Perseverance

“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” James 1:4

It is not our nature to enjoy pain. Both physical and emotional pain can be unbearable at times, so I have heard but thankfully never really experienced. Sometimes I try to put myself into the shoes of someone else, because there is no way to know what the next hour, day, or year has in store for us. I think about families in Haiti and what it must be like to lose parents, children and friends in the blink of an eye. The world we live in can change instantly. Some of you might be in the midst of trials right now. On the outside you may look fine, but deep down there is pain and suffering.

In Galatians, Paul says that someday we will “reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).” It is encouraging to know that we will be rewarded for our genuine obedience. The trials that we face, both big and small, will only last a short time. In 1 Peter 1:6-7 it says, “for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith… may be found.” When we are faced with trials, our faith is what we fall back on. If anyone is going through a trial, I pray that joy in the Lord will carry them through. If now is not a time of trial, than let us search our hearts for what we have put our faith in. The question is not whether we will be tested, but rather is our faith rooted in a God strong enough to persevere and carry us when we are tested.

- Matt Simmonds

Strength

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7

This passage is taken just before Cain kills his brother Abel. God speaks to Cain and challenges him to do better. Cain is coldhearted and consumed with jealousy and anger. At some point and in some way, we can all relate.

Every day we are faced with the battle against sin. In the verse above it states that “sin is crouching at your door.” Identifying sin and temptation in our lives is imperative in order to master it. How can we battle sin in our own lives? What if we are not strong enough?

In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul talks about putting on the full armor of God in order to “stand against the schemes of the devil.” Each piece of armor that is mentioned cannot be attained on our own. Truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, and the spirit are all pieces of the armor that God supplies. Each of these gifts prepares us for day to day battle. Alone we are weak but with God we are strong.

In any competition or battle, we must be equipped in order to succeed. This week I encourage you to read Ephesians 6:10-20 and to begin preparing yourself each day for the battles ahead. Thanks for reading this week and have a great Thanksgiving with friends and family.

-Matt