Beloved Brethren,

Today's message is of utter importance for the breakthrough in pleasing the Father. See, as we know, we are to be a light for the world. We are supposed to be representing God as a glorious example.



1 Co 3:16] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

The way we can think about this is our house, we want our own homes to be as nice, clean, and perfect as possible, to be the greatest expression of ourselves as possible. We want our kids, and employees, and everything that represents us to be as accurate as possible as to not mislead anyone on who we are.



1 Peter 2:21] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:



Our blessings can truly be a glorification of Him, for they show the world of what He was willing to give us, as long as we give the proper glory to Him. Yet, showcasing our blessings doesn't provide an example of God. See, as we know in [1 John 4:8] that God is love, so how can we represent God without representing love, and one great way love is shown is in patience, whereas we have the title of this message, Patience is a Virtue. Patience is something that is so often overlooked that it is a shame.



Obviously, we've heard that phrase all of our lives, but let's put it into practical terms here. Patience is one of our major causes of stress in our lives. We steadily rush through our own lives, but the major problem comes when we place the burdon of our own rushing on somebody else's shoulders. Yet, we call ourselves representations of God. When has God ever placed so much pressure on us? If God allows us to follow Him and get ourselves together without pressure at our own pace, why can't we do the same to others? If God was as demanding to us as we are to others, we could not take it. We could not take the impatience that we deliver towards others if it came from God. Yet we still try to call ourselves the children of God. Would we approve of our own children treating people in ways that we don't agree with? No. Impatience can be a hurtful thing, that can really tarnish and trash relationships between brethren, so let us today try to turn over a new leaf, and extend the love of God to one another in the way of patience, that we may be ever-closer to the image of Christ in our ways in this life. Be blessed and renewed, and be as Christ, then watch the change that you make in this world. God wishes to bless us, but our greatest example of Christ is through our blessings of others. Ministry is servitude, and we must be willing to accept that to serve Christ, who through His life served us, and to truly serve, it's going to require much dedication, love, and patience. Patience is a virtue.



Let us pray.

Heavenly father, Help us to be a better example of Christ in our daily lives. Open our hearts to feel the pressure that we place on others in our impatience, that we may understand and feel our own conviction, that we may also turn away from those ways and be a better servant of Christ. In the mighty name of Christ, we pray. Amen.