what do you keep in your heart

 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

This verse has always stood out to me. Mary had been visited by an angel and given a tremendous message about a miracle baby. We all know the story. after his birth, shepherds showed up to worship this little baby, the Messiah, with their own story of angels bringing a message.  Mary experienced the miracles of the birth, the visits from the shepherds and the wise men. She knew who her baby was. She kept all these things in her heart. She pondered them.  She placed great value on these things. She wanted to remember them, to cherish them, and be able to marvel upon them over time. She was probably the one who told the disciples and the writers of the gospels about the birth of Jesus and the visitors who showed up. She may have been the one who became the messenger about the miracle baby born to be the Messiah.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

David wrote about hiding the word of God in his heart. He wanted the word of God to be in his heart to keep him from sinning. He not only kept the word of God in his heart, he allowed the word to affect him, lead him and change him. He allowed the word of God to challenge him and humble him when he needed it. He loved the word of God. He read it and learned it. 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45

We, too, need to hide the word of God in our hearts. We need to keep the testimonies and the experiences we have with God in our hearts and minds to keep us. What we place in our hearts is what we think about or ponder. Mary pondered, thought about all she had seen. She would probably remember it and pour over it, recounting the details. We can ponder and think about the word of God and the things he has done for us. The testimonies and experiences we have with God can become what we ponder. Recount the details of what he has done to be lifted up and encouraged. When we think on the things of God, we are lifted up in faith and strengthened in spirit.  The treasure of our heart is what we value and what we think about. It becomes the memories we recall and what we tell others. The treasure of our hearts should be what God has done and his mighty deeds. I want to think about the word of God and his wonderful blessings. He has kept me daily, provided for me and has performed miracles. I have heard others testify of God's great love and what he does for them. He is good. I want to ponder these things. I want my heart full of his love and goodness and the testimonies of him showing me how good he is. 

When my heart is full of the things of God, my mouth will speak of Him.  I want to be the mouthpiece that tells others of a great and mighty God who is full of love and goodness. I want my testimony to pour forth out of my mouth that others may know the goodness of God.  I want the abundance of my heart to be completely devoted to the evidence of God's great love for me and his people.  I want to be able to say that like Mary, I kept these things in my heart and pondered them. 

examine yourself

 The following verse gives us a command. 

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV

When I looked at the definition of 'examine'  it is from the Greek:  peirazo, meaning "scrutinize," "discipline"  and in Oxford dictionary

1. inspect (someone or something) in detail to determine their nature or condition; investigate thoroughly.
2. test the knowledge or proficiency of (someone) by requiring them to answer questions or perform tasks.

Paul was directing the believers to inspect their hearts and lives to determine the condition they were in. We also need to take a good look at our condition.  Are we serving God with pure hearts, free of things that hinder our faith or walk with God? What are our priorities  and what is the testimony  we are giving to those around us? 

Joel 2:12-13 

12Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

13And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

All of our heart needs to be given to God, no part held back. Rend your heart means wring it out to remove the sin and give it to God. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5

 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

⁴ Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

This is a list of the things that can draw us away from God. There are many Christians who have a form of godliness but deny the power of God.  We cannot just think we are doing okay when our lives do not reflect any amount of who God is. If His power is not evident in our daily actions, words and attitudes,  we are missing the power of God and denying him. 

Titus 1:15-16

¹⁵ Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

¹⁶ They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Titus explained this as being defiled and not pure. Defiled in mind, conscience,  and action. I do not want to look into my heart and mind to find I am defiled before God. 

Ezekiel described such defilement  when he had a vision about God showing him a hole in the Temple wall. He dug in to find that abominations were taking place within the hidden parts of the temple. The leaders and people of Israel no longer served God nor kept pure, righteous hearts acceptable to God. They served self, pleasure, pride, idols and allowed much sin to take over their hearts. 

Titus 2:11-14

¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

God gave us grace for salvation.  His Spirit teaches us to turn away from the ungodly things and live godly. If we ignore the prompting and teaching of the Spirit, we will fall. He will lead us by his Spirit away from sin into purity. We will be eager and zealous to be in the will of God as we rely on His Spirit within us. He sent His Spirit to give us power and authority over the enemy who seeks to deceive and destroy. We cannot give sin a place, rather we seek God.

1 John 3:19-22

¹⁹ And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

²⁰ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

²¹ Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

²² And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

When we examine our hearts and find we are not condemned, we are able to be confident  to stand before God. We can be sure we walk in truth, ask and believe we receive. God will receive our petition because we are in obedience and pleasing in his sight. Israel was not pleasing and ended up in exile. We have access to grace and mercy. We can run to him anytime we need to make ourselves right in his sight, and see to be in obedience to his word. 

Take time to examine yourself. Find any area that needs to be turned over him completely.  He will take it, clean it up, purify it, set it right,  forgive it, and make it pure for his purpose.  He wants to show you how precious you are, but we have the choice to give him all of our hearts or retain the secret areas from him. We can hold back the areas we like, the secret sins, the pride, the unbelief, the fear, the need to control, but will miss out on many blessings, peace, and the very Will of God if we do not submit wholly, completely  to Him. Examine yourself and call on Him to take it all in his hands. You will find He is ready to receive you as you are. He will change you, cleanse you and make you pure and righteous. He will be pleased. 

lifestyle of praise

 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:2 KJV

I have always enjoyed worship. There is something uplifting about coming together with God’s people to worship the Lord. We know he is worthy of all our praise. We can never worship him enough for all he has done.  I love to sing of his Amazing Grace and How Great is Our God.  Our worship services are filled with songs, old and new that speak of our wonderful Savior. I appreciate these times. People are uplifted, miracles can be seen, and lives are changed. This is a wonderful part of any service and ushers in the presence God.  

But God reminds me often that we cannot think that praise and worship is just a part of a service at church and does not apply every single moment of every day.  Our entire being is only here by his Grace and every breath we breath is because of him. Every breath should be used to praise Him.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Hebrews 13:15 KJV

This verse uses the word, ‘continually.’ That tells us that praise does not stop once the church worship team sits down.  We have often fallen into the idea of compartmentalizing services, and the rest of our days. We worship for the twenty or so minutes of a church service, feel good about it, and think what great worship we had this week, but the Bible tells us to praise continually. The Bible does not define praise and worship as just a part of a corporate service.  We are to be in a mindset of continually praise. It is to be our lifestyle.  What does that mean?

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Psalm 63:4 KJV

While I live tells me that this is an every day, minute by minute activity. My life should reflect continuous praise and worship in my words and actions. I can sing my heart out on Sunday morning, but what about the rest of the week? Do my words and actions speak praise?

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Psalm 9:1 KJV

Each day, I have a choice and opportunity to show others who God is.  Do I share him by speaking in ways that reflect Him or am I speaking complaints, gossip, iIl-will, etc?  Do I treat others with the love of God or do I act out of anger, frustration, or impatience?   These questions apply to my home, my place of work, and my comings and goings.  Each moment is an opportunity to praise my God. Each moment is an opportunity to share God with someone. In our homes, we affect our testimony to our children and family members. They need to see a consistent testimony. What we do daily will be our testimony to our children more than what we do at a church service. How we treat coworkers, customers and business dealings will speak louder than just saying that I’m a Christian.  They will know you by your actions. You should have a lifestyle of praise and worship.  This will be a greater testimony of God’s goodness than anything you could ever just say.

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:19 KJV

You may wonder or think, this is impossible,  especially, when I am facing hard times. You may think that I cannot praise or worship during times of loss, pain, worry, fear, etc. But these are the best times to choose to praise. Our flesh will fail, but God never fails. He said he would never leave you nor forsake you. In the middle of the trials, we can find that a lifestyle of praise and worship will be more powerful than you can ever imagine. If, in the trial, you speak of His goodness, you will be encouraging your own faith to grow. If, in the loss, you magnify the Lord, He is your comfort. If, in the fear, you sing of His might, you find that He did not give you a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind. He is still there. Praise and worship will activate faith and set you up to see his glory in operation.  When I was young, I would have dreams of something dark attacking me in my sleep. When I would finally wake up, I learned that singing Jesus Loves Me would change my fear into peace. I could go back sleep feeling his love around me. I have been able to apply this in other situations as I have grown up and had to face the tough parts of life. If I dwelt on the pain and despair, I would be overwhelmed by those thoughts and feelings.  If I turned to God in prayer, in praise and placed my trust in Him, my faith would rise. His Word would sustain me, and He would bring me through.  That has been proven time and time again. My choice to praise Him through the storm, would change how I saw the trial and how I came through it.

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Psalm 59:16 KJV

He will be our refuge and defense. We will be able to sing of his power. This is the makings of powerful testimonies of His goodness.  Praise and worship is powerful. Continual praise and worship will change you from the inside out into a walking, talking testimony of the powerful God you serve. Our daily lives should be a continuous praise for God. We will be able to the ones that others will recognize as a child of God and we can say as David did:

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalm 34:8 KJV

Make a choice to praise Him, to worship Him, no matter the circumstances.  David did this many times. He may have spoken of his weaknesses, concerns, and hurt, but he always returned to magnify the Lord. 

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34:3 KJV

I want my heart’s song to be praise. Praise will be my song and I will not be able to contain it. May my life, my lifestyle, be a continual praise to my Lord. 

 

assemble together

 Christians  often put a big emphasis on going to church.  I have been going to church my whole life. I remember falling asleep on a blanket under a pew when I was young. As a child, I did not always understand why my parents took us to church and did not always want to go. Over the years, I have become very involved in church and love to be a part of the church. I have served in different  roles within an assembly.  I have learned a lot about church and why it is important  to me and why it should be important to any believer. It is not just a place We go, but it is who we are. Each person is an important part of the assembly.  You are needed there. You are not there just to get something,  but you have something to give as well. 

not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.

Hebrews 10:25 AMP

Paul gave this instruction for the believers. He knew it was important to gather together for worship, for instruction,  and for encouragement of one another. We cannot successfully do these things alone all the time. We may for a little while, but we will slowly weaken and struggle.  Why is this so important?  We can go to 1 Corinthians chapter 12 for a big explanation of the Body. We are all members of one body.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12 KJV

As we read about this body, we find that each part of the body is special and unique. We all have a place to be and a part to do. Each member has a role. When we consider our human body, each part is important. If a part of the body were to be removed, the rest of the body will suffer and have to adapt or compensate in some way. The part removed will no longer function and be dead. It is no longer connected to the source of life. It is no longer viable with blood flow providing oxygen for life to take place in that part. It will die without being connected to the body. We must be connected to the body for our soul to be connected to the source of Life.

Jesus himself explained the need for connection to the body.  He told us that we are one bread and we are members of his body. He broke a loaf of leavened bread and gave a piece to each disciple signifying that he is the bread of life and we are a part of his body, one loaf with many pieces.  He was using the Jewish tradition of breaking bread at a dinner as a parable to show his disciples how they fit together in one body. He wants unifying fellowship taking place amongst his believers to represent his body. We are ,ade to be a part of his bodythrough fellowship one with another. This is the true definition of communion. 

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Greek word 'koinonia'  was used and is translated as 'fellowship,'  'sharing.,' or "called out."  The true definition is a defining of what we are supposed to be doing as believers, as the called out ones, is  fellowshipping with one another, sharing the faith, encouraging one another in the hope we have in Christ Jesus.  This is what communion truly means as defined in the original texts and definitions. 

The Greek word often translated as 'church' is 'ekklasia.' This word in the original texts meant 'congregate' or 'assemble.' Not once did it mean church as we do today.  In the early 1500's, William Tyndale translated the Greek into English and he used assembly or congregation.  The Catholic Church became angry with him for doing so and burned him at the stake. His translation was later used to create the King James version. About 85% was his original translation  with changes made by the Catholic Church to reflect their own ideas of religion. One change was to use the word 'church' rather than 'assembly' or 'congregation.'  Why is that important to us today? It gives us insight into why we view church the way we do today. We have a view that church is a building rather than an assembly of people coming together for a purpose. We come together for the purpose of worship, instruction  and building up one another in faith. We all are to be apart of this wonderful gathering for fellowship. 

Assembling together for the right purpose will change the way you think about church and your reasons for being a part of that assembly.   We are meant to participate in  the gathering, not passively watch or glean whatever we want from it. We are to be an active participant in the worship, in the instruction,  and in encouraging one another. My soul  finds joy in the fellowship of the saints. As we worship together in song and praise, my soul is encouraged.  Hearing the instruction of the Word through ministry guides me closer to Jesus and his plan for me. Giving and receiving encouragement occurs through testimonies of  what God is doing for me and others, through participating in Bible Studies, conversations with other believers, and time spent with other believers. It comes down to hearing what God is doing for and showing others as well as sharing what God is showing me. We can all learn from one another. We all have a testimony.  We all can give and receive  encouragement one from another.  I cannot do that sitting at home alone. 

Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16 AMP

Paul wrote here to admonish and train one another with all wisdom and singing. We have to come together to accomplish this. We must assemble together to be able to participate in the role we are called to. We are called out to assemble together in unity as one body of believers for the purpose of worship, instruction, and encouragement. We are called to help one another with the process of growing in faith, lifting up other members, and strengthening the entire body of Christ by partaking of his body through fellowship one with another. 

Footnote: references used for the definitions are:

1.Tennant, Alex T.,  The Messianic Feast, chapters: Setting the Table 2; Course 1

2.Blue Letter Bible App for Greek references

who are you

YOU ARE:

 Created in His Image: Genesis 1:27

²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

Fearfully and wonderfully made: Psalm 139: 14

¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

 

His workmanship; Ephesians 2:10

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

You are loved: Galatians 2:20

²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

You are precious: Isaiah 43:4

⁴ Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

 

When we become Christians we are now also:

 

Set apart: Jeremiah 1:5

⁵ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

 

Set free: Ephesians 1:7

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

 

You are chosen: Ephesians 1:4

⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

 

You are God’s chosen, royal priesthood, special possession: 1 Peter 2:9-10

⁹ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

 

 the people of God: Exodus 19:5

⁵ Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

 

Temple of the Holy Ghost: 1 Corinthians 6:19

¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

 

Citizens of Heaven: Philippians 3:20-21

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

 

Child of God : Galatians 3:26

²⁶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Friend of God: John 15:15

¹⁵ Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

 

Blessed: Ephesians 1:3

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

 

Strong through Christ: Philippians 4:13

¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

You are complete : Colossians 2:10

¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

 

Because of who we are we can extend God's Love to others.

 

You are called: Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

Have the mind of Christ: 1 Corinthians 2:16

¹⁶ For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

 

More than a conqueror: Romans 8:37

³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 

You are branches: John 15:5

⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

You are fruitful: Colossians 1:10

that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

 

You are Salt: Matthew 5:13

¹³ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

You are Light: Matthew 5:14-16

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

You are powerful:  Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. 

never alone

 Do you ever feel alone?  I know I have and in some moments I still do.  We may all face situations that seem to make us feel alone.  In today’s environment, I have realized that many people feel extra lonely due to the circumstances of quarantines, social distancing and lack of social events. We have been forced to be alone. For some, they are kept away from family and cannot visit. This breaks my heart as I think about how lonely that feels. There has been an uptick in depression and suicide among all ages, even children. I know of some right in our small community. This concern weighs heavily on my heart. I truly believe the enemy of our souls has taken advantage of these times and has began to speak sadness and depression into people.

But I know the God of hope. I can find hope and offer hope in the One who is our Hope. Jesus promised to always be with us. In Hebrews 13:5 it says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  This verse is one of the verses that always resonates with me when I feel loneliness, sadness, or overwhelmed by life. I am not alone. God is by my side. He is in my heart and he loves me more than I can even fathom. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is my confidant, my comfort, and my friend. He is there when no one understands. He is there when the world seems to pass by. He is there when I may not be able to reach out to others. He understands. He cares and he is there.

I have listened to people talk about depression and have even experienced it myself. It can be very hard to find a way out. But I know I can call on the name of Jesus. He is always faithful and true. He is my joy and my hope.  I find I can praise Him through any storm and he is ready to rush in with what I need. He has carried me through many rough times and has never left me even for a moment. He is always knows my need before I even ask.  I know he carried me through loss and pain. He guided me through uncertainty and the unknown. He has proven over and over that he loves me. I can see how he has worked in my life in the past. I know he will do it again.

I can share this hope with others. God has really spoken to my heart many times the verse above and I want to be a light to others that hope is always available in Christ. We can trust him and know he is with us even to the end. I am prayerful that each day, I can share his love with someone and be a light of hope to a lost and despairing world. There is always someone who needs to know that they are loved. There is always someone at the end of their rope reaching out for just a little hope. Be the light. Offer hope.  Keep shining Jesus to the world. Be there when it seems no one else cares. He will be there for you and he will be there in you.

enduring faith

The definition of endure is:

 en·dure

verb

 

1.suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently.

"it seemed impossible that anyone could endure such pain"

2.remain in existence; last.

"these cities have endured through time"

 

We often must endure hard times, struggles and difficulties. We have attacks on our faith, our bodies, our families, our strength, and even our beliefs. We face a lot of things in this world because we are humans in a broken world, and as Christians, we face spiritual attacks as well. I want to encourage all of us to endure and build endurance.  I used to run.  In middle school, I could run a mile without any trouble. I enjoyed running.  Now, I do not have the physical endurance to run even a quarter of a mile.  I can walk it, but my body has lost endurance. To build endurance, you practice.  You keep practicing and pushing past the last level you achieved. Spiritually, we also need to build endurance, pushing past the last level we achieved. We can only do this spiritually by partaking of the spiritual nature of God through prayer, study, fasting, and fellowship.

 

2 Timothy 2:3

³ Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

In the Bible we have many examples of endurance. Job endured many hardships and troubles. He lost his family, his wealth and his health, yet he never lost his trust in God. Paul endured many trials and physical beatings. He remained steadfast. Jesus, himself, endured for our sakes. The widow persevered by continually going to the unjust judge until he acted on her case. The Bible is full of people who endured.

 

In more modern times we have examples as well. I look in my own family for one example in particular.

My cousin posted a picture of my grandparents the other day. They were young and holding their first two babies. She posted it and talked about the heritage. She said, “My grandparents were some of the hardest working people I knew and faced so much adversity. They were overcomers. When I face issues in my life, I remember my grandparents. Perseverance ignites in my soul and I know I can breakthrough and excel.”

My grandparents endured and pushed forward in faith. In the midst of great loss and pain, God was their refuge, their stronghold, their strength.  Their faith in God excelled and grew through every trial. They endured the loss of children to illnesses yet, they were encouraging and praying for others going through the same circumstance. They were known for their enduring faith. Like my cousin said, I can look at their example of unwavering faith in God and be encouraged to persevere through the storm. 

 

Hebrews 12:1-2

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

 We have all these examples for us to look to and develop our own endurance. God has made sure we have witnesses that have testified about the trials they have gone through, so we can know what is possible. He is the one who endured the cross and understands what it means to run this race. He knows what kind of strength we need to endure.

 

 

We need to build endurance by being rooted and grounded in Him so we can endure. In Ephesians we are given the reasons we need to be rooted and grounded. When we place our roots deep in Christ, we can endure all things. Like the roots of a tree going deep, we can sway in the wind and move a little as the storm blows, but we will not be moved because we know him. I think of the mighty redwood trees in California. They are tallest, largest trees in the world. The tallest stands at nearly 380 feet tall. These trees do not stand alone.  The roots are known to reach out and intertwine with the trees next to it.  They gain strength and provide strength to the other redwoods near them. Their roots hang on to one another and become a source of strength to one another.  Shouldn’t this be so with the body of Christ?  We should be a source of strength and endurance to others in the Body of Christ. This is what it means to be in communion one with another. We are standing firm together rooted and grounded in love and while storms may blow and we may even bend, we stand together rooted in Christ. Even the great apostle Paul wrote in Corinthians about feeling distressed and was glad when Titus showed up to encourage him.  He needed Titus to be there and provide strength when he was weak.  We need one another and we need to be there for one another. That is how the Body of Christ is intended to work.  We are to be a source of strength for one another. We should be able to go to one another and find support and prayer from a brother or sister in our times of need.

 

Ephesians 3:14-21

¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

Build endurance by being planted in the body of Christ, attached at the roots to the Source of life and strength.  Christ is the source of our life, our breath, our being. He shed his blood for us that we might live. We can be grounded in Him. He is the branch and we must be attached directly into him. The tree that is beside the water is pushing its roots into the source of life, the water.  A tree far from a source of water, can suffer and may not survive if someone does not bring it some water. The tree that is planted close to the source of water will grow in depth, beauty and magnificence. It will stand against the storms. It will bear fruit and be a nourishment for others. Stay close to the Source of life by reading and studying, prayer and fasting, and of course, fellowship with His Body.

 

Psalms 1:1-6        

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

⁴ The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 

By being persuaded and firm in our knowledge of whom God is. You cannot stand on something if you really don’t believe it or if you are persuaded.  If you cannot explain why you believe, you can be persuaded not to believe it.  You have to know beyond a shadow of doubt who God is, and who you are in Him.  He will never leave us nor forsake us.  We sometimes leave him. I have seen some who have left their faith in God because a trial came their way. They were not firm in the foundation of truth, who God is, for them to defend their faith, lean into their faith and survive the trial. You must be persuaded.  Are you persuaded? Romans 8:38-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Only we can choose not to believe this. I choose to be persuaded regardless the trial or storm.

 

Romans 8:38-39

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

By allowing the Word to be planted deep in our hearts in good fertile ground, we find the strength we need to endure. Jesus spoke about this in the parable of the sower. The seed needs to fall on fertile ground. We must keep our hearts ready and fertile for the word of God to be planted and grow in our hearts. When we have the word of God deeply planted in our hearts, we are able to recall it when we need it.  There are so many times, a scripture comes to mind at just the right moment. If I had never read it or heard it, it would not be there when I need it.  The other day, as I was feeling overwhelmed, a scripture rushed into my remembrance, I wrote it down and stuck it to my computer screen at work.  I needed that scripture at that precise moment. God’s word is sharper than a two-edged sword. It is our weapon and it is powerful. When we speak his word, and pray his word, it changes the atmosphere and brings life to the situations that seem dead. Knowing his word and applying it, brings about our greatest weapon for enduring the hard times.

Matthew 13:18-23

¹⁸ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

²⁰ But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

²¹ Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

²² He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

²³ But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

 

Withstand and keep standing. That is the essence of endurance. We have the whole armor of God for us to use. We can stand and then keep standing in the face of all adversity, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. We can keep standing. We can endure the hardness of this life. God is on our side. He will bring us through. We just stand on that promise. We stand on his word, we stand with one another. We keep standing.

 

Ephesians 6:13

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 

Sometimes, we may be at the end of our rope, so to speak. We may face great defeat, but we can keep standing. God never fails us. He will always bring us through. Endure!!!!