MEMORISE:
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4
READ: John 11:18-26
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
MESSAGE
Impatience is the younger sister of doubt because when someone is impatient, the fellow may not be able to operate under the divine time-table. Impatience can cause a person to doubt the integrity of the Ever Faithful God. The devil uses impatience as a tool to sow doubt in the minds of believers, so much so that some even begin to doubt the infallible word of God. For this reason, James 1:4 says:
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing”.
The blessings attached to being patient are many. For example, in our memory verse, the Holy Spirit reveals that a patient fellow will lack nothing good. This may sound foolish to the carnal mind, but it is the truth of God’s word. The carnal mind is turned to believe that by being impatient, more can be achieved and more can be amassed, but this is a lie f the devil.
In today’s Bible reading, impatience almost destroyed the faith of Mary and Martha. As a matter of fact, they indirectly indicted Jesus of their brother’s death because He came to them at a point they considered to be too late, after He had received their message notifying Him of Lazarus’ sickness. John 11:21 says:
“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died”.
What an indictment! By this comment, they doubted the extent to which Jesus actually loved their family. This probably accounts for why Jesus wept in John 11:35, after Mary repeated the same accusation (John 11:32). It is dangerous to be a “microwave Christian” who always expects things to happen when you feel they must happen. A microwave Christian is like an infant who reacts to and cries for everything that causes discomfort. The Holy Spirit describes the state of such Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2. Some brethren feel offended and therefore decide to leave a church when the promotion they believe they are due for is not forthcoming from the church authorities. Some others feel victimized when they are transferred from their station of comfort, even resorting to blackmail in some cases. Some even give God an ultimatum on when a miracle must “drop”, or else they won’t serve Him anymore. All these examples may sound unbelievable, but they are true life experiences. Beloved, it is time to grow up from the stage of infancy. Good expects you to become not a meat eater but a bone cracker. May the Lord cause you to grow in Jesus’ Name.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me to grow in patience and keep me standing for You till the very end in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 18-20 Luke 10:17-37
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 2: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
o Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.
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