Tag: endure
The common bond of the brotherhood
Scripture reading for October 13th: 1st Peter 5, Psalm 55, Proverbs 19
1st Peter 5:6-11 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
In this life, we as believers will face trials, persecution, and suffering. We are to humbly accept that God is sovereign over every area of our lives and look to Him in daily prayer. Peter tells the Church to cast all their anxieties on the Lord because God cares for each person. He warns the believers that they have an adversary that is not flesh and blood: the devil. Faith is the weapon of choice in dealing with demonic power. We also are to recognize that satanic attacks and trials of our faith are common to all believers in all the world. God hears each one’s cries and will save and deliver them at the proper time: “a little while.” In the mean time, we are to keep watch and pray in faith. Our Lord will deliver us ‘in a little while’ and we will rule and reign with Him forever and ever! Amen!
Psalm 55:16-18 “But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and He hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.”
Prayer: Father God, I often fret about the trouble in this world. Forgive me for my lack of faith and failure to gain understanding from your Word. I am slowly learning to cast all my anxieties on You and trusting in Your care for me and others. Thank You that You do care for each believer around the world that is undergoing a fiery trial. Empower me to pray for them and keep watch and warn of the devil’s attacks.
Proverbs 19:11 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Signs of the ‘end’!
Scripture reading for May 9th: Matthew 24, Psalm 92, Proverbs 30
Matthew 24: 6-14 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death and you will be hated by all nations for My Name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this Gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
As His disciples were marveling at the temple, Jesus told them not one stone would be left upon another. This prompted questions from them. When would this happen? What would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age? Jesus gave them a warning to be wary of deception and then spoke to them plainly about various signs of the end that are really just the beginning of the end–‘birth pains.’ Disciples are to be aware of these pains that are coming, but not fearful of them. Their focus must remain on being steadfast and true to Jesus and the sharing of the Gospel to the ends of the earth!
Psalm 92: 4-5 “For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your work; at the works of Your hands I sing for joy. How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!”
Prayer: Father God, Your thoughts and plans are very deep! I am in awe of Your amazing works to bring salvation to all nations and peoples. Open my eyes each day to those You desire to reach. Protect me from deception from those who are deceived, falling away or cold in their love for You. I want to be faithful to Jesus Christ and proclaim His Gospel to all nations, hastening His return for us! Amen!
Proverbs 30:12 “There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.”
Christ-like character in me!
Scripture reading for August 28th: Isaiah 26-29, Psalm 65, !st Corinthians 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 4:9-13 “For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”
Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth about his life as an apostle. He felt like he was on display and viewed by the world as a fool. He was physically weakened and buffeted by persecution and worked to supply his own needs. When reviled, he chose to bless. When persecuted, he patiently endured. When openly slandered, he humbly entreated. The world and even some in the church often do not understand Christ’s grace flowing through His appointed leaders as examples for them. In all this, Paul kept on correcting, blessing and encouraging others to follow Christ Jesus.
Psalm 65:4 “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness your Your house, the holiness of Your temple!”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You for the examples of mature believers in Your Word and in the churches I have been a part of. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to live a life of humility, peace, love and faith even when mistreated or slandered.
Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”