“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.” (James 5:7 NLT)

Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” (Gal. 5:22 ESV)

Be patient in love

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.” ( 1 Cor. 13:4 ESV)

Be patient in spirit

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Eccles 7:8 ESV)

Be patient in tribulation

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12 ESV)

Be patient with one another

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph. 4:2 ESV)

Be patient with joy

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” (Col. 1:11 ESV)

Be patient and still before the Lord

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:7-9 ESV)

You inherit the promises through patience and faith

“So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb. 6:12 ESV)

“For it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning you to guard you carefully.” (Luke 4:10 KJV)

He will give angels charge concerning you

“For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11 KJV)

Angels encamp around those who fear God

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7 KJV)

Angels serve those who will inherit salvation  

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14 KJV)

Angels may look like ordinary strangers

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Heb. 13:2 ESV)

Many unseen angels may be around you

“Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17 ESV)

 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col. 4:2-6 NIV)

The above passage lists things you need to do to win the lost for Christ. I’ve listed them below as bullet points.

• Devote yourself to Prayer.
• Be watchful.
• Be thankful.
• Pray that God will open a door for the message of Christ.
• Pray that the message will be preached clearly as it should.
• Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders.
• Make the most of every opportunity.
• Let your conversation always be full of grace.
• Let your conversation be seasoned with salt.

And you do the above things for the following reason

And you do this “so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col. 4:6b NIV)

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

 The traditions of men

“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” (Mark 7:13 KJV)

The commandments of men

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men...” (Mark 7:9 ESV)

Don’t break God’s commandments for the sake of your tradition

“He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matt. 15:3 ESV)

Don’t be tossed to a fro by every wind of doctrine

“So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Eph. 4:14 ESV)

Have nothing to do with irreverent myths

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.” (1 Tim. 4:7 ESV)

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Tim. 4:2 ESV)

Hold firm to the trustworthy word in sound doctrine

“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9 ESV)

Watch yourself and the teaching

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Tim. 4:16 ESV)

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31 ESV)

What does it mean to glorify God?

To glorify God means to acknowledge His greatness and give Him honor by praising and worshiping Him, because He, and He alone, deserves to be praised, honored and worshipped. To glorify God is to extol His holiness, faithfulness, mercy, grace, love, majesty, sovereignty, power, and omniscience!

Glory and dominion belong to Him forever and ever!

“Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11 ESV)

Let your good works bring glory to Him

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 ESV)

Glorify God in your body

“For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:20 ESV)

Glorify His Name forever

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” (Psalm 86:12 ESV)

“Ascribe to the Lord, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” (1 Cor. 16:28-29 ESV)

 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” (Luke 6:27-30 NIV)

Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls

“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.” (Prov. 24:17 NIV)

Repay evil with blessing

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9 NIV)

“On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Rom. 12:20 NIV)

Pray for your enemies and love them

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ...” (Matt. 5:43-48 ESV)

Let God deal with your enemies

“When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Prov. 16:7 ESV)

 “…wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2 Thes. 3:10-12 NIV)

Why are wicked people perishing?

According to the above passage, the ones who are perishing are perishing for a number of reasons! First, they are perishing because they are deceived by wickedness! Second, they are perishing because they have “refused to love the truth and so be saved.” It’s a personal decision with negative consequences. Their decisions lead them along a downward spiral until they become so wicked they openly reject truth and delight in wickedness. At this point God sends them “a powerful delusion” so they blindly believe the lies and are condemned. You can see this process happening to many in the entertainment world and the talking heads within the main stream media. When Christians see this open wickedness, they sometimes become discouraged, dismayed and confused. But don’t forget that God knows what’s going on and He has a plan. There’s hope!

Discouragement over wickedness is nothing new! Asaph felt the same way in Psalm 73

“They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.” (Psalm 73:8-14 NLT)

Asaph receives understanding

“Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. (Psalm 73:17-19 NLT)

Asaph is encouraged

“Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” (Psalm 73:23-26 NLT)

God’s people must pray

“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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 NKJV)

“To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Acts 26:18 ESV)

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:1-4 ESV)

 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2 ESV)

The Bible has a lot to say about why you do or don’t receive what you ask God for when you pray. 

How to NOT get what you ask God for

• You don’t ask

“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24 ESV)

• You don’t ask according to God’s will

“…saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.” (Jesus: Luke 22:42-44

• You ask selfishly

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:13 ESV)

• You don’t ask in faith

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8 ESV)

• You don’t persevere

“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” (Eph. 6:18 ESV)

How to GET what you ask God for

• You ask boldly

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Heb. 4:16 NLT)

• You ask in Jesus’s Name

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14 ESV)

• You ask according to God’s will

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15 NIV)

• You ask to bring glory to God

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 24:13 ESV)

• You ask in faith believing

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 ESV)

• You abide in Jesus and His Words

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV)

• You ask in agreement

“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Matt. 18:19 ESV)

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exo. 14:14 NIV)

Don’t lean on your own understanding!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5 ESV)

Praise God and don’t be afraid!

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalms 56:3-4 ESV)

Trust and say, “You are my God!”

“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!” (Psalm 31:14-15 ESV)

Trust and rejoice in His steadfast love for you

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5 ESV)

You will be blessed when you make the Lord your trust!

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” (Psalm 40:4 ESV)

Because God knows the hopeful future He has planned for you

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)