Sunrise, A Distant Light, Sunset, Desire Found Wanting

Fruit of The Holy Spirit #4 (Makrothumia) Patience

“I find myself reminding The Lord about the moss that is overwhelming my many petitions”

photo: Edward Biamonte

Intro: Galatians 3:2

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

Hebrews 11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

“Patience Is Endurance, Perseverance, The Ability To Wait”

It’s hard to remember how many times I have found myself overwhelmed and dealing with the feeling of despair. Usually it concerns items that I have been praying about for a long period of time and what might seem an eternity. Going before the Throne of Grace daily, applying faith in prayer, vigilant, concerning items of what I perceive as need: healing, be a better person, walk in the fruit of The Spirit, ministry goals I would like to see met, daily needs, and issues concerning the depravity of humanity.

You know, the issues that we see happening daily in society. I’m praying to see and be used in a mighty revival of God’s manifest presence. A move of God that is so powerful with The Glory of God, His manifest presence, it would cause great repentance and harvest.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Like the Evan Roberts / Welsh revival that destroyed what many considered to be normal behavioral or social norms in Wales prior to the time the Welsh revival happened. History states the behaviors listed in Galatians concerning the deeds of the flesh were most evident in Wales.

I. Frustration V/S Patience

In our prayer life we must come to realize we can pray daily with The Holy Spirit. This means to cry out for the deeper things of God. Praying in and with The Holy Spirit is to pray the will of God be done on earth as He has spoken in heaven. With this realization comes these thoughts: this is good because it’s of God and I am praying His will is to His Glory. With this revelation, a realization, there’s a profound expectation of faith in one’s spirit that wasn’t present before. And with that expectation, an anointed assurance expecting God’s poured out blessings. It’s natural to think, when praying with The Holy Spirit, to believe the answers to those prayers and blessings from God are going to happen immediately. I mean, after all, you are praying the very will of God. When the answer doesn’t immediately happen, that’s when the fruit of patience has to take hold in your spirit.

This is reality: any answer to prayer can only happen by “My Spirit saith The Lord of Host”. Yet, when the answer has yet to be manifest and be physically realized the desire to be patient and steadfast remains in your spirit while your soul wants it now; you must maintain vigilance until the prayer is answered. Read Hebrews chapter 11. This causes tension between your spirit and your flesh.

Hebrews 11

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

James 1:

2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and un-grudgingly, and it will be given you. 6 But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; 7 for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, 8 must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

II. Do you believe God keeps His promises, is faithful to His word, wants to bless and heal you? Do you pray believing he will?

A personal note: I’ve have been praying for a long time concerning the blessings of God, the out pouring of His Glory. I know this is His will moving forward, because it concerns His great harvest, the foundation of why Jesus died for our sins. Included in my harvest prayers, “the great commission”, are the issues we’re facing daily as a society. Saints all over the world in the body of Christ want to see God’s will be done, His changes made manifest. They want to see the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Concerning Galatians 5:19-20 what I refer to as the bad behavior list, the kind of profound change by God in times past will only happen by a mighty move of God, a revival of God’s manifest presence. Only God can truly change a persons heart.

Galatians 5:16-21

16 But I say, walk by The Holy Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

The Bad Behavior List: At this point, we’re not talking about the sin in our lives but rather the rampant sin being exhibited by an unsaved world spinning out of control. What I’m pointing to is the exhibition of His grace and power manifested in Galatians 3:2-6. To change the world we need a powerful The Holy Spirit outpouring and renewal to take place.

Galatians 3:2-6: Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

III. If God does not move by His power then this behavior will continue.

Galatians 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The authors of “The Fire Bible Commentary“, Dr. Stanley Horton and Dr. Donald Stamps defined “Makrothumia” or Patience as: endurance, perseverance and the ability to wait without becoming angry, annoyed or upset. It also includes the ability to tolerate being hurt or provoked without losings one’s temper. This is the direct opposite of what’s listed as behaviors of the flesh and has been documented as present day social norms.

Patience is maintaining hope and not giving in to a feeling of despair:

While writing this post the thought came to mind “one day in heaven is as 1000 on the earth”. Because the God Head, The Holy Trinity, live in a timeless existence called eternity; their time frame is different from ours. Here’s a thought: “one day in heaven is as 1000 on the earth”, every prayer we pray is just seconds or minutes away from arriving in heaven behind our previous prayers. Knock, knock, knock and the door will be opened to you.

Can you imagine the constant sound of prayers, petitions and weeping? The sound of tears hitting the bottom of everyone’s personal tear bottle in heaven; the one that stores up your tears for eternity? Every sound of worship, praise and petition spoken on earth that inundates the ears of The God Head? Can you imagine what the sound must be like when we rise up in worship and pray in unity as a body? Yet, what’s more profound than this is that God rejoices in our praise prayers, petitions and supplications.

While pressing in with our petitions before The Holy Father, the petulant children we are, one must confess going before Him angry and frustrated at times in relation to unanswered prayers. For many, we want to see God move powerfully in relation to demonic issues taking place religiously and socially in the U.S and around the world. Many are frustrated we have not seen the manifestation of His power and presence as in times past.

IV. Are you frustrated your prayers, even the ones directed by His Holy Spirit to pray, are still experientially unanswered. “Patience” relates to every area of one’s life; including every need you’re praying for.

Father God… ?

Romans 4:17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” Maybe, one might be frustrated and angry Father God hasn’t answered our petitions in the manner we want to see and hear them answered?

A personal note: I find myself many times reminding Him about the moss that is overwhelming my many petitions. Father God… ?

This never seems to go well in my favor, regardless of how cathartic I think the interaction went. In the end I usually end up in tears and repenting to a gracious Holy Father who loves and blesses me despite my many flaws and failures. Always responding to me in the truest definition of His being, the fruit of The Holy Spirit, an example for me to contemplate.

V. Trust mandates Patience which builds trust.

Galatians 5:22-26

22. As we endeavor to walk in the fruit of The Holy Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23. gentleness, self-control; for against such things there is no law” can we truly obtain this perfection? The fact is, yes, in Christ who is our perfected righteousness we are perfected in spirit; however, our soul and our flesh must be crucified daily to live out the word of God as we walk the walk of our salvation.

Eph. 4:32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Col. 3:12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

2Tim. 3:10 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Another thought just came to mind concerning trust; remember The Lord’s visitation with Job? He came in a whirlwind while Job was sitting by a campfire scrapping off the boils from his skin the devil was allowed to afflict Job with. (Job 30:4) The Lord said to Job: Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?, And (Job 40:1-2) Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.

Ouch, talk about tough love. God is there with the answers, are we listening?

Job’s Confession and Repentance

Job 42 Then Job answered the Lord and said:

2 I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

3 Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

4 Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;

6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

This is what happens when our Holy God manifest His presence, people fall on their face before Him and repent. No Lord I was not there and please forgive me and my lack of respect and patience for who You are. Come to think of it, I have never, even remotely, been in Job’s situation. If you want a sober slap of reality concerning your situation please read the book of Job.

VI. Building Patience:

Because we belong to Christ Jesus we are daily putting to death, “having crucified”, the flesh with its passions and desires. That includes the lack of patience. We have to trust God in all things.

If we are being transformed into the image of our Savior Jesus Christ and are trying to live a life revealing the evidence of the fruit of The Holy Spirit in our walk, let us also walk in the power of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us, empowers us, guides us and places faith– the expectation of God’s blessing into our hearts. This includes the ability to walk in the fruit of The Holy Spirit.

When His fruit is evident in our lives we are putting to death the flesh. And when patience is an evident fruit we are no longer boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. God, The Holy Spirit, is faithful to remind us that we must keep our eyes, our minds, prayerfully dwelling on the things of Christ.

This is a promise given to us if we wait patiently upon the Lord

Isaiah. 40:30 “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Jesus Gave His All to give us a choice to receive every blessing we have been given by God Almighty or to reject it. That includes walking in the fruit of His Holy Spirit. Some might ask, how could we reject this blessing, His word, concerning patience and perseverance?

Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. It’s our choice.

In closing: Our loving Holy Father, The Creator of the universe, gave us what He loves the most, His beloved Son and provided us with salvation, the only way to eternal life. It was Father God’s intention, all along, for us to have to fellowship with Him through a personal communicative relationship. In that personal relationship The Holy Spirit leads us unto all truth. And this includes His fruit called patience and trust.

Remember: we know this to be true because God sent us what He loves the most, Jesus, to die on a cross for us. It’s through Jesus’ work on the cross that we can find forgiveness of sin and start our fellowship with God the Creator. James 1: 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

What are your prayers that have been left unanswered? Do you believe God keeps His promises, is faithful to His word, wants to bless and heal you? Do you pray believing He will? We must “wait upon The Lord” believing His timely answer will come according to “the kind intention of His perfect will” for every situation we are praying about.

Let Us Pray, Believing Together, I’m praying to see revival, however, this message of “Patience” relates to every area of one’s life; including every need you’re praying for. What Are Your Needs Today? 6 But remember, “ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; 7 for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, 8 must not expect to receive anything from the Lord”.

If you don’t know Jesus has your personal Lord and Savior there is no better time than right now to invite Him into your life.

A Call Unto Salvation:

Pray this simple but very profound pray with me.
Heavenly Father, In The Name Of Jesus, I want to get saved so I can go to heaven.
Please forgive my sins and Jesus please come into my heart and be my personal Lord and Savior.
Please Write my name in Your Book of Life.
Please fill my heart and life with The Holy Spirit to guide me through Your Word and empower me to live my life everyday for You.

Welcome to Body of Christ! You are saved and blessed with the favor of God! You are part of a family of over 2.4 billion brothers and sisters world wide.

Now that you’re saved, here’s what you need to do:

Tell someone “Jesus loves me and I’m going to heaven”. This is called confessing your faith unto salvation.
2) If you have a bible start reading The Gospel of John. It’s the fourth book in the New Testament.

If you don’t have a bible, click this link: http://www.biblegateway.com

In Gateway’s search section type in The Gospel of John (NASV) and read about how much Jesus loves you.
3) Find an awesome church, like an Assemblies Of God worship center or church that teaches the whole Bible.

Here’s one way to find a church: In your search browser type in Or Click this link: http://ag.org

In the middle bottom portion of the page click on the Find A Church ad. It will open up a spread sheet to help you locate a church in your area.

If you have problems let us know at es@completeinhim-min.com and we’ll try to help you find a church.
4) When you find a church ask to be water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

BONUS: This prayer and blessing is for you:
Heavenly Father, in Jesus Name, I pray Your blessing to be upon every daughter and son who has given their life to Jesus by asking Him to be their personal Lord and Savior. Bless them Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit. Protect them from every evil in every dimension. Allow their new faith in Jesus to grow deep in rich wonderful soil watered daily by Your Holy Spirit and fed by Your Word. I pray they would become as “oaks of righteousness unto Your glory” through Jesus name I pray, Amen and Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 I Pray God Bless you and Keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and, be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace in Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen!

TheVine Worship Center
Rev. Edward T. Biamonte Stockl / Ordained Assemblies Of God
pastored@thewinewc.org