I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. Proverbs 4:11-13
The other day I was in a hurry when I got out of my car to go into work. It was raining and I was carrying my computer case, backpack, and coffee. I put a sweater above my head because I didn’t have an umbrella. I began running and misread the height of the curb where the sidewalk started. My shoe directly hit the curb, and I fell hard on the sidewalk. It all happened so quickly. Suddenly, the rain didn’t seem like such a big deal. I was stunned and hurt but got up as quickly as I could.
I was able to get antiseptic and bandages and I was put back together in no time. 😊 If you’ve ever fallen, you know it jostles your body. The whole experience really made me tired. It also caused me to think. It could have been so much worse. What if I had fallen on my head instead of my knees?
No one plans a fall. I didn’t get up last week and think… “This will be a good day to fall.” A fall hurts. The aftermath can mean scrapes, scratches, bruises, body aches, and even broken bones. The time it takes to be restored to health depends on the severity of the fall.
Falling last week reminded me of how we are all capable of a spiritual fall. Maybe we aren’t reading the bible, praying, attending church, or just not engaged like we need to be. The rain begins, and all the sudden without warning, we’ve fallen. I’m thankful that our heavenly Father is ready to pick us up and care for us after a fall, but I’d rather be doing my best to avoid falling in the first place. The time it takes to be restored to health depends on the severity of the fall.
I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. Proverbs 4:11-13
One of the benefits of working in an assisted living facility is enjoying great conversations and observing the lives of those who’ve chosen to make Wedgewood home. I currently know 3 couples who have been married over 70 years. All 3 live independently in Garden Home Condominiums. I find this quite incredible. 2 of the couples are retired pastors and the other couple I recently found were congregation members of one of those pastors. The honor and love they show each other after all their years together is beautiful.
I’m not intentionally watching their lives, but my quiet observations teach me so many things. Who better to learn from than couples who’ve intentionally chosen each other and stayed together for over 70 years? They’ve not only chosen each other; they’ve chosen Jesus as Lord and Savior. They’ve chosen to pour into other’s lives repeatedly. They truly demonstrate living out the call of God on their lives without quitting. I’m sure there were times they could’ve chosen to quit church, quit their calling, or quit each other, but here they all are 70 plus years later. I’ve even watched God continue to perform miracles in their lives. I also believe I’ve seen God honor them.
Yes, it truly is an honor to enjoy conversations and learn from those 3 couples and so many other amazing folks over the years. I am surrounded by a wealth of wisdom every day. How blessed am I?
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:1-2
My husband and I went for a walk the other night up and down our road. It was a perfect evening to be outside. When we take walks, no matter where we happen to be, he always makes a point of walking on the outside of me, as to protect me from getting hit. It’s something he feels very adamant about. Last night was no exception. I find it very sweet, considering our road could arguably be one of the least traveled roads in the area. No one ever comes down our road unless they are delivering something, or they’re lost. This is one of my husband’s demonstrations of love for me. In fact, even though he often tells me he loves me, I’m secure knowing he loves me more by his demonstrations. What good would it do for him to tell me he loves me, then push me out into the middle of traffic? That sounds crazy, right? His actions wouldn’t be showing love at all, but just the opposite.
My mom always says… “actions speak louder than words.” I know we’ve all heard that phrase but growing up I heard this often from her. I guess it begs the question today… what are my actions saying and who are my actions saying it to? If actions truly speak louder than words, what are your actions saying? Better yet, what is my lack of actions saying?
Today would be the perfect day to put action behind our words. Better yet today is the perfect day to go out of our way to show we care.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
How will you devote2day?
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1: 9-11
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Forbearance is more than just patience; it is an active choice to remain calm and supportive when others challenge us or let us down. To Show mercy, grace, and self-control.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:1-5
We are set apart as Christ followers. Our goal as Christians is to look, think, and act differently. We live by a higher standard. People should be able to look at our lives and see God’s love. Based on the way we live; people should be drawn to us. Our unity as the body of Christ in this country and around the world- (The Church) comes from the most well-known verse in scripture:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Our unity as The Church depends on you and me living out the fruits of the spirit daily. In this case- forbearance. God’s word says “Take up your cross daily.”
It starts with me.
While reading Ephesians 4: 1-5, this scripture hit me in such a different way. It was one of those Holy Spirit gripping moments. God has placed me to a higher standard. It’s not the standard set by men. I’m a child of God. I’m separated. When I look at this scripture considering “forbearance” it just may be that every day I must make an active choice to remain calm and supportive when others challenge me or let me down and show mercy, grace, and self-control and live in forgiveness.
Every-Single-Day
May we all choose to demonstrate forbearance in our lives daily, as if someone’s eternity depends on it.
How will you devote2day?
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
I asked The Lord to show me what to study next. Here it is. I’ve landed at Forbearance/Patience I look forward to seeing where this will lead.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Patience- : bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint; manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain; not hasty or impetuous; steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Ephesians 4:2 With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to bring His disciples word. Matthew 28:1-8
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:1-8
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. Luke 24:1-12
Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were [e]assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:1-23
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. Luke 22: 41-43