Week 3 - Patience

This week we learned patience in several ways.  One way was being patient in the heat.  It was very hot last night but once we got started on our fun evening, I don't think any of us minded!  The next lesson in patience was in our Bible story as we learned that Jacob loved Rachel so much he patiently waited seven years to marry her. 

The most important lesson on patience was the story told about a family who had been praying for a long time for the grandfather of the family to accept Jesus' love for him, to ask Jesus for forgiveness of his sins, and to give his life to Jesus--or become a Christian.  One night during a special service at their church, the pastor gave an invitation and invited the people there to come forward to give their lives to Jesus.  Down the aisle came a little boy, a father, and the grandfather!  The church was so excited to see the grandfather coming forward that they hardly noticed the little boy.

The Bible tells us that there is great rejoicing in heaven when one person comes to Jesus.  Imagine how excited the angels must have been to see these three coming forward!  Imagine one of the angels going to the throne of God where there were three candles. They were all white but they weren't all the same size.  One was very small, one was medium size and the last one was very tall.  The angel lit the candles, each representing the three that came forward.  You might think the tall candle was for the grandfather but actually, the short one represented the grandfather's life.  He had already lived most of his life and now there was just a small amount of time left for him to live for Jesus.  But the little boy--oh, the little boy!  The tall candle was for his life because he had the rest of his life left to give to God.

2 Peter 3: 9 says: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  God is patient, but how he longs for each of us to accept his gift of love while we are young so we can live for Him.  What have YOU chosen?  You can give your life to Jesus today simply by praying this prayer:

"Jesus, I know I have sinned (done things I know I shouldn't have done).  I believe you died on the cross for me because you love me so much. I am trusting in you to forgive me for all my sins and to come into my life.  Help me live for you from this day on."

Let your light shine!