August 29 – Luke 18:1, 9
Luke 18:1, 9 Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up….” However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” In between those two sentences is the story of the widow who kept bothering the unjust judge. I knew that story was about praying, but I guess I hadn’t realized that it was laid out in plain words — “always pray and not give up.”... Read More
August 28 – Psalm 12:6, I Peter 1:25
Psalm 12:6 Amp, I Peter 1:25 The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over. The Hebrew word for pure (also translated “tried” in II Sam 22:31 and Psalm 18:30 and “flawless” in the NIV) is a metal-smelting word. Silver ore is melted, and the impurities are separated from the liquid silver. In the Bible the number seven symbolizes perfection. So... Read More
August 27 – Proverbs 13:11
Proverbs 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. I don’t know why this verse is so encouraging to me. It sort of seems like “duh.” But the little-by-little-ness of it is helpful, and not just with money. With time, with parts of a project, with character. Each tiny step forward IS important. It becomes part of a whole. Or, in wanting to lose weight (which is not your issue,... Read More
August 26 – James 1:4
James 1:4 Amp 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 in nothing. I love this verse! Don’t try to sidestep or cut short what God is doing in you. Let patience do its perfect work. Endure. Learn. Ask God what He wants to teach you in what you’re going through. Be moldable clay. Trust. See? He’s... Read More
August 25 – II Peter 1:5-8
II Peter 1:5-8 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pretty... Read More
August 24 – Romans 5: 3-4
Romans 5: 3-4 No only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. The word in the Greek that used to be translated “patience” is now often translated “perseverance.” They both have the same idea — “I can do this. I can go through this. I will hold on.” To me it also says that I’ll do this well. I... Read More
August 23 – Psalm 40:1
Psalm 40:1 Although you’re probably already doing all of this, these are a few things that help me be more patient. 1). Get a bigger picture. Like — this will pass. Or, in the grand scheme of things, how important is this? Or, is this eternal in significance? Or, mom (or wives or women or people) have been doing this or going through this for millennia; I can, too. 2). Trust God. His timing, His ways. 3). Wait waitingly. That’s... Read More
August 22 – Introduction to Patience
Introduction to Patience Annie, you’ve said your biggest struggle right now is with patience, so I thought I’d do a study of it. And I found some interesting things. The word hardly occurs in the Old Testament. And in the New, it usually means something like perseverance, usually through some kind of tribulation. Makes something like “Oh no, ANOTHER dirty diaper” or even the third straight hour of a screaming healthy baby... Read More
August 21 – Psalm 28:1
Psalm 28:1 Unto You do I cry, O Lord; my rock, be not deaf and silent to me; lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those going down to the pit. This card is for me, not you, this morning, Annie. Since I can’t seem to get beyond myself, you’re going to have to hear me write to myself. All I can do this morning is cry. But I’m not crying to God, I’m wallowing in my situation. I’m just crying. I know — I... Read More
August 20 – Colossians 3:15
I’ve been thinking about peace. If it’s between people or nations, they’re not fighting. So I’ve been trying to put my finger on what’s not at war when it’s within us. I was trying to pin it down to one thing, but have decided it could be many — us against our conscience, or against God; fear against trust; greed against generosity. Lots of things. But it seems like, when we have un-peace, that it would... Read More
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