How to wait in hopeful expectation – Advent 2022, Week 1, Part 4

Editor’s Note: This week I welcome guest blogger, Daymarr Jackson. In addition to his full-time day job, Daymarr is Faith Church’s youth leader, and a chaplain candidate in the PA Army National Guard. He is studying for his Master of Divinity at Evangelical Seminary (Kairos). He and his wife, Danielys, have two kids. Jesus talksContinue reading “How to wait in hopeful expectation – Advent 2022, Week 1, Part 4”

Forgiveness as necessary for patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 5

As we walk in step with the Spirit, we will have the Spirit’s empowerment to live patiently.  That means we will be patient with others. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Paul writes, “[W]e urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” Wait, Paul…everyone? What Paul isContinue reading “Forgiveness as necessary for patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 5”

Growing patience through thankfulness – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 4

In Colossians 1:11 Paul writes a prayer that includes an important teaching about how to become more patient. Paul prayed that the people would be “strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.”  Now that’s interesting.  Thankfulness andContinue reading “Growing patience through thankfulness – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 4”

How to grow patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 3

What does growing patience look like? In Proverbs 19:11 we read that “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”  Patience is rooted in wisdom.  Proverbs are illustrations of what is a wise course of action almost all the time.  There will be exceptions to the rule whenContinue reading “How to grow patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 3”

Jesus’ patience with his mom – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 2

Remember the wedding where Jesus turned water into wine? In that culture of honor and shame, running out of wine would have been a significant embarrassment for the father of the bride. So Jesus’ mom, Mary, goes to him, asking what seems to be a totally innocent observation, “They have no more wine.”  But hersContinue reading “Jesus’ patience with his mom – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 2”

Better to be a late bloomer, than a flash in the pan – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 1

I recently started using my phone to pay at the store. At the checkout, all you have to do is double tap on your phone’s fingerprint sensor, hold the phone up to the credit card reader, wait a second for the lights to flash green, and you’re done. The receipt comes flying out of theContinue reading “Better to be a late bloomer, than a flash in the pan – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 1”

The agony of waiting – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Preview

In December my daughter turned 16, and we went to the PennDOT Driver’s License Center at East Town Mall so she could take her permit test.  We walked in the front door, and she received her number from the receptionist.  At the far side of the large waiting room, we found seats near the bankContinue reading “The agony of waiting – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Preview”

When it seems like God isn’t keeping his promises – Ezekiel 12, Part 4

In the previous post, we talked about how frustrating it can feel waiting on God. Maybe you know the feeling. You want to be faithful to God, but you are waiting and waiting, and it doesn’t seem like God is keeping his promises. God has been telling the people in Ezekiel’s day that destruction isContinue reading “When it seems like God isn’t keeping his promises – Ezekiel 12, Part 4”

Are you feeling frustrated waiting on God? – Ezekiel 12, Part 3

Does it seem like God is not keeping his promises? Maybe you wonder, for example, if Jesus is going to return, like he said he would. Or maybe you wonder when Jesus is going to return. Why is he taking so long? There are many teachings or promises in the Bible that we can wonderContinue reading “Are you feeling frustrated waiting on God? – Ezekiel 12, Part 3”

Clothe yourself with gentleness and patience – Colossians 3:12-17, Part 3

Last week we ordered a book on Amazon, and it was at our front porch in 24 hours. I often think about what my 16 year old self would think of the world in 2021.  Much of the world is the same, but there are some notable differences in the past 30 years.  One ofContinue reading “Clothe yourself with gentleness and patience – Colossians 3:12-17, Part 3”