THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

December 15, 2013

Based on: James 5:7-10

5:7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.  5:8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.  5:9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors!  5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

All of God’s children who dearly love, serve and obey the Heavenly Father yearn so much in their hearts for his return in Glory. The time IS coming.  He WILL return with all of his heavenly hosts in a blaze of Glory, but it will be at a time not when we  feel it to be the correct time, but when God our eternal and ever loving Father, who knows everything well before our birth decides the time is right. Sometimes we as humans want everything in a rush, and in this day and age especially, we tend to live our lives in one huge hurry.  We forget that all the plans for the Lord’s return were laid even before our creation. We have to learn to be patient, and learn to wait quietly, just as the farmer has to wait patiently for his crops to grow and ripen before he can harvest them. In the Holy Words of God in James 5:7-10 we are clearly told that to have patience is the only way, and that we must wait quietly without any fighting or hatred towards our earthly brothers and sisters. And while waiting show them the love and kindness because they are children of God.  This this pleases our Father in heaven.  If we love, care for, and respect each other, then we shall not be judged harshly, as we are each judged by our thoughts, words and deeds towards each other.  Meaning if we treat each other otherwise, we will therefore be judged by the same token.  And we are treating God in the same manner.  Also if our Father God is to love and have mercy and forgiveness towards our sins  and iniquities,  which he does tirelessly and eternally, then we most show these same qualities to our brothers and sisters in the same manner. We are taught to be as the prophets were in their lives

and we must be prepared to suffer and have vast patience and to follow their examples in the same way.  We are to live our lives s He would have us live them, until the Lord decides the time is right to return in Glory!!

Let us pray:  As we joyfully await the glorious coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ, let us pray for the needs of the church,  of our community, and of the world. May we give Love where there is hate or hurt, and may we all learn to live in patience, with tolerance and forgiveness towards each other as Our Heavenly Father has taught us and  live our lives  by following the examples that the Saints and Prophets before us have shown us by the way they lived and served you to your Glory. God of joy and exultation,you strengthen what is weak; you enrich the poor, and you give hope to those who live in fear. Look upon all of our needs this day. Make us grateful for the Good news of your Salvation and keep us faithful in your service until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives with You in the presence of The Holy Spirit for ever and ever.   Amen.