The way of endurance.

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal. John 6:27

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 1 Corinthians 4:11-13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;
if we endure, we will also reign with Him;
if we deny Him, He also will deny us;
if we are faithless, He remains faithful—

for He cannot deny Himself. 1 Timothy 2:10-13

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 1 Peter 2:20

Oh Father of love … YOU are our Source of everything good. Help us Jesus … show us YOUR heart! Holy Spirit we need YOUR power and understanding!

Endurance is won with discipline and self-control. Perseverance is endurance in action. Don’t give up, and ONLY give in to Him. Surrender ONLY to the Lord! Don’t allow your fleshly nature to dictate what you do or desire. Desire to endure the ‘path’ He has for you. Desire the ‘food’ He has for you, rather than this world’s food. Desire spiritual understanding above all fleshly pursuits. This will only happen by your will and choices in the moment. Have you trained yourself to listen to Him all day long? Are you attentive to the Spirit of God within you?

Real endurance is only learned by going through the challenges of life. Learning to listen to the Spirit of God throughout your day, and deferring to His suggestions and directions.

Are you facing difficult challenges? How much are you turning to Him for the answers and direction? Are you calm enough to listen and hear Him? Can you ‘wait on Him’? Do you trust Him in the moment? Have you invited Him to advise you in every area of your life? Or do you keep Him from certain ‘rooms’ in your life?

Can you turn to Him with your ‘path’ gets treacherous? Can you turn to Him when it seems easy? Do you allow Him to really be your companion in ALL of your life? Have you developed that intimacy with Him? Do you converse with Him all day long? Is He there when the challenges you are facing are difficult?

Oh Jesus … I need YOU!