secretary Kerry (June 19): "When we help countries to prosecute traffickers, we are strengthening the rule of law. When we bring victims out of exploitation, we are helping to create more stable and productive communities. When we stop this crime from happening in the first place, we are preventing the abuse of those who are victimized as well as the ripple effect that caused damage throughout communities into our broader environment and which corrupt our global supply chains. We all have an interest in stopping this crime. That’s why President Obama is so focused on this issue. And that’s why, as Secretary of State, I will continue to make the fight against modern-day slavery a priority for this Department and for the country." 

  

You're probably asking: "What can I do to help stop the atrocity of ‘Modern-day Slavery’?  You can lend your support by doing the following: educating ourselves and sharing information with others, offering fervent and consistent prayers, and giving financial gifts.  Please visit the websites below for more information:

www.NotForSaleCampaign.org, www.BarnabaInstitute.org, www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/33109.htm

http://www.humantrafficking.org/

http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/

Freedom is something we all hold dear, but it becomes more precious as the threat of it draws near. #VES

SUSPENSION

Happy August 1^st to you all! A new month with new possibilities! I am thankful to God!

This is a short post; but I believe it will be helpful to those of you, who frequent Social Media sites [e.g. Twitter]. Have you ever experienced any type of suspension in your life? Suspended from school during your younger years: a driver’s license, or temporarily from a membership?  Well, suspension isn't painful: but it’s unpleasant, because it means having privileges taken away for a period of time. Every organization that executes suspension has a designated time period for suspensions. So, we must be prepared to wait on their terms.

Have you ever been suspended from social media? They have a lot of rules you try for users to follow. If you get too zealous [they call it aggressive] in your activity; you will find yourself suddenly on suspension. What makes this suspension frustrating about resolving or appealing your suspension-- is that you can’t speak with anyone; and everything is done online. The support department has its days and times they address each case and you can find yourself in a waiting game. You sometimes wonder what they're thinking about; because you can't think of what you might have done to be get suspended. If it is your second time; you'll probably have to wait longer before your case is resolved and your activity is reinstated. It can be frustrating; because your account is locked and your followers/following numbers are reduced to zero [Yet, your followers are still in tact].

I've been suspended twice on Twitter and learned a few things to ensure I'm never suspended again! (*,*) There are things you can do during your suspension: create a temporary account under another name [use a middle name with a birth name][1]; you can contact followers via email if you exchanged personal information; and share your plight; and review the settings of applications you use for your followers [unfollowers.me, etc.]. Automated tweets are not acceptable with Twitter; so you might modify your settings to ensure that any new followers don’t receive an automated tweet. Twitter Support monitors numbers, so make sure you use discretion with Direct retweets, mentions and direct messaging. [SIDE NOTE: One problem that can occur with DMs is hackers will use your account to send unsolicited messages to your followers. This will exhaust your limit.] 

The irony of being suspended is that there are other users doing more damage with phishing and pimping users to increase their following. Many users fish around for people they can mention in a tweet. This is to make you think you know them. In turn, you will mention or even follow them. Once, you follow them, you give them access to your Timeline [TL].  It’s a good idea to check their profile and see what they’re doing on their TL. If they don’t look good; you can block them. I have no problem with having a 'block party.' It's important to protect your TL from online profiteers, crazy people and those, who don't share the same interests! Some people never tweet anything noteworthy; but they send mentions all day long. If they're not about what you're about; you don't want to invite the wrong users.

Once, your suspension is lifted, take things slow and try not to repeat the practices that initially caused your suspension.  It’s a good idea to curtail the mention of all those who favor, mention, reply and retweet your tweets. Don’t worry about what others are doing; because there are many people getting suspended for violating the rules [you just don't know them]. Just make sure you follow the rules, so your experience on Social Media can be a pleasant one. Happy Tweeting everyone! (*o*)

---

[1] This can pose a problem, because you can end up with two accounts. You can tweet your followers that your original account is active; but not everyone will take notice or unfollow the temporary account to join you at your original/active account. 

PATIENCE: A Key to Being Perfect

WHEN, you hear the word 'patience,' it might make you think of waiting in line at the supermarket; waiting for water to boil, while cooking; or even raising children [especially toddlers]! Patience can also be associated with enduring a personal trial, illness or dealing with trying relatives, friends or co-workers on the job.

PATIENCE is something we all need in life; but unfortunately it doesn't always come that easy, because we weren't born with it. But, we must make a deliberate effort to always be patient with God and with others. Maybe, you're asking: 'Where does patience come from? How do we get it and why do we really need it?' Those are all good questions and fortunately; there are answers. Some of the qualities you and I possess are natural and they are developed with consistent use and practice. At birth, we were unable to walk; because our bodies weren't developed to allow that activity. Over time, as we grew, so did our body parts and limbs. As a toddler, we toddled until we could walk and then we learned to run. We fell a lot before we got the hang of it, while our parents [patiently] cheered us on and kissed the 'owees' we suffered from falling. As children, we were taught patience, when we had to wait for dinner to be cooked, so we could eat. Homework had to be completed before television or other activities could be enjoyed. All of this involved waiting for the time we could get what we desired or earned. If your parents were like mine; you wouldn't get anything if you grumbled or complained instead of exhibiting patience.

Let's look some definitions: 

• Patient: 1. bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint; 2. manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain; 3. not hasty or impetuous. 
• Patience: 1. the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient. Some synonyms include: forbearance, long-suffering, sufferance, tolerance. 

While it's easy to associate suffering with patience; this is not always the case. Look at the following words and think about them carefully: BEARING WITHOUT COMPLAINT. Being patience doesn't always involve bearing pains; but the wrong attitude can make the attempt at being patient- painful. Some people do bear [physical] pains. But, because they refuse to grumble and complain; their pain can be minimized with the absence of a negative attitude. A bad attitude will always complicate things; make a bad situation worse; and make an experience of waiting unbearable, because it will cause a delay.

Tolerance is really what we need in life to survive and succeed with others. We MUST have tolerance with one another! Patience is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God [Galatians 5:22]. God doesn't just want us to exist in this life; but He desires that we thrive and live according to His Word, will and way. We can obey and please God in this and other areas of life, when are are born again [John 3:16-18; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17]. The reason why being patient is a challenge-- stems from our human desire to have what we want, when we want it. We seek to satisfy our human needs and desires without delay. As a result, immediate gratification has become the rule for today's society.

Waiting is something we will all have to do as long as we live-- like it or not. But, the way we wait can smooth out the rough edges of our experience. No one in heaven or on earth is perfect, but God; However, we can take steps to emulate Him and His Son by reading and heeding His Word [the Holy Bible]. Since, we can't avoid waiting in life; we will need to exercise patience. When you're dealing with a trial-- remember it does have an expiration date and be sure to thank God during your trial [faith believes God without seeing the outcome]-- for bringing you out victoriously! 

"Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be '[people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking nothing." -James 1:3-4_Amplified

Patience works best, when you have faith in God. We must believe that God will be with us and not leave us alone during trying times [Hebrews 13;5-6]. But, God is concerned about how we wait. If we believe He is with us; we won't have to grumble and complain. We can put the situation in His hands and rest in His peace [Isaiah 26:3; 1 Peter 5:7]. Let patience become your friend instead of a dreaded enemy. If you master being patient; no trial or time of waiting will overwhelm you or steal your peace in God. 

Patience also involves showing common courtesy to others, who might challenge your tolerance level. But remember the courtesy you show to others, you will receive in the future. Scripture reminds us: "So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is the [sums up] the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12_Amplified) 

I know I said it before; but I will say it again: Exercising patience with others is a must; Because, you will surely have a need for others to be patient with you before you depart this life. The next time you're feeling like you've got things under control: consider your level of patience. Have you mastered waiting graciously or do you still grumble and complain? If you master patience; intolerance won't be able to master you! Remember: PATIENCE will help you through the trials of life; And make you PERFECT [complete] and tolerable! (*,*)

SpiritLessons.com / DivineRevelation.info (playlist)