Persevere....
I was struck yesterday with the phrase, "faith perseveres" which was spoken of by the pastor...he had a lot more points, but this was mine for the day...as he has been talking about the "Heroes of the Faith..."
So I looked up the use of persevere in the Bible and found these few verses in the New Testament. But they are powerful, reminding us to continue, stand strong, not grow weary, through the trials of life until the end....
I don't know about others, but I grow weary at times..."am I doing enough", the "whys" of life, the enemy is strong, the problems "insurmountable", etc., etc., etc.....but these passages encourage so much perseverance for the prize/life that awaits...after the struggles...
The heroes of the faith saw this, people down through ages saw this, people of this generation are experiencing this....love perseveres....God helps us persevere....through His strength...even when we are weary...when we hand over the burdens...Jeremiah 31: 25 promises "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint"...and for the "weeping" prophet, he knew firsthand what persevering cost...
Thank YOU for the call to persevere. But, thank You also for Your strength to persevere in the face of weariness..
2 Corinthians 12:12 I (Paul) persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 11:27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 5:11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
A call to persevere-Jude 1:17-25 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Revelation 2:3 You (the church at Ephesus) have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
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