Saturday, July 21, 2018

Integrity of Heart


Integrity of Heart
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

In this day we are seeing a fulfillment of Isaiah 60:1-2: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”

Darkness has covered the earth and gross darkness the people, but answering the urging of the Holy Spirit, the Church has arisen and is shining.  However, the glory of the Lord will be seen upon us only as we continue to present a united front against the wiles of the enemy.  Satan has come in like a flood, but our God has risen a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19).  That standard is integrity. 

Though King David was not a perfect man, he repented and became a man after God’s own heart.  He became a man of integrity.  One with integrity is one of moral principle.  One who is whole.  One who walks his talk.  

Psalm 78: 70-72: “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:  From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.  So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”

 The spiritual warfare continues.  We must pray that our leaders, on all levels, spiritual and secular, will be people of integrity who, in that integrity, will guide by skillfulness of hands. 

Christians have a vital role, and we have been given spiritual authority by our heavenly Father to exercise that role.  The Church is the city on the hill that cannot be hidden.  We must set the example.  We must be people of unwavering integrity.   The good soil has been tilled.  The good seed has been planted.  The world and all of creation is groaning for the fruit of the Spirit to flourish. 


We declare that through our words and our actions, through our integrity, His glory will be seen upon us.  

Monday, July 9, 2018

Patience, Patience, Patience


Patience, Patience, Patience
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Father God, we come before you eager to learn more about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Today, Lord, our desire is to learn the importance of patiently enduring difficult times and circumstances.  Amen

First, let us consider Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon 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.”

We often grow weary and discouraged when we are facing difficult times and difficult circumstances.  In our weariness and discouragement, we must learn to wait patiently upon our Lord. It is in waiting for Him that our strength and courage are renewed.  It is in waiting patiently for Him that we find the hope to continue.

In our own strength, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).  

Remember Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV:)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control.”

We must remember that, as Christians, the Holy Spirit of God lives within us.  Therefore, the fruit of the Spirit is already present in our lives. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, is already within us.   It is important for us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and to empower us to walk in that fruit.   


Accepting that God loves us and always wants the best for us brings joy and peace into our lives.  It is in that love, joy and peace that we develop patience.  


Patience requires that we stand firmly in our faith in spite of hardship, injuries, or offense.  Patience is calmness in the face of suffering and discomfort. Patience is good-natured tolerance of difficult times and difficult circumstances.  A good nature is built upon God’s love, joy and peace. 

 Before we can show patience to other people, we must first learn to be patient with our Lord.  Many times, God asks us to wait patiently before Him as He works in us and through us.  



The Bible has much to say about patience.  Let’s consider the following scriptures.  Ask the Holy Spirit to plant these words deeply into your spirit:
Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.
(Ephesians 4:2)
Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
(Proverbs 15:18)
Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.
(Romans 12:12)
I waited patiently for the Lord’s help;
then he listened to me and heard my cry.
(Psalm 40:1)
The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him,
So it is best for us to wait in patience—to wait for Him to save us—
And it is best to learn this patience in our youth.
(Lamentations 3:25-27)

We must learn to walk in God’s patience. Then we can agree with Job, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10 NKJV).

When we are tested with difficult times and difficult circumstances, may we practice patience and come forth as gold.