Message Library

Patience to Change

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Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

We are predestined to conform to the likeness of Christ. The Lord will use everything in our lives to make us more Christ-like in order that we might have the mind and heart of Jesus. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) God changes us through his power and love through the Holy Spirit. We let the Spirit guide us and he changes us by renewing our minds and filling our hearts with his love. Patience is required in order to let God mold us to be Christ-like, because it is lifelong process.

If we continue to obey the Lord then we can be confident that he will complete his work in us until our last breath. This requires the courage and discipline to obey his will, and the desire to grow spiritually. So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10) Spiritual growth consists of studying the Word, praying, Christian fellowship, and obedience. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. (1 John 2:3)   We obtain knowledge through reading the Word, and our hearts change when our lives mimic Jesus’ life. This life drives us into the Word, into prayer, and into fellowship.   If we continue in this circle of growth, God changes us by increasing his love in our hearts. Then our motivation to minister to others, to read the Word, to pray, and to fellowship, begins to dominant our lives. Life now becomes more and more fulfilling. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

Be patient and enjoy every day of walking with the Lord. Don’t let Satan condemn you by yielding to his temptation, because we have forgiveness and the power to overcome. Satan will contribute to our impatience by making the life God has for us look undesirable; by making it look difficult for us, and by continually enticing us to our old sinful lives. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44) Satan hates people because they are created in the image of God. His goal is to destroy us by enticing us to a life that is nothing but his lies; a life that leads to death spiritually, and often physically. Satan seeks to make us self-centered, hoping we will self destruct.

Today, live life to the fullest, knowing that God is busy molding you to be more Christ-like. Think about living a Christ-like life and seek to know the rewards of this life. Imagine what the Lord means when he promises you life to the full with nothing missing.

Let’s pray: Lord, give me patience in every area of my life, including my spiritual growth. Help me to live each day fully in Christ with divine purpose. Thank you for molding me by guiding me through life with your love and divine power. Help me to be obedient to your good, pleasing and perfect will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.