Perseverance
Proverbs 24:16 – For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
There are times when you fail (and fall) so bad that you want to give up. You’re embarrassed, frustrated, guilt-ridden, and mad at yourself. Unlike the world that gives up on you when you fail, God gives you another opportunity to get it right. He gives you another chance to start over. He gives you a chance to rise and stand again.
God wants you to get back in the game.
You can overcome, but you will never know unless you get up.
Repent and rise! If you fall again, repent and rise again. Don’t give up. Keep your eyes on God and allow Him to help you to remain standing.
God has not given up in you. He is giving you another opportunity to overcome because He loves you.
Rise! Get back in the game!
Photo courtesy of Lightstock/Kaitlyn Weatherly.
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. —Matthew 24:1-13
There will come a day when the people of this world will witness and experience the very things Jesus spoke to His disciples about in this passage. But for any season, there are three important statements Jesus tells His disciples that will help us today:
1. Take heed that no man deceive you. When troubling times come, so does the fear of man and events and panic. People will rise up to deceive the hearts of the many who are fearful, unaware, or insecure. Some will come saying they are Christ or at least someone presenting themselves as one who can provide comfort or substance from the external pressures and events surrounding them. Their words will be carefully chosen and possibly be filled with a bit of truth, but their motives will be filled with deceit.
Regardless of what may have occurred in your life over the past year, you could probably agree that you’re not the same person. The events of the past year have shaped you into who you are today—good or bad, better or worse, you are different.
If you take a moment to think about the last year, you’ll remember some highs and lows. There may have been some challenges and some triumphs. Maybe you accomplished a long-awaited goal or failed to accomplish something you were hoping to complete. Maybe a friendship was lost. A friend or family member may have passed away. Or you experienced some tragic event.
Only God knows what the next year holds for you, but you have today.
Matthew 12:43-45 – When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
1. Freedom is joyous. When you’re delivered or freed from an evil spirit or habit (i.e. pornography, smoking, drinking, etc.), you feel a great freedom and peace. The thoughts in your mind is silenced and your heart is happy. You’re full of peace and joy.
Exodus 3:7-8 – And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
The Lord Himself had seen the affliction of the children of Israel and has heard their cry. He previously stated that after four hundred years of affliction in Egypt, Abram’s seed would be delivered (Genesis 15:13-16). That nation of people would return to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob) after the iniquity of the Amorites was full (Genesis 15:16).
As we face afflictions, trials, tests, and difficult times, may we not forget that God sees and hears our afflictions and will deliver us in due time. Let us be faithful unto Him and wait for His deliverance and restoration.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Additional scriptures: Exodus 2:23-25, Psalm 11:4, 33:13, 34:17, 145:19; Hebrews 4:13
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/lovesr
Many people are talking about reaching new levels or being elevated in the Lord. They’re waiting for their season of blessing, joy, peace, overflow, and abundance. Little thought goes into their current season – besides wanting out of it. However, the Lord uses seasons of trials and tribulations to mold us into mature disciples that resemble His Son (Romans 8:29).
Many people will find that when they complete one ‘test’ of life, another is right around the corner. Then, when they finish that one, another one awaits (but maybe not right away). Our lives are filled with various situations and circumstances that challenge the comfortable ground we’re on, want to remain on, and desire to be.
Psalm 37:8 – Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
There comes a time when you’re so mad that the the scripture above doesn’t come to mind. In fact, the only thing that comes to mind when you’re mad is revenge; giving into temptation/sin; and going O-F-F on someone! Peace, love, calmness are no where near your mind.
Anger is a dangerous emotion. Anger desires a response. It doesn’t consider the consequences. It only considers itself – at all costs. It’s a highway to other emotions and actions:
Many people strive to find a comfortable ‘place’ in their lives. They want to enjoy the fruits of their labor while living comfortable and secure. However, as ‘life’ can be, many experience hardships, trials, and pain instead of peace. As much as we try, the ‘sweet spot’ we desire seems so far away. We run from our trials as fast as we can to find our ‘sweet spot’ of peace – often without thought or regard to those around us.
Have you ever considered that the Lord uses our life circumstances to help us reach a different type of ‘sweet spot?’
There will be times when God may not answer right away, will have another answer, or will remain in silence. In these circumstances, it’s important for us not to allow our faith and trust in Him to diminish.
We must continue to trust Him and remain faithful. We can’t treat God as a sugar daddy or a genie to provide our every wish and command…and then leave Him if He doesn’t give us what we want. That isn’t the way we should serve Him. Sometimes He will give, sometimes He’ll take away, and sometimes He’ll want us to stay on course (according to His will). However, we must continue to praise Him, bless His name, and serve Him faithfully because He is sovereign and His will is just.
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/leagun
Being in the middle of here and there can be tough. Regardless of the process, circumstance, or situation, being in the middle can be frustrating. You’re happy that you’ve begun, but the end seems too far away. Your focus may not be as sharp, you feel tired, lazy, and angry that your goal, dream, or promise has not materialized.
Sadly, this middle ‘place’ is filled with aborted dreams, goals, and promises. Many become agitated with waiting and want to see change NOW, RIGHT NOW!!! It’s at this point that we make a decision (God hasn’t approved) just to ‘move’ in some direction, usually with dire results.
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