Special for today: Growing the Fruit of Patience

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Ramona

Main Ingredient: Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:, 7,8

The Greek words “hupomone” and “makrothumia”, which are often translated as perseverance or patience in the New Testament implies cheerful or hopeful endurance, longsuffering, self-restraint before proceeding to action, long in place or time.

The Bible tells us (Romans 5:3, 4  and 1 Peter 1:6-9) we are to look at our various trials as opportunities to strengthen our faith and grow more like Jesus. By keeping our focus on God through these seasons of difficulty, we learn perseverance, which leads to maturity. This keeps those feelings of bitterness from growing in our heart.

When I become weary in waiting, it is often because I take my eyes off the Lord and place them on myself and the circumstances surrounding me. That’s when my hope begins to wane and my impatience grows. This is hardly the picture of cheerful or hopeful endurance.

During times of waiting on the Lord, He reveals my impure hidden motives. I’m forced to ask myself hard questions. Why do I want what I’m asking for? Is my desire for the thing I wish stronger than my desire for the will of God to be fulfilled? Do I really trust God? He asks me to think on all the things I am grateful for, not on what I am lacking. And then, He asks me to trust Him.

I am so grateful that God does not require perfection from me but He does ask that I keep on growing, leaning on the marvelous grace of our Jesus. When I realize just how impatient I have been, He calms me and says to my heart, “Come to Me. You are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest”. Broken, I settle down in His arms quiet and teachable.

Learning patience is important because it brings a time of letting go and letting God. Patience brings trust in His perfect timing. It brings faith that even though I can’t see any change, God is working. It takes away worry. God knows every need and His purpose in waiting is to bring more glory out of it all. Ultimately, patience leads to worship.

James 1:2 tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials”. This joy centers on God and His presence in our experience – not on the details of our circumstances.

Patience makes us more like Jesus. It is a sweet Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Pray for it, but try to be patient – patience doesn’t bloom right away!

Take out: God desires that we wait on His perfect timing. He understands our weaknesses and longs to comfort us in our trials.

Dessert:  Take a few minutes to read II Corinthians 1:3-5 and write a prayer of Thanksgiving to the Lord, specifically listing all you are grateful for regarding the trial you are in. Think on these today and give thanks each time you bring one to mind.

Special for today: Growing the Fruit of Patience

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Ramona

Main Ingredient: Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:, 7,8

In the middle of a cold, dark winter, I received a glimpse of spring in the form of a gardening catalog.  My spirits were lifted as I flipped through the pages of vivid, colorful flowers in full bloom. I decided on an order of wildflowers that would return to my garden year after year.

Early that spring, my order arrived. I couldn’t wait to tear into the package. My heart and jaw fell as I retrieved dead, brown sticks from the envelope. They were a far cry from the colorful garden growing in the picture of my mind.

Furious, I wanted to throw them away but my husband urged me to plant them anyway and see what would happen. Spring came and went and no wildflowers were seen. Feeling cheated and guilty for trusting pictures – I vowed never to order from the catalog again.

The next spring something amazing happened! I began to see strange sprouts in my flower garden. A few weeks passed and my garden began to flourish and resemble the beautiful wildflowers I had “planted” in my mid-winter dreams the year before.

I thought it would be impossible for those dead sticks to grow anything! I had given up on them after no visible signs of their growth only to be amazed at their transformation much later than I expected.

I should have been more patient.

This reminds me of other struggles with patience I have had. In my trials,  circumstances I see with my physical eyes make change seem impossible. So often I have been tempted to give up hope and stop praying. I have grown impatient waiting on the Lord and have taken matters into my own hands only to make a monumental mess of things.

I should have been more patient. I should have waited on the Lord’s perfect timing.

With other people, I have failed to give the grace I have been given. I have been impatient with my family members, close friends and people I don’t know. Instead of serving this blessed Fruit of the Spirit, I have thrown the rotting fruit of a judgmental attitude their way.

I should have been more patient. I should have remembered His patience with me.

Take-out: Lord, forgive us for being so impatient. Impatient with our love ones, friends and others we come in contact with. Most importantly, forgive us when we grow impatient with You and try to take matters into our own hands. Give us a healthy dose of humility and help us to remember how patient You are with us. In the Mighty Name of Jesus.

Dessert:  Try keeping a prayer journal.  Write down your prayers and make sure that you date them.  When a prayer is answered, write the date the answer came and how it was answered.  When you are struggling with patience, return to your prayer journal and see all the prayers that God has answered in the past.  The knowledge that God DOES answer prayers in HIS perfect timing can sometimes give US the patience that we lack. Trusting in God and turning to Him in all circumstances helps to produce those fruits of the Spirit in us.

Today’s Special is: Let’s talk, we want to hear from you!

We’re talking this week about the Fruit of the Spirit which is Patience.  Waiting on the Lord can be so hard sometimes, especially in the world we live in today where we have to wait for very little.  In our world of microwave or fast food dinners and instant gratification it can be near impossible to wait for anything.

How do you exercise patience and how have you been blessed by waiting on the Lord? 

Leave us a comment and share your ideas with others. 

May our Great God encourage you as you encourage others.

Today’s Special is Got Patience?

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Meaghan Coale

Main Ingredient – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4

Entrée – Have you ever prayed for patience?  After doing so, have you wanted to say “never mind God”?  I have, especially because God is quick to answer me.  Before I know what hits me, my A/C unit does not work, my children are not cooperating, I’m upset with myself, I’m disappointed in the lack of help I’m receiving from God… Are you getting the picture?  I was hoping God would just give me patience.   Better yet, God is giving me many opportunities to practice patience.  God tests me by making me wait on His plan and His will.  He tests me with real people and real situations.  He even gives me the Holy Spirit and His Word to keep me in check with my actions. 

Patience is defined as enduring hardship without complaint.  It’s associated with calmness, self-control, willingness to tolerate delay, and giving up what is due.  The list goes on.  No wonder patience is a virtue.  We live in an instant society.  We want everything yesterday and do not want to experience any discomfort in the meanwhile.  If life was truly that easy, would we feel the need for God?  When we face trials of many kinds, God wants us to consider it pure joy.  It is our opportunity to become more like Christ.  Our trials give us endurance, perseverance, character, faith, and hope.  If we are fortunate enough, through it all we will experience the fruit of the Spirit – patience. 

Life is going to happen regardless.  We can choose to be impatient.  Impatience usually makes a bad situation even worse.  It causes you to worry, be angry, discontent…all the things God warns you to stay away from.  He does not want you to handle it on your own.  He hopes you’ll lean on him.  So next time when things do not go your way, you can smile, knowing God is molding you, because he loves you.  Have an eternal perspective and look forward to the day that God says to you….”Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Take out –Dear Lord, Thank you that You have patience with us.  Thank you that You forgive and forget.  Thank you that You are a God of second, third, & fourth chances.  Thank you that You never give up on us.  Lord help us to see each trial in our life as an opportunity to become more like your Son.  Please give us Your strength to do so.  Help us to share Your patience with the world.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Dessert:  Galatians  5:22; Romans 5:3-5; Isaiah  40:31

© 2010 by Meaghan Coale. All rights reserved.

Today’s Questions:

What station do you listen to the most in your neck of the woods? 

Would you like to join us during a discussion?

 If so, what topic would you like to discuss?

Visit us again each week for more of Luann’s curious questions and another chance to win.

Today’s Special is:  Peaceful Ride.

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Luann

Main Ingredient –”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Entrée –The fair had come to town, and I couldn’t wait to take my little girl to see the lights.  Hand-in-hand, we strolled through the livestock buildings to see the bunnies, the cows and the horses.  We smelled the caramel corn, drooled over the candy apples and gobbled up the cotton candy.  Then at dusk, we made our way to the midway.

The ears on my two-year old perked up as she heard the calliope music playing.  The carnival sideshows were barking at every passerby.  The crowd was shuffling to and fro.  Her little eyes were bright with wonder.  Then, she spotted the most fascinating sight of all….the Ferris Wheel!  Her head tilted back, as far as it would go, to view the very tip-top.  This was it; the ride she must try.  She grabbed my hand, ran toward it and squealed with excitement.  Mom’s feet just couldn’t move fast enough.  We waited in line, mesmerized by the lights and sounds dancing above our heads.

Finally it was our turn.  We boarded the seat and they shut the door.  I use that word “door” loosely because it was a think piece of metal, barely 6 inches high.  Knowing this flimsy hung of aluminum was all that separated us from plunging to our death was a little unnerving.  I had always been a bit of a daredevil, but now I had to consider the precious little one by my side.  She obviously had inherited my adventuresome gene because she jumped right in.

As the wheel began to raise, my daughter’s hands found their way to my arm.  The higher we climbed, the tighter her grip.  Of course, when we rose to the top, it stopped for what seemed like an eternity.   Slowly and cautiously, the bundle beside me began to ease her way onto my lap and clutched my neck.  She was clinging to the one thing that was dependable, mom.  We made our way around and around; experiencing the sinking feeling descending and the exhilaration ascending.  We enjoyed it all, the ups and the downs.  Holding tightly to one another made the ride less scary and more enjoyable.  

“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV)

The Hebrew word for keep is ‘samar’ which means to guard or CLING to.  So this passage tells us to, “Fear God and cling to His commandments.”

Life is often like that ride.  It takes us soaring and sends us crashing.  Each year brings new challenges, new adventures, and moments that may chill us to the bone.  We can never be too sure of what awaits us around the bend.  However, there is One we can be sure of and on whom we should cling.  As we go through the ups and downs of life with its exhilarating highs and disappointing pitfalls, God challenges us to cling to Him and His commandments.  Life is uncertain, yet God is a sure thing.  

Life.  It’s thrilling, scary and unpredictable.  Cling to the One who created the road and the map, then hang on through the troubles and enjoy the peaceful ride.  

Take Out  –Heavenly Father, thank you for always being there for us when we need you.  Thank you for being that one dependable thing for us in a big and scary and definitely unpredictable world.  We cling to you Lord, thank you for being there.  In the precious name of Jesus Christ we pray. AMEN.

Dessert  –Find peace in His presence every day with the 365 day devotional by Sarah Young; “Jesus Calling”.

© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.

Today’s Special is: Let’s TALK …..We want to hear from YOU

Peace is a fruit of the spirit –we cannot TRY to get it. It is a character trait of Christ.  If we want that indescribable peace, the peace that Christ had and exhibited, then we must abide in Christ.  We must spend time in His word, learning about Him and who He is and what He is like.  The more we get to know Him, the more we understand how much He loves us and wants to have a relationship with us.   The closer we get to Him in an intimate relationship, the clearer we can see that His plans for us are to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11).  He is our protector, our provider, our guide, our counselor, our friend and our father.  We find peace in His presence.

We want to hear from YOU today.  Leave us a comment and share your thoughts on peace with us.  How or where do YOU find peace?  Do you have a favorite Bible verse that brings you peace whenever you hear it?  Please leave a comment and share it with us.  You never know who you will encourage and bless by your comment.

AND…….  “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever, Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

Today’s Special is:   A PEACE that keeps

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Tonya

Main Ingredient – Isaiah 26:3  You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to you, leans on You and hopes confidently in You. Amplified bible

Entrée – Jesus and his disciples had left a throng of people.  He had been teaching all day with many parables, and was in a boat just off the shore because the crowds were so great.  When evening had come, Jesus said, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake”.  A furious storm of wind arose and the waves kept beating in to the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.  But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion, when his disciples woke him up.  With a storm all around, and people panicked, Jesus was in perfect peace.  Not only was he in peace, but He got up and spoke “Peace be still” to the storm and there was immediately a great calm or peace. 

The disciples who were experienced fisherman feared for their lives.  They had no peace because they looked at the storm.  I believe Isaiah 26:3 tells us why.  Jesus chose to keep His mind on His Father, and the Father kept Him in a peace that the bible tells us we cannot understand.  But it is available to all of us, we can have it, and He will keep us in it when we keep our minds on Him. 

Fast forward 2,000 plus years…The date was May 18^th.  The surgery waiting room was crowded.  We were in for over 11 hours of waiting.  Waiting for updates via a telephone that rang for us about every 2 – 4 hours, as our son ‘s brain surgery was in progress.  The surgery that would save his young life.  There was nothing about the setting that was peaceful.  The days preceding had been exhausting, but yet I felt peace.  My Father’s peace kept me.  It cannot be explained except to say it is supernatural.  Psalm 91 talks about a secret place that we can abide in the “shelter of the Almighty”.  We can choose to go there.  We can leave all our cares behind, and this indescribable, wonderful, storm calming peace will take over, and guard and keep us.   

Take Out  – Father, help me to keep my mind on You today .  I want to enter your perfect peace, your secret place where you guard and keep me. 

Dessert  –Mark 4 35-41  story of calming the storm.  Read all of Psalm 91 and  Col 3:15, And let the peace from Christ rule in your hearts..

© 2010 by Tonya Couch. All rights reserved.

This week we are giving away a copy of “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young.  Are you searching for peace?  There IS peace in the presence of the Lord.  Meet with Him each morning as you enjoy your very own copy of Jesus Calling. 

We want you to join us!  If you could stop by the cafe and join the show, what time would be best for you? And if you couldn’t stop by the studio, what station in your area would you love to hear the show Encouragement Cafe with Luann & Friends?

Leave us a comment and answer Luann’s Curious Question and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win Sarah Young’s daily devotional “Jesus Calling”.

Visit us again each week for more of Luann’s curious questions and another chance to win.

Today’s Special is:  Peace From God

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Amanda                      

Main ingredient: God’s Promise – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”    (Philippians 4:8-9)                                                                                                                   

Entrée – Quite often I have to instruct my boys about being at peace with each other.  Constantly I remind them that God doesn’t want them to quarrel with each other; they are brothers that love each other and they must choose to be at peace with each other.  I too am constantly learning lessons from the choices I make.  Just as love is a choice, experiencing God’s peace is a choice.  I am learning that I can experience peace no matter the circumstances.

The key to peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God in our lives through our conflicts.  Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again rejoice!”  Always means rejoicing in all circumstances, choosing to turn to God with our troubles instead of focusing on our troubles.

(Philippians 4:5) “Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.”  When we panic or worry we are failing to trust our faithful Father and we waist a lot of needless energy on being uptight or frazzled.  Having a gentle spirit can be true for our lives too when we choose to rest in God’s peace and presence. Remembering and believing that He is in complete control of our situation can bring us comfort.

(Philippians 4:6-7) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  The moment we feel ourselves starting to worry our response should be to immediately turn to God (prayer), ask for His help (petition), and then thank Him for being with us through our trouble (thankfulness).  When we choose to trust Him with our fears, doubts, and worries, this releases us to rest in His presence.  Then the Holy Spirit will begin to fill us with His Peace (guarding of your heart and mind).

When we choose to focus on God’s word and put His truths into practice then we will experience the peace that can only be from Him.

Take-out – Father, thank you for giving us peace and being our peace. Remind us to find our rest in you when the world makes us weary. Thank you for purchasing everlasting peace for us through the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Dessert – Cut index cards in half and write out Philippians 4:4-9 one verse per card.  Memorize one verse at a time.  The cards can easily be taken with you in your back pocket!