Endurance

Endurance means to outlast the problem.
To endure means to stay under something because God is saying don’t run away from it.

Only when God says that he is finished - only then should we move on.

Many people are running away because they are uncomfortable with their present situation but God is not saying to run or leave he’s saying stay under that authority in that difficulty place, don’t run because it’s hard, He wants to do a work in you and He isn’t finished with you here yet.

He may even have you in this place for someone else’s benefit.

There will be times in our lives when we will have to stay somewhere that’s uncomfortable to us for someone else’s benefit.

God will give you the strength and power that you will need to endure.

If we will endure we will also reign with Him.

James 1 tells us that trials are valuable.
James 1:2-Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

It’s during trials that we learn to lean on Jesus and to dig in deeper and deeper.

The Bible doesn’t say if troubles come your way but when it does. He assumes that we will have troubles and that it is possible to profit from them.

The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face pain but to have a positive outlook because of what troubles can produce in our life.

The Bible tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning.

In Gods school no one flunks out we just keep taking the test over and over again until we pass the test he has for us.

Trials also tempt us to show forth any bad character that we have in us.

We can’t really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. It’s easy to be kind to others when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are treating us unfairly?

God wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth.

Tough times can teach us perseverance.

Thank God for promising to be with us in rough times.

Ask him to help you solve your problems or give you strength to endure them. Then be patient.

Patience is not waiting its how you behave while you are waiting.

Hebrews 6:12:
12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

John 16:33:
33I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

God is tearing down strong holds in our lives called:


Deception: When the enemy sends deception your way, it is an attempt to deceive you into believing something that is not true, so you will fall into error.

Strongholds are built through deception. A stronghold is formed when deception takes hold in a person's mind. A stronghold is an incorrect thinking pattern that stems from believing something that is not true.

Temptations: When the enemy tempts you, he's showing you the worm... but behind that worm is a hook. The Word of God helps you see the hook behind the worm.

Accusations: The devil is known as the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10). He is known to take a believer who has done an embarrassing or gross sin in their past, and continue to rub it in their faces and beat them down with guilt and condemnation over their past.

God will always finish the work he begun in us.

Sometimes we can’t see the finished product because Satan blocks are view - with fear, doubt or any other lies he may say. Are response should be Satan get thee behind me.


When Your Hut's on Fire....

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.
He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him.

Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky.

He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost.

He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island!

It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Hebrews 12:1-4:
Hebrews 12
God’s Discipline Proves His Love
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.


The Christian life isn’t easy and involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, and to run with endurance.

To live effectively we must keep our eyes on Jesus, we will stumble if we look away to stare at ourselves or our circumstances surrounding us.

Will you say this morning I am moving forward and will you receive what God has for you today.