Through Faith and Patience

Through Faith and Patience TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: …imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:12, NIV. TODAY'S WORD: In our culture today, people are used to getting things right away. We’ve been programmed for immediacy. People don’t like to wait. But the scripture says, “It’s through faith and patience that we inherit God’s promises.” Sometimes, it’s easy for people to have faith. We declare, “God, I believe I’m going to accomplish my dreams. God, I believe I’m going to overcome this obstacle.” But, it gets harder when we have to walk in patience. When you pray, can you say, “God, I not only believe for big things, but I trust Your timing. God, I’m not going to get discouraged if it doesn’t happen immediately. I’m not going to give up because it’s taken a week, a month or five years. I know the set time is already in my future, so I’m going to wait with faith and patience because I know that it’s on the way.” Remember, through faith and patience we inherit His promises. Trust His Word, trust His timing and trust that your answer is on its way! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, today I declare that I trust You. I trust Your faithfulness. I trust Your goodness. I know that You are working things out in my favor and in Your timing. I declare that through faith and patience I will inherit every promise You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen! PS... The Law of the Harvest: You Reap More Than You Sow   by Rick Warren "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV) The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (NIV). If you ever feel pressured to give, don't. You don't get any credit for that kind of gift. The Bible says, "God loves a cheerful giver.” God’s not looking at the amount you give but at your attitude. This principle of sowing and reaping applies to every area of life, not just your finances. Whatever you sow in life, you're going to reap. Whatever you deposit is going to be returned to you. If you sow criticism in life, you are going to reap criticism from other people. If you sow kindness, you're going to reap kindness. It's the law of the harvest. If you plant apple seeds, you don't get pears; you get apples. If you sow with generosity, you will reap generosity. This is the principle of the harvest: Whenever you have a need, plant a seed. When a farmer looks at his barren fields, he doesn't gripe about it. He just goes out and starts planting some seed. If he only has a little bit of seed, he has a choice. He can either hoard it, or he can give it away. If he holds onto it, that's all he's got. If he gives it away, God will multiply it. The amazing thing is this: You don't just reap what you sow. You always reap more than you sow! God set it up this way because he wants you to become like him. God is a giver. The only way that you're ever going to become like him is to learn to be generous. When you're stingy, you're like the devil. When you're generous, you're like God. When you give it away, God multiplies it. This sounds illogical — to give away when you have a need so that you will get more back. But that's why it’s faith! God says the way you get is by giving, not by holding on. Talk It Over What are some examples from your life where you have received from God and others more than you gave away?   How do you decide in your heart what you should give?