Dear Friends:
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
Many thanks to those of you who have responded to the letter on humility (though I guess true humility wouldn't tell you that I got letters!) There is evidence, that as I spent time with the Lord this week that this little series on fruit was truly where He wanted me to go. As I watched members of our church going through trial and tribulation last week, to the point where I felt helpless, I realized that while I knelt with tears on my face on the floor of the church, longsuffering was where I was headed.
In a world of microwave food and items like computers that answer before I ask, longsuffering probably isn't high on our agenda. It's on that list we pray for to appear in other's life and back burner in our own, along with patience, grace and...oh yeah, WAIT. Most of us learn these behind the car who hasn't decided if he likes this shade of green or when our teenager is 5 minutes late on their first solo drive.
Speed (at least in this country) is sought after in all things. My computer catalogs arrive with computers twice as fast as last week's model, modem's 4 times faster than mine and credit card operators willing to take your money before you make it!
Longsuffering means "long and patient endurance of offense" according to the dictionary and the God comes along and calls it virtue, a fruit of the Spirit. Many Christians are looking for the newest handbook on spiritual warfare, chasing the latest revival, or going to another meeting. I have been there. Longsuffering,mmmm. Is that a fruit you are bearing in your walk?
There's a reason behind it I am sure. When you look at all those fun words, "long, patient, endurance, offense". There weren't too many fillers in the definition. I look at our church which is young people. 40 people between 12 and 25 years old. (None of which has been able to beat me running!-There must have been something to the President's Fitness Council!!!) These people have cut there teeth on instant gratification. We see a generation that frequently misses the waiting period for anything.
And then we tell them in the middle of offense, not only do we turn away, remembering we are dead to our flesh, but endure, patiently. I don't know about you, but when offenses come (and scripture says they will) that is usually a testing ground for me. When someone told me some of the people in our church looked like they were on welfare, I had to bite my tongue, and put my hands in my pocket, and take a deep breath, and remember that Jesus loved this man, too. It didn't say you will suffer long for any reason, other than offense.
When my stepdaughter walked out of the house to live with her father, and I saw that as walking into the jaws of the enemy, I learned patience, enduring the offense. She left all of her Christian tapes, clothing, and even her Bible. So Jesus, endured my 35 years of rebellion. That's what crossed my mind. As I pass my eighth anniversary of being a Christian, I see what He suffered on my behalf. And then I realize that Alyssa walking away from the Lord brings this fruit of the Spirit called longsuffering.
If he wants me to have it, I really do want it. Inside I want the best He can offer me. When someone wants to inventory my life, checking the fruit, I want it to be there. The biggest clump of fruit they ever saw!
So today, while you are thanking God for this message(!), take time to see what God is truly saying here ( Galatians 5). I don't think we go looking for it, I think the implication is clear that it will find us. Jesus said, "offenses will come" and "that there will be many who will revile you for my name" indicating to me that the opportunity to endure offense patiently.
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
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please mail us at:
154 Paddock Road
Springfield, Vermont 05156
For those who support us in prayer and deed we appreciate it.
Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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