Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Beelieve- Know God Intimately: God Is Longsuffering Part 2






For other Word Filled posts please click here
For previous Know God Intimately lessons please click here

For part one of this lesson please click here

CONCLUSION

Time and again God continues to reveal Himself to be longsuffering, as David wrote in his psalm: “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15

God could have justly destroyed every sinner (which is all of us) the first time (and every time) they sinned (which we all do!). Instead He patiently endures rebellion rather than giving sinners what every sin deserves (immediately) -- eternal punishment! God continues to endure the unbelief, rejection, hatred, blasphemy, and iniquity, while patiently allowing time for repentance. Peter writes: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance...15 and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:15.

For those of us who truly desire to be His children, and led by His Spirit, we will want to become like Him, as David wrote "Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth;" - Ps 86:11a

As believers we are called to “be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Eph. 5:1) and “as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, (to) put on (like a garment) a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (longsuffering), bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” (Colossians 3:12,13)

Dear gracious, merciful Father, next time someone may “wrong” me, may I recall the infinite mercy and longsuffering You have granted to me! Heavenly Father, may I be careful to respond properly to Your longsuffering towards me (Romans 2:4-6). May my life imitate You in all I say and do. Thank you Lord for being so patient with me! In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Action To Take:
List some specific unbelievers whom you would like to see trust Christ as Savior. Then begin to pray that God will give them a sense of His long-suffering and use it to bring them to Himself. Think of some recent occasions when you have been short-tempered with people. Go to them personally, ask their forgiveness, and express to them your desire to become more long-suffering.



13 comments:

Angela said...

POWERFUL post....and that pic..oh my goodness gracious..So amazing with the scripture that you used...

Mary Moss said...

Oh my goodnes!! Thank you for you the great example though the photo! Very fitting scripture:-)

Tracy said...

What a photo! Powerful visual when put in the context of your verse. Powerful post, as well, Michelle. Thank you for this challenge today.

Blessings,
Tracy

LauraLee Shaw said...

What great teaching! This is magnificent. Happy WFW!

Laurie Ann said...

Great lesson here, Michele! Teach it, sistah! Happy WFW!

He & Me + 3 said...

Ewww, this is a post I needed today. I need to be longsuffering with my son..He ran away from me at Target today. Ugh. Lord help me.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Oh my!! What a picture! Wonderful lesson but I'm so glad my children are beyond those years.

Anonymous said...

This is the second time I've visited your blog, and I guess I didn't pay much attention to your header the first time -- 'cause I just realized you have one of my favorite verses posted there! (Ps.18:29) Very cool! :D

luvmy4sons said...

That picture is a represesntation of what it feels like right now with my teens. They may not be dumping paint on everything...but symbolically they are...and I weary. Thanks for this post today. Forgiveness and mercy beign in the home...and it is most hard when you must do it so often and forget self as the teens stretch their wings smacking you in the face as they go! Thanks for this!

Susannah said...

Inspiring! And what a telling photo. Blessings, e-Mom

Cathryn said...

Hi Michele, I've missed coming by. I plan to do better. Spring is almost here! Things are about the same around here. Continuing with the help.... God is in control. Love, Cathryn

Alexis said...

Hi Michelle!
I gotta say - about that photo - WOW! That must be what we are like to God... always getting ourselves into really REALLY messy situations! GREAT POST!!

Amydeanne said...

oh this one made me hold my breath! lol

great post!