Pursuit of His Presence

2 Peter 1:3-8

3His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Devotional

Growing in the Grocery Store

by Gloria Copeland

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36
Contrary to what you might think, you don’t have to wait for a major trial to develop patience. We have wonderful opportunities in all those small but irritating situations we encounter every day.
In fact, developing your patience a little at a time, in all those everyday situations, is what will build a foundation for you to stand on when major trials come.
I ran into one such situation once in the grocery store. I was in a hurry, so I chose the express line. There were only a couple of people in line and they just had a few items to buy, so I didn’t think it would take long.
But that clerk was so slow! As my frustration mounted I thought, They ought to put a sign here that says “Slow-Motion Line”!
What was that? An opportunity to exercise patience.
Such opportunities are important, because when you exercise patience, it grows. If you’ll use it in small things, it will be strong enough to handle the bigger things when they come along. Every fruit of the spirit increases in you as you exercise it.
Remember that the next time some little aggravation is about to make you lose your temper. Instead of saying, “I’ve had it,” say, “No, in Jesus’ Name, I choose to yield to the force of patience God has put within me. I believe I’ll just count this slow grocery line to be a joy and use it as an opportunity to grow!”
Speak the Word
“I let patience have her perfect work, that I may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” —James 1:4
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