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Join Pastor Keith this Sunday as he shares “Surviving Through Patience”

 

In a world built for speed, patience often feels like a forgotten virtue. We want instant answers, immediate results, and quick solutions to life’s problems. Yet James 5:7-12 reminds believers that the Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. James compares our faith journey to a farmer waiting for precious crops to grow. The farmer cannot rush the seasons or force the harvest. He trusts the process and waits expectantly. In the same way, Christians are called to patiently endure until the Lord comes, trusting that God is working even when we cannot immediately see the results.
 

Patience is more than simply waiting—it is enduring with the right attitude. The Greek word James uses describes long-suffering, self-control, and refusing to retaliate when treated unfairly. Jesus demonstrated this perfectly. Though He suffered rejection, abuse, and ultimately the cross, He did not seek revenge. Instead, He entrusted Himself to the Father’s will. As followers of Christ, we are called to respond to difficulties, disappointments, and even injustice with the same spirit of patience and mercy. When we choose patience over anger, we reflect the character of the Savior we serve.
 

James also warns believers about one of the greatest enemies of patience: complaining. When hardships come, it is easy to grumble, criticize others, or become discouraged. Yet James reminds us that the Judge is standing at the door. Rather than tearing others down, believers are called to build up, encourage, and become part of the solution. Patience produces a gracious spirit that trusts God’s timing and remains faithful even when circumstances are difficult. A patient Christian understands that not every problem can be fixed immediately, but every situation can be surrendered to God.
 

The ultimate example of patient endurance is Job. Though he experienced unimaginable loss and suffering, he refused to abandon his faith in God. Through his trials, Job discovered a deeper understanding of the Lord and emerged stronger in his relationship with Him. His story reminds us that God’s compassion and mercy are often revealed most clearly in our seasons of waiting. Whatever challenges you face today, remember that your Redeemer lives. God is still at work, even when the path is difficult. Trust His timing, remain faithful, and patiently continue the race He has set before you. The harvest is coming, and God's purposes will be fulfilled in His perfect time. 

Month 1: What Does the Bible Really Mean by "Blessing"

A Word We Use Often

"Blessed"

It's a word we use all the time, we say it when something good happens. We post it online, say it in church, and even say it when we are asked how we are doing.

But do we ever stop and ask, "What does the Bible actually mean when it uses the word Blessed, or talks about Blessings."

When Scripture uses the word Blessed, it often has a deep and rich meaning.

In this first post of our monthly blog series, we will explore how Scripture defines blessing, not as comfort or success, but as life lived under God’s favor and presence.

Blessing is Bigger Than Personal Circumstances

One of the biggest misunderstandings about Blessing is that it equals comfort, success, or that things are "going our way" in life.

But Scripture shows a different understanding of the word.

Psalm 1:1 says:

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the way of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers."

In this Scripture there is no mention of money, health, achievements, or personal circumstances. Instead it is showing that Blessing is connected to who you walk with, allow to shape your life, and where you place your trust.

Blessing Begins With God's Favor

The first time the word "Bless" appears in Scripture is in Genesis 1:28

" And God Blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply...'"

Blessing begins with God's initiative, not human effort.

Adam and Eve did not earn God's Blessing, they received it.

Blessing flows from God's gracious decision to share His goodness with His creation.

Blessing is not something we achieve, it is something God gives us.

Jesus Redefines What It Means to Be Blessed

In Matthew 5, Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit...

Blessed are those who mourn...

Blessed are the meek..."

Jesus calls people who feel empty, broken, overlooked and grieving Blessed.

Which leads to the question of why is he calling them Blessed?

Blessing in God's kingdom, is not tied to strength or success, but to being connected to and depending on God.

Jesus is showing that Blessing does not mean to be without hardship, but rather we know that God is with us always.

So What Is the Biblical Meaning of Blessing?

Biblical Blessing is this:

To be Blessed is to live under God's favor, shaped by the truth of His word, and sustained by His presence.

This definition of Blessing can exist in joy or sorrow, abundance or struggle. It is deeper than the circumstances and stronger than anything we may face.

Why This Matters

If we define Blessing only based on circumstance, we will constantly be filled with pride or disappointment.

But when we understand Blessing biblically:

• We learn to have gratitude in the difficult times
• We trust God even when life seems uncertain
• We stop chasing Blessings themselves, and chase after the one who Blessed us.

Blessing is not about getting everything we want, it's about becoming who God is shaping us to be.

Looking Ahead

Throughout the year, we will explore how Scripture speaks about Blessing:

• Blessing in Christ
• Blessing in obedience and suffering
• Blessing in forgiveness, community, and eternal hope.

Our Prayer is that in this journey we become aware of God's goodness and how we can live as people who are Blessed in all circumstances by a God who loves us unconditionally.

Closing Prayer

Lord, help us to understand what it means to be a blessed people, help us to rely on you and your goodness and not on our circumstances and personal abilities. Teach us to seek you in all things, and to trust that your presence is enough. We confess that we often look for blessings in comfort, but you show us all blessings come from you. We thank you for the blessings we have received and we thank you for your faithfulness, You alone can provide us with peace and hope and we place our faith in you alone, In Jesus' name we pray Amen.

Month 2: Blessing Begins with God

The True Source of Every Blessing

A Question We Must Ask

In our first blog, we asked what the Bible really means by “Blessing.”

We discovered that biblical blessing is deeper than possessions, bigger than comfort, and stronger than circumstances. It is about God’s favor, presence, and purpose resting on someone’s life.

But now we must ask another important question: Where does that blessing come from?

If we misunderstand the source, we will misunderstand the blessing itself.

The Moment Everything Changed

One of the clearest answers is found in Genesis 12:1–3.

God calls Abram and makes an incredible promise:

“I will bless you…
I will make your name great…
You will be a blessing…
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Before Abram builds anything.
Before he proves his faith.
Before he accomplishes something worthy of recognition.

God says, “I will.”

That is the foundation.

Blessing begins with God.

God Is the Source

Abram did not earn this promise. Scripture does not describe him as spiritually superior or uniquely qualified.

Scripture tells us God chose him.

This challenges the way we naturally think. We live in a world that tells us:

• Work harder
• Do more
• Prove yourself
• Earn your place

But Genesis 12 shows us something radically different:

Blessing originates in the heart of God.

• Not in human effort.
• Not in performance.
• Not in potential.

In God

If God is the source, then blessing is not something we manufacture, it is something we receive.

Relationship Before Results

Notice something powerful: the promise comes before the track record.

God initiates relationship first.

Abram’s responsibility was simple, trust and follow.

Blessing flows from relationship, not achievement.

If blessing were based on performance:

• Only the impressive would qualify.
• Only the disciplined would be favored.
• Only the spiritually elite would experience it.

But Scripture shows that blessing rests on God’s faithfulness, not human flawlessness.

Abram would struggle.
He would doubt.
He would make fear-driven decisions.

Yet God’s promise remained.

Why?

Because the source of blessing is God’s character, not human consistency.

Living From the Source

This truth reshapes how we live.

We often try to earn God’s favor.
We attempt to deserve His goodness.
We strive to prove ourselves worthy.

But Scripture reminds us:

We are blessed because God chooses to bless.

That means:

• You are not blessed because you had a perfect week.
• You are not favored because you never struggle.
• You are not chosen because you outperform others.
• You are blessed because God is gracious.

When we understand that blessing begins with Him, we stop striving for approval and start living from identity.

Looking Ahead

There is one part of God’s promise to Abram we will explore next month

“You will be a blessing.”

If God is the source, then His blessing always carries purpose.

In our next post, we will explore what it means to be Blessed to Be a Blessing,  and how what God gives is never meant to stop with us.

Closing Prayer

Lord, remind us that every blessing begins with You. Guard our hearts from striving to earn what You freely give. Teach us to trust Your initiative, rely on Your faithfulness, and rest in Your grace. Help us live each day aware that You are the true source of every good thing. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 

Month 3: Blessed to Be a Blessing

Have you ever stopped to ask why God blesses us?

It is a question that challenges how we think about success, provisions, and favor from God. Worldly culture teaches to hold on tightly to what we have. However, Scripture leads us to a different conclusion. It shows us that when we are blessed, the blessing is not supposed to stop with us.

From the very beginning, God's intention was clear. When God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, God said "I will bless you... and you will be a blessing." God was showing Abraham that the blessing came with a purpose. It was never just about Abraham, the blessing extended to everyone his life would touch and even us today.

Blessing is meant to flow

God does not bless selfishly

Every gift, opportunity, and provision we receive has an outward purpose. We are not meant to store up blessings and hoard them for ourselves. We are not reservoirs, but rather designed to be like rivers and let the blessings flow to others. When we allow the blessing to stop with us, we miss God's purpose for the blessing. But when we allow them to flow, the blessing will multiply in ways we could have never imagined.

Think about it this way: Kindness shared creates more kindness. Generosity sparks more generosity, and love given allows more love to grow.

What Does God Require?

The prophet Micah shows us what a life of blessing looks like:

"To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God"

It seems simple, but it can sometimes be a struggle. However, if you take this to heart and apply it to your life it can be transformational.

Act Justly: Use the blessings God has given you in a manner that is honoring to God.

Love Mercy: Extend compassion, even when it is undeserved. Show the love of Christ just as he loved us and saved us from our sins even though we are undeserving.

Walk Humbly: Remember that every blessing comes from God, not from our own efforts.

Living in this manner turns ordinary lives into a powerful testimony of God's goodness. Our world does not show this kind of love and generosity, but as Jesus said in John 13:35 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 

A Need to Shift Our Perspective

What if we stopped asking, "How is God blessing me?" and started asking, "Who is God wanting to bless through me?"

We need to shift the focus from ourselves to asking, "How can I be used by God to bless others?"

When we do this, everything begins to change:

• Our time becomes an opportunity to serve God and others
• Our resources become tools God can use to impact the Kingdom
• Our words become instruments to encourage and spread the love of Christ 

We start to see blessings in a different manner, it's no longer about receiving for ourselves but rather a resource to be used in the spreading of the gospel.

Living this out

God's blessings were always meant to flow to others.

This month, take a moment each day and intentionally look beyond yourself:

• Who can you encourage
• Where can you show generosity
• How can you show mercy, and the love of Christ

Then ask yourself, "How can I be used by God today?"

The reality is that you may not always see the impact of your actions, but God does. And that is the beauty of it: If we allow his blessing to flow through us, we become part of a greater purpose that reaches beyond what we can see. A simple action could have an eternal impact on someone's life, so make sure you do not miss your opportunity.

Closing Prayer

God, we pray that you will allow us to have gratitude for the blessing we have received. We pray in these blessings we realize they are opportunities to show how good you are. A lot of times we focus more on the blessing but forget the one who blessed us, so change our hearts and our minds to be focused on your purpose. We do not want to store up these blessings and miss out on the opportunities to serve you. But rather want to be used by you, because we know there is not safer or better place to be than in the will of God, so help us seek you daily. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.