"Endurance and Encouragement"

“Endurance and Encouragement”

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.    

Romans 15:4-6



ENDURANCE:  The fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships etc.



The TRUE BELIEVER, of Jesus Christ, can learn exactly what ENDURANCE truly is, from the Saints of both the Old Testament and the New Testament eras, as well.  Many of the Saints suffered greatly because of their alliance and RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.  Many suffered intense persecution and even death at the hands of the WICKED ENEMIES of God and His Son, Jesus, who himself was PERSECUTED like no other.  But His persecution, DEATH and RESURRECTION brought about the SALVATION of ALL mankind, even to this very moment and beyond.



Jesus told His disciples: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.” “Remember what I told you ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.”  (John 15:18,20) And so it has come to pass, as it was  with Saints of Old, so it is with the TRUE BELIEVERS of today.  Yet, because of their STEADFAST FAITH and a TRUE TRUST in God, they were then, and are, today, able to ENDURE.



The TRUE BELIEVER of today, can be ENCOURAGED, like the Apostle Paul, who suffered much PERSECUTION, but he ENDURED to the end.  And Paul, told Timothy that he was NOT ASHAMED of his suffering, because of being entrusted with the GLORIOUS GOSPEL of the Lord Jesus Christ.  And he could be ENCOURAGED, because he KNEW whom he BELIEVED, and was CONVINCED that God was ABLE to GUARD what Paul had entrusted to Him UNTIL that Day. (2 Tim. 1:12) Paul was ENCOURAGED through his suffering, and able to ENDURE it, because he KNEW that ALL the SUFFERING and PERSECUTION paled in comparison to his ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its blessings.  ALL of God’s promises enables the TRUE BELIEVER to ENDURE through their PERSECUTIONS, and to be ENCOURAGED because, it will be WORTH it ALL.  Thus, the ENDURANCE and ENCOURAGEMENT that God provides, brings HOPE to those who REMAIN FAITHFUL.  Where is your FAITH?  Are you TRUSTING God for your DESTINY?  If NOT, you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, after you are there.  However, God is offering you HOPE for an ETERNAL DESTINY in HEAVEN.  If you are WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ENDURE and be ENCOURAGED in following Jesus Christ.  So, on that Last Day, He will say to YOU: “Well done, My GOOD and FAITHFUL Servant.  Do this NOW, while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!