Date: 02/20/2023

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory, Power, and Dominion forever and ever and to the Holy Ghost that is yet abiding in the body. This month’s key phrase is Endurance. This week’s message looks at Abiding with Patience.

Saints and Friends, when we need patience, we usually pray, “Lord, give me patience … and I want it now.” But one can’t learn patience by listing to a sermon unless the sermon is so long, they must practice it while they listen. Nor can they learn patience by reading a book unless the book is so boring that they must muster up patience to finish it. The only way to learn patience is by taking life as it comes. It is holding on, gritting your teeth, clinching your jaw, riding out the storm. So, I want to give some practical suggestions that I think will help us prepare to meet God.

To come closer to Jesus, learn about Him. The scriptures teach of Jesus Christ and His gospel. As you study the scriptures, you will feel the love Jesus has for us. The New Testament contain firsthand accounts of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, allowing us to learn from both His example and His words. And that is not easy. Joyce Landorf writes, “God’s waiting room is the most difficult aspect of the Christian experience.”

In the Greek language, the term for patience is often translated “long-suffering.” It’s a compound word. The first part means “long or far.” The second part means “hot, anger, or wrath.” Putting it together we literally have “long-anger.” We have an English expression “short-tempered.” We would not miss the meaning very far if we called patience “long tempered.” Patience is that ability that keeps us from blowing up when events don’t go our way or losing our cool when others upset us. We as believers are exhorted to display patience. James wrote, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” James 5:7-8 tells us, “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James shows how the farmer demonstrates patience. A farmer cannot make it rain or give growth. He must rely on God to act in the most wise and merciful way.

In closing, the secret of patience is abiding. We must learn to rest and endure under the load of pain and suffering. We abide under the load of pain and suffering by abiding with a God who is faithful. We must not only learn to abide in Christ but also abide with Christ under the struggles and the pressures in life. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). We don’t have to live in the doubt and uncertainty that come with relying on our own wisdom. God saved us for His purposes and will give us guidance if we ask for it. But we must be careful not to think He is late if He doesn’t act when we think He should. God is always right on time; we are the ones whose timing is off. The wisest action is to patiently trust God, wait, and watch to see what He will do. Next week’s phrase will be Affirm the Presence.Until then remember, “…with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem
General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop