Day 5-"Help me be patient." James 5:8

"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:8 (kjv)

patient-to be long-spirited, patiently endure
stablish-to set fast, to turn resolutely in a certain direction, to confirm; steadfast

The focus of today is patience. Taking that into account, I believe this verse is saying,"Keep the faith & stand firm on it no matter what comes your way because the end will come." 1 Corinthians 15:58 encourages me to keep keep keepn on! I'm starting to think of a boxer. His goal is to win the fight...that's his purpose and mission. In order to that, he has to prepare before the fight, & fight until the end when the fight comes until it comes. My goal is to do the work of God. The fight of a boxer symbolizes my trials, battles within my flesh, and the testing of my faith. The preparation for those times comes in studying the Word, prayer, and the hearing of the Word through my Pastor. The boxer will finish a round & get a break. I complete a trial & then experience rest which allows me to restore. But the boxer doesn't stop at the end of a round
...he must keep fighting & endure the fight until the end. He fights with the assurance that @ some point it will come to an end...it is inevitable and at the end of every round, he gets closer and closer to the end of his fight. He has faith that his training and preparation will result in victory. So for me, I know that the time will come when time as I know it will cease. The Lord will rapture me, along with others who are saved, or I will come to my physical death. Which ever comes first, I am assured that with every passing day I'm coming closer and closer just like a boxer who knows that with every passing round his fight is closer to ending. A boxer doesn't know if he will win or lose...praise God for me, I am assured through Christ that the victory is mine! (1 Corinthians 15:57-But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.)

"In your patience, possess your souls." Luke 21:19
possess-an acquirement.

This verse tells me that quiting (suicide) will result in the loss of my soul. I must consider that my soul is at stake when times get so hard and the pain is so bad that I just want to end it all. I'm not afraid to admit that I've had thoughts of suicide and I'd be shocked if anyone on earth can say that it hasn't crossed their mind at some point because life is like that sometimes. But I've always considered my soul in those times of which I was forced to be patient with life and roll with the punches. Romans 12:11-12 says not be slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; PATIENT IN TRIBULATION; continuing instant in prayer.

"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect & entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4
WOW! Who knew that there was power in patience? Patience=perfection, completion, & full. I can either cling to the promise that the last day is coming & keep the faith or I can give up, quit, & lose at the highest of costs. With patience, I will complete my mission for the Lord and be better than I was before! (Ec.7:8 "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; & the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.) After all, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (phil 4:13)


My Prayer-"Dear Lord, you didn't say the fight of life would be easy but you did promise me the victory if I endure & keep the faith til the end. Whether the end for me comes in death or the end of the world, whichever comes first, help me be patient. When I'm in the ring, help me to stay fixed in the faith & endure the fight so that I may be complete, wanting nothing. Help me to be assured and reminded during my fights that the power of my patience & all my preparations will help me reach the unavoidable end & that the victory is mine. In Jesus' name, AMEN!"