PATIENCE Brings The Blessings Of God

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The Fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT

Podcast Episode: The Fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT – PATIENCE #2

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL. There is no law against these things.” [Galatians 5:22-23 NLT]

We need to understand that love is the first characteristic of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is well placed at the head of the list, for it permeates all the rest of the attributes. Somehow, if we live a life of love, the other virtues will attend us all the days of our lives. Love is the key that unlocks the entire fruit basket of Galatians 5:22-23, as well as permeating 1 Corinthians 13.

No Reception of God’s Promises

In Hebrews 11:32-40 NLT says, “32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.”

These last examples cement the critical truth of faith: they believed in the unseen realities of promise as defined by God’s word. These believers suffered in pain, but they held fast to His word (cf. Hebrews 1:1). One reason that these Old Testament saints did not realize the fulfillment of all God had promised was that the atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ had not yet taken place. The readers of this letter had something far better – the blessings of the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13). But believers still live with the unseen promise of Christ’s return as a challenge to their worldly and faithless tendencies.

The roll call of heroes continues. The Old Testament records the lives of many people who experienced great victories; a few are selected for mention here. None of these people were perfect; in fact, many of their sins are recorded in the Old Testament. But these were among those who believed in God:

Gideon, one of Israel’s judges, was known for conquering the Midianite army with only three hundred men who were armed with trumpets and jars (Judges 6:11–8:35).

Barak served with Deborah (another judge of Israel) in conquering the army of General Sisera from Hazor (Judges 4:4-23).

Samson, another judge, was a mighty warrior against God’s enemies, the Philistines (Judges 13–16).

Jephthah, still another judge, delivered Israel from the Ammonites (Judges 11:1-33).

David, the beloved king of Israel and a great warrior, brought peace to Israel, defeating all of his enemies.

Samuel, the last judge of Israel, was a very wise leader. He also was a prophet. Samuel, along with all the prophets, served God selflessly as they conveyed God’s words to an often-rebellious people.

These people demonstrated that faith will accomplish much:
They overthrew kingdoms. Throughout their years in the Promised Land, the Israelites had great leaders who brought victory against their enemies. People such as Joshua, all of the judges, and King David were great warriors.
They ruled with justice. Many of the judges, as well as leaders such as Nehemiah, administered justice to the people.
They received what God had promised. Some people actually did see the fulfillment of some of God’s promises, such as possession of the Promised Land.

They shut the mouths of lions. Daniel was saved from the mouths of lions (Daniel 6). This statement could also refer to Samson (Judges 14:6) or to David (1 Samuel 17:34-35). They quenched the flames. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were kept from harm in the furious flames of a fiery furnace (Daniel 3). They escaped death by the edge of the sword. Elijah (1 Kings 19:2-8) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:19, 26) had this experience. Their weakness was turned to strength. Hezekiah was one who regained strength after sickness (2 Kings 20). They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. This refers to Joshua, many of Israel’s judges, King Saul, and King David.

Some even received their loved ones back again from death. The widow from Zarephath received her son back from the dead because of Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-24), and so did the Shunammite woman, through Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-37).

We, too, can experience victory through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We may have experiences similar to those of the Old Testament saints; more likely, however, our victories will be directly related to the role God wants us to play. Our lives may not include the kinds of dramatic events recorded here, but it surely includes moments where faith is tested. Give and/or words of our testimonies to those moments, publicly and honestly, and thereby encourage the faith of others.

While the above examples mention great victory – there is a victory that may not seem so. Other believers were tortured, preferring to die rather than turn from God. These faithful people experienced the blessings and endured persecution because they placed their hope in the resurrection. These people lived by faith because they knew that gaining the world and achieving this world’s success was not their objective. They waited for a better life that would begin after death. This promise of a better life encouraged them during persecution and other difficulties.

These descriptions could apply to many people who lived by faith – including some who were part of the community of the original readers of this epistle. Many Christians were persecuted and punished for their faith. They were:
Mocked – like Elisha (2 Kings 2:23-25), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:1), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 18:12).

Cut open with whips – like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:15).

Chained in dungeons – like Joseph (Genesis 40:15), Samson (Judges 16:21), Micaiah (1 Kings 22:26-27), Hanani (1 Chronicles 16:10), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:16; 38:6).

Killed by stoning – like Zechariah (1 Chronicles 24:20-21); according to Jerome, Jeremiah was stoned at the hands of Jewish Egyptians because he denounced their idolatry.

Killed by being sawed in half – like Isaiah, presumably. Although we do not know for sure, tradition (from the apocryphal book, The Ascension of Isaiah, chapters 1–5) says that the prophet Isaiah was sawed in half at the command of King Manasseh because Isaiah had predicted the destruction of the temple. Isaiah had at first escaped and hid in the trunk of a tree while in the hill country. Manassah supposedly had the tree sawed in half with Isaiah in it.

Killed with the sword – although some prophets did escape death by the sword, others did not (see 1 Kings 19:10).
Many of God’s followers who lived before our Lord Jesus Christ and many who have lived after our Lord Jesus Christ have been persecuted. Their clothing was the skins of sheep and goats. Many faced being hungry, oppressed, and mistreated. Some had to wander and hide in the wilderness. Despite their difficult lot, the writer of Hebrews claims that they were too good for this world. These people were great men and women of faith.

All of the above people mentioned by name and those alluded to received God’s approval because of their faith. These people looked forward to a better day and salvation, but none of them received all that God had promised. Of course, they saw some of God’s promises fulfilled, but not the promises that referred to the new covenant and the promised eternal Kingdom. These people did not live to see the Kingdom arrive, but their future citizenship was secure there. Thus, they were able to endure suffering.

Hebrews 11 has been called faith’s “hall of fame.” No doubt the author surprised his readers by this conclusion: these mighty Jewish heroes did not receive God’s full reward because they died before our Lord Jesus Christ came. In God’s plan, they and the Christian believers (who were also enduring much testing) would be rewarded together.

The far better things that God has in mind refers to the new covenant. The forefathers did not receive this; rather, it is experienced by those who live after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the one who introduced the new covenant and the new promises (see Hebrews 1:2).

There is a solidarity among believers (see Hebrews 12:23). Old and New Testament believers will receive the prize together. Not only are we one in the body of Christ with all those alive, but we are also one with all those who ever lived. One day all believers will share in the promised blessing with our Lord Jesus Christ. We will then be complete and perfect in Him.

Hebrews Chapter 12 contains clues regarding the situation of the believers to whom this letter was written. They have been encouraged not to drift away (Hebrews 2:1), but in this chapter we perceive a community weary of persecution, struggling to stay strong in an increasingly hostile environment, but weakening perhaps to the point of giving up and turning away from their faith.

What is the plan that God has prepared for us? What is the “something better”? Who can say for sure? His purpose will not be entirely consummated until our Lord Jesus Christ splits the skies and history is finished. And then we will know the end of all truth. God never lies; all that He has promised will come to be after we have waited long enough. Patience will at last expose us to glory immeasurable, for patience is the key to the final blessing of God. Amen!

SLAVES

In 1 Peter 2:18-25 NLT says, “18 You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you – not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.
22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in His body on the Cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.”

Peter had already commanded believers to accept authority (1 Peter 2:13). Here, he specifically addressed Christians who were slaves in pagan homes. The Greek word means a household servant. Peter called these servants to accept the authority of their masters, meaning that they should cooperate, be loyal, and willingly obey.

Like Paul, Peter neither condemned nor condoned slavery. To attempt to rebel against the system would only bring the wrath of the powerful Roman Empire and would hurt the cause of the Gospel. So, Peter had already commanded believers to accept authority (1 Peter 2:13). Here, he specifically addressed Christians who were slaves in pagan homes. The Greek word means a household servant. Peter called these servants to accept the authority of their masters, meaning that they should cooperate, be loyal, and willingly obey.

So, the apostles suggested that the believers should live within the system, hoping to transform it by first transforming lives through salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, Peter commanded that the believing slaves simply serve well and show respect, not just to Christian masters or to those who were kind and reasonable, but also to masters who were harsh. It would take God’s grace for Christian slaves to loyally and obediently serve such a master. Peter encouraged loyalty and perseverance even in the face of unjust treatment.

Many of the readers of this letter – 1 Peter 2:19, slaves who had become Christians, would have known all too well what it meant to patiently endure unfair treatment. It would please God if these believers trusted Him as they endured “pain” (referring to mental, not physical, anguish) caused by unjust suffering. Being patient for the sake of their conscience means that when they suffered, they were remembering God’s care and love for them even as they suffered. They focused on the fact that they were suffering injustice as our Lord Jesus Christ had suffered injustice, and they knew that one day God would right all wrongs. This gave them the proper attitude, enabled them to persevere, and kept their practice from being mere passive acceptance.

While bearing the pain of unjust suffering is commendable before God, there is no special commendation for patiently bearing punishment that is deserved. The word for beaten means to strike with one’s fist (see also Mark 14:65). Christian slaves who patiently endured suffering when they had done nothing to deserve it would please God. However, if they suffered for doing wrong, then they would get no credit.

Pain! No pain, no gain! How we turn from it? When we are under its muddy gloom, we rarely find the strength to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Yet once we are past the hurt and struggle, we realize that had it not been for the pain, we would not have gained such a clear picture of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The suffering is never ours alone. I remember a time when our sons and their friends invited me to climb Mount Baldy up to 10,000 feet elevation. Every time I feel the pain, I shout, “No pain, no gain!” That was a plan of suffering and a blessing because I have shared the Gospel to those who rested on their way to the top.

The Message to the Church

In Revelation 3:10-13 NLT says, “10 Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God – the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. 13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.

We as Born-Again Christian believers had endured patiently, as our Lord Jesus Christ had commanded, so Lord Jesus Christ promised to protect us from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. Some believe that this protection from “the great time of testing” means there will be a future time of great tribulation from which true believers will be spared. This is a key verse for those who subscribe to the pre-Tribulation-Rapture theory – those believers will be kept from this time of testing because they will not be on the earth then, having been taken to heaven in what is called the “Rapture” (based on 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).

Others believe that the verse refers to times of great distress in general, the church’s suffering through the ages. Others interpret the protection to mean that the church will go through the time of tribulation and that God will keep them strong during it, providing spiritual protection from the forces of evil (Revelation 7:3). The verb “protect” is the same Greek verb in the Lord’s prayer (“Deliver us from the evil one,” Matthew 6:13). As our Lord Jesus Christ said before His death, “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one” (John 17:15).

This “great time of testing” is also described as the Great Tribulation or Day of the Lord, mentioned also in Daniel 12:2; Mark 13:19; and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. All the judgments recorded in the remainder of the book of Revelation take place during this time of tribulation. While believers may have to face difficulty and suffering, they will certainly be protected from God’s wrath and judgment.

For the churches in Ephesus (Revelation 2:5), Pergamum (Revelation 2:16), and Sardis (Revelation 3:3), our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming would be a time for them to fear if they did not repent, for He would come as their judge. To the church in Philadelphia, however, our Lord Jesus Christ’s words I am coming quickly would not be threatening. Rather, they would be a promise to the believers of His imminent return. The word “quickly” should be taken as “soon” or “without warning” (see Revelation 1:1, 3). In the meantime, they should hold on to what they have, referring to obedience and refusal to deny our Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:8). Their reward would be a crown – referring to the wreath awarded to winners of athletic contests (see 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8). Philadelphia was known for its games and festivals, so the picture of the eternal crown awaiting believers was especially meaningful (see also Revelation 2:10).

Born-Again Christian believers who are victorious and remain faithful to the end receive the promise to become pillars in the Temple of God. The word “pillars” symbolizes permanence and stability. Philadelphia was constantly threatened by earthquakes. Often experiencing tremors, the people would evacuate the city and stay in temporary dwellings in the rural areas. Sometimes the pillars would be the only part of a building left standing after an earthquake. This permanence is further stressed in the next phrase, they will never have to leave it.

Our Lord Jesus Christ also gives these victorious Born-Again Christian believers three further promises. He will write God’s name on them, they will be citizens in the new Jerusalem, and they will have Lord Jesus Christ’s new name inscribed upon them. This “new name” of Lord Jesus Christ has not been revealed, but those who are victorious and persevere will have this new name inscribed upon them. For more on the new Jerusalem, see Revelation 21:2.

This threefold promise pictures Born-Again Christian believers belonging to God, having citizenship in heaven, and having a special relationship with Lord Jesus Christ. The new Jerusalem is the future dwelling of the people of God (Revelation 21:2). They will be citizens in God’s future Kingdom. Everything will be new, pure, and secure.

This closing is the same as for the letters to the other churches: all should listen to the Spirit and understand what is being said.

This passage, like the one in 1 Peter, makes the point that those who endure hurt with patience are behaving like our Lord Jesus Christ. Not only does He notice our pain, but He also walks with us through every step of the suffering. Just as God the Father felt every pain of His Son, so our Savior feels our hurt and suffers with us every step of the way.

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the event most of us will remember best was Derek Redmond leaning on his father, whose love made it possible for his son to finish the race. I can relate to this story when my daughter Christine Elisha (Chrisha) hurt her knee in the water polo and swimming events. I was there one time but Her mother Christie was always there helping her to make it through and won some of the water polo and swimming events. 

The race is not ours. We are running only the course our Lord Jesus Christ’s love demands. And His accompaniment is sure. The finish line is also not ours. But our Father God guarantees us that, whatever sacrifices the race demands, we will not finish it alone.

Patience! The blessing of God is on the way. We may not receive the gold medal in the race of life, but we have His guarantee that we will not have to Cross the finish line alone. The Holy Spirit will be with us to help and comfort us. Amen!

Wisdom in Heart and Speech

In Proverbs 15:18 NLT says, ” A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.

A wrathful man – i.e., hot tempered. Patience is extolled in Proverbs (14:17, 29; 16:32; 29:22).

It is so hard to be patient when the kingdom of God seems to be filled with those who have been saved but have done so little growing in the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. But we must be honest here. It is sometimes easier to overlook our own immaturity when we see the same quality in someone else. Maybe that we might be so generous to excuse the same faults in others that we see in ourselves!

We sing so many songs like, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.” But the truth is that we are going to be with a lot of people up there who didn’t necessarily bring us much joy down here. There is an old rhyme that expresses the very difficult task of living with God’s people and liking it:

            “To live above with saints we love, oh that will be the glory, but

               To live below with saints we know, well that’s a different story.” LOL!

Christie – my one and only one wife quoted the words on our 41st Wedding Anniversary May 21, 2021, “Silence Is Golden!” She’s right! However, I responded with the Scripture in Ephesians 6:10, the first verse about, “The Whole Armor of God”.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

The question is: Can we accept the fact that our mate will never be able to meet all our needs and aspirations? Seldom does one human being satisfy every longing and hope in another. Both partners have to settle for human foibles or minor weakness or failing of character, faults and irritability and fatigue and occasional nighttime “headaches.” God’s grace, love and forgiveness is enough.

It is hard to be patient with those we know. No wonder the book of Proverbs blesses the men and women who pour the oil of peace and patience on human squabbles, quarrels, or arguments. Surely, such patience invites the blessing of God. Amen!

Samuel’s Birth and Dedication

In 1 Samuel 1:9-28 NLT says, ” Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. 10 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. 11 And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” 12 As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. 13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. 14 “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!” 15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. 16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” 17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of Him.” 18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad. 19 The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. Then, they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, 20 and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.” 21 The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. 22 But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently.” 23 “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise.” So, she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned. 24 When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. 25 After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. 26 “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. 27 I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and He has granted my request. 28 Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.”

Hannah promised (1 Samuel 1:11) that her son would be dedicated to lifelong Levitical service (Numbers 4:3; 8:24-26) and would be a lifelong Nazirite (Numbers 6:2-6). The son’s name, Samuel (meaning “name of God” or perhaps “heard of God,” 1 Samuel 1:20), served as a continual reminder of God’s mercy toward those who call upon His name. Hebrew children were normally weaned at two to three years of age (1 Samuel 1:23). The words “giving him” (1 Samuel 1:28) literally mean “made him over to”; they speak of an irrevocable giving up of the child to the Lord.

Hannah determines to do something about her anguish. This passage captures one of the agonies that ate the hearts out of Hebrew women – the dread of childlessness. If God will give her a son, Hannah promises, she will give him back by dedicating him to God’s service at the tabernacle. To make it the more certain that her son will become a holy man, she will see that he becomes a Nazarite (see note on Samson as a Nazarite, Judges 13:4-7). His residence in the priestly community attached to the Shiloh sanctuary would have to begin at an earlier age than usual, as a result of the Nazarite vow. Hannah seems to forget that the law provides that everything that opens the womb, human or animal, is supposed to be devoted to the Lord, unless redeemed. Her offer to the Lord suggests that the dedication or redemption of the firstborn (Exodus 13:11-13) was not being practiced at that time of spiritual decay.

Our patience brings blessing, and our response is to return gifts to the blessing bearer. Prayers are voiced from the perspective of our timeframe, but they are all answered from God’s timetable.

So, perhaps the least reasonable of all intercession is “Give me now!” Yet often, this is how we pray. We don’t just ask God for what we want, but we tell Him when we want it. Patience in our petitioning covers the stretch between God’s answering schedule and our asking schedule.

Praying is attuning or adjusting ourselves to the timetable of God. We cannot speed His answers by trying to push God into action. “God, answer me now” is not prayer, but a case of spiritual nerves. Instead, we must always pray, “God, answer me when You will, how You will. I set my watch even now by heaven’s clock.” The length of time between our asking and God’s supply is patience. Amen!

Prayer is the key that unlocks and reveals faith. Effective prayer needs both an attitude of complete dependence and the action of asking. Prayer demonstrates complete reliance on God. Thus, there is no substitute for prayer, especially in situations that seem impossible.

So, let our hearts and minds in tune with God, in the power of God, the Holy Spirit. Let’s continuously and persistently pray for God’s perfect will be done. We as Born-Again Christians have been tried and cleansed, we have moved freely into a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ that is more powerful than it was before our trials. We are at home in the presence and fellowship of God, for we are heirs with our Lord Jesus Christ, more like Him that we could ever have dreamed possible. So, let’s continuously and persistently pray for God’s perfect will be done. Amen!

The principle is that no one has anything of value to bring to God in order to deserve salvation, mercy, justification, or even a second glance from God. The proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored. Acceptance before God cannot be achieved by good deeds, piety, or any amount of self-proclaimed righteousness.

Let’s never get over the effect of God’s saving transformation on people’s lives. People who were lost in sin, filled with anger and bitterness, give up their hatred and become approachable as we have studied and learned last time. That is, of course, why we minister to others. Those of us who minister are not people to whom (fruit of the Holy Spirit) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control comes naturally. We are people who have been remodeled by grace. We thankfully leave our old natures far behind as we embrace the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, the first of the list > agape love of God, and in our treatment of others. Amen!

Sunday by Sunday as we come to worship, let me encourage our brothers- and sisters-in-Christ, and I want my readers and listeners to be both strong in the faith and sensitive to others’ needs. Because all, we as Born-Again Christian believers are strong in certain areas and weak in others, we constantly need to monitor the effects of our behavior on others.

In these PATIENCE Series of Podcast, we will learn the following PURPOSES of this fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT:

1. Learn the art of waiting on God
2. Reminds us how to receive the blessings of God
3. Learn to live by God’s timetable
4. Learn to think about unhurried or painstaking virtue
5. Know how to acquire this virtue slowly
6. Learn to wait from what God promises

On every Podcast, I always have three (3) questions we can answer from only these two (2) Sources: The Bible and Guidance of the Holy Spirit. The following are:

First is about our > Observation: What do these passages or Scriptures say to you?

Second is about our own > Interpretation: What do these passages or Scriptures mean to you?

Third is about how we can apply > Application: How do the meaning of these passages or Scriptures apply to you or to your situation?

If you are not sure that you are Born-Again Christian believer or you have relatives, loved ones, friends, neighbors, and people in your circle of influence, please take a look and/or guide them to one of our ministries, “An Invitation To Meet Our Lord Jesus Christ” at https://homefellowshipchurches.org/an-invitation-to-meet-our-lord-jesus-christ/

Let’s give an opportunity for the lost souls to experience on being Born-Again Christian as explained by our Lord Jesus Christ in the book of John 3:13 in the New Testament of the Bible.

It is as simple as A, B, & C > Admit, Believe, & Confess. All Born-Again Christian believers prayed this simple prayer we called “Sinner’s Prayer”

“Father God, I come to in the name of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge and admit that I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I believe and have faith in Jesus Christ who was born of Virgin Mary, died on the Cross for the penalty of my sins, and rose again that I may have the eternal life. I confess and declare Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord of my life. Comfort, guide, and help me Holy Spirit to live and grow in my spiritual life according to Your Words, purpose, and perfect will of God, in my Lord Jesus Christ name, Amen!”

If you prayed this, “Sinner’s Prayer” sincerely in your heart, you are Born-Again Christian believer. However, you are a spiritual baby who needs to grow up. (See 1 Peter 2:2)

Now, let me pray for all of you:

Father God, we come into your presence in our Lord Jesus Christ name, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for Your agape love and forgiveness you have done on the Cross of Calvary, and continue to intercede for us in prayer. Thank you Holy Spirit as our Helper and Comforter. Thank you for the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, courage and strength. We cling, yield, plug-in and tune-in to you Holy Spirit to help us understand God’s Words, obey them, receive Your divine revelation, know the Truth that sets us free, and apply them in our lives, in our Lord Jesus Christ name, Amen!”

Let’s praise and worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Give all thanks to God for all answered prayers.

Please send your > Praise Reports (answered prayers) and New Prayer Requests via email to: TrinityBlessings@homefellowshipchurches.org. God bless you all and our families!

A Call to Repentance and Be Blessed

In Malachi 3:7-15 AMPC says, “7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’ 8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it”, says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” [Malachi 2:2.] 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer (insects and plagues) for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruits before the time in the field,” says the Lord of hosts. 12 “And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight”, says the Lord of hosts.

If the people would obey God, giving as they should, God would flood His people with blessings. There would be an overabundance of God’s blessing if He was given what He requested.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse – See 2 Chronicles 31:11; cf. 1 Chronicles 26:20; Nehemiah 10:38; 13:5, 12. If the temple storehouses were empty, it was the people’s fault. God had already blessed them with enough to give a little back to Him.

Instead of destroying our crops (blessings), God would make them come in greater abundance than we had ever imagined possible (Amos 4:9; Haggai 2:19; Zechariah 8:12). The devourer – probably referring to locusts, though the word here is general in meaning (Baldwin). In the Near East, locust swarms are known for their ability to damage huge tracts of agricultural land (see note on Joel 1:4).

A delightsome land – All of the blessings promised to Jacob would come to pass if the people would obey God (Deuteronomy 33:29; Zechariah 8:13). Their land would be a delight to all who saw it (Daniel 8:9).

The problem in Malachi 3:7-12 was the people’s departure from God as reflected by their neglect of tithes and offerings. Two annual tithes were required according to Israelite law – one for the Levites (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21), and one to be used in worship at the annual feasts in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 14:22). A tithe was required every three years to provide for the needs of the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). There is debate as to whether this tithe for the poor was in addition to or served as a substitute for the tithe used in worship.

The New Testament pattern for tithing is proportionate giving – a person is to give “in relation to what you have earned” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Certainly a tithe should be given proportionate to one’s wealth, but not all proportionate giving is a tithe.

The anticipation of blessing for obedience to God’s command to tithe was based on the Mosaic covenant, which promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Malachi 3:10; cf. Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Generally, God will meet the needs of His own people (Psalm 34:9-10; Philippians 4:19), but that is not an unconditional guarantee. There certainly were and are exceptions. Yet, where God chooses not to provide physically, He gives sufficient grace to go without (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The problem in Malachi 3:14-15 was that the people were guilty of arrogant words against God. They were saying, “There is no prophet who is serving God,” and “God is not concerned about justice.” God responded by showing that He did distinguish between the wicked and the righteous. The righteous would be blessed, and the wicked would be judged.