Patience is a Virtue

If you are patient, you are rich indeed!! Why do I say that? What's so great about being patient? This is one question, I always ask myself again and again. Now, check this Wikepedia meaning of patience!

Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast.

Wow!! That's a lengthy definition. But, seriously, patience is not breaking under......any strain or any stress.....

I have realized something that patience and suffering go hand in hand. Coz, when you are patient (with a person, circumstance, injury.....) you actually suffer. No wonder, we cower from being patient!

One of my favorite verses in the Bible on patience is James 5:7-11. Here, God calls us to be patient and points to the farmer for us to emulate. The farmer patiently waits for the precious fruit of the earth. Then, we are called to look to the suffering prophets and finally to Job!!

I love the end of verse 11, "You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful."

Hence, I will conclude that it is good to be patient and wait expectantly under the Lord's hand.

Are you content?

In the past few months I have been reading books on contentment. One from Jeremiah Burroughs-Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment and the other by Stephen Altrogge- The Greener Grass Conspiracy...You must be thinking aint this an overdose on learning the art of contentment?? Nope, our hearts are very deceitful and we need to be steered to the truth every single waking moment of our lives.

Its been a while now, almost over 6 months since i have been reading these books. I struggled with discontentment when i did not have a job and I struggle today when I do have one... So what is the main cause for discontentment.

The answer:The disposition of our heart.

Our heart is very wicked and is never satisfied with anything  that we have. It will always seem less. It is a lie that we believe that If I have more I will be happy. One of the ways in which we can battle discontentment is by thanking the Lord for the immense blessings He has showered on us. The following Puritan prayer summarizes  it in the following words:

O Lord I am astonished at the difference

between by receivings and my deservings,

between the state I am now and my past gracelessness

between the Heaven I am bound for and the hell  I merit...

O that a crown should fit the head of such a sinner!

such high advancement be for an unfruitful person!

such joys for so vile a rebel! ( "The Mover")

May this prayer always remind us of our blessings! 

A video to help you understand the true state of our heart:)

Seek God's Wisdom

 

 

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

"What a friend we have in Jesus" is one of my favorite hymns. It was written by Joseph Scriven who came to believe in Jesus Christ after losing his bride-to-be on the eye of their marriage. She was drowned a couple of hours before she became his bride. We can never imagine his pain and anguish. But isn't it amazing that he found true peace and rest in the arms of His Savior Jesus Christ. Please read the lyrics of this song keeping in mind Joseph who lost his beloved!!

 What a friend we have in Jesus, 
 all our sins and griefs to bear! 
 What a privilege to carry 
 everything to God in prayer! 
 O what peace we often forfeit,
 O what needless pain we bear, 
 all because we do not carry 
 everything to God in prayer. 

 Have we trials and temptations? 
 Is there trouble anywhere? 
 We should never be discouraged; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Can we find a friend so faithful 
 who will all our sorrows share? 
 Jesus knows our every weakness; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 

 Are we weak and heavy laden, 
 cumbered with a load of care? 
 Precious Savior, still our refuge; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 
 Take it to the Lord in prayer! 
 In his arms he'll take and shield thee; 
 thou wilt find a solace there.

A Careless Word

We need to be so careful with our words, a lesson I am still learning the hard way. Every word reveals the true intention of our heart. There is no such thing as 'I was just kidding' or 'I didn't really mean that'. Every word we speak tells something about the condition of our hearts. True!! Words can either heal or kill. How often we slay people with our words, not realizing we will eat its fruit.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:1 (NASB)
"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

Reason for Existence

"What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we have in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? To know God. What is the best thing in life? To know God. What in humans gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself." - J. I. Packer