The Introverted Evangelist

Waiting For the Lord: "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Psalms 27:14) Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes we're running the race at our fastest pace. However, at other times, we need a little refreshment and rejuvenation. This is not to applaud the faster times and degrade the seasons of rest. Rather, each season has its own set of unique benefits and lessons to teach. "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1) When planting a garden, the gardener must take into account many different aspects of the ever-changing environment. First, the soil must be tender and nutritious for the developing plant roots. Then, the gardener must take extra care to water and tend to the growing sprout, making certain the leaves receive enough sunlight and fresh air. Lastly, when harvest time comes, the gardener must determine what is best to keep the plant thriv...

Be Still: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass." (Psalms 37:7) Many people rush in life. They rush to get to the next event, the next exciting thing. However, in all their rushing, how much of their day is spent simply soaking in God's goodness? How much spare time does rushing leave you? And if you're negating God to "spare time" then what does that communicate to Him? God wants to be your delight, your safe refuge, and your everyday companion. We are not meant to live alone, apart from Him, buzzing around place to place attempting to satisfy everyone's requests. We're not made to be people pleasing machines, we're created to be God's very own. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) I've never seen a rose bud reject ...

Love is Patient: "But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:16) Paul writes here that he was "shown mercy" so that Jesus might display His incredible patience to all believers. We have been discussing mercy a whole lot lately, so I think that today is a wonderful day to dive right into what this means in the original language. The phrase "shown mercy" comes from the Greek word ελεέω (eleeō). This verb means to show mercy or to be merciful, and it's derived from the Greek word έλεος (eleos). This word έλεος is the noun for mercy or compassion. Watch closely, you don't want to miss this, because there is so much meaning to these two little words. Let's begin with έλεος (noun). This word is often used for an action that is carried out by pure mercy towards others who are suff...