Endurance

"For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope." Romans 15:4 (Amplified)

     God cares for us enough to lay out His plan for how we should live in explicit detail. He did this because He wanted us to use the instructions of the past to produce in us an endurance for the future. After all, if you know what lies ahead you are better prepared for the battle, right? 

      We are equipped with the knowledge that this life is going to bring about some trials, but this knowledge should enable us to encourage not only ourselves but others to make it through. Jesus said, "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved." (Matthew 10:22 NASB) Endurance is a depth of character that is brought about through perseverance and we all know God rewards perseverance.

Pure Gold

"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold." 1 Peter 1:6-7a (NLT)

      No one likes to talk about trials much less endure them. For when trials occur we all cringe at the prospect of how long it will last and when will the cloud be lifted.

      What Peter is trying to convey in this message that trials quite often can lead to what is best for you in your life. He likens it to the purification process of gold. When gold is first found it is very raw and looks quite dirty, in fact at first sight there is nothing desirable about gold. However, when it endures it's purification through a scorching fire the end result is magnificent to behold.

        When we are going through what seems to be the crucible of life, it is for a purpose. The purpose is that our final outcome after the purification will yield an outstanding sight to behold. Taking heart in trials can be difficult, but the bible proves over and over again that in the trial you are not alone, and the end result will result in something excellent within your own life.

Well Able

"But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it." Numbers 13:30 (ESV)

      What a remarkable quote from a man who knew intimately who God was, and what God was capable of. Caleb returns from scouting out the promised land with 11 other elders and the majority opinion of the promised land was though it was indeed a land flowing with milk and honey there were also giants there. The fact that giants were there caused a panic in the crowd and all but Joshua and Caleb were ready to pack their bags and make a U-turn back to Egypt.

        Isn't that like us? When the sign of adversity hits the promise we were destined to possess we often cringe and welcome a return to what we were  DELIVERED from. Caleb however, was not dissuaded by the opinions of the many because he reasoned if God brought us this far he's certainly well able to take us all the way.

         Daily I'm trying to adopt the same mindset as Caleb and think to myself over and over that, "greater is He that is within me than He that is in the world," (1 John 4:4) and "overwhelming victory is ours through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37) We must remember just like Caleb knew in his heart that even though the odds appear stacked against us we are not well able to overcome because of our own ability, but because of Him who's with us. For if we relied on our own strength we'd recognize we are woefully inadequate to deal with the giants that inhabit the promised land.

Drawn

"Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure." Eph 1:4-5 (NLT)

       God's greatest wish is to always bring us to him. Why do you think that Jesus' number one invitation was always to come (Matt 11:28)? Why do you think God sent His only son to die for us on a cross (John 3:16). He wasn't willing that any of us would face the eternal damnation we were destined to receive, but instead He paved the way for us to avoid the death penalty altogether (John 3:17).

       I know many people know this, but I wonder how many people truly GET IT. He didn't have to but He did, and the reason why He did it was because he wanted to have all along what we so flippantly run away from when it gets to commitment. Relationship. Bringing someone to yourself demonstrates an act of service. One that is selfless in nature. That is who He is, and I'm eternally grateful that I partake in the lifelong benefits his nature provides.

Deliverance

"Moses spoke to the people: "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you're never going to see them again." Exodus 14:13 (The Message)

         Egypt represents slavery, oppression, the inability to worship as you desire to worship, and so much more. In Egypt its difficult to grow because when you do your seed is persecuted, everything you've tried to sow gets snuffed out. All your ideas diminish, your goals fail, Egypt is the place where dreams go to die.

         There comes a day where God hears your prayer in Egypt and though you are at the end of your rope God brings you to the edge of a sea where a decision has to be made. As you make your way to take the steps toward freedom you look back at all you went through to get to this point. The pain, the crying, the agony, all of it comes to a head and God says to you..."Take a good look for you shall see this struggle no more forever." Suddenly, an overwhelming feeling overcomes you as you realize that hardship you endured not only made you stronger but increased your faith and all that you thought was lost is now found. 

         I don't know what your Egypt represents today, however,  I can tell you that we all have one. God is our eternal deliverer. No matter how bad things seemingly get they actually get us closer to the day where we will come face to face with our Egypt and emerge victorious. I want to encourage you all today that if you feel like you cannot hold on any longer try holding on a second more. God is coming... I guarantee it. And Egypt? Well... the only way you'll see them again is if you go back on your own, and I pray you don't.

Christianity

"Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God." Philippians 1:27-28 (The Message)

        How are you living today? It's a simple question with a complicated answer for some. There are those out there that still really haven't figured out this whole Christianity thing. How to live for Christ, or more importantly how to die to yourself. Christianity in its simplest form is people who are devoted to living as Christ did.

        For those who don't know the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are replete with examples of the most selfless, loving man ever to roam the earth. His life was so magnificent that millennia after His time here on earth we still revere His love and sacrifice for all mankind. 

        Now I know what some of you might be saying. How is it possible to live like that? The answer is rather simple but difficult in execution. Live life one day at a time (Matthew 6:34) and daily take up your cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Christ's goal was to reach the world with His message of grace,love, and salvation. Our lives reflect message of Christ. It is totally up to us on how this world views Christ. The less we focus on ourselves the more the world will see Him through us. 

Too Much

"Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool." Eccelesiastes 5:3

       It's easy to give your mind over to restless thinking these days. It's easy to drift into thinking about how the bills are going to get paid, how my house is going to recover its worth, or am I on the path in life I'm supposed to be on.

        In the process of thinking too much words begin to creep in that should have no place in our mouths. Words  like I can't, and it's too hard. Once those words infiltrate our thinking our power is severely diminished.

         Jesus' sacrifice on the cross availed to us a life of tremendous opportunity. A life in which we would be able to share in his power, and in the favor he lived. Jesus told us that when we felt the pressure of life clamping down upon us all we had to do is just give him our burden and He would take care of the rest for us (Matt 11:29-30). It curious how we forget the biggest benefit we have available to us. I pray we'd rely less on our own ability and more on what He's promised for us.

Stand For Others

"Then I prostrated myself before God, just as I had at the beginning of the forty days and nights. I ate no food; I drank no water. I did this because of you, all your sins, sinning against God, doing what is evil in God's eyes and making him angry. I was terrified of God's furious anger, his blazing anger. I was sure he would destroy you. But once again God listened to me." Deuteronomy 9:18-19 (The Message)

          God is always searching for men and women who would stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). People who would lay aside their own personal gain for the greater good of the body. Moses was such a man. He fervently sought the mercy of God and went for days and week without eating only that God would have pity on his people and God did.

           Is there not a cause for us to stand in the gap today? Our nation is going through a rapid moral decay. Our church is becoming less and less influential in its purpose, and is being persecuted daily for what it stands for. Now more than ever we need more than one man to stand in the gap. We need a community, we need a society, we need a generation. There will be a time of great revival upon the land and that time may be fast approaching. We need to do our very best to be ready and pray and fast that our nation, our church will once again turn to God... only then will we possess the promise God has given to us. I will stand in the gap... will you join me?

Trust

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me." Psalm 91:14 (MSG)

       If you'll hold on to me for dear life... I envision someone in the middle of the ocean who doesn't know how to swim but is holding on to that life saver for dear life. Why? Because they know that if they let go the life they breathe may be cut severely short.

       God wants us to hold on to Him the very same way. He wants us to hold on so tight we display white knuckles in the process. He promises that no trouble is to big for Him, and that He'll shield you with the best protection and care you could ever imagine... there is only one plea that He extends to us... that we would get to know and trust Him. It's such an easy and sincere plea. If only we would get to know and trust Him.

         How could a God as powerful and dominant over all the earth like our God be so interested in us getting to know Him? I would think we'd be more concerned with Him getting to know us. God has promised us that WHATEVER circumstance in life we face He can beat it. If we only got to know Him and trust Him a little better each day. It's His plea to us... let us all purpose to know and trust Him.

Endurance

“Those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22

    Staying fit spiritually (through praying, fasting, and reading God's word) deepens your relationship with God. Being spiritually fit is also important because this life is a life that will require every ounce of our spiritual strength to make it to the end.

    Years ago I got a scholarship for the ROTC program at my school that prepared me for my military career. I had no idea how to do anything "military" but I needed to learn very soon because the summer was approaching where I would have to go to basic training. Day after day I had to train my mind, and my body to deal with the rigors of constant physical training, mental exercises, and challenging obstacle courses. I remember that I would run outside during the hottest portions of the day because I knew that when I got to Florida from July to August for basic training it would be much worse. I never relented in my training because I knew it would produce in me an endurance factor that would carry me to the end.

     Building up our spiritual endurance factor is even more important. We can't expect to resist the devil's constant attacks or even overcome basic life obstacles if we are not suited for battle. Many people fail to recognize that we're in a major spiritual war, and if we are not prepared for battle daily we will lose. Jesus was very cognizant of the constant battle raging around him and wanted us to be ever alert and always prepared. Ready yourselves for battle, train up your spiritual body to resist the enemy. Then and only then will you be mature and complete lacking nothing (James 1:4).

Do you hear that?

"And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice." 1 Kings 19:12 (AMP)

      A whisper is something conveyed in a very intimate setting, it is so faint that if you are not in tuned with it you could miss it altogether. People have a tendency to whisper when they only want to target a specific audience, someone they trust with information that they don't want anyone else to know.

       When the prophet Elijah found himself in this situation, he was fleeing a queen and king who sought to persecute him. He was afraid and disillusioned with how things in his life were going and suddenly he is exposed to a different side of God he desperately needed, yet it was presented to him in a totally unexpected way. It was a whisper in the midst of chaos and it was in this whisper that he received His word and this word would propel him into his destiny.

         What's going on in your life today? Are there obstacles in life that are in your way and you don't know how to handle them? Take a page out of the life of Elijah who had to re calibrate what he was listening to in order to pick up what God was whispering to Him. Spend time finding out what God is whispering to you (through prayer, his word, or through others), it's going to change the course your life.