Endurance!

Colossians 1: 10 – 11

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:

bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance…

 

The word, “endurance”, only appears in the Bible 12 times.

Just because the word isn’t mentioned very much, shouldn’t dictate that its meaning is insignificant.

 

It’s also interesting to me, that the word, “endurance”, is only mentioned in the New Testament, and not the Old Testament.

I wonder if the word being used only in the NT, has anything to do with the need for “endurance”, as we head for the last days of the dispensation of grace?

 

Now that the weather is nicer, I hope to test my physical endurance sometime this week.

I hope to get my bicycle out of mouth balls, and actually use it.

 

Because of my hip problems over the last few years, I doubt I will have much physical endurance, seeing I’ve been away from physical activity for quite some time.

I guess the old adage, “no pain—no gain”, will somehow apply to me this week.

 

The reason so many believers have trouble with spiritual endurance, is that they’re out of practice.

Spiritual endurance comes, from being active in the daily spiritual grind.

 

Are you out of spiritual shape? How’s your spiritual endurance these days?

The test of our endurance, is when troubles come our way. That test, will actually show if we’re ready or not to endure.

 

What needs to change, for your endurance to be strengthened?

And since we’ve indentified the problem, what are you going to do today, to increase your spiritual endurance

Be Loyal

2 Chronicles 16: 9

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

 

Have you ever stopped to consider, what God sees when His eyes look your way?

When is the last time you considered God’s strength, supporting you in your cause?

 

How loyal would you say your heart is to Him?

Whatever we desire as it has to do with the things of God, that we shall have.

 

If we can afford it, most of us can have what we want, right when we want it.

God grants to those who want Him, the freedom and resolve to chose Him.

 

Will you set your heart on God this day?

Do you really love Him?

If you do, then you will have Him.

 

Desire to be loyal to the cause of his Kingdom.

Love him today, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…

 

“Father, there are things that we want in our lives, that do not in any way compare with You.

If there is an area of our lives, that isn’t as loyal to You as we should be, would You help us?

Thank You for the daily strength You provide. You are a great and loving God, and thank You for keeping an eye on us. Amen

Set you Sights!

Matthew 14: 30

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

 

This is without a doubt, one of the simplest teachings in the Bible.

Peter was able to walk on water by faith, by keeping his focus on the perfecter of his faith.

 

So often we take our eyes off the Lord.

Troublesome co-workers take away our focus—marital difficulties—disgruntled church people.

 

When we find ourselves walking through these storms of life, we need to refocus.

Our focus needs to be on the Word of God—Jesus Christ!

 

It’s easy to lose our focus, especially when we consider that Paul told Timothy in 3: 1, that perilous times would come.

People can be so cruel sometimes, but we need to be strong enough not to get distracted.

 

This Bible lesson is probably one of the first, that children learn at a young age in Sunday School.

It also a lesson that adults should never lose sight of.

 

What will the burdens of life matter, 100 years from now?

All they will have accomplished, is that they took our eyes off of the symbol of our faith.

 

Fortunately for Peter, he caught sight of the only One who could save him, and in the end, so can we, when we refocus

Fix your eyes!

Hebrews 12: 2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

If Jesus had a Twitter account, I wonder how many true followers He’d have?

It is suggested that Justin Beaber has over 50 million Twitter followers.

Even Christians have trouble, keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus.

Let’s face it—that takes incredible effort.

The object of our faith, is Jesus.

We should not look to the world, to fulfill our greatest desires.

Call me old fashioned, narrow minded and even cynical, but I think Jesus is deserving of more attention than He gets.

Jesus allows us unlimited contact, and His connection service is never, ever interrupted.

Actually, the cost of following Jesus, cost God everything—and us, not a single penny.

The Father above, can customize a plan to fit your every need. His service contract, was signed with the blood of His Son.

He also offers free roaming!

Don’t be distracted by this crazy, mixed up world.

Fix your eyes today, on something…no someone, that is eternally so good…

“Father, would you give us today, a focus on the things of Your Kingdom?

This world is so filled with distractions and temptations. Help us to fix our eyes this day, on the greatness of Your love. Amen”

Focus!

Psalm 101: 3

I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.

On Friday I took to the roads, and traveled on Wisconsin byways a fair distance.

The scenery was beautiful, and I tried not missing anything God meant just for me to see.

On my way I saw a beautiful bald eagle, and an Amish man in his buggy.

I noticed his horse that was pulling the buggy, was actually wearing blinders.

Horses have peripheral vision, which means they could run off course, unless they are made to remain focused.

Did you know that horse blinders they say, were actually invented by a Preacher?

This Pastor realized, that by covering a portion of the horses eye, it could encourage the horse to take chances it would not normally take, and it would not become distracted.

What chances will you take this week, as it has to do with the things of God?

What area of your spiritual life, needs to be refocused?

Why does it seem harder to take God centered risks, when sin sometimes comes so naturally?

The difference, is that God things come in the supernatural.

Focus on the things of God, and you will see increased power.

Focus on the things of the world, and you might just get distracted.

Maybe if we started this new day, purposed not to set any vile things before our eyes, our week might just be better all the way around…

What do you find amazing?

Matthew 9:33

And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."

Today is the start of the Men’s NCAA college basketball tournament.

It’s expected that over 18.4 million viewers will watch the first day of the tournament.

Some people will see some amazing basketball played.

Don’t we mostly over use the word… “amazing”?

Ladies look at the quilt the neighbor just sewed, and offer up… “AMAZING”!!

Men see a half court shot at the buzzer, and shout… “AMAZING!!”

When Jesus ministered to everyday people, the “amazing”, was just an everyday occurrence.

When surgeons remove tumors or replace joints, we are mostly amazed at what medical science can accomplish.

Sometimes we forget, Whose behind the amazing power in the surgeons hands.

Jesus does the “amazing”, every day.

I happen to think, that every time my heart beats, that is an, “amazing” feat.

What troubles me ever so slightly, are the people who miss the Divine “amazing” every day.

Have we been so absorbed by the culture we live in, that we’re only “amazed”, by the things that will never last anyway?

The things of God will last forever. When the trumpet blasts and Jesus returns for His church, people are going to be so “AMAZED”.

Then, what we classified as “amazing” from this old world, will seem pretty dull, compared to the “amazing” of God…

Radical Amazement!

Matthew 8: 26 – 27

"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

 

Can you imagine for a moment, witnessing an event like this?

One minute things were bedlam in this boat, and then everything became completely calm.

 

One would assume, that just the thought of this event that evening, would’ve kept anyone wide awake for the night.

But Jesus did the amazing all the time.

 

Everyone who has ever met Jesus, has witnessed something amazing.

When He returns for His church, this will be an amazing event.

 

When Jesus started His earthly ministry, people were amazed at His teaching.

When His earthly ministry ended, people were amazed at His teaching.

 

What amazes you about Jesus anymore?

Does Jesus, amaze you anymore?

 

The smartest people on earth, tried to trap Jesus is social and religious conflict.

But Jesus always had an answer—and His answer wasn’t only wise, but it was true.

 

Seek all of the answers to the problems of life, and let Him silence all of your doubts.

You’ll be amazed, at what He can do