God of love, share with this dear reader a generous portion of love for this day and all that they may face. In Christ Jesus' Name, amen.
We can make the case for more successful marriages and relationships, if both parties were commited to being more patient. That may be easier said than done given the stresses of daily life. But isn't that why Christ came? Did Jesus come to sit in the Temple only and preach lofty, unattainable sermons on the holy life without knowing what daily life was about? It cannot be said of Jesus that He did not know about daily life and the events that come to those who live. He was there with those who were ill, he cried at a funeral, and rejoiced at a wedding. He was there with those wondering about tomorrow and the role they would hold in it. In all things, Jesus rose above the normal, expected responses to life and showed us a better way to live. Paul said it as evidence of Christ living in believers when he wrote what we studied yesterday about the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Gal. 5.
Colossians 1:11 says, "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully." The strength to be patient isn't even ours, it's God's. But it's ours for the asking. And with God's power (Holy Spirit) comes that which gives us "great endurance," that which allows us to stay in the stress of daily life and its demands, and "patience." Which is having the right spirit for making the right decisions as led by God's Holy Spirit. Making the right decision in all things gives us patience, for we will know that God's hand has been in that which we faced and God's love has allowed us to make the decision that blesses God and us. And which marriage or relationship does not need a blessing of patience?
PRAYER: Loving God pour out Your Holy Spirit on me. I confess that I need Your presence in my life so that I can be the person You would have me be. May I seek You in all decisions and may I have that Spirit-led patience that will bless my marriage and all my relationships. I ask this in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
