Never forget that more than any explanation of Christianity, the world needs a real Christian living out their faith. You must remember this.

Unfortunate Experiences #

It’s disheartening to see the thoughtless and hurtful posts on social media from Christians. People have yes shared with me out of concern that these posts could be used against the individual’s testimony.

The topics of discussion often centre around the recent pandemic, current politics, and social issues, with language that is harsh, offensive, and sarcastic towards others.

As a pastor, it pains me to witness this behaviour. It’s difficult to reconcile the kindness and warmth I see in person with the hurtful words written online.

Empathy And Tolerance #

Truthfully, I must confess that I am not untouched by the confrontational problems that now rule our society. When I’m furious, I tend to mutter things or even speak to the TV as I watch the news. It seems like any one of us may be provoked by the many conflicts and battles happening in our world.

There seems to be a marked decline in national empathy and tolerance as compared to earlier generations. Jesus’ love for His followers despite their flaws is an example we must always keep in mind, no matter how twisted or unpleasant our culture becomes.

If we want to succeed, we need to let compassion, not annoyance, be our driving force. Sometimes I wonder whether following the mandate Jesus gave us to spread the gospel is more essential than our fixation with mask laws. Because it is His foremost worldwide concern and because there is still unfinished business, we must pay attention to it.

Do You Comprehend The Issue? #

Some parts of the earth may be on our itinerary, but we’re starting to despise them. Why? Mercy fatigue is a problem that we are now facing. Both our rage and the fact that we can’t change anything are starting to register with us. So, it’s probable that we, the church of the Living God, are making the individuals we’re trying to reach even more frustrated.

How do we communicate with a society that is becoming more extremely intolerant by the day?

We should reevaluate the spiritual practice of longsuffering, in my opinion. One attribute of God’s divine character is longsuffering.

Psalms 86:15 — But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God. You are patient and demonstrate great loyal love and faithfulness.

Daily, how many times do we disobey God? We don’t know about it. God is patient and slow to anger, even though we are completely ignorant and God is holy. He is patient with us, too. Just picture it: instead of being enraged with us three times a day, God loves us and has compassion for us through Christ.

So, What Would Our Situation Be? #

Longsuffering, according to many, is a kind of patience that God uses to deal with the difficult things that happen in life. God intended for us to be greased through patience so that we would not lose our Christian testimony. When we put our faith in the Holy Spirit, we can resist the urges that arise in our flesh. Thus, the Lord must occasionally step in so that we can resist the need to give in to our fleshly nature.

Every born-again Christian has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, and that person bestows upon them the immense power to patiently endure hardship.

Paul lists longsuffering among the characteristics of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22.

Galatians 5:22 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Galatians 5:22 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

The Greek word for “longsuffering” is “makrothumia,” which means,

1. long-suffering.
2. (objectively) forbearance.
3. (subjectively) fortitude

Paul urges the Ephesian church to maintain a spirit of patience and perseverance throughout their everyday lives in his epistle to them. Being modest, kind, and patient are traits that are harmonious with the vocation that Christians have chosen, as the apostle Paul urged in Ephesians 4:1-3.

Ephesians 4:1-3 — I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

That’s what he said. Firm in their Christian faith, Paul encouraged the faithful to persevere through any trial.

How Practicing Patience Can Improve My Life? #

Continue to pray as you have pledged. Walking in the Spirit is critical if we want to bear fruit, yet it’s not sufficient on its own. To remain Christlike in one’s life, prayer is the fuel. No matter how heated the subject, prayer will provide us with the ability to remain sympathetic and patient. We will not behave inappropriately due to our anger, no matter how intense it becomes.

Focus on God instead of where you’re bringing your frustration. Please remember to pray and ask, “What does God want me to do right now?” whenever you see your anger rising. Right now, how can I tell God how much I appreciate him? For what purpose would God get the most praise? Remember that the thing that honours God the most may not be what we want; this is why it is called longsuffering.

Step in as a mediator instead of an antagonist. It should be remembered that Elisha did not scold his servant since the prophet lacked the servant’s (Gehazi) level of understanding. Instead of passing judgment, Elisha pleaded to God to open his servant’s eyes.

Rather than being insulting, the prophet ended up being useful. When disagreements emerge because other people don’t view things the way you do, it’s crucial to gently guide the discussion or situation towards a resolution. Instead of correcting, it’s preferable to divert. Having meaningful relationships with other people is more important than always being correct.

Grace and Patience #

Remember that grace is a necessary quality of patience. Grace is an essential component in the perseverance process. The definition of grace is to treat another person with more kindness and consideration than they deserve. Keep in mind that you have probably previously troubled someone else before the next time someone does something that irritates you.

The fact that God is patient with us, even when we are unworthy, is evidence of His grace. Even when the recipient of our kindness and tolerance may not merit it, God has given us the ability to demonstrate it nevertheless.

If we couldn’t keep going even when things became tough, our personalities would be more characterised by a lack of patience than empathy. The world we live in is and always has been complicated. Those we are obligated to love and serve should not feel far from us. Weaving fresh rows in the fields where the crop is being brought in requires the patience that is divinely ordered, also known as longsuffering. We shall not hesitate to confront those responsible for our discontent.

Take It Easy #

I believe that trying to hear God’s voice becomes too complicated. To be honest, some who are spiritual somehow make it seem like only the most privileged people can hear God’s voice, which is a misconception they perpetuate. I couldn’t be more wrong. You won’t find it difficult at all.

If seeking God’s voice is important to you, He will reward your faith and obedience.

Hebrews 11:6 — Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Recognise His authority and submit to Him.

2 Corinthians 10:5 — and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.

Proverbs 3:5-6 — Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

James 4:7 and Ephesians 6:10–20 instruct us to resist the devil and his diversions.

James 4:7 — So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 6:10-20 — Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and petitions for all the saints. Pray for me also, that I may be given the right words when I begin to speak – that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.

Also, read Exodus 33:11, Psalm 69:13, and John 10:27 to see how God responds. Relax, seek clarity, inquire, and pay attention; God will answer when the time is right.

Exodus 33:11 — The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, the way a person speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his servant, Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tent.

Psalms 69:13 — O LORD, may you hear my prayer and be favorably disposed to me! O God, because of your great loyal love, answer me with your faithful deliverance!

John 10:27 — My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Permit God to Speak How He Sees Fit #

Though His voice may not be apparent at times, God is constantly answering. His voice seldom resounds from Sinai or a blazing bush. So, be open to God’s voice speaking to you in His manner.

Various passages in the Bible describe various ways in which God communicates with His people. Some of these ways include dreams (Matthew 2:12), visions (Isaiah 6:1), a still small voice (Isaiah 30:21), other people, the Church, prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), angels (Hebrews 1:14), and signs (Judges 6:36-40).

Verify That Your Heart Is Pure #

Psalm 66:18 — The Lord will not hear me if I regard sin and baseness in my heart.

This means that if the psalmist knows that sin and immorality are there but does nothing to change them, then God will not listen. No one can expect a response from the Lord if He refuses to listen.

How the Axehead Works #

In 2 Kings 6:1-6, we read about a miraculous event that happened during Elisha’s ministry. It seems that Elisha’s disciples were among the prophets who once requested permission to construct a bigger sanctuary.

2 Kings 6:1-6 — Some of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too cramped for us. Let’s go to the Jordan. Each of us will get a log from there and we will build a meeting place for ourselves there.” He said, “Go.” One of them said, “Please come along with your servants.” He replied, “All right, I’ll come.” So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan, they started cutting down trees. As one of them was felling a log, the ax head dropped into the water. He shouted, “Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!” The prophet asked, “Where did it drop in?” When he showed him the spot, Elisha cut off a branch, threw it in at that spot, and made the ax head float.

The narrative is presented without any particular spiritual significance, however, it is believed that this miracle is the source of many revelations. But the one that has helped me the most is the Axehead Principle, which states that you should return to the place where you had the most recent experience.

If you want to return to a place where the Lord spoke to you in prayer, find that place. Next, consider if you have followed God’s original instructions from that time. Return to the place where you felt estranged from God and seek His guidance there.

This Principle of the Wise Men #

God often uses two or more spiritually sensitive persons to corroborate what He is teaching you, just as the wise men independently followed the star and were led to the same Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:1 — This is the third time I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established.

Two or three, holy Spirit-attuned persons, rather than just one, should be our first point of contact when seeking God’s voice or confirmation of God’s voice. Emotionalism, naiveté, discouragement, and Satanic deceit are all things that this vision helps us avoid.

We will continue in the second part. Stay tuned.

Blessings,

Shaliach.