What does God want to produce in our lives?

. . . Patience, endurance, and the ability to keep going when things are tough. 

Romans 5:3-4 . . . but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.

In the Bible, patience is not a passive acceptance of circumstances. Its a courageous perseverance in the face of suffering and difficulty.

God wants to make us patient because that is the key to every other blessing. When the believer learns to wait on the Lord, then God can do great things for him. The Lord develops patience and character in our lives through trials. 

Endurance can't be attained by reading a book, listening to a sermon, or even praying a prayer. We must go through the difficulties of life, trust God, and obey Him. The end result will bring glory to God.

Through it all, I learned to trust in Jesus.

We don't live in a world void of sickness,

. . . financial need, family issues, loss of loved ones, and the list goes on. The cares of life weigh heavy. What are we to do?

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. 

Our infinitely wise Guardian and Protector, Almighty Savior, Sustainer, unlimited Provider, and Intercessor cares for us. How much?

1. His blood covers our sin
2. He watches over us
3. He lifts us up when we've hit bottom
4. He sympathizes with us in our affliction
5. He showers us with spiritual blessings
6. He hears and answers our prayers
7. He considers us His most priceless treasure
8. He works everything out for our good

All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;

All my heart was full of misery and woe.

Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me,

And He led me in the way I ought to go

No one ever cared for me like Jesus.

There's no other friend so kind as He.

No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;

O how much He cares for me.

If going to church becomes a duty

. . . instead of joyful worship, you surely have a spiritual heart ailment. God sees your heart, but you don't always know what is there.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God uses the Word to enable us to see the sin and unbelief in our own hearts; and then, if we trust Him, the Word enables our hearts to obey and claim His promises.

This is why believers must read the Bible and apply it to their lives. In the Word we see God, and we also see how God sees us. We see ourselves as we really are. The experience enables us to be honest with God, to trust His will, and to obey Him.

Search me, oh God, and know my heart today;Try me, oh Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.See if there be some wicked way in me.Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

Martyred missionary Jim Elliot said it best:

. . .  "He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

As God's children, you and I have been promised a future reward. As with Abraham and Moses of old, the decisions we make today will determine our rewards tomorrow. Abraham obeyed God because he "looked for a city" (Heb. 11:10). Moses forsook the treasures and pleasures of Egype because "he had respect unto the reccompense of the reward" (Heb. 11:26).

It was the same attitude of faith that carried our Lord Jesus through the agony of the cross. 

Hebrews 12:2 Jesus . . . who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame . . .

Don't live for what the world will promise you today. Live for what God has promised you in the future. Be a stranger and a pilgrim on this earth. Walk by faith, not by sight.

This world is not my home,

I'm just a passin' through.

My treasures are laid up

Somewhere beyond the blue . . .

This world is coming apart at the seams

. . . right before our eyes. We see on television war and chaos in many nations, some spewing hate to the USA. Many eastern countries want to destroy Israel.

Recently terrorists bombarded our US Embassy in Lybia, killing our Ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens, and three other Americans.

Jesus told his apostles that the beautiful temple they admired would be destroyed, and it happened in 70 AD. Then He gave more end time signs. Many will be deceived by false teachers claiming to be Christ. Believers in God's Word won't be deceived.

But He tells us not to be troubled, for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.

Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles; these are the beginnings of sorrows.

The good news is this: Jesus is coming soon, and I'm ready to "Fly Away" in the rapture. The bad news: The unsaved will be left behind.

But until then my heart will go on singing;

Until then with joy I'll carry on.

Until the day my eyes behold that city;

Until the day God calls me home.   . . . . . Stuart Hamblen 

It has been said that the world is

. . . is anything which shuts God out. When in doubt of an activity, ask youself, "Does it shut God out?"

Anti-God movements are rapidly growing under the guise of separation of church and state, successfully stilling voices and signs relating to Christians. 

Knowing the Constitution offers freedom to express religion, the Kountze, Texas Cheerleaders have boldly proclaimed the Word of God at  football games this season. Athiests took them to court and a judge granted a two week extention to keep making the signs.

Time ran out today, but the girls made their signs as many prayed and the judge heard each side.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Thank you, Lord, for the judicial ruling today. Another extension in their favor allows them to display the Word of God on the run through banner Friday night. God is good.

A beautiful chandelier,

. . . hanging from a pyramid ceiling of varnished planks, lures the eye when you first step into our new sanctuary.

A feeling of excitement swept over me as I found just the right pew on the piano side, marking an aisle seat with my name-inscribed Bible.

A long time coming, God constructed this house of worship with a handfull of believers, dedicated workers, and outside help that only He could muster. And my, how He's blessed us with more families and young people this past year. We are humbled. 

A profound familiarity showers our new surroundings. The Spirit of God still flows through words to the music, but with greater acoustics. The power of God still beckons hearts as His Word is preached from the pulpit.

This coming Sunday, the round, rock-covered baptistry will be used for the first time, and fellowship will flourish at our first of many potlucks.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen