Amanda BethSharing the Truths Behind the TRUTH

May 2nd Monday’s Blog: Love Always Perseveres

This is the last blog in our series on love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. www.ChristianTimesOnline.com started posting this series every Friday under Bible Teachings-Women in Ministry if you would like to follow it from the beginning.

Today we end the series with persevering.

One of the first verses I ever memorized was Hebrews 10:35-39, So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

God has used these verses through the years to teach me how to persevere. The first thing He taught me was not to throw away my confidence.  (V.35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.)

When I’m following Christ, doing what He’s called me to do, the first thing the enemy attacks is my confidence. He’ll point out everything wrong with me. He’ll remind me of my weaknesses, past failures, insecurities, inabilities, and so on. If I start accepting those thoughts, I’ll easily trash my confidence.

Our confidence shouldn’t be in what we can do. It should be in what God can do through us. When our confidence is in God’s ability we can persevere despite our shortcomings. We can be confident He will equip us to do His will. And as we persevere in His will, we can look forward to our reward. (V.36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.)

God never takes back His promises. If God promises us something, He will deliver. Romans 11:29 says, “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” NLT

We can’t lose God’s calling on our life. We can walk away from it, but it will not be taken away. When we have done the will of God, we will receive what He has promised.

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV

I have a hard time waiting to receive God’s promises. (V.37 For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.) God’s little while and my little while never seem to be the same. For me, a little while is a couple weeks. With God, a little while can be years. God’s timing however is always perfect. He is never late delivering His promises.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

I was reading a chapter in Isaiah once, and I felt God speaking to my situation through each verse. I was ecstatic until I came to the last verse which read, “in its time I will do this swiftly.” I became discouraged instantly. I didn’t want to wait until “its time.” I wanted it right away.

No one likes the waiting process. We want everything now. However, I’ve discovered the waiting process is the most important part. The waiting process is what prepares us to handle those promises we’re waiting for.

Each promise comes with a greater responsibility. If we can’t handle what God is having us do right now, we won’t be able to handle what He has for us later on. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

We need to be obedient with the little things in order to be obedient with the bigger things. We need to follow through with our commitments, and be diligent. We need to do the best we can while waiting on God to bring us to the next level.

1 Timothy 4:15-16 says, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

I have these verses hung on my mirror as a reminder to be diligent and watch my life closely. If we want to be used by God to reach others we have to watch how we live. We have to hold on to the Truth of God’s Word, not picking and choosing what we want to believe and follow.

When I am in the waiting process, and it’s taking a while to receive God’s promises, I have to be careful I don’t lose heart and fall into disobedience. It’s hard to keep doing what’s right when we’re not seeing results. But we need to be diligent if we want to receive what God has promised. If we shrink back (lose faith) we won’t receive His promises.

(V38-39 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.)

Faith is the door to God’s promises. To persevere means to hold fast to our faith in Christ. Once we lose faith we will walk away from God’s will and we won’t receive what He has promised. Jesus said in Matthew 17:20 …I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

There have been times when I’ve wanted to give up, but God wouldn’t let me. I believe because I still had a mustard seed of faith which kept me hanging on to Him.

God has given each of us a measure of faith to help us persevere (Romans 12:3). We need to hold on to the faith He’s given us. If we press on, holding to our faith in Him, He will see us across the finish line where His promises are waiting for us.

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**Something to think about this week**

Whatever God is calling you to do right now, be diligent and don’t give up. Keep persevering. Keep walking in love. Keep holding on to God and you will receive what He has promised.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

Have a blessed week in Christ!

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**Starting next Monday, I’ll be posting guest blogs for May and June. There will be some great testimonies and Bible teachings to encourage us in our walk with Christ. I’ll be starting a new series after the guest blogs. I’ll post a reminder when the new series is about to start. I know you’ll be blessed by my guest bloggers. They all have hearts for Christ and a passion for sharing Him with the world.