Wow…so I apologize for totally failing last month! January is a hard one for me.
The reading for the chronological order devotion for this week we are finishing up Job. Monday: Job 21-23 Tuesday: Job 24-28 Wednesday: Job 29-31 Thursday: Job 32-34 Friday: Job 35-37 Saturday: Job 38-39 Sunday: Job 40-42.
How can I be more ______ this year? We often ask ourselves this very question putting different words in that blank. In all honesty how many times do you actually answer it and take action? I’m guilty, I don’t always do this. Here are a few words we should place in that blank and then take action on it.
Patient? The meaning of patient in this context is to be able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. Ouch! I fail at this one big time! So let’s think about it, how could we become more patient this year? Well what does God say?
Proverbs 14:29 says Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Romans 12:12 says Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 1 Timothy 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
So many places in the Bible where God talks about patience. We need to be faithful in prayer at all times. Only He can help us with this one!
Thankful? Start giving God more praise. Look for all the blessings He has given you. This leads to a very thankful heart. I want to focus on making sure I thank my family and friends more, letting them know much I am thankful God put them into my life. Colossians 3:17- And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Joyful? This one I want to give you the biblical definition of joy. A feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. This kind of joy comes from the Holy Spirit. I want to have this kind of joy instead. So how do we become more joyful in the sense of what God wants us to have? Being in communion with Him all day every day. To talk to Him. Read His words. John 15:11 Jesus says I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! James 1:2-3 he says Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Peace? A freedom from disturbance. This is a big one in today’s world. Everyone thinks they are right and so they quarrel with each other over meaningless things. Start asking God to give you the strength to not keep it going. To agree to disagree and to still be friends. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 says Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in ever way. The Lord be with all of you.
Loving? John 13:34 Jesus says A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. We are called to love one another! By being more loving we could do more of what he says to do in John 15:13. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down ones life for ones friends. Those times when I’m struggling, I want to do better with making sure that I put my friends first still. If they need a friend I will be there.
Kind and gentle? Forgiving others and being more patient with them is how I can be more kind this year. Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Faithful? Hebrews 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. We have this kind of faith in God because of what He has done for us in the past. I want to overflow with more faithfulness when I hit roadblocks this year. He has always been there in the past so He will be there then too. God is who He says He is. He is the I Am.
These are just some examples of what you could put into that question. Let’s make this year a good one by doing more of ___ for God. Have a great week! 🧡
Warrior for Christ 