Tag Archives: perseverance

November 17
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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”  (James 1:12, NIV)

The disciple of Jesus receives a test as a good thing.

Although times of examination are seldom pleasant, the outcome of testing reveals the nature of the stuff we’re made.  Only the person who has persevered under trial knows — really knows — the stuff of which he or she is made.  Without testing, we’re just guessing.

To “pass” a test of our spiritual selves requires only perseverance.  We need not persevere perfectly, but we do need to persevere faithfully.

The strength to persevere comes when we keep ours eyes fixed on Christ under even the most difficult of circumstances.  Doing so assures capital “L” Life for us.  We apprehend it in no other way.  – Luther

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November 10
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“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  (Hebrews 12:11, NIV)

No pain, no gain.

The book of Hebrews concludes its encouragement to godly discipline by reminding the reader that the practice of discipline — though inconvenient and painful in the moment — produces peace and righteousness in those who persevere in it.

God’s recipe for peace and righteousness confounds “conventional wisdom,” which continuously seeks the short-cut or an “edge.”

The question for you and me is whether we will believe God and submit to His discipline in order to apprehend the peace we desire; or will we spend our limited time on this earth trying to prove Him wrong by seeking peace through other means.  – Luther

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October 30
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“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”  (2 Timothy 4:6-8, NIV)

What awaits you after this life?

In his final days on this earth, Paul — writing to his protege Timothy — declares that “the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” awaits him.

The trials of this life are many, and often cause us great pain and suffering.  However, do not despair.  Fight the good fight, meaning: Draw on all of your resources — in heaven and on earth — to resist the evil one and his schemes.  Stay in the race to the finish, meaning: Don’t quit — ever.  Keep the faith, meaning: Remember that God, through Jesus, has assured victory at the end of all things — even if it doesn’t look that way now.

The rewards written of by Paul are not only his — but ours, as well, if we wait in longing for His appearing.

What awaits us after this life?  Life in the presence of the Lord.  The crown of righteousness.  Hearing the righteous Judge say to us, “Well done.”  – Luther

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