FROM HIS HEART DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR JEFF SCHREVE
From His Heart Devotional 1st February 2023 By Pastor Jeff Schreve. As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: Faith and Patience
…that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. – Hebrews 6:12
From His Heart Devotional 1st February 2023 MESSAGE
When I was a sophomore in high school, I broke my leg in a basketball game against our big rival, the Cy-Fair Bobcats. Drag! The injury meant I had to go to the orthopedic surgeon for x-rays, diagnosis, and a cast.
My doctor was Husam Bahrani. He was from Baghdad, Iraq. While a smart man and a good doctor/surgeon, he did not receive high marks for punctuality. I spent countless hours in his waiting room… waiting… and waiting… and waiting to see him and get needed medical care.
THE WAITING GAME
It is never fun to wait, is it? Most people simply detest it. That is why so many of the products we buy are instant: Instant Coffee… Instant Pudding… Instant Potatoes… Instant Oatmeal… Instant Whatever! We simply do not have more than an instant to wait! Many people I know tap their foot in impatience when their leftovers are being reheated in the microwave oven, wondering when on earth their food will finally be warmed and ready!
Now when it comes to the things of God, you and I can throw out the microwave. God does not have a microwave, He has a crock pot. God tells us that it is through faith and patience that we inherit His promises. If you and I are going to see God do great and mighty things in and through our lives, we MUST be patient and wait on Him and His timing.
Make no mistake about it; waiting on God is one of the hardest things to do. Often, we believe God and trust God for a miracle… but we want it NOW! In our waiting, we can easily get stressed out, frustrated and disillusioned, thinking God does not care about us… for if He did, He would act, and He would act NOW! But the truth of the matter is this: God is never late and never in a hurry. He is always right on time. He has grace to help in time of need. He says to us, “Wait on Me, and I will answer in mighty power at the proper time… and the perfect moment.” The one who believes God… and waits on God… is the one who receives from God.
TAKE IT FROM ABRAHAM
Abraham and Sarah were promised a son. They were old and childless when the promise came. Obviously, they were excited and ready for God’s promise to come to fruition…. but they had to wait 30 years before God gave them Isaac. 30 Years!! The Bible says, “Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he [Abraham] did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was also able to perform” (Rom. 4:20-21). God taught Abraham so much as he waited on God to perform the miracle of Isaac. He strengthened Abe’s faith in the waiting room… and then blessed his socks off with a special son of promise. Did it take some time? Yes! Was it worth it? Certainly!
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you gotten tired of waiting for your miracle? Tired of waiting for Mr. or Ms. Right? Tired of waiting for your healing… or your deliverance… or your promotion… or your dream? Have you given up on your promise from God? Pick up the towel you have thrown in and get back in the waiting room! Add patience to your faith. God’s promise to you will come to pass in His timing… and you will be so glad that you waited for it!
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.