Victory Blog

“Or if the love of thine espousals be forgotten, there must surely be some precious milestone along the road of life not quite grown over with moss, on which thou canst read a happy memorial of his mercy towards thee? What, didst thou never have a sickness like that which thou art suffering now, and did he not restore thee? Wert thou never poor before, and did he not supply thy wants? Wast thou never in straits before, and did he not deliver thee? Arise, go to the river of thine experience, and pull up a few bulrushes, and plait them into an ark, wherein thine infant- faith may float safely on the stream.” – C. H. Spurgeon

Pastor Lloy Stevens, Victory Baptist Church, 01/22/12, AM Service

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“Walk . . . with patience.” – Ephesians 4:1-2

Patient Christians endure negative circumstances, cope with difficult people, and accept God’s plan for everything.
In our instant, microwave, drive-through, “I want it now” culture, patience is hard to come by. We get upset if we have to wait too long in the supermarket line or get stuck behind the guy driving ten miles per hour under the speed limit.
But today’s Scripture tells us that our lives need to be marked by patience. The Greek word translated “patience” literally means “long-tempered.” A patient person doesn’t have a short fuse or lose his temper.
There are three aspects to biblical patience. First, patience never gives in to negative circumstances, no matter how difficult. God told Abraham He would make him into a great nation and give Canaan to his descendants (Gen. 12:2, 7). When God made this promise, Abraham and Sarah had no children. They had to wait far past their childbearing years before God gave them a son. But Hebrews 6:15 says, “Having patiently waited, [Abraham] obtained the promise.” “He did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:20). He trusted God and patiently waited for Him to fulfill His promise. A second aspect of patience is coping with difficult people. Paul tells us to “be patient with all men” (1 Thess. 5:14). This is applied gentleness—a spirit that refuses to retaliate. Our normal reaction is to be defensive when provoked. But a patient person bears insult, persecution, unfair treatment, slander, and hatred. You can’t start a fight with a patient person. He defends God, not himself, knowing that He will repay all wrongs at the right time.
Third, patience accepts God’s plan for everything. It doesn’t question God. A patient person says, “Lord, if this is what You have planned for me, that’s all right.” Romans 8:28 says, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Since God is in control, we can be patient, waiting for Him to work out His will. – John MacArthur

“The devil would love to get you distracted and get you off the course on which God has placed you. God has something He wants you to do and you had better not substitute the good for the best.” – Adrian Rogers, www.lwf.org

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” ¹

1. Matthew 17:20 [↩]

Pastor Lloy Stevens, Victory Baptist Church, 01/15/12, AM Service

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“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”” ¹

In my little boat, the tumults of life can be so over whelming. The winds are rough, the waves are high and my boat is rapidly filling with water. My being tends to be intensely focused upon the storm and it effects. I get discouraged and lose hope.

…Then Jesus comes, calmly walking upon the waters. His presence moves into my boat. He tells me, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” And all of a sudden, my heart knows peace. And comfort. And rest. I am in the presences of Jesus, God Almighty. The One who controls and sustains all. The One who even loves and cares for me…

1. Matthew 14:27 [↩]

February 18-19, 2012

Saturday

• Session 1 – 10:30 AM
• Session 2 – 11:30 AM
• Fellowship Meal 
• Session 3 – 1:30 PM

Sunday

• Session 4 – 10:45 AM
• Fellowship Meal – Noon
• Session 5 – 1 PM
• Session 6 – 2 PM