Perseverance

Philippians 3:14 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. "- (NIV)

Pressing on toward the goal. Remove burdens that slow us down. Take care of your family. It seems that the last few days have been a theme of continued work. Keep on moving. Don't give up.

A small incident just happened. It is late at night and my wife is trying to get the youngest asleep. The eldest daughter (4 1/2) is downstairs. In whinnyey voice she continually calls for mommy. She does not respond when I ask if I can help her. I go into the next room with her. When I ask her what she wants, she whines her answer "I want Mommy."

This is a time I need to persevere. But to look over the past posts, and more specifically the versesperseverancece is connected to a goal. When situations like the above grate on my nerve, I will try and not just get through it. I will try and think of the goal. Is the goal just to get my child to stop whining? This is generally what I am thinking in this situation.

The goal could be to train her in a Godly way. My approach then changes to how I deal with the situation. My typical response is to play warden and get her to do what I say. The attempt with a goal my require me to explain why this behavior is in appropriate and also give her an alternative action that is more acceptable, for example: "If you need mommy this is how you get her attention ..... " (and then get her to do what I say).

Perseverancece does not mean that we simple wait until an annoying or uncomfortable experience passes. To persevere is to deal with the situation with the goal in mind.

Lesson: To persevere you must act appropriately to a situation to move you closer to your goal.

Quietness

Watched the kids and worked outside today. Listened to "The Listener's Bible" narrated by Max McLean for a little while working inside. The BibleGateway Verse for today was Hebrews 12:1. No major theological thinking occurred today.

The verse for today likens the life we are to live with a race. Just as a runner surrounds himself with fans to cheer him on, we should surround ourselves with a great cloud of witnesses. Associating yourself often with other believers helps you run the race.

The verse also talks of "throwing off everything that hinders." This is like the runner who runs with very little, the funny looking runner who has shaved all his hair of his head and body so he may run faster. We are to remove that obstacles (sin) that entangle us. We sin because of our nature. Sin slows us down and places on the wrong track.

Holy Responsibility

We must live responsibly. This post is an addendum to the previous post "Faith," were we are challenged to live faithfully and not safely.

1 Timothy 5:8; "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (NIV)

Lesson: We are responsible to provide for our family.

Faith

Hebrews 11


By faith people of God accomplish great things for his glory. Biblically speaking, without faith there would be no Isaac, no entering the promised land, no military victories and no Christ.

The safe road is rarely the narrow one. According to this world it is safer to buy a savings bond then to give your money to the church. But it is by faith that we give to the church, that we will see our investment has multiplied many times over when we enter heaven. A limited return on a limited investment for a limited time vs. an unlimited return on a limited investment for all of eternity.

Do we take the safe path and perform dubious acts to advance our careers, or do we follow God faithfully? A good career secures our future ... until we die. Faithfulness to God may not secure our future here on earth, but it will secure our place in heaven.

Lesson: Choose faith over safe for greater rewards.

Graceful Acceptance

Matthew 19:14; "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"

Jesus gives the kingdom to the children. They did not ask. They just wanted to be around Jesus. Jesus let's those in that have not asked for it.

Since it was not what we see that they are judged, it is what we cannot see that they are judged. Not by acts are these children are judged and let in, but because God sees their heart.

Lesson: It is the heart that is judged by God.

Graceful Forgiveness

John 8:1-11., the story of an adulteress brought before Jesus by Pharisees and "teachers of the law." It is in this story that we get the phrase, "Ye without sin cast the first stone."

What I find interesting is John 8:10-11; "10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?'

11'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" - NIV

Jesus does not condemn the woman. She does not ask for forgiveness and the passage does not indicate repentance. Jesus seems to forgive the woman before she asks for it.

Lesson: Forgive those who wrong you before they ask for forgiveness.