Friday, February 7, 2020

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT -- LONG-SUFFERING

HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE GIVING UP?HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY GOD IS LETTING YOU GO THROUGH SOMETHING? HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE NO ONE REALLY UNDERSTOOD? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SO DOWNHEARTED AND DISCOURAGED WITH LIFE THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT CAN'T? THIS IS WHERE LONG- SUFFERING COMES IN.
* LONG - SUFFERING IS FAITH AND PATIENCE ALL IN ONE. IT IS PROBABLY THE MOST OF THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT THAT I HAVE ENJOYED STUDYING SO FAR, WHY? BECAUSE I AM EXPERIENCING IT IN MY OWN LIFE PRESENTLY.
* HOPE IN GOD ANCHORS THE SOUL. WE NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT GOD WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO.
*HOW DO WE NOT GIVE UP OR GIVE IN?? BY LONG-SUFFERING!. HE WANTS US ALL TO EXPERIENCE IT.

Hebrews 11:27 King James Version (KJV)

²⁷By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
*LONG-SUFFERING IS KIND OF LIKE PRUNING A FRUIT TREE. THE PROCESS INVOLVES PATIENCE AND TIME BUT THE FRUIT THAT FOLLOWS IS SO VERY SWEET.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 King James Version (KJV)

⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

Romans 5:3-5 King James Version (KJV)

³And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
⁴And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
⁵And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER WE ARE GOING THROUGH LONG-SUFFERING FOR A REASON.GOD IS TEACHING YOU TO DEPEND ON HIM LIKE NEVER BEFORE. HE IS MOLDING YOU AND MAKING YOU FOR HIM. * REMEMBER THE POTTER KNOWS THE CLAY AND HOW MUCH PRESSURE IT CAN TAKE.

Hebrews 6:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹²That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

I THINK LONG-SUFFERING IS A FRUIT THAT IS ESSENTIAL, BECAUSE IF IS NOT ,THEN HOW WOULD WE LEARN ALL OF GOD'S PROMISES?
* LONG-SUFFERING MAKES YOU HOLD BACK OR RESTRAINING WHAT WE REALLY FEEL , AND WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO. YIELD IT TO HIM, AND TRUST HIM TO HANDLE IT. ROMANS 5 :3-5 IS OUR REWARD.

Romans 5:3-5 King James Version (KJV)

⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

* TIME IS A BEST BUD OF LONG-SUFFERING. IT GIVES MORE TIME FOR PROBLEMS TO SOLVE THEMSELVES. THINK OF JOB.. HE IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THIS. HE WAS SICK, LOST THINGS, EVEN HIS OWN WIFE TOLD HIM TO CURSE GOD AND DIE, BUT YET HE MADE A DECISION TO FOLLOW GOD, AND TOUGH IT OUT,HE ENDURED AND IN THE END , HE WAS BLESSED TWOFOLD!
*DURING THIS TIME OF LONG-SUFFERING, WE CAN NEVER LOSE FAITH! GOD IS CARING FOR US, AND HE IS WORKING FOR OUR GOOD, AND FOR HIS GLORY.THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE IN HIS TIMING VS. OUR TIMING! BE STEADFAST AND ENDURE!
* FOLLOW JESUS' EXAMPLE OF LONG-SUFFERING. HE REMAINED TRUE, EVEN UNDER THE MOST DIFFICULT , AND WORST TREATMENT, WHEN HE WAS ON THE CROSS.
*SHOW THE WORLD AND YOUR LOVED ONES THAT EVEN DURING LONG-SUFFERING, YOU CAN COME THROUGH SHINING LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

Isaiah 40:31 King James Version (KJV)

³¹But 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.

*IN CLOSING, WE CAN BE GOING THROUGH LONG-SUFFERING, BUT IN THE END, WE CAN TRUST GOD, TO MOUNT US UP AND ENDURE. ENDURE- I LOVE THAT WORD AND STUDIED ON IT A BIT. IT MEANS TO LIVE THROUGH, EXPERIENCE, HOLD ON, ABIDE,AND GO ON.
LET'S ENDURE AND GO ON, EVEN THROUGH LONG-SUFFERING. JESUS IS WITH US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. REMEMBER, WHEN WE CAN'T, HE CAN!
HAPPY FRUITS FRIDAY, AND IN THE MEANTIME, BE KIND.THIS CAN BE HARD, CAUSE SOMETIMES, WE DON'T WANT TO BE KIND... KINDNESS IS OUR NEXT FRUIT! BE KIND, IT GOES A LONG WAY!