Called To Endure!
SCRIPTURE: “…but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.” Mark 13:13 (NKJV)
Most of us are familiar with the phrase “Been there, done that!” No one that we know, however, can say it with greater authority than Christ our Lord, as He is familiar with all that confronts us in this sin-cursed world. He has faced it all, yet WITHOUT SIN. (Hebrews 4:15)
Have you been lied on? Our Savior was; so was Stephen, Christendom’s first martyr, and Paul the apostle, to name a few. (Luke 23:2; Acts 6:13, and Acts 24:5) Have you been rejected or greatly misunderstood by those who should have received you with open arms? So has our Savior! (Isaiah 53:3; Jn. 1:11) Have you been prejudged or disbelieved because you didn’t conform to the “script” others had for you? Our Lord Jesus can relate to that! (Isaiah 53:2b) Be comforted, brothers and sisters! Jesus, our Elder Brother, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, has endured these same relational minefields of life during the days of His flesh! In fact, He as the risen Savior God still forbears with humanity, enduring with divine long-suffering many of the things described above. Yet, what can we learn from our Savior’s response to all these things, as we wade into a new year?
We must p.r.a.c.t.i.c.e. following Him who calls us to do the same in this temporal life journey. We must resolve to P-persevere in faith, as Hebrews 12:2 instructs us, with our eyes fixed on the Author and Perfecter of our faith; R-refresh our heart daily in Christ (Philemon v. 20), “though none go with me,” (as a blessed old hymn says), A-act like you know this One who’s called the “Bread of Life,” (Jn. 4:10); C-confess our sins daily (1 Jn. 1:9; Micah 7:18); T-tell Him our struggles, rather than complaining to people who ofttimes have no true and lasting remedies to offer. (Ps. 118:9; Is. 2:22); I-intercede for one another, saints—in specific ways, as much as possible. (Eph. 6:18b); C-count it all joy as you go through trials this new year, confident that our Lord’s purpose is to use those trials to conform us to His image—to not take us down but through in victory; finally, E-endure, for it is written that we have need of doing so, if we would receive what our Savior promises those who believe on Him til the end. (Heb. 10:36; Matt. 24:13).
PRAYER: We thank and praise You, Father, for giving us all that we need to not only survive, but to thrive in a world that is doing its futile best to quench the Light that ever shines through the darkness! Strengthen us as we persevere through Christ! In His name we pray. Amen!
Written by Sis Denise Diggs
Have you been lied on? Our Savior was; so was Stephen, Christendom’s first martyr, and Paul the apostle, to name a few. (Luke 23:2; Acts 6:13, and Acts 24:5) Have you been rejected or greatly misunderstood by those who should have received you with open arms? So has our Savior! (Isaiah 53:3; Jn. 1:11) Have you been prejudged or disbelieved because you didn’t conform to the “script” others had for you? Our Lord Jesus can relate to that! (Isaiah 53:2b) Be comforted, brothers and sisters! Jesus, our Elder Brother, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, has endured these same relational minefields of life during the days of His flesh! In fact, He as the risen Savior God still forbears with humanity, enduring with divine long-suffering many of the things described above. Yet, what can we learn from our Savior’s response to all these things, as we wade into a new year?
We must p.r.a.c.t.i.c.e. following Him who calls us to do the same in this temporal life journey. We must resolve to P-persevere in faith, as Hebrews 12:2 instructs us, with our eyes fixed on the Author and Perfecter of our faith; R-refresh our heart daily in Christ (Philemon v. 20), “though none go with me,” (as a blessed old hymn says), A-act like you know this One who’s called the “Bread of Life,” (Jn. 4:10); C-confess our sins daily (1 Jn. 1:9; Micah 7:18); T-tell Him our struggles, rather than complaining to people who ofttimes have no true and lasting remedies to offer. (Ps. 118:9; Is. 2:22); I-intercede for one another, saints—in specific ways, as much as possible. (Eph. 6:18b); C-count it all joy as you go through trials this new year, confident that our Lord’s purpose is to use those trials to conform us to His image—to not take us down but through in victory; finally, E-endure, for it is written that we have need of doing so, if we would receive what our Savior promises those who believe on Him til the end. (Heb. 10:36; Matt. 24:13).
PRAYER: We thank and praise You, Father, for giving us all that we need to not only survive, but to thrive in a world that is doing its futile best to quench the Light that ever shines through the darkness! Strengthen us as we persevere through Christ! In His name we pray. Amen!
Written by Sis Denise Diggs
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
3 Comments
Umm! That was good! Thank you! That P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E, should be printed, nailed to the wall, and put into daily practice! Pun intended!
Amen. Thanks for sharing.
Amen. Thank you for this very inspiring devotional! Amen!