Day 33

LOVE: BE KIND AND PATIENT!

  • KINDNESS WITH PATIENCE INSPIRES US WITH DIVINE POWER

GOD’S WORD: Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you & asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:9-14, NIV)

REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. What kinds of spiritual filling should I be “patiently praying” about for myself and for others?
  2. Do I usually keep praying until the “filling” comes both for myself or others or do I give in to discouragement?
  3. What do these terms mean: “filling with the knowledge of his will, spiritual wisdom and understanding”?
  4. For what kind of spiritual life and service would this kind of “filling equip me”?
  5. How important might this kind of spiritual filling be for me personally in order to become “strong in theLord’s power and might”?
  6. How might really sincere fasting and prayer help me “grow ingreat endurance and patience”?
  7. What has the Lord already done for me which should “inspire me with great patience with godly power”?
  • PATIENCE WITH FAITH HELPS US “KNOW AND SEE THE LORD’S WORKING”

GOD’S WORD: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. (Hebrews11:1-2, NIV)

REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. What does it really mean when I say faith is a case of “being sure and certain”?
  2. How can I wholeheartedly “hope” for something I cannot see, claim something as certain even when it appears to be so uncertain as I see things in a moment of time?
  3. How can I possibly be “certain” of what I cannot experience as tangible because it seems intangible?
  4. If Hebrews 11 were being written today, whom do we personally know and feel might be mentioned on the great list of those who have been examples of great faith, patience and faithfulness to the Lord through all ages of divine history?
  5. What do I feel it might take for my faith, kindness and patience to “make the list” of the faith heroes?
  6. How might patience and prayer with fasting help clear my spiritual vision to “see the unseen and know the unknown”?

GOD’S WORD: God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.(Hebrews 13:7, NIV)

REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. How might my choosing to set aside time to patiently seek the Lord’s will relate to my desire to focus confidence in the eternal promise of the Lord: “I will never leave or forsake you”?
  2. How did Jesus, our Chief Shepherd, model the greatest faith with patience, especially during the times when he was forced to find security through “total dependence upon his Father”?
  3. Can I “see great spiritual power in the teaching and examples” of our pastors and other spiritual leaders?
  4. What is the main reason for my being able (or not able) to have “just as strong a faith” as the many saints of the Lord mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11?
  • PATIENCE WITH FAITH CAN LEAD PEOPLE OF FAITH TO “MOVE MOUNTAINS”

GOD’S WORD: “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21, NIV)

REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. Would Jesus describe me personally as a man or woman of “little faith” or “big faith”?
  2. What is the significance of Jesus’ comparing “little faith” to that of a mustard seed?
  3. What are some “mountains” I really need to move by faith in order to become fully victorious in my spiritual lives?
  4. What are some “mountains” I know my spiritual brothers and sisters need to move by faith in order to become fully victorious in their spiritual lives?
  5. When were some times when I felt like I really have seen “mountains move” by faith?
  6. How might my faith, kindness and patience help nurture and mature “mountain-moving faith” in the lives of other Christ-followers whom I know and love deeply?