“Without faith, without friendship, there was nothing.”
–Steve Frazee (The Big Die-Up)
“So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.” –Exodus 33:11 (NKJV)
Patience! Now! I read the New Testament with James, Peter, and Paul imploring us to have patience. Even Jesus uttered the words, “By your patience possess your souls.” (Luke 21:19, NKJV) However, I am sure that they never had to deal with insurance companies, mortgage companies, or trying to get a claim settled so work can be done. This is when I am thankful for other versions/translations which render the term, “endurance.”
Don’t worry friend, I won’t sell my soul to an insurance company, nor especially to a mortgage company. But they sure can be exasperating. Seems like few things can be simple nowadays.
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“Partners of wind, their spurs are rust,
Their cattle trails long-settled dust,
But over their campfires’ ashened embers,
The steadfast northern star remembers
That proudly they rode, with the ancient pride
Of all bold men and true who ride!”
–S. Omar Barker
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Faith is imperative to know God, to walk with God, and to serve God. All of the following Scriptures are from the NASB.
“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Therefore, we should not be surprised that Peter begins with faith in his “ladder of virtues.” It all starts with faith, we all have a certain measure of faith. We are not to add to our faith. Faith is the conviction that what Christ said is true and we can commit ourselves to His promises. It is unquestioning certainty.
I’ll repeat what I wrote on Monday. “Faith is not only commitment to the promises of Christ; it is also commitment to his demands. (William Barclay) One of those demands is what Peter is writing about. Add to our faith; equip our faith and do it will all diligence, or “bend all our energy” to equipping our faith.
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Here are some more words from the farmer:
“Words that soak into your ears are whispered… not yelled.”
“Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.”
“Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.”
Have yourself a great day; remember the Lord made it and gave it to you.