[marriagerestoration] Digest Today...!

Message
1. Endure to the End!!

Endure To The End!"O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly; My soul thirsts

for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee, In a dry and weary land where

there is no water. Thus I have beheld Thee in the sanctuary, To see

Thy power and Thy glory. Because Thy lovingkindness is better than

life, My lips will praise Thee. So I will bless Thee as long as I

live; I will lift up my hands in Thy name." (Psalm 63:1-41).

"And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved." (Mark 13:13).

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial..." (James 1:12).

Our life in the world is faced with many challenges, challenges with

marriage, with family, with jobs, with financial hardship, and countless others. Many of us are faced with so many trials. I sometimes ask myself when these trials will end. It seems that no one is exempt from the difficulties that arise from living in this present evil age.

James is giving us a tremendous challenge with these words! "Blessed

is a man who perseveres under trial..." Some people think that the

Christian life is a life free from trials and worries. But that is simply not the case. When we become Christians, we are enlisting in a

battle that will cause us to be exposed to the attacks of the enemy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Satan and his hosts will focus

their assaults on us and attempt to get us to desert and leave the

side of God.

You may currently be facing some very difficult and serious trials

right now. Some with marriage, health, and others with various kinds

of other trials: money, relationships, children. All of us need to

be the recipients of prayers and encouragement.




Even while you read this devotional you may now be passing through a

critical experience in your marriage; but I entreat you, be not hasty,

be not discouraged, but submit your case to God. Wait upon the Lord

and do His will, and in this hour of trial He will work for you, and

you will obtain a precious experience. Lie low at the foot of the

cross. Give God a chance to work, and He will teach you precious

lessons.




Isn't this a wonderful promise? When you experience the wrath of the

enemy of our Lord, submit your case to God. Wait upon the Lord and DO

HIS WILL, and in this hour of trial He will work for you. And what

will be the result? You will obtain a precious experience.... He will

teach you precious lessons. You will be blessed!




So many people are wanting to have a closer walk with God - but

without the cost. Through the years I have had many people tell me

that they want to have a precious experience with God, a growing

faith and patience, but they are often afraid to ask for it, because

they are afraid that it means they will have to go through a trial of

some sort. Well, let me tell you, that is part of the normal Christian life! Life is a test. Life is a trial. The question is how are we going to handle it. Are we going to depend on God and be loyal to Him? Or are we going to give up our faith?




James tells us that we are to "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing this that your faith produces

endurance." (James 1:2-3).




Peter concurs with these sentiments by saying: "In this you greatly

rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have

been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith being

more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by

fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the

revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7).




This is another way of saying: Stick with it to the end! Don't give up!




Trials are God's opportunities to purify our lives and faith so that

we will be able to stand firm when He appears... Malachi 3:2.




While we are going through these fiery trials, it may seem like we are

going to lose everything, that everything will be gone. But listen

to the reassurance of God: "For I, the Lord, do not change;

therefore you,... are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6).




God is the Divine Refiner and He sits patiently watching over us

making sure that only the dross, the crud, the sin, in our lives is

destroyed. When He sees His face perfectly reflected back to Him in

our lives, then He can remove us from the fires!




God has promised to be with us. "I will never desert you, nor will I

ever forsake you" so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid." (Hebrews 13:5-6).




Remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3).

They were thrown in the fiery furnace because they were not willing to give up their loyalty to God and His commands. They were relying on the promises of God to be with them through their trial.




"But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who

formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have

called you by name; You are Mine! "When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow

you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor

shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One

of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and

Seba in your place." (Isaiah 43:1-3).




God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And

though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its

waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling

pride. (Psalm 46:1-3).




Don't ever give up! God will be with you through every trial, through

every test, through every circumstance that you have to face.




I would like to leave you with this challenge today. Don't give up!

Keep enduring to the end and at the end of the journey we will find

our reward. Jesus says: "It is the one who endures to the end who

will be saved." (Mark 13:13). Don't give up! Keep on trusting in

God no matter what the trial, no matter what the test. Don't give

up! Put your faith in God. He will never leave you nor forsake

you. What more can I say my friends, but to trust in God.




Be encouraged




Pastor Doreen

2778 NW 193 Terr. Miami, FL 33056




Please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry by planting a

seed so we can continue to help the hurting. Remember, God is no

man's debtor. In order to reap, we must sow. May God bless you.

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