JCSM's Weekly Devotions (click here to listen!)

"Perseverance Produces Patience"

Romans 5:3-5  "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Galatians 5:22, 23  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law."

2 Peter 1:5-10  "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.  Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble."

2 Thessalonians 3:5  "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ."

1 Timothy 6:11b  "Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness."

James 1:2-4  "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Insight: Perseverance and patience are two essential qualities for the Christian.  They were emulated by Christ and they help spiritual people deal with adverse circumstances.  Stand firm and persevere and ask God to give you patience with joy, today.

Prayer: "Dear Lord, bless us and make us like You.  Thank you for wanting us to be whole and complete people, with all of the fruits of your Spirit.  Help us to desire even the difficult aspects of You and your character.  Forgive us for only wanting the fun jobs and the powerful or exciting qualities that You possess.  Thank you for being our God and amazing.  There is no other like You.  Thank you for knowing what we need and giving it to us, despite our desires, worries, or fears.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

There is no new quote this week, but please visit our web site where we have many quotes from those who framed and founded America. Please click here: http://jcsm.org/AmericasFounders/.

(This explanation came from "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained", by Dr. Jason Gastrich.  This book is on CD and gives over 4,000 answers to alleged Bible errors, regarding the entire Bible at http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.org.  There is also a 300 question workbook that accompanies the CD-ROM.)

God will forgive you and forget your sins, but humans may not.

From the top of the world, to the bottom run, I want to send you.

From the break of the dawn, to the age's end, somebody's needing a friend.

There's a new beginning without an end.

When the runners came from Bethlehem, breathless with good news, they were passing a baton forward through time.

The revolution Jesus started is here now.

Come out of the shadows and into the sun.

You're only as sick as all your secrets.

No power can tame your presence.

No light can match your radiance.

Let all creation sing in wonder; every sea, every creature, every star.

You opened up my eyes to wonder.  What a vision, what a wonder You are!

I consider all that You had, all You gave, and all that You endured from this rebel world.

Your love is better than life.

Without your love, I'm just a broken machine.

Without your love, it's all a mindless routine.

I lie awake and wonder how to make a city believe.

Without your touch, I'm not a full human being.

I know You've had my back since the day I was born.

Your love is making me strong.

My grip is better when I'm not hanging on.

There is a world of healing inside You.

These quotes came from me, the Holy Spirit, and The Newsboys.  If you'd like to read more quotes, we have thousands in our archive!  Visit http://quotes.jcsm.org.