Categories: MinistryPast Devotionals

Perseverance

This morning, I was praying and thinking about what our message would be today. My eyes were itching terribly, as seems usual this time of year and I was a bit daunted because I was living entirely in my own flesh. Then God reminded me that everyone gets tired sometimes, everyone goes through adversity at times and discouragement was nothing more than a lack of Faith that He is in control and that His will is being done. My only task is to cease striving, to allow Him to lead me, to be His vessel and to allow Him to live and work in and through me.

The truth is that I am clean for almost nine years and haven’t had a sip of alcohol in nearly five, I am at work with a bunch of people that have my best interests at heart, I am with a team that will help pull through any adversity we face ahead and I have a God who loves me and wants to live His life alongside my own — working through me to effect His Kingdom.

God’s will is and will be done. Our path is to follow where He leads and to place our next step where He asks us to. He loves us, each of us, with a love that surpasses all understanding. He asks us to be bold and fearless, with the knowledge that He is in control and to cast all of our fears and cares upon Him. A few verses were traipsing around in my head and after a little research I thought I would present these to you about perseverance:

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.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Psalm 112: 1, 7-8 “Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Then it came to me — Jesus fell three times carrying his own cross, afterwards a man named Simon of Cyrene stepped in and carried the cross for Him! Jesus’ burden was too great for his mortal frame (flesh) to carry alone and a human brother helped him carry it the last few feet to His terrible, awful, amazing and beautiful goal — His death on Golgotha.

I know this next part is difficult, but does anyone else have a burden that they would like to share with us?

We are J-Bar — we are blessed beyond measure. We love — we are thankful beyond measure. We serve, and in so doing become the leaders that God wants us to be.