Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne. - Hebrews 12:1-2
We must endure. The point of trials and temptations, collisions and failures, fears and struggles is the perseverance of endurance. There are certain points in our life, both physically and spiritually, that we will never reach without pain. It is as simple as that.
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3: 12-14
Oswald Chambers once said that the strength is found in the struggle. Paul was in constant pursuit of the goal of eternal life with Christ Jesus. He never let go. He of all people had every reason to give up, but he never did.
Then He told them: "Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be violent earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of My name. It will lead to an opportunity for you to witness. Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will kill some of you. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. By your endurance gain your lives. - Luke 21:10-19
By your endurance gain your lives.
And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:3-5
Affliction ----> endurance ----> proven character ----> hope that does not disappoint.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so our comfort overflows through Christ. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in the endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Everything we need is found in that title. Everything.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. - James 1:2-4
Trials ----> testing of faith ----> endurance ----> maturity.
Blessed is a man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him. - James 1:12
Enduring trials equates to passing the test and receiving the crown of life. Hold on. Hold fast. Hold out.
You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials so that the genuineness of your faith —more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Genuine faith is more valuable than gold (an allegorical connection to the best the world has to offer). Genuine faith is more valuable than anything this world can offer.... anything!
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not give up. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. - 2 Corinthians 4:1, 8-9
We must endure. The point of trials and temptations, collisions and failures, fears and struggles is the perseverance of endurance. There are certain points in our life, both physically and spiritually, that we will never reach without pain. It is as simple as that.
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3: 12-14
Oswald Chambers once said that the strength is found in the struggle. Paul was in constant pursuit of the goal of eternal life with Christ Jesus. He never let go. He of all people had every reason to give up, but he never did.
Then He told them: "Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be violent earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of My name. It will lead to an opportunity for you to witness. Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will kill some of you. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. By your endurance gain your lives. - Luke 21:10-19
By your endurance gain your lives.
And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:3-5
Affliction ----> endurance ----> proven character ----> hope that does not disappoint.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so our comfort overflows through Christ. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in the endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Everything we need is found in that title. Everything.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. - James 1:2-4
Trials ----> testing of faith ----> endurance ----> maturity.
Blessed is a man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him. - James 1:12
Enduring trials equates to passing the test and receiving the crown of life. Hold on. Hold fast. Hold out.
You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials so that the genuineness of your faith —more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Genuine faith is more valuable than gold (an allegorical connection to the best the world has to offer). Genuine faith is more valuable than anything this world can offer.... anything!
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not give up. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. - 2 Corinthians 4:1, 8-9
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