Run With Endurance

“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
   “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.”
 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.“
- 1 Peter 5:5-10 (NIV)


The message was clear yesterday. I was being offered a great option to have hope and keep my job. My heart leaped for joy as I heard it but sadness and frustration followed right away and overwhelmed the first reaction.

Only God can give any one of us His gift of discernment. What this world says will not be the same as what God says.

That offer sounded true….but in reality, it was deceptive.

It gave hope…in reality, offered none.

It sounded possible to be done…in reality, it didn’t give me enough room to make decisions.

Along with that message was an email which sounded I ignored her phone calls. In reality, she never responded to my emails when I asked why I was always told after the fact happened.

Our spiritual enemy does the same.

Where he offers the most beautiful things, in reality is offering the worst.

Where he approaches with light, in reality, mimics the one true Light.

Where he offers hope and restoration, in reality, wants destruction.


The devil gets around but he is not omnipresent.

He is smart but not omniscient.

He is powerful but not omnipotent.

He is a master schemer, tempter and deceiver. He wants to only “steal, kill and destroy.”

As a child of God, I choose to stand firm in my faith.


I am not alone in my trials.


I know that all of these troubles are but for a moment.


I know that God will make all things right.


I know I have victory and He deserves all the praise and glory.


I know that despite the difficulties I encounter in this race I’m in, I know He is faithful to be by my side to help me finish this journey.


“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1,2 (ESV)



In this journey we are all in, we all start at first...But it's not about starting that is the most important and crucial in any race. It is "being able to finish." There are times when those moments come, when we feel that we can't go on any farther, any longer. But in a journey of faith, we see with our hearts. We believe "by not seeing." And we have a heavenly Father we can't see with our eyes Who is helping us endure and win this race...So....we must never give up. Let us all run with endurance. Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness, love, grace and mercy.

10 comments:

  1. What a perfect video to share for this message of running the race with endurance. I'd never seen it before but oh my! That man may not have won the race but he captured the heart of many as he continued with help to the finish.

    Rosel, you are not alone in your daily struggles. I too am going through very difficult and challenging times. We can pray for one another and I'm so grateful for that. We will run this race with endurance as we lift one another up in the name of Jesus.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  2. We are called to finish the race, and what you have written is so true.

    May God open another door for you if you discern that this one is closing. However, the words that are on my heart for you this morning are in Isaiah 55 -

    You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
    the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
    and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
    Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
    This will be for the LORD’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.

    Thinking of you and praying for you this morning.

    Love
    Lidj

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  3. It is a Sunday late afternoon here in our beautiful homeland dear Rosel. Somehow the Lord brought you to my remembrance and this song just would not leave my mind! So here it is... I am sure youh have heard this song before.

    Whatever they are offering you... discern if it is a trap or if it is a corridor, a waiting room, like a holding tank where God is putting you before giving you your next marching orders. You alone will know that. He will speak to you.

    But in my spirit, whatever it is, you are walking through an open door. GOd is bringing you to the next higher level of your life.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=616tqslIhUM&feature=related

    God bless you today. My family will celebrate Passover here tomorrow evening. I will think of you dear friend.

    Love
    Lidj

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  4. You are such an inspiration and encouragement to me dear sister in your spiritual walk more than I can ever convey to you.

    This post touched me deeply on many levels.

    Happy Easter to you and your beautiful family. My prayers continue to rise up to the highest of heavens on your behalf.

    Love you,
    Alleluiabelle

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  5. Precious sister, you are such a blessing to my life with your words on my blog, your prayers and your heart sharing here on your blog. Rosel, I've been praying for you dear one! Wisdom, discernment, God's favor, strength and peace for you! I know that He is leading your life and that ONLY what He purposes is what will happen with work, home etc. GOD is good! Trust His Goodness in your life Psalm 27:13-14KJV. Love you dear one!

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  6. God alone gives wisdom and discernment. He has obviously bless you with both.

    ~Ron
    *******

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  7. I continue to pray for you in this situation. Am grateful to read of the discernment God is giving you.

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  8. Hey beautiful lady..first off, I am so in love with your new banner and wording..oh my...just glorious..second I had to stop by to thank you for your love, your prayers and your faithfulness that you have shown throughout this journey we have been on together in blog land,,(and life..lol)..I don't have your email so I can't get back to you when you comment on my blog since it states non reply back..so I am replying back here.. I LOVE YA GIRL!!

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  9. do not look at the things that are seen for the things that are seen are temporary, look to the things that are not see. The things that are not seen are eternal.

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  10. Hi -

    You are certainly not alone. Our Lord bids you, "Let us pass over unto the other side."

    Mark 4 - KJV

    ReplyDelete

"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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