Stamina for the journey

In sporting circles stamina is a very important ingredient to have if you want to succeed, especially if you are taking part in endurance sports. The following definitions are helpful in reflecting on what stamina means for us: 

"Enduring energy, strength, and resilience" - Collins Dictionary

"Great physical or mental strength that allows you to continue doing something for a long time." - Brittanica

So, the question I have for us is this: How do we build spiritual stamina in our lives? We know that following Christ is an amazing gift, but it also takes stamina. We are not just following Jesus for one day - hopefully we plan to follow Him for our entire lives. 

So, what do you do to build up your spiritual stamina? What helps you?

2 Thessalonians 3:5 - May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

Hebrews 10:36 - Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Motivation

Motivation is a strange thing. Sometimes we wake up feeling motivated for the day or some meetings we know are coming up. However, the very next day, we can wake up and feel flat - there is zero motivation to do anything. 

So, if our motivation is not going to come from how many hours sleep we had last night, where is it going to come from? Perhaps it needs to come from another person? Someone who knows us and who wants the best for us. Someone who believes in our potential and can see that we are struggling. What do you think of that?

The same reasoning applies to our faith. Read this verse: 

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." - Hebrews 10:24

The writer clearly believes that acting in love and doing good for others is an important part of following Christ. However, in the same breath, he also implies that this doesn't always come naturally for us. One day we may feel excited to do this, but the chances are, that we may not feel like it on another day. We need Christian friends to help motivate us towards these end goals! 

Thought: Who needs some motivation today? How can you 'spur' them on towards love and good deeds?

Living in grace

D3LM3

Holding Fast

On more than one occasion, the writer of Hebrews encourages his listens to hold onto their faith. Clearly this was something that they were struggling with and needed to be motivated to keep the faith. 

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." - Hebrews 10:23

I am convinced that these words ring true for many of us today too. We profess our faith in Jesus Christ, but there are many things and people that can cause us to waver. Let us remember that the 'hope we affirm' is not in our own ability, but rather in the greatness of God. 

The Lord is the one we can trust to keep his promises. Other people and institutions will disappoint us, but Christ remains faithful.

David Wilkerson - "Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail-his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world."

Living in grace

D3LM3

Our confidence in Christ

Can our confidence in Christ help us in our everyday witness for the Gospel? If you are not sure what I am really asking, then please read these words from Huldrych Zwingli and see if my question then makes sense.

"Our confidence in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent, or careless, but on the contrary, it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives and doing good. There is no self-confidence to compare with this."

Zwingli's words make sense to me. It reminds me that when we rely on the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can be confident in God working through our lives.

Hebrews 10:35 - So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Hold unswervingly

 

^"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23

This was one of the verses from our Sunday message today. There is so much power and truth in this short verse, that I think we should pause and contemplate it in more detail. These are the things that stand out for me:

1. I need to hold onto Jesus's promises...

2. Hope is not just a vague ideal, but something (someone) we need believe in ...

3. God keeps his promises...

4. God is Faithful when all else is crumbling around us...

So as you head off into the new week why don't you take this verse with you? God bless you.

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." (NLT)

"So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word." (The Message)

Living in Grace

D3LM3

 

Perseverance

At this time of the year we all need a special dose of Perseverance. It is exam time in our schools; time for budgets in many companies; meetings and planning for next year needs to be finalised; Christmas shopping lists are starting to be drawn up and last minute holiday plans are being made. Perseverance is a huge necessity for most of us.

A definition of Perseverance is "persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success." This can apply to most things that we deal with, but certainly also applies to our faith. We need to ask God to help us persevere when difficulties arise or when we are delayed in achieving our goals.

"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did."

-Newt Gingrich

Hebrews 10:36 -  "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

Keep Going! May God grant you strength for each new day.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Stephen King on Life, Hope and Writing

Just to change things up a little, I want to reflect on a few thoughts from the author Stephen King. I have been reading his wonderful book "On Writing", which is not only brilliant, but also incredibly candid. In his book, he shares how he got started writing and the 'lucky' breaks he had in his career. One of the things that struck me most was how persistent he was and how he continued to write, even though he hadn't "made it" as yet.  

Here are a few of his quotes (not all from the same book):

• Remember, Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
• Either get busy living or get busy dying.
• The scariest moment is always just before you start.

These all speak to me on some level, but as a Christian they remind us to always use the GIFTS God has given to us and to keep PERSEVERING no matter the obstacles that lie before us.

Hebrews 10:36 - You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Keep a firm grip

"Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word." - Hebrews 10:23
 
" Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (NIV)

 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

No matter what version you read of this verse, it conveys the same message - sometimes we just need to keep a firm grip on to the promises of God. Whatever you are facing today, hold onto the important promises of God. He is faithful to keep up his end of the bargain.

Living in Grace
D3LM3