Patience

 

Patience is something that is hard to come by for a lot of people. Lots of little things get on our nerves such as the driving skills of others, our friends, our family, obligations, etc. Stress also plays a huge role on our ability to remain patient in various situations.

Let's look at Ephesians 4:1-2,
"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love."

This is something that can be really hard to do. Being humble enough to love others even when we have a lot on our plate can be tough. But we are encouraged to remember that we have been called to behave in this manner.

There's also the problem of dealing with patience when things are going wrong. There are plenty of days where it seems like nothing is going right at all. When it rains it pours.

However, Romans 5:3 says,
"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance."

We are also called to persevere through those tough times and be patient with our circumstances  as God is constantly patient with us. It's all about the attitude. Being patient is a frame of mind that can only come with hard work and a willingness to try. So as this new semester unfolds, try to maintain a positive attitude about patience with others.

What about Worry?

What do we worry about? School, getting a job, our health, our familites and friends, impressing other people? We often worry because of our environment and the situations around us. 

Philippians 4:6 reads...
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

According to scripture, we are called to bring our needs and concerns to God. Instead of worrying, we need to pray. 

But why would God want to hear about all of our problems? Why would He want us to bring all of our worries and anxieties to Him?

1 Peter 5:7 says...
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

God doesn't want us to carry around the weight of our problems and our daily burdens.  He WANTS us to share those burdens with him to make our burdens lighter. He CARES for us. No worry or trouble is too small or big for God.  When we share all of our problems with God, He gives us this promise...

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Once we share our worries and anxieties with God, He will grant us the peace that only He can give.

So, as you worry about class, commitments, future jobs, and hundreds of other things, remember to share them with God, for he desires to know your anxieties and wants to share all of your burdens.

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Perseverance

We are often exhausted in our daily routines. We stay up late to finish assignments, watch our favorite TV shows, or hang out with our friends. We struggle with getting to class on time and making it to our various meetings and commitments. Rather than concentrating on simply making it through the day until we can sleep again, we must focus on persevering and working for the glory of our Lord.

This week, the devotion came from the book of James..

James 1:2-4
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.

And from Romans...

Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Both of these scriptures describe perseverance as something positive. Perseverance establishes our character and gives us hope and encouragement. We must not persevere just to simply endure whatever we have to go through, but we must persevere and strive to be our best self. 

Friendship

What do we think when we think of friendship? Bonding with other people like ourselves? Happiness and fun times? Sisterhood? 

Friendship serves many purposes in our lives.  Friendships keep us from being lonely, and they helps us develop as loyal, trustworthy, and reliable individuals.  In the book of Ruth, Naomi and Ruth exhibit a wonderful friendship after Ruth's husband (Naomi's son) passes away. Ruth Chapter 1, verses 16-18 read...

"Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her."

In this passage, Ruth proclaims to Naomi that she will accompany her back to her home in Israel, and she refuses to let Naomi go alone.  She claims to follow Naomi wherever she goes and to live her life as Naomi lives her own life.

Like many friendships that we are a part of, we are drawn towards people who have experienced the same hardships as us.  Naomi and Ruth became closer at the loss of Ruth's husband, and their friendship brought them joy and peace even though they had suffered a loss.

As we continue to grow in our relationships and become closer to the people around us, let us reflect on the support and encouragement that our friendships give us.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up."

Romans 12:10

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Acceptance

What does it mean to be accepted?  Does it mean to have wonderful friends who love you no matter what? Or maybe it just means that you get invited? Or perhaps it means that you have officially accomplished your goals of going to college or grad school?

The Lord's acceptance of everyone and society's refusal to accept certain people are revealed in the story of Zaccheus. The reading this week comes from Luke 19:1-10...

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

In this story, Zaccheus is a tax collector, looked down upon by most everyone else in Jericho. However, Jesus did not hesitate to accept him and forgive him for his sins. Let us keep in mind the Lord's acceptance of everyone while we carry out our day-to-day tasks. What better way to show the acceptance and love of Jesus Christ than by accepting people in His love, ourselves?

John 6:37

 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

Romans 15:7

 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Jesus Loves Me, This I know

When we begin a new semester in college, even when we're beginning our first semester in Auburn, we are overcome with happiness and excitement. We're happy to be back with all of our friends, meet new people, and decorate our dorm rooms and houses. Even with all of our excitement, though, we sometimes feel lonely and helpless. We get caught up in how difficult our classes are, how much homework we have, the less and less time we have to be with our friends, and scuffles with our roommates. However, in the times we feel like no one knows how it feels to be burdened with countless assignments and that no one cares about how we feel, we need to remember Christ's love for us. Keep in mind Ephesians 3:18-19...

"And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love-how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God."

Concentrate on the Word, and know that Christ's love and care for us is vast. When we know that Christ loves us, then we can find fulfillness in our lives. Know that He loves you, and know that the Lord has placed brothers and sisters in Christ in our lives that show us His love.

For His Glory

The devotional this week came from Romans chapter 12. I'm sure that I have read from Romans 12 countless times during chapter throughout my time as chaplain, but I believe that it is one of the best passages to begin each semester. The passage reads,

"Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship...Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will...We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."

As you read this, be reminded to not compare yourself to others around you. We were each intentionally made to be different. College is a time of insecurity and a desire to be accepted by others around us, but constantly remind yourself that college is also a time to share the gifts that God has given us.  We were not made to "conform to this world," but we were made to live in accordance with God's will. Everything we do is by the grace of God and ALL for his glory!