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Hear the devotional: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Advent-Is-All-About-Waiting-e1rqh3b
7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. (Jame 5:7-10 NRSV)
A blessed and tremendous Tuesday to you, dear Friend. May today expose you to God's grace like never before and guide you to new levels of discipleship. Pray for one another. Pray for the needs of those who have asked prayers of us. Please add the name of Ms. Patty May as she underwent surgery yesterday for a recurring cancer. Patty is the sister of our brother Mr. Clay Pace of Karnes City. Pray for the needs of the world; pray for your needs and concerns.
Advent is a time for learning how to wait. For some of us it is extremely difficult. Several years ago, Nellie and I were in a medical mission trip to Puebla, Mexico. We were working with a Methodist clinic and the majority of the clients were of Aztec Indian descent. The nurses at the clinic said that most Aztecs expect medicines and vitamins to work immediately, and do not buy into the "give the medicine some time to work." And true to form, most had seen the last team that had been there the previous week and had received the same medicines we were prescribing to them, but according to the patient, "The medicines have not worked!" The idea of giving them up to 14 days for the drugs to work was not part of their expectation.
I repeat, advent is a time for learning how to wait. The writer of this epistle says, "Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord," and then asks for us to be like the farmer who waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains." On social media there's a woman who moved here to Texas from New Jersey and she posts almost every day about what is so strange, and yet so wonderful about being in Texas. And just last night she listed a whole lot of things she really admires about our state and she said, "And rain. People in Texas are grateful for any rain they receive; and it makes a difference in their lives." That touched me because of those whom we know whose very lives depend on rain; and so James using this example hit home with people even in his time; rain meant life and in the same way, Jesus means life. We await the coming of the Lord and when He does come again, He will bring eternal life to those whom have asked for it. In His first coming, His birth signaled the arrival of abundant life, which we should celebrate all the time and not just at Christmas.
Why waste time and the time of others with the insignificant things, like grumbling against each other; live a life that will not need to be judged because you gave yourself to righteousness and love.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we await with grateful and thankful hearts the coming of the Lord Jesus in glory. We rejoice with all joy His birth in Bethelehem and all that He offers through His word. Grant us patience and peace; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Live a joyful, righteous life!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
