Perseverance

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. - Romans 5:3

The post “Path of Righteousness” discussed the path a person should go in reaction to things that are meant to bring them down; insults from others, difficulties, and road blocks along life’s journey can be overcome if first met with perseverance.

I’m reminded of a sermon from my pastor who pointed out that God’s way is not always the easiest but His way always allows you to finish strong so follow God day by day and do not quit but persevere; keep going and God will stir up a passion in your heart. He will be with you to finish the race strong.*

If someone insults you, keep on being kind and working hard. Take the path of righteousness and look forward to a great reward. Along this path are beautiful meadows and majestic mountaintops. It is the path that leads to immortality.

So the lesson for us today is that even in difficulty, we can rejoice. Life goes on so we can be inspired towards a future in which God is in control. What we should do is what the song Press On by Building 429 says to do.

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* "Sermons." FUMC Waco. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org>.

Renewed Strength

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

The post “His Strength in Me” contrasted positive and negative qualities in our daily living. Contrasting the bankruptcy of a world with dishonesty, pride, gossip, and material gain to the rewards of integrity, humility, and eternal riches.

Let us seek to ingest these positive qualities so they are in our heart. As long as the Holy Spirit is in us, no one can take that away. The Spirit of Christ is with us everywhere we go.

As the song In Me by Casting Crowns points out, when we are weak, God gives us strength and brings victory because of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Advantage for Your Day

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13

In the post “Advice for Life”, highlighted is that being on God’s side gives a tremendous advantage. The scripture above and other memorized scriptures can be very useful when faced with pressure moments in life.

I once heard about a field goal kicker in football that repeated over and over in his mind scriptures like the one above before kicking a field goal. This gave him poise as he got set to perform the winning kick in the last seconds of the game. 

One thing about sports that is related in life is how we all compete against time. We all set priorities in the use of our time. As we plan out each day, two questions must be answered: What is it that needs to be done? What is most important?

The amazing thing to me is that efficiency is thought of highly in sports but not so much these days in government, organizations, and businesses. Each sports team competes and the coach puts players in a position where they can do the best for their team. In government and in some businesses, people seem to be put out of position. They are put in a position to fail and organizations are run in such a dysfunctional way.

We all win some and loose some but the most important thing is you give it your best. If God is with you through all of it, then you’ll end up victorious. Here’s a song to inspire us toward a winning day: Through All of It by Colton Dixon.

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Momentum for a Victorious Day

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. - Ephesians 3:12

As written about in the post “Way to Freedom and Confidence”, victory in life is about taking that first step toward Jesus. Like the song One Step Away by Casting Crowns, it only takes one step so just go for it!

Take the opportunity to gain momentum with one step that leads to other steps. Before long you are gaining momentum for a victorious life; you are living with passion, loving completely, learning humbly, and living boldly.

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Gain Wisdom

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. - Proverbs 2:6

The main point of the post “The Way to Righteousness” is that what is most important is not following some law or restriction but just accepting God’s grace and doing things that make a lot of sense. Everyone needs God's grace. Once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived.

The best way is God’s Way and we can enroll in God’s school of wisdom. The Bible is the text book to the course. Here’s a video to inspire us today as we follow the best way and apply the wisdom gained in our life: The Way by Jeremy Camp.

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Will is More Important than Skill

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:13-14

The post “Instrument of Righteousness” was about yielding to God and using this as the catalyst to ultimate victory in life.  On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself in yielding to God’s will and being used as an instrument of righteousness?

You have a role to play because you have will and will is more important than skill. Choose to be on God’s side for He is always right.

In the song My Victory by Crowder, one point made is how the Cross which was meant to kill was used to bring victory for you and me. To step ahead, let us think about what the enemy uses to attack us with. Let us think about ways to turn it against the enemy and use as a means to bring victory to many lives today.

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Free Indeed

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 3:18

Explained in the post “From Death to Life” is how the pattern of sin and death was broken by the free gift of Christ. The grace of God and the gift of righteousness reigns in life eternal. There’s no better deal in the world. To me, it makes good sense to take it.

Everyone needs God’s grace. Once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived. As the main point given to us in the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe, our tomorrows can be better than our yesterdays and today can be amazing because our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The Gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down.

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Live by Faith in the Son of God

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

As pointed out in the post “Way to Righteousness”, legal obedience does not make one acceptable to God but faith in Jesus Christ does and this is God’s way of righteousness.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God but can be justified freely by grace. Not by works but by faith in Christ. As in this song Embrace the Cross by Steve Green, let us replace every doubt or fear with a deep abiding trust in Jesus.

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Follow the Path Laid Out by God's Word

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For a society to build up a resistance to corruption, we have to believe that small actions over time will build up to make major improvements. We have to look at corruption as the enemy and work together to identify this enemy in order to destroy its grip.

Reading in 2 Peter 2:10-22, we get a description of false teachers who had a grip on society during the time of Peter. They had behavior patterns that were slanderous, their message was empty, and they appealed to the lustful desires of sinful human nature. It is explained in the passage that their fate is not good for they will be destroyed and paid back for the harm they have produced.

Explained also in the passage is that the type of person affected by false teaching is the unstable; those who are taken in by the deceivers. Their own lust gains victory over them because accepting what the false teacher promises requires no effort. They simply continue with their negative habits and attitudes to receive what they want. On the other hand, righteousness requires effort.

The best idea to resist false teaching is to follow the path laid out in God’s Word. As presented in this reading, if we follow our own sinful desires, we become enslaved by whatever our flesh wants but if we submit our life to Christ, we become free. The Gospel message is the water of life that refreshes the soul for anyone who wants to be saved by our Lord Jesus.

This day with God, have confidence in the promise that hope will give optimism in a time of despair; faith will give courage in a time of doubt, and love will bring victory in a time of hate.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.