"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt
One thing I've learned through this harsh winter in Chicago is perseverance. And I learned this just from watching some ducks outside my patio door. When the creek was frozen the ducks still stuck around, in hopes of the water unfreezing. As soon as there was a break in the ice and a thaw in place, these ducks couldn't wait to get into the water for a swim.
Swimming is what gives them great joy. And they just had to wait patiently for the right time to do this. But persevering they did!
Let's face it, whether you are a believer in Christ or a non-believer, we all hate waiting and yes, patience is a virtue.
But remember, "Your faith determines your outcome."
What I love so much about the Book of James in the Bible is it's simple, basic instructions for the believer.
So simple even a child can comprehend it. And sometimes children can comprehend it more than us adults; which is sad.
But don't just listen to God's Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
James 2:22
James points out to us that simply hearing the Word of God does not mean that we believe it. By acting on what we hear, we show that we truly believe.
Faith is an action word, those who claim to have faith because they hear and know the Word of God, yet do not practice it in their lives, have deceived hearts.
It's good to sometimes examine the areas in our own life where we claim to have faith. Do our actions prove our faith, or do they declare our unbelief?
Faith activates God; fear activates the enemy.
If you are waiting patiently for God to open a door or waiting for an answer from Him on a certain situation, sometimes just standing on His Word helps you persevere. Renew your mind with God's Word and what He says about your situation. Change your unbelief to belief and watch what God can do.
If you live in an area with no access to a Bible, click on www.biblegateway.com for more of God's encouraging Word.
Thanks for this very encouraging post..I must confess that at times, I feel I'm sinking but then I don't want to admit it because then I would grumble..so you are right, persevering is the best thing to do..'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' God bless.
ReplyDeletehey, ive been teaching James at church for a few weeks and have found myself "admitting" of having a momentary lapse of faith when something goes awry. If you have a momentary lapse of faith, that is okay, as long as you acknowledge it and get back into renewing your mind with the word of God. Peace.
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