ENDURANCE ENHANCERS 2

December 8. Ephesians ch 4-6

ENDURANCE ENHANCERS 2

[1] Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1‭-‬2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

GOOD DAY: Times have really changed. Everything has become fast tracked or fast forwarded. Agricultural products have been genetically modified to grow to maturity within a short time. Animal gestation is about the only thing that has not been tampered with but their growth once delivered has been fast forwarded. For this reason, endurance and patience are almost lost virtues. Everyone wants results instantly however, God has not changed. He takes His time to do what He knows is best for us. Now if you choose to wait for Him to give His promise, how do you endure the pains and contradictions while waiting? Waiting here does not mean redundancy, it means doing what you should be doing to lead you to your expected end.

Endurance must have its root in a hope. Hope of either what God says directly to you or what you know Him to be. You must have a vivid image of your hope in your mind. Enjoy what you hope for in your imagination, feel the joy of having it. When bitten by the pain along the way to my hope, I rehearse the joy of getting there and my energy is revived. Another enhancer is the nature of God. He cannot lie and He does not change His mind, what He says He does. I look at day and night and they have not failed so I know He will not fail. Also I look at others who have gone through the same path before and are enjoying what was once a hope for them. The effect of these enhancers is to give me joy that helps me to follow the way of God. You can add your own enhancers and feel free to talk about them so we can share them to help others. We will consider how to deal with discouragement at a later time