18 September 2018
Endurance – the power to persevere to the end.
Each day has some form of challenge – pushing us to endure. It is called life! Praise God that He has given the keys to overcome to those who love Him. One of the keys that we need to use is called ‘endurance’. It unlocks the power to persevere to the end.
In our own life – living with Aldo – and even just in our day to day walk, we are faced with obstacles. Every day, we are faced with spiritual, physical or mental challenges. You may look at our lives and have an opinion about our journey, but I know that this hands-on training – this walking by faith which we were called to, definitely helped us to train our faith muscles. It has become part of our daily routine.
Most people only train their faith muscles when they face something huge in their lives. They utter some strange sounds just like someone who wants to lift a heavy weight in the gym – but just joined. Their efforts have little impact. Their muscles are weak. They get tired and discouraged even to the point where they start blaming God.
When it comes to everyday life, we need to learn to endure!
Endurance is built through repetition. You have to view every obstacle – no matter how big or small, as a training opportunity.
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
Peter warned us and said, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trial that you will face”. (1 Peter 4:12)
We somehow came to belief that our faith-walk should be a zero effort, lazy-day, no care holiday by the sea. And if this is not the case and we are faced with fiery trials, we seem to think something is wrong. Many people get spiritually relaxed and let down their spiritual guard.
When you exercise and you stop for a month, it is really very difficult to start again. I see the older I get, the more difficult it becomes. God just keeps on saying to me, “Just keep on going Retah, keep on training your muscles – physically and spiritually”.
Step by step we are moving forward, little by little we take back the ground that the enemy has stolen – that is how we endure till the end.
Jesus himself had to learn obedience through suffering, why not us?
Heb 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered.
God is busy training His bride to be a warrior bride. We gain patience and maturity from these trials. Paul says that ‘tribulations produce perseverance’.
Let’s take a close look at our own lives and see if we carry the fruits of endurance. When you embrace this journey, it will take you to new levels or faith and trust. Just keep your eyes on the finish line.
I keep on telling Aldo that God wants us to be ‘champions of faith’. The Old Testament is full of these champions – but we need to be the new generation’s faith champions. I read about the ‘great cloud of witnesses’, all their exploits in glorifying God which are written to encourage us. They all endured and were faithful until the end. Not all of them received what they asked for – but still they remained faithful till the very end.
Hebrews 12:1 Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
By the love and grace of God we will keep going – and endure till the end. I want to be an overcomer in God’s Kingdom and that is why I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the example that we can follow. He endured the cross and the shame; all in order to reach His goal. And today, He sits at the right hand of YHVH.
It is only God’s power working in us that makes it possible for us to endure and run and finish the race.
I have learned in my life that when I’m training, to allow myself to stop at times just to get my breath back again, sometimes to walk, sometimes to drink water and sometimes I even sit for a while – but always with the knowing – I will not quit!?
“Abba, please take my hand and make me strong – I want to endure till the very end.”
Don’t feel sorry for yourself, be thankful in everything – the fruit of genuineness, strength, love and compassion are gems (fruits) that are cultivated through endurance.
If we faithfully endure and overcome, we will share in His glory and reign with Him!
Christ within – the hope of Glory.
Love you my dear friend.
Retah and family.
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