Verses to Abide In
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”
James 5:7-12 ESV
Digging Deeper
From Don Anderson
“His Re-Entry Is On Schedule.”
Our key verse is going to be verse 8:
“You also be patient; strengthen your hearts because the coming of the Lord is near.”
Evelyn Husband wrote a book, High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband about her husband Rick who was the commander of the Columbia space ship that did not make it’s reentry on February 1, 2003. She titles the chapter: The Longest Day.
At the top she quotes Michael Anderson, who was also on that doomed flight.
“If this thing doesn’t come out right, don’t worry about me; I’m just going on higher.”
Then Evelyn has these words, while she’s waiting on the tarmac for the flight to return: I looked into the sky. Where is the shuttle? Where is Rick? What is happening? Lord, please bring them home. Where are you, Rick? Oh, Lord, please help us. Please help us. Keith was quiet as he looked at me. I had desperately wanted him to provide a logical explanation. Keith is a pilot with America West Airlines and has flown with the company more than a decade; he is no novice regarding flying. I was unaware he had been listening to communications with the Columbia and the subsequent loss of communication. Keith had heard his brother’s last words.
Then they watched the landing clock count down to zero; then it started counting up again (High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband by Evelyn Husband with Donna VanLiere Nashville, TN: Thomas
Nelson. Copyright – Evelyn Husband, 2003. p. 167).
It is true in life even in circumstances, our expectations suddenly are all changed. Things don’t happen the way we think they should happen.
The space program was always priding itself on never being late. The sad, sad story is that morning the re-entry was not accomplished. I can tell you there’s another one that’s been scheduled from eternity only known to the Father. And that one will be on schedule. You will not be waiting in disappointment for that one to take place. For it’s been planned and designed. And we’re all going to participate in that one way or another.
I think it’s fitting that this morning we take some time to just think for a brief moment or two about the urgency of the day in which we live. We’ve got to be close to the coming of Jesus Christ.
There are two things you have no control over this morning as you sit here. The first is how long you are going to be here and when you’re going to die. And the second not known to us, is when Jesus in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, will end this tale down here to begin eternity up there.
So with those thoughts in mind I think James has been writing from the perspective of wanting to help people cover the full landscape of experiences and responsibilities. To be prepared and to grow and to mature by cooperating with what God is trying to do in their lives.
Let's Pray
Abba,
Thank you for your love that is so great that even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
We take a moment to soak in that kind of love, your love…
Thank you for your promise to your children that we will not die, but be transformed! We trust your word that says it will happen in a moment, in a blink, in a twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NLT, ESV)!
Am I ready?
Father, is there any unconfessed sin that is keeping me from a deeper relationship with you? Anything that will block my vision from having your perspective and distract me from being ready?
Please forgive me for…
Am I patient like a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth…like I need to be while I wait for Jesus’ return (James 5:7)?
O God, help us to have patience!
Especially while dealing with suffering…
Do I wait with expectation?
Strengthen our hearts! Help us to keep them energized and firmly committed to you, because the coming of the Lord is near (James 5:8 AMP)!
Have I complained against other believers in my suffering?
Please forgive me for complaining against…
Help us not to complain against one another so that we will not be judged for it. We acknowledge that the Judge is standing right at the door (James 5:9 AMP)!
We consider the patience of the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord, who were steadfast and endured difficult circumstances. We think about Job and his patient endurance. We praise you for being full of mercy and compassion (James 5:10-11 AMP). Help us to be like them in our suffering.
Have I given in to temptation to be dishonest in my speech while under pressure?
Help us to be honest and to speak with humility and integrity. May our yes be a truthful yes and our no be a truthful no so that we do not fall under judgment (James 5:12 AMP).
Enable us to be strong and immovable. Strengthen us to always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for we know that nothing we do for the Lord is ever useless (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT).
In the name of Jesus, through whom you give us victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57). Thank you, God!
Through your Spirit, the Spirit of truth who testifies about Jesus (John 15:26).
Amen!
May God enable us to stay awake, for we do not know on what day our Lord is coming (Matthew 24:42 ESV),
Laura
P.S. It is 1:15 a.m. Sunday morning as I write this postscript. We had the coffeehouse at Acts of Grace Community Church in Levittown, PA. Thank you for your prayers and support. My heart is full. We go to encourage, with a prayer to love and minister to others, and we always come away feeling loved and ministered to as well! Thank you, Lord! Now we continue to pray that God will keep moving among us as we prepare for and minister at the concert at Karen’s Place (details further below)!
Photo of the Laura Breece Band at Acts of Grace Community Church: Laura singing and playing acoustic guitar, with her husband, Michael, at her side playing acoustic guitar, and Matt Standeven playing the cajón
Monday, August 3, 2026, 7-9pm
Karen's Place Outdoor Concert
Bring a Lawn Chair!
We will be indoors if it rains!
Doylestown Mennonite Church
590 N. Broad Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
Saturday, August 8, 2026, time 7 PM
Red's Room Online Concert
Red's Room Entertainment
Monday, August 31, 2026
Boardwalk Chapel Concert
Boardwalk Chapel,
4312 Boardwalk,
Wildwood, NJ 08260