Patience and Hope

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.  Romans 15:4

Do you spend time in the scriptures and allow them to teach you?  They are there for our learning, that we may have hope.  But this hope only comes when we study with patience and then receive the comfort that is given to us by God's word.  Many study and learn, but never find comfort or rest.  When you read the word of God do you receive comfort?

Comfort- To strengthen the mind when depressed or enfeebled; to console; to give new vigor to the spirits; to cheer, or relieve from depression, or trouble.

Many today, when depressed or troubled, turn to drugs or alcohol to find comfort and relief of mind, but this only temporary.  

Patience- Perseverance; constancy in labor or exertion.

Are you digging into the scripture? 

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

John 5:39

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.  Proverbs 2:3-5

Do you spend enough time in the scriptures for the Lord to teach and reveal things to you?

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 
John 14:26  

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

John 16:13

It's only when we read the scriptures and allow them to teach us patience and comfort, that we then receive the hope that is contained therein.

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Titus 2:13

 

Are You Righteous Before God?

The word of God (Authorized King James Bible) states in Romans 10:1-4,

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 

My fear is that to many today are trying to establish their own righteousness before God.  Just as Israel had a zeal of God, yet not according to knowledge, so to many that call themselves "christians" have a zeal for the things of God, but not according to God's word!  They have never submitted themselves to the righteousness of God, found in the Lord Jesus Christ.  What are you resting in?  Do you rest in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ or are you trying to justify yourself before God?  Do you make excuses on why you can't understand God's word the King James Bible and need a "easier" bible to read?  Could it be that you have never been born again?  I pray that you seriously consider where you stand with God.

Romans 9:31-33 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Why did not Israel attain to the law of righteousness?  Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.  Are you basing and resting on your good works to bring you into a right relationship with God?  If you are you will never be saved!  The word of God says that:

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:  for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  Romans 3:20

To many today have a head knowledge of salvation, but there heart and life have never been changed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ!  Why don't so many today come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?  Because they fall short, just as Israel does, in that the Lord is a rock of offence and a stumblingstone.  They have never been broken before God!  A stubborn and rebellious people are we as a nation!  We never do anything wrong, always have an excuse, and it is always the fault of somebody else!  Quit trying to justify yourself!  Fall down and get broken before God!

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God:  on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if the continue in his goodness:  otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.  Romans 11:22

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.  Isaiah 57:15