A Prayer for PatienceBy Rev. Kyle Norman "You also‚ be patient. Establish your hearts‚ for the coming of the Lord is at hand." – James 5:8 I used to have the proverbial lead foot. Every journey was taken to be a race. I would zip around in my car‚ weaving in and out of traffic. Other drivers were mere obstacles in my way. I saw the estimated times of arrival on my GPS to be nothing more than a challenge; How many minutes could I shave off my time?  The outward effect of speeding was obvious; I received speeding tickets … a lot of speeding tickets. What I was unaware of‚ however‚ was the inward toll that such impatience was having. Internally‚ my spirit was never at peace. My heart and my mind were always projected onto a journey I had to rush into. I was time-bound‚ ruled by the clock. Thus‚ I was never present. I wasn't present to others; I wasn't present to myself. Nor was I ever fully or truly present to God. After all‚ it's hard to be present to God when you are too busy speeding to the next thing. I bet I'm not alone in this. We live in a fast-paced world‚ a world that continually tells us to maximize our time and increase our efficiency. And with the call of impatience playing in the background‚ we often find ourselves facing a rising discouragement with our spirits; we feel unmoored from that which can truly satisfy our restless hearts.  The Bible continually calls us to patience. Patience is an unpopular discipline‚ particularly today. We are told that time not spent in activity is but a waste; Idle hands are the devil's plaything‚ we hear.  Yet such frenzied rushing about dampens our spirits; we become irritable and easily frustrated. After exhorting the people to be patient‚ James follows up this call with the words‚ "Do not grumble against one another‚ so that you may not be judged." Impatience and a complaining spirit are closely related. If we see others as simply obstacles to maneuver around it becomes easy to complain that they don't do what we would like them to do or be what we would like them to be. And so‚ we criticize‚ judge‚ and condemn. It's hard to "clothe ourselves with compassion‚ kindness‚ humility‚ gentleness‚ and patience‚" (Colossians 3:12) when we are too busy rushing past our brothers and sisters. Impatience flies in the face of the God who calls us to be still and know his presence. Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit because‚ in patience‚ we open ourselves to the Spirit's work. We free ourselves from the oppressive demands of an overly packed schedule and thereby provide the opportunity to respond to the movement of God in the intricate moments of our lives. It may just be that the Lord calls us to some action‚ reflection‚ prayer‚ or ministry that may be left unexplored amid all our dashing about.  When I finally accepted the call to slow down‚ I began noticing the Spirit's work all around me. I would notice the driver in the car next to me‚ wiping away tears from her eyes‚ and so a prayer for healing and comfort would rise within me. I found myself engaging in divine appointments; I would run into someone from the church in the grocery store; I found myself talking with people about faith in the local coffee shop. None of these experiences were forced or contrived; they happened as I allowed the Spirit to take control of my life‚ and my time. Psalm 31 says‚ "I trust in you‚ O Lord; I say‚ "you are my God" My times are in your hands." See‚ ultimately‚ a patient spirit is about recognizing the Lordship of Jesus in our lives. Patience reminds us that we are not more important than the people around us. Our time is not more valuable‚ and our work not of higher quality. Patience helps us recognize that God's plan for this moment is of more importance than our plans‚ and it may just be that God's desire for us is to share‚ or receive‚ an expression of Christ's love. What might the Lord be asking you at this moment?  Let us pray: Gracious Lord‚ my heart can become easily overwhelmed by the busyness of my life. Please forgive me when the tasks of the day‚ and the demands of my schedule‚ crowd out the space needed to be still in your presence. I know your promise that I can do all things through you who strengthen me‚ but I can become so easily flustered as I try to muscle my way through life in my own effort.  I pray that you increase within me the capacity for patience. Lead me into times where I am called to rely not on my strength but yours; move me into places where I am called only to stop‚ to rest‚ to breath‚ or to listen. Help me be still and know you here‚ now. More than anything‚ Jesus‚ help me to observe the hours and the minutes of my day as set firmly in your schedule. Give me the strength to step outside of my plans for this moment so that I can enter more deeply into your will. You are Lord of this time‚ and I lay before you as your servant.  I pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ‚ my Lord. Amen. Photo credit: Unsplash/Aaron Burden The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul's Cathedral‚ located in Kamloops BC‚ Canada.  He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer‚ speaker‚ and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com‚ crosswalk.com‚ ibelieve.com‚ Renovare Canada‚ and many others.  He also maintains his own blog revkylenorman.ca.  He has 20 years of pastoral experience‚ and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week‚ she gives you practical‚ real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day‚ click below! Now that you’ve prayed‚ are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for Patience – Your Daily Prayer – January 16 appeared first on GodUpdates.

January 16‚ 2024 Overcoming the January BluesSHARON JAYNES  Lee en español "Samuel did what GOD told him." 1 Samuel 16:4a (MSG) There's something about January that gets me down. While others are setting New Year's resolutions and goals for the months ahead‚ I tend to feel sorry for myself because some areas of my life aren't where I hoped they'd be by now. My tendency is to give in to discouragement about what I didn't accomplish rather than look ahead to what God has planned. Maybe you've felt that way before. Perhaps you feel that way right now. There's a story in 1 Samuel that helps me when I feel stuck in discouragement. The people of Israel had grown tired of being ruled by God. Disregarding the prophet Samuel's warnings‚ they chose a king: the tall‚ dark and handsome Saul (1 Samuel 9:2). And while Saul depended on God for direction in his early days‚ he eventually took matters into his own hands‚ ignoring God's commands and initiating his own. As a result‚ God took the anointing away from Saul and determined to give the kingship to someone else (1 Samuel 15:10-23). Samuel was so discouraged over Saul's failure that he "cried out to the LORD all that night" (1 Samuel 15:11‚ NIV). He was disappointed in Saul and maybe also sorry for himself. Then one day‚ God said‚ "How long will you mourn for Saul‚ since I have rejected him as king over Israel?" (1 Samuel 16:1a‚ NIV). I love Eugene Peterson's paraphrase in The Message Bible: "So‚ how long are you going to mope over Saul?" (1 Samuel 16:1a). God may be asking you and me the same question: How long will we mope because life hasn't turned out like we thought it would? I don't mean to make little of any of the painful or discouraging situations in your life. I've had them too. But here's what I know today: No matter how painful the circumstances of life may be‚ God never intends for us to get stuck in discouragement - to put down tent pegs and camp out there. God went on to say to Samuel: "Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king" (1 Samuel 16:1b-c‚ NIV). At some point in our moping about‚ God may come to us‚ too‚ and say‚ It's time to get up and get going. Your life is not over. The story has more chapters to be written! Let go of your discouragement to take hold of your next assignment. God said He would show Samuel what to do‚ and "Samuel did what GOD told him" (1 Samuel 16:4a). That's what God wants for us today - to take the first step of obedience. He will take care of the rest. Lord‚ I'll admit that sometimes I mope when I'm discouraged. Today‚ I am deciding to grieve my losses in a healthy way but not linger in moping. When life doesn't turn out like I hoped‚ I will see it as Your provision or protection. I trust in Your sovereignty for my life‚ even when I don't understand. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS Moms and grandmas everywhere are loving Sharon's latest book‚ Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe: A 30-Day Guide to Powerful and Effective Scripture-Based Prayers. Let's start the year by praying for our kids more powerfully than ever before! ENGAGE Click over to Sharon's website for her library of FREE resources‚ such as "20 Lies and the Truth that Replaces Them for Moms" and "10 Verses to Help You Trust God in Difficult Times." FOR DEEPER STUDY 1 Samuel 16:12c-13a‚ "Then the LORD said‚ ‘Rise and anoint him; this is the one.' So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers‚ and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David" (NIV). Would you say you're stuck in discouragement today? First Samuel 16:12-13 tells us the result of Samuel moving past discouragement. What do you think God is telling you to do? If you're willing to take the first step of faith to move forward‚ leave a comment saying‚ "I'm moving forward." © 2024 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Overcoming the January Blues – Encouragement for Today – January 16‚ 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Around 30 minutes into the Iowa caucus‚ most major media outlets projected Donald Trump as the winner. BREAKING: Donald Trump Projected Winner Of Iowa Caucus “CBS‚ CNN‚ FOX‚ NBC‚ and The New York Times have projected and declared Donald J. Trump as the winner of the 2024 Iowa Republican Caucus‚” Rawsalerts said. 🚨#BREAKING: CBS‚ CNN‚ FOX‚ NBC‚ and The New York Times have projected and declared Donald J. Trump as the winner of the 2024 Iowa Republican Caucus. pic.twitter.com/EVnHHQJBC1 — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 16‚ 2024 Per NBC News: Donald Trump has won the Iowa caucuses‚ NBC News projects‚ cementing his firm status as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination. Trump‚ who is aiming to be the first former president since Grover Cleveland in the 1890s to return to office after losing re-election to a second consecutive term‚ appeared Monday night to be headed for a record-breaking showing in the first nominating contest of 2024. Trump’s final margin of victory could eclipse the 13 points that Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas won by in the 1996 Republican caucuses. And a commanding performance‚ especially if he wins a majority of the vote‚ would be the strongest sign yet that there is no decisive demand for an alternative as the race shifts to next week’s New Hampshire primary. More suspenseful is what’s become a closely watched battle for second place between former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — and if they are able to keep Trump from winning a majority. The DeSantis camp isn't taking the news well. Andrew Romeo‚ Ron DeSantis’s communications director‚ labeled the media's projections of Donald Trump winning the Iowa caucus as "election interference." "Absolutely outrageous that the media would participate in election interference by calling the race before tens of thousands of Iowans even had a chance to vote. The media is in the tank for Trump and this is the most egregious example yet‚" he wrote. Absolutely outrageous that the media would participate in election interference by calling the race before tens of thousands of Iowans even had a chance to vote. The media is in the tank for Trump and this is the most egregious example yet. — Andrew Romeo (@andrewromeo33) January 16‚ 2024 The DeSantis campaign issued this official statement: Christina Pushaw‚ the rapid response director for Ron DeSantis’s 2024 presidential campaign‚ shared a post echoing the same sentiment. "They are calling it as the caucus sites are still ongoing. If that isn’t election interference I don’t know what is. They are literally trying to force people to go home because it’s already over according to the news networks. In 2024 news travels fast. We’ve become a dictatorship that picks our representatives. Wow‚ just wow!" the post read. They are calling it as the caucus sites are still ongoing. If that isn’t election interference I don’t know what is. They are literally trying to force people to go home because it’s already over according to the news networks. In 2024 news travels fast. We’ve become a… — Nick Stelzner (@stelzner_n1150) January 16‚ 2024 DeSantis campaign manager James Uthmeier got into a spat with a NBC reporter over projecting Trump as the winner. WATCH: BREAKING: Ron DeSantis campaign manager spats with NBC reporter over calling the Iowa caucus for Trump early in the night "No‚ no - this was projected based on data and science..."@JamesUthmeierFL: "Data‚ and science - and not actual election results." pic.twitter.com/yFBvWOaVLZ — Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) January 16‚ 2024 The Hill reports: The Associated Press called the race at 8:31 p.m. Eastern. Outlets such as CNN‚ MSNBC and Fox News made the same projection around the same time. Decision Desk HQ also called the race for Trump just before 9 p.m. Eastern. The caucus meetings kicked off at 8 p.m. Eastern‚ expected to vary in length across locations in the state‚ with some results available in as little as half an hour and others not anticipated until later this evening‚ according to The Des Moines Register. When the projections put Trump as the winner‚ the second-place winner was still up in the air — with Haley and DeSantis neck-and-neck for runner-up. Heading into Monday’s closely watched contest‚ observers widely expected Trump to win the Hawkeye State — but DeSantis has been investing heavily in the state. He’s completed a tour of all 99 Iowa counties and secured the endorsement of Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. “The very very early results show Trump winning big‚ but the early network call is a little questionable. People are still at caucus sites‚ and they have phones – how many people see the call and bail?” Semafor reporter David Weigel said on X‚ one of a number of voices questioning the early call.

Vivek Ramaswamy has dropped out of the 2024 presidential election following the Iowa caucuses. Ramaswamy endorsed Donald Trump for president. “As I’ve said since the beginning‚ there are two America first candidates in this race and I called Donald Trump to tell him that‚” Ramaswamy said. “I congratulated him on his victory and now going forward he will have my full endorsement for the presidency‚ and I think we’re gonna do the right thing for this country‚” he added. WATCH: BREAKING: Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has dropped out of the race and has endorsed Donald Trump. Vivek has a bright future! “As I've said since the beginning‚ there are two America first candidates in this race and I called Donald Trump to tell him that.” “I congratulated him… pic.twitter.com/HVBIW7T3q9 — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 16‚ 2024 BREAKING: Vivek Ramaswamy drops out of the 2024 race. pic.twitter.com/ucS19re1MW — ALX (@alx) January 16‚ 2024 #BREAKING: Vivek Ramaswamy has officially suspended his Presidential Campaign following tonight’s Iowa Caucus and has endorsed running candidate Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/SKKrdAPHde — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 16‚ 2024 Breaking News: Vivek Ramaswamy has officially endorsed Trump for President. pic.twitter.com/dbFjWzwMKg — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) January 16‚ 2024 Watch Vivek Ramaswamy’s live feed from Iowa: Live from Des Moines‚ IA | Vivek 2024 Caucus Night Press Conference https://t.co/ykH9wRlSKL — Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 16‚ 2024 Although voting hasn’t quite concluded in Iowa‚ Ramaswamy firmly sits in 4th place. NBC News reports: Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Monday night after a disappointing showing in the Iowa caucuses and endorsed former President Donald Trump. Ramaswamy finished fourth in Iowa‚ NBC News projects‚ coming in well behind Trump‚ Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Ramaswamy had 8% of the GOP caucus vote with more than 90% of precincts reporting late Monday night. Ramaswamy said he called Trump to congratulate him on his victory and would attend a rally with him in New Hampshire on Tuesday. “There needs to be an America First candidate in this race‚” Ramaswamy said. “Going forward‚ he will have my full endorsement for the presidency.” The 38-year-old entrepreneur was not well known when he entered the race in February 2023‚ in his first run for political office. But he quickly broke through with Republican voters in a campaign that aligned with Trump in both tone and policy substance‚ as he positioned himself as an heir to the MAGA movement. But his campaign was unable to pull much support away from Trump‚ who retained the loyalty of Republican voters despite Ramaswamy’s efforts to convince them that he’d be better able to push the “America First” agenda he and Trump both championed. WATCH:

929 - Caliphate of Cordoba is established by Emir Abd-al-Rahman III 1501 - Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral and 6 ships set off from Kannur‚ India‚ on their return voyage to Lisbon 1905 - Stanley Cup‚ Dey's Arena‚ Ottawa‚ ON: Ottawa Senators rout Dawson City (Yukon)‚ 23-2 for 2-0 series sweep; most lopsided challenge playoff game in history; Frank McGee 14 goals 1918 - Austria and Germany are disrupted by strikes as people express impatience with leaders continuing the war 1945 - Scottish 52nd land division and 1st Commando brigade-assault at Heinsberg 1963 - Tennessee Williams' play "Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore" premieres in America on Broadway‚ NY 1976 - "Donny and Marie" [Osmond] musical variety show premieres on ABC TV 1979 - Bakhtiar government established by the Shah in Iran‚ will preside until unrest in the country subsides 2002 - UN Security Council unanimously establishes an arms embargo and freezes assets of Osama bin Laden‚ Al-Qaida‚ and the members of the Taliban 2005 - 62nd Golden Globes: "The Aviator"‚ Leonardo DiCaprio and Hilary Swank win More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1939 - The Irish Republican Army (IRA) begins a 14 month long bombing campaign in England 1949 - KNBH (now KNBC) TV channel 4 in Los Angeles‚ CA (NBC) 1st broadcast 1970 - Curt Flood files a civil lawsuit challenging baseball's reserve clause 1972 - Super Bowl VI‚ Tulane Stadium‚ New Orleans‚ LA: Dallas Cowboys beat Miami Dolphins‚ 24-3; MVP: Roger Staubach‚ Dallas‚ QB 1985 - "Playboy" announces end of stapling centerfolds 2016 - First ever flower grown in space - a zinnia aboard the International Space Station using NASA Veggie system More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1672 - Francesco Mancini‚ Neapolitan composer‚ born in Naples‚ Kingdom of Naples‚ Spanish Empire (d. 1737) 1928 - Pilar Lorengar [Lorenza Pilar García]‚ Aragones soprano‚ born in El Gancho‚ Zaragoza‚ Spain (d. 1996) 1938 - Michael Pataki‚ American actor (Get Christie Love)‚ born in Youngstown‚ Ohio 1950 - (Kemji) "Damo" Suzuki‚ Japanese rock singer (Can; Damo Suzuki's Network)‚ born in Japan 1950 - Jesse Dizon‚ American actor‚ born in Oceanside‚ California 1996 - Jennie Kim‚ South Korean singer and actress (Blackpink)‚ born in Seoul‚ South Korea More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1917 - George Dewey‚ U.S. Admiral of the Navy‚ won Battle of Manila Bay‚ dies at 79 1919 - Jaroslav Jeremiáš‚ Czech pianist and composer‚ dies at 19 1924 - Maurice de Plessys‚ French poet (Palace Occidental)‚ dies at 59 1942 - Prince Arthur‚ Duke of Connaught and Strathearn‚ Governor General of Canada (1911-16)‚ dies at 91 1979 - Peter Butterworth‚ British actor and comedian (Carry On)‚ dies of a heart attack at 63 1998 - Dimitris Horn‚ Greek actor (A Girl in Black)‚ dies of cancer at 66 More Famous Deaths »