Day 16- The God of Patience

Good Morning Ladies

As most of you know, today is Tuesday, not Monday:)

I have a servants heart. Not a time keepers heart. Staying on a schedule is not what I am good at. Its takes a lot for me to stay on a schedule. I don't even enjoy schedules. Those of you who know me know that I am at least 10 minutes late everywhere I go. Even church. So it should come as no surprise that all day yesterday I thought it was Sunday! It was not Sunday, it was Monday and time to start week 4 of our study. I am sorry I was off by a day! This week we will push our posts back by one day. Thank you for your patience in advance;)

Viewer Guide: Session 4

I watched the video for this week and in it Priscilla decides to take a detour from our regular programming to focus on a seldom mentioned attribute of God. Patience! I thought it was fitting that she focus on this. We sometimes forget about how patient He is. 

Our God is patient and long-suffering.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

1 Timothy 1:15-16

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

1. He saved me.

1 Peter 3:20

20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

Genesis 18:26-33

26 The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”
27 Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?”
“If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.”
29 Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?”
He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.”
30 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?”
He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?”
He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.”
32 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?”
He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”

Jonah 3:4

4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

Titus 2:11-12

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Genesis 4:26

26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh.

At that time people began to call on[a] the name of the Lord.

Judges 17:6

6 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

1 Timothy 1:13-14

13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

2. He changed me.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

Stand Firm

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits[a] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

1 Timothy 1:12

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.

1. He saved me. (justification)

2. He changes me. (sanctification)

3. He positioned me. (location)

"God does not choose a person because He is worthy but by His choosing of Him he makes him worthy." - Augustine

4. He strengthened me. (fortification)

We always need to remember how patient our Father is. It is shown repeatedly in the scriptures how his love for is shown by patience. We all need to recognize this and practice it as well. I need to be more patient with my children and family. I need to be more patient with God. How about that! Don't we want what we want when we want it? I do. We need to slow down and watch God at work...in His timing....it is perfect, however. :)

As you work through Day 16- The God of Patience, please be sure and look up each verse provided. Pray over the lesson and ask for God to marinate you with patience. Think of all the conflict that could be avoided in our lives if only we were patient with one another as God is for us. Think about that for a minute. 

I love you ladies! As we begin week 4 I am reminded that we only have 2 weeks left after this one. I think I will miss this. I am really enjoying what God is teaching me through this process. My hope is that you are feeling the same way about what God is doing in your life through this process. 

See you tomorrow!

~Randi