Be Patient

Good Morning!

On page 306 of my Instep Student Bible is this story insert:

Be Patient

According to Hebrew folklore, Abraham was sitting outside his tent one night when he noticed a weary old man approaching. Abraham rushed out to meet him and invited him into his tent. He washed the old man’s feet and offered him something to eat.

Without saying a blessing or a thank you, the old man started eating. So Abraham asked, “Don’t you worship God?”
The old traveler replied, “I worship fire only and reverence no other god.” When Abraham heard this, he became angry, grabbed the old man by the shoulders and threw him out of his tent into the cold night air.

When the old man had walked off into the night, God paid a visit to his friend Abraham and asked hime about the stranger. “I threw him out because he did not worship You.” Abraham replied. God answered, “I have been patient with him for eighty years, even though he dishonors me. Couldn’t you have endured him for one night?” Suddenly Abraham realized how wrong he had been.

You and I are God’s representatives. One thing we know from our own experience is how patient God is / was / continues to be with us in our periods of disobedience. To be certain, people who despise God and make fun of our Savior rub us the wrong way – but our task remains to lift Christ up so He can draw people to Him. We cannot do that when we throw people away because of their current attitudes. And we recognize that these attitudes may never change … but what if we gave them the opportunity? I think it worth the effort.

Norma update: Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. It is a bowel resection and could possibly be done by laparoscope – which cuts recovery time in half. So I ask that you pray for the surgeons hands and that the easier procedure be accomplished.

Here is one reason why I love Miss N so much: the other night she mentioned that there is a man on the same hall she is on who has been there since May after suffering a stroke. Every once in a while he will call out. Norma took the time to find out that he hasn’t had any visitors since he arrived – and she asked for prayer for this unknown stranger. What a beautiful heart…and she loves me. I thank God every day for bringing her into my life June 1, 1963.

Agape’


Mr. Jim