Flourishing to the Finish: Patience to endure.

Mar 20, 2017

Saturday, I heard from my newly saved Grandson. He twisted his knee, I guess like twisting your ankle. He had to keep it elevated and wear a knee brace. We talked about trials, and how going through them makes us stronger. He got it, and I was very pleased with his attitude. He glorified God, silenced the Devil, and is bearing fruit! He found a walking stick that helped him walk and he was determined to go to Church at the Park with Pastor Jack on Sunday.

I talked to my other adopted Grandson, in Maryland, who has my car. He is doing so well, growing in the Lord. I am so proud of him. His Aunt was hurt in an accident and he took her flowers! Wow!

I talked to my Brother-in-law and he said my Sister in Oregon had to go to the hospital to get 2 blood transfusions because she had been taking a blood thinner medication and all of the bruising from the fall, caused her to loose blood and she became very tired. She is out of the hospital now and on pain medication.

I was awakened by a call from a friend in Maryland Sunday morning and it was just in time to hear the live stream of my Church. My Grandaughter here, was invited to a retreat today, she came over to get her Shaklee shake. I hadn't seen her for several days, it was good to see her.

Rev McLauhlin did the message at FTHCM of Maryland, in Bishop's absence. His question was:

Do I Have Patience?

Our Faith; (God's Word, God's Will, and His Son Jesus) is our walk.

We are complete in Jesus. (All I need, my fulfillment)

OUR FAITH MUST BE OUR WALK!

OUR WALK MUST BE OUR LIFE!

Patience is NOT:

Apathy,

Laziness,

What we do when we don't have a plan,

Having a lack of vision.

Patience is: Enduring without distractions.

Enduring is: To do something difficult for a long time,

Distraction is: To be turned aside with enticements.

Do I have the ability to walk, during difficult times, while being drawn aside?

Trials are tests and the objective of a test is to pass!

I. I have patience when I do not grow weary in well-doing.

We must go through.

We have a choice of the "High Life" when our affections are on Jesus. or

The "Low Life", when our affections are on other things.

A. I don't grow weary when I don't give in, I go through!

B. I don't grow weary when I remain firm, while suffering. (without yielding)

C. I keep going throug).

II. I have patience when I seek out the Wisdom of God. (Having a craving for, a strong inward desire for HIS WISDOM.

Wisdom is: applying knowledge, and applying it in a Biblical way.

A. I reject Man's wisdom.

1. Man's wisdom will support man's desires.

2. Man's wisdom will be tantalizing and beguiling (attractive).

3. Man's wisdom is limited.

B. I reject the World's wisdom.

It will always sound good, quick and easy and without consequences.

C. I live according to God's wisdom.

1. It tells us how to endure.

2. It tells us what to do.

3. Go to God, He has the answers:

Peace, be still

I am with you.

Always edifying

Always glorifying God.

God's wisdom is Jesus, the author and finisher of our FAITH.

II. I have patience when I know my reward is in heaven.

A. I know I am steadfast in the faith.

B. I am unmovable, unshakable from my faith.

C. I am always abounding in the work of the Lord. (Overflowing energy in the work of the Lord.)

Sunday was another 80+ degree day today and a nice breeze, I am beginning to get used to this. Lovin' it!

After I watched the Streaming live, I sat outside under my awning in my chair with my feet up enjoying the breeze. It was great. Later, my Christian-Organic-Actress-Hippy friend took me to the local "Dollar store" and Market to get a few things. She had to rush back to take delivery of their "New" Camper that they will travel in because it is better on gas. They will be able to store their Motor Home while they are gone.

She told me it was going to rain on Monday, so I put all my folding chairs and table, and mat, away and tried to put my awning up. I got stuck and had to get two of my neighbors to help. I think I got it now, and would be able to do the whole process by myself next time. The problem with putting all the outside stuff out, is putting all away again, oh well, such is life!

I also put my slide (the extension to the RV that makes it bigger) in, because the rain can collect in the awning above it and keep it from moving. That happened to us with our other Motor Home. We had to go out, get on a ladder and push up on the bow, that the water had collected in, and empty it before we could get the slide in.

Well it is after noon on Monday and it still hasn't rained. I see rain all around me in the mountains but not here. They changed the forecast to sunny. The temperature is 67 degrees and feels like 73. It is supposed to rain tomorrow and Wednesday, but what do they know?

I just talked to the man who sold me the RV and thanked him for leaving me all his stuff in the RV. Yesterday. the awning was flapping and I found a strap that I didn't know I had, that stabilized the awning and kept it from flapping. I called him to thank him and encourage him because I had heard his house had burned. He told me it had burned to the ground but no one was hurt. He is a Minister and knows that "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." Rom 8:28

Stuff and things can be replaced, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We have been created to endure hardship for His plan. God has purposed our lives to count for Him, to further His plan. Sometimes stuff and things can get in our way. What if your house burned down to the ground? What would you be thinking? Could you see it from God's perspective? Do we count the stuff and things or the amount of them, as the value in our lives? What is important to God? In times of trials and situations, how do we think?

I believe we need to know how to think before stuff happens so we will be better equipped to go through. God's got us when we know Him through His son JESUS! Jesus is the reason for any season!