Endurance

Day 1

en·dur·ance

1.
the fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships, etc.

2.
the ability or strength to continue or last, esp. despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina: He has amazing physical endurance.

3.
lasting quality; duration: His friendships have little endurance.

4.
something endured, as a hardship; trial.


Colossians 1:10-13
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Romans 15:4-6
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Day 2
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

…with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.(Romans 15:6) A spirit of Unity. Do you hold dear a moment when someone taught you about your salvation? Do you remember a moment when you shared your faith with someone and it changed them?

I believe a huge part of endurance is about reliance on others. God created us to be in relationship with one another. There is always time for a mentor, teacher or friend that strengthens and challenges your faith. We all need someone we trust to hold us accountable and give us a hand when we need one. I also believe that each one of us has a responsibility to teach, to reach out and grab someone’s hand and give them hope.

Imagine, if you can, that every Christian you know is teaching, learning and creating relationship with other believers. Can you see a group of believers who are no longer walking alone in their faith? Do you see the Body of Christ? What if in your daily walk you had a hand to encourage you and were giving a hand of encouragement to someone else? Would you see the Body moving?

What if we all tried to remember that we are all running the same race? The prize is the same for us all. Our goal, God’s will in our lives, that all men might be saved. The next time you begin to wonder if you are on the right path, ask yourself what is your goal. Am I doing this for the sake of someone’s salvation or am I doing this for me?

Day 3
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

What must we endure? Make a list from this scripture, what must we overcome? What is our reward?

Day 4
Hebrews 12
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

What if all that you were trained for never happened in your own life? Endurance is a funny thing--it required us to focus on something we can’t see yet. You must push on regardless of your need for instant gratification.

Put yourself in Moses’ sandals for a moment. Here is a man that God chose, trained and equipped for an amazing race, known to us as the Exodus. His goal was to free God’s people from slavery and lead them to the Promised Land. For 40 years Moses followed God and lead the people. Eventually, he got them there. But Moses himself never stepped a foot into the Promised Land.

Do you think Moses regretted following God?

Tell me, in your own race, do you give up halfway through? Do you throw up your hands and decide that the glory of God isn’t a good enough prize for you? Is the sacrifice Christ made for you not great enough to take a few difficult steps in your faith?

Day 5
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

What is our prize?
I am going to challenge you. Take the time to write or print out these scriptures, dust off your bible and really look these up.
Here are a few scriptures that paint a very clear picture of our prize:
Matthew 16:24-27
Matthew 18:28-30
Luke 22:28-30
Romans 5:17, 6:8, 8:10, 11, 17
1 Corinthians 15:42-58
Colossians 3:34
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Revelations 21:1 to 22:21

Heavenly Father, I praise you name Lord for the amazing love that you have given me. Thank you for the opportunity to endure it all for your name. Thank you that I have so many loving friends that poor your greatness into my life. Thank you for giving me a chance to share my faith with others. Lord, continue to do your work through me. Many I be a vessel for Your Spirit. In Your Holy Name….