Tag: persevere
Watch your life and doctrine!
Scripture reading for September 28th: 1st Timothy 4
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Timothy 4:12-16 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Disciples who over-come pay attention to the word of God and sound doctrine. They don’t just teach and preach it, but live it out as an example for other believers and the world of the blessings of knowing God living in us. We are all learning to do this each day and the climb is upward! Progress will be evident as we persevere. Good ministers read the Scriptures publicly because God’s word has power to transform and convict. They preach the Gospel because it has the power for salvation to all who will believe. They teach by word and example, wanting, along with their Lord Jesus, all to be saved!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers pay close attention to doctrine (sound teaching) and daily application in their own living. “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his savior.” (Psalm 24:3-5)
Persevere in prayer!
Scripture reading for March 28th: Luke 18
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 18:1, 6-7 “Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. . . . And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?””
Jesus wanted to encourage His disciples to persevere in prayer so He told them a story about an unjust judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. A widow came to him seeking justice and would not give up until finally the judge gave in because she was wearing him out. The point of the story was that God’s people should more persistently pray and seek out the Judge of all the Earth who always does right! Would Jesus find that kind of faith on earth when He comes again? Disciples know that their highest privilege is to seek help from a God who is just and answers prayer and they apply themselves by faith!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers will always pray and never give up, knowing that Jesus will hear and answer! “O Lord, I call to You; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:1-2)
Good Seed for good soil!
Scripture reading for March 14th: Luke 8
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 8:8-9,15 “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When He said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” His disciples asked Him what this parable meant. . . .But the seed on the good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
Jesus taught the people as well as His disciples with parables. These were stories about common events and illustrations take from the culture and time they lived in. These stories contained spiritual truths that only those with humble and teachable hearts could grasp. Those who were proud and arrogant could not understand the truth and would not come to Jesus for help in understanding. His disciples asked for help and found understanding.
Hearts that are like the ‘good’ soil are open to listen to Jesus and the stories He told. They listen with hungry hearts to learn more and apply it to their own lives. They lay hold of the truths (the Good Seed) and retain them, patiently working them into their thinking. This produces a crop over time that is multiplied ‘a hundred times’ what was sown! In other words, receiving Jesus’ word brings awesome rewards!
Observations for over-comers: A humble and teachable heart that receives God’s word and seeks to understand and apply it is precious in God’s sight. As you persevere, He will reward you with a great harvest! “Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.” (Ezekiel 3:3)