The "P" Word

Have you heard me say in the past, that I am not preaching to you? I hope you know that. Each one of these posts is given to me by God, for me. Then I pass them along to you, hoping that what I have been given, you might find relevant for yourself. God is that way. He sends out His Word and it does not return void.

Isaiah 55:10-11
10. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11. So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding [in the matter] for which I sent it.

In the past I have been a very impatient person. I have laughed with several of you about my lack of interest for a big creative project like quilting or knitting, or just about anything that cannot be completed in one sitting. I have been the queen of "Instant Gratification". Sometimes this can be a good thing, but most of the time it just sets me up for impatience, frustration, and irritability. Because inevitably when something takes longer than I think it should, then my gripe-y side rears it's ugly head. Anyone else out there know what I'm talking about?

Galatians 5:22-23

22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23. gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.


James 5:7-11
7. Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 10. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11. Behold, we count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and [is] merciful.

I think my biggest long-term "project" has been my health. Believe me, I have heard it all, done it all...remember I am a Pentecostal, Charismatic, ....whatever. I've stood in healing lines. Prayed for others in healing lines. I've confessed and believed and confessed some more. I've read the Word every day, quoted scripture everyday. I've done everything there is to do. yet....

I know why God has allowed me to "remain" where I am. He is teaching me patience among other things...and to stand firm. Now, I will be the very first to say God does not put "sickness on us". "He healed them all", so I have the very highest resolve for healing, but I also know there are factors out there that pertain to the individual. If we are going through something, and we all have our "somethings", then sometimes God "allows" us to be tested and refined. He can allow us to "go through the fire" somewhat to "clean us up" and purify us. It's during those times we need to stay faithful to God and His Word, to believe it, and then to be patient waiting for His right timing for it to come to pass.

Malachi 3:2-3.
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and a launderer's  soap. 3. "And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

So right now I am trusting God, learning patience. Examining myself, my life, my motives, etc. and waiting...waiting to see God's Word accomplish that which it has set out to do. As in the words of Beth Moore, I'm allowing God to teach me His "Sufficiency" for each day, as well as His "Supremacy" in healing.


(Just a note to those of you who are new to this blog or my other blog, Common Ground. Seven years ago with 3 heart attacks and triple bypass surgery, I was diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease. With me it is not because of "lifestyle", but do to an hereditary condition from my Dad's side of the family. At that time God stepped in and saved my life when he healed an aneurysm and a dead heart. It was a "death sentence", so I know about God's miraculous power for healing. But I also know what it is like to walk out every day with medications and restrictions. I continue to trust God that He is in control and that "by His stripes, I am healed."!)

I want to thank each of you that are following my posts, and even more so since I have now made a commitment to post daily on this Bible Study Blog. Thank you also for the ones that have linked back to me and on your blog list. I have said this is not for me, but for the spreading of the Gospel, which is what this blog is all about. So thank you in advance if any others of you decide to become a "follower" or one who links up with me. Remember that I appreciate you so much and that each day someone new finds this blog.

In great love,

Debra