22 September 2014
“Ever Try Dr. Skipper?”
Romans 15:4-5
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.
God gives patience and encouragement.
Encouragement comes from reading the Bible and patience comes from waiting for all God has promised to happen.
Consider how Abraham, Noah, and others are described in Hebrews 11:13-16...
All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland.
Abraham never ever met his grandson’s 12 sons. But as he raised his one son, Isaac, he continued to wait every day for what God said would happen to happen. And living that way makes one patient according to Romans 15:4.
I know a lot of people who pray for patience. But patience is not a consumable good God leaves on your doorstep for you to bottle up to crack open on the days your kids are fussy. Patience is the result of simply living expectantly for God to do what he has promised. That may seem unrelated to living with fussy children, an irritating boss, or hard financial times. But, if I blow up at my kids what actually happened? It may seem like I lack patience, but why did I lack patience with them? A lack of patience is actually rooted in the action of taking my mind off God and expectantly thinking that any moment any one of his promises might be fulfilled right in front of me. The result of ceasing to believe in God’s promises is not having patience because patience comes from God, so that is where my heart and mind must be or my kids will have a mommy that blows up a lot.
Human patience is an “act” and role we play to please others, it’s not lasting when the source is our own will power. Is human patience what people are praying for when they pray to have more patience? No wonder God doesn’t give it to us. It’s not helpful, it’s not good, and it’s not the real thing.
Ever drink Dr. Skipper??? My sister and I used to get a chuckle from 2 family friends of ours growing up that always brought bargain discount 2 liter bottles of soda to share at family parties and holidays. Well, it looks like Dr. Pepper, but after one sip you realize it is NOT Dr. Pepper. You don’t care to finish it, in fact, all drinking Dr. Skipper does is make you anxious to get to a Circle K and buy the real thing. It definitely would have been more considerate for them to spend the extra 10 cents and buy the real thing; the imitation was actually a big waste - no one drinks it!
It isn’t authentic patience unless it comes from God. And it comes from God as wait for him to carry out all of his good plans. It’s worth the extra time thinking about him and his promises because I prefer the real thing!
Dear God,
Thank you for making your Word so exciting and appealing today. Real patience doesn’t just come when I say so, it’s the result of a life spent thinking about you (the things of heaven and not the things of earth) like your Word says (Colossians 3:2). I pray that my kids would benefit today from a mommy who lives like this. I love you and thank you and appreciate the authentic patience you give. And I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
“Ever Try Dr. Skipper?”
Romans 15:4-5
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.
God gives patience and encouragement.
Encouragement comes from reading the Bible and patience comes from waiting for all God has promised to happen.
Consider how Abraham, Noah, and others are described in Hebrews 11:13-16...
All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland.
Abraham never ever met his grandson’s 12 sons. But as he raised his one son, Isaac, he continued to wait every day for what God said would happen to happen. And living that way makes one patient according to Romans 15:4.
I know a lot of people who pray for patience. But patience is not a consumable good God leaves on your doorstep for you to bottle up to crack open on the days your kids are fussy. Patience is the result of simply living expectantly for God to do what he has promised. That may seem unrelated to living with fussy children, an irritating boss, or hard financial times. But, if I blow up at my kids what actually happened? It may seem like I lack patience, but why did I lack patience with them? A lack of patience is actually rooted in the action of taking my mind off God and expectantly thinking that any moment any one of his promises might be fulfilled right in front of me. The result of ceasing to believe in God’s promises is not having patience because patience comes from God, so that is where my heart and mind must be or my kids will have a mommy that blows up a lot.
Human patience is an “act” and role we play to please others, it’s not lasting when the source is our own will power. Is human patience what people are praying for when they pray to have more patience? No wonder God doesn’t give it to us. It’s not helpful, it’s not good, and it’s not the real thing.
Ever drink Dr. Skipper??? My sister and I used to get a chuckle from 2 family friends of ours growing up that always brought bargain discount 2 liter bottles of soda to share at family parties and holidays. Well, it looks like Dr. Pepper, but after one sip you realize it is NOT Dr. Pepper. You don’t care to finish it, in fact, all drinking Dr. Skipper does is make you anxious to get to a Circle K and buy the real thing. It definitely would have been more considerate for them to spend the extra 10 cents and buy the real thing; the imitation was actually a big waste - no one drinks it!
It isn’t authentic patience unless it comes from God. And it comes from God as wait for him to carry out all of his good plans. It’s worth the extra time thinking about him and his promises because I prefer the real thing!
Dear God,
Thank you for making your Word so exciting and appealing today. Real patience doesn’t just come when I say so, it’s the result of a life spent thinking about you (the things of heaven and not the things of earth) like your Word says (Colossians 3:2). I pray that my kids would benefit today from a mommy who lives like this. I love you and thank you and appreciate the authentic patience you give. And I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
RSS Feed