by Chad Lewis on July 14, 2009
Every 6 months or so, we get away as pastors to pray together and soak ourselves in the Word. Last week we went to the woods to pray, meditate, converse and eat.
We walked through 1 Timothy together and pointed out many wonderful truths and encouragements from this letter that Paul wrote to his beloved brother in Christ.
One section that stood out to all of us follows:
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17).
The phrase in verse 16 that jumped out at us all was “unlimited patience.” We talked about the amazing grace of God and how those who have truly realized the amount of patience God has for them have much relational grace towards others.
When we find ourselves getting short with others or even ourselves, it is an important to be reminded of the patience God has. As Paul thinks about God saving him, the worst of sinners, he can’t help but break into praise in verse 17. Soak in these truths today and meditate on the patience that God has shown you in your life and to others in your life.
by Chad Lewis on August 19, 2006
Contentment and patience – these are two difficult words to swallow. Clay and I discussed this just the other day. Sometimes we long to be used so greatly by the Lord and all of life looks like a holding pattern. Sometimes we long for a relationship and nothing seems to be on the horizon. Days go by and all seems to be the same and we wonder if God has forgotten our name. Do we believe that He is in control? Do we believe that He has us exactly where He wants us? Sometimes we need to be reminded of God’s plans because the battle rages against us everyday.
The same night I talked to Clay, my wife and I laid down to bed. I was feeling less than content. She mentioned that we should bypass our usual Bible reading for the night and read a devotion from Streams in the Desert.
So we did. It was a message in a bottle to my soul. I will post it below and pray that it ministers to you as well.
August 16
From Streams in the Desert
I waited patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 40:1)
Waiting is much more difficult than walking, for waiting requires patience, and patience is a rare virtue. We enjoy knowing that God builds hedges around His people, when we look at the hedge from the aspect of protection. But when we see it growing higher and higher until we can no longer see over it, we wonder if we will ever get out of our little sphere of influence and service, where we feel trapped. Sometimes it is hard for us to understand why we do not have a larger area of service, and it becomes difficult to “brighten the corner” where we are. But God has a purpose in all of His delays. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” (Ps. 37:23)
Next to this verse, in the margin of his bible, George Mueller made this note: “And the stops too.” It is a sad mistake someone to break through God’s hedges. It is a vital principle of the Lord’s guidance for a Christian never to move from the spot where he is sure God has placed him, until the “pillar of cloud” (Ex. 13:21) moves.
(This excerpt was from the Sunday School Times)
So as we read the above message, let us remember that God is in control. He sees all we were, all we are, and He sees all we will be. In His perfect wisdom and gentle compassion, He is bringing us through the valleys and mountain tops that we need to visit. Even though it sometimes doesn’t feel like it, He is doing a beautiful work in our lives for our best and to His glory, AMEN!
by Chad Lewis on July 25, 2006
This summer has moved by quickly. Ginger and I are working with my dad in Memphis for a few weeks in between a few camps we will be doing some music at during this summer. The heat wave and Memphis humidity have drained us, but it is such a blessing to be able to work with one’s hands (and to have a nail gun.)
During a break one day, I laid down in my dad’s truck and peered up through the leaves of an old shade tree. My mind wandered to the vastness of God’s mind. It seems a little strange to ponder the infinite mind of God. Scientists continue to discover that the universe is bigger than we imagined. They are also finding that things are smaller than we had once thought. All of this is not only known by God, He created it all – He thought it all up.
This same God who knows where every sub-atomic particle is knows the very hairs on our head. I have been humbled lately as God has taken off a few more blinders off of my eyes. I hope they stay off. I see Him working in the good and the bad. Just today, my dad felt led to go to a different worksite. We had not been there for more than a few minutes in weeks. The owner of the house that is being built was on some scaffolding and fell. His leg was broken badly, and we were able to call for help and get him stablized. My wife is a nurse and she guided us in wise decision making. God knew that we needed to be there for him to help.
This is but one small instance in our days filled with God’s amazing Providence. He knows your name and He is caring for you. He is not anxious or worried because He is in control. He knows how everything will turn out. He is our God and He is working.
So let us find rest in Him. Let us realize that patience is needed as we seek Him. Whether or not we are able to do amazing things with our lives is up to Him. His purpose for us is to seek first the Kingdom of God and His face and He’ll take care of the rest. So let us all take this journey of resting in our God. And remember, resting is hard work.
Every 6 months or so, we get away as pastors to pray together and soak ourselves in the Word. Last week we went to the woods to pray, meditate, converse and eat.
